Coach Mark Swindle is rebuilding his Southwest MississippiCommunity College women’s basketball team. Swindle has signed twohigh school standouts from Lincoln County in Brookhaven’s TiffanyWatkins and Shamika Gilmore.

Swindle said he plans to sign as many as 14 high school seniorsto scholarships. “I’m real excited about having Shamika and Tiffanyon my team next season. I only have two players returning.

“Tiffany’s 3-point shooting will help us a lot,” said Swindle.”Shamika can run the floor and rebound. She can create problems forother teams. She’ll play a three or four spot for us.”

Swindle’s Lady Bears have been state and regional titlecontenders the last two campaigns. They were runners-up to Co-Linin the last two state tournaments.

Southwest finished 21-9 this past season, losing three times toCo-Lin. The Lady Bears were runners-up to Pearl River in theregional tournament. His sophomore class compiled a 2-year recordof 42-16.

Three of Swindle’s starters will play for senior colleges nextseason. Center/forward Nakeya Downing is headed for SoutheasternLouisiana University in Hammond. Forward Tara Abdu-Hadi has signedwith McNeese State and point guard Tramiecia Williams has signedwith Southern University of Baton Rouge.

Gilmore, a 5-11 forward, averaged 8 points, 5 rebounds and 2steals per game her senior year as the Lady Panthers advanced tothe semifinals of the Division 6-4A Tournament. She missed part ofthe season due to an elbow injury.

“I’m excited about playing for Southwest,” said Gilmore. “Welike the campus and the basketball program.”

Watkins, a 5-7 shooting guard, was moved to point guard after3-year starter Aneidra Stanton left the team in December. Watkinsand the Lady Panthers made the best of a difficult campaign as sheaveraged 7 points, 3.5 assists and 2 rebounds per game. She wasslowed by an ankle injury, sustained midway through the season.

“I’m happy about signing with Southwest,” said Watkins. “It’s agreat opportunity for us.”

Watkins said she plans to share a dorm room with Gilmore. Theyboth plan to major in sports medicine.

Brookhaven first-year head coach Billy Holmes is a graduate ofSouthwest. He played for Southwest president Dr. Horace C. Holmesin the late 1950s.

“I’m extremely happy for both of these girls,” said CoachHolmes. “They both did a lot of good things in a difficult year.For them to go to the place that I played at means a lot to me.

“Tiffany did a great job at point guard,” Holmes continued.”She’s a very good shooter but she made a sacrifice moving to pointguard.”

Brookhaven (12-18) lost to division powerhouse South Pike in thesemifinals of the division tournament at Magnolia.

“Shamika struggled early for me but she got stronger as theseason went on,” Holmes noted. “Her attitude and effort helped getback her starting job. She often helped us get the ball down thefloor. She has been working out and running since the end of theseason.”

Swindle said he has signed five players from South Pike in EricaHolloway, Traci Forest, Tiffany Aych, Chastity Green and ChervantisRobinson. Also signing with the Lady Bears were 6-foot centerNatasha Gamble of Dexter and Latresha Wilson of Jefferson County.Gamble and Forest are post players.