First home game is Monday vs East Central

CLARKSDALE – “A lot of talent but very young and inexperienced,” describes Coahoma Community College’s 2009 Tiger basketball team, says head coach Ira Peterson.

Describing his dozen players with one sophomore and 11 freshmen, Peterson says his team is quick, shoots well, and overall is as talented as last year.

Returning is sharpshooter Donteeno Todd of Memphis.

The 2008-09 Tigers earned a berth in the state playoffs and overwhelmed state champions Jones County Junior College on their own turf until the final minutes of the first tournament game.

“We’re looking to go back this year and build on last year’s success,” says Peterson.

Although largely untested, Peterson is pleased with his team in recent scrimmages against local players, Rust College, and South Arkansas University in Magnolia, Ark.



Tipoff on the first real game is at home Monday against East Central Community College.

Asked if any new player can measure up to Tinsley (Provine) Cowan in physical aggressiveness and rebounding, Peterson says, “we have an even bigger guy in that position, but he’s inexperienced.”

Peterson says three players qualify as excellent point guards.

“Any of the three can play,” he adds.

Although six Tigers are from Memphis, the majority are Mississippians from small towns including Itta Bena, Carthage, two from Rosedale, two from Shaw and two from Clarksdale.

The Clarksdale guys are Tyrell Landfair, 6-0, and Se’Marcio Bailey, 6-4. The Rosedale players are Cordaryl Campbell, 6-3, and JaMarqus Lewis, 6-2; and from Shaw: Khiry Glenn, 6-0, and Kelvin Miller, 6-6.

From Memphis are Tony Payne, 5-10; Donteeno Todd, 6-3; Lewis McCaster, 6-5; Turio Tumblin, 6-5; Roddick Brown, 5-11; and Johnathan Gatewood, 6-10.

Others include Eric Beamon, 6-3, of Carthage, whose two sisters are former Lady Tigers; Jeremy Pollard, 6-1, of South Delta; and Quintarus Robinson, 6-5, from B.B. King’s birthplace of Itta Bena.

Assisting Peterson is assistant coach Cedrik Tenner who also coaches the Lady Tigers.

Following Monday’s game, the basketball teams will travel to Shreveport for the Southern University Classic Nov. 13-14, and will return home Nov. 19 to play Arkansas Baptist University.

Other home games before the holiday break are Southern University, Nov. 30; Itawamba, Dec. 3; and Meridian Community College on Dec. 12.