New Albany Bulldogs

A pair of area soccer standouts have signed national letters of intent to play for the Itawamba Community College programs next season.
The Lady Indians signed New Albany midfielder Randi Stevens while the Indians picked up goalkeeper Will Pearson of Pontotoc.

 For two players, their senior year at the Union County tournament was about redemption.

On the girls’ side, Aspriona Gilbert and Myrtle snapped a three-year losing streak to New Albany to claim its first title since 2008. The UCT has become accustomed to this match-up, and the 58-36 win improved the Lady Hawks’ perfect record to 21-0.

“I feel like I did back when we finally beat them after a while,” Gilbert said. “It feels real good.”

 The three-time defending champs had a tough start on its quest for a fourth consecutive title. Led by 41 points by Jazmine Spears, New Albany pulled out a 64-52 win over West Union to open the 2012 Union County Tournament on Thursday.

Spears scored 12 first quarter points, helping the Lady Bulldogs to a 17-8 lead, but West Union stayed within striking distance with 11 first half points from Samantha Bridges.

 Some halftime adjustments made the difference for the Bulldogs on Tuesday, as they overcame a first half deficit to defeat Ripley at home, 68-58.

The Tigers came out hitting five three-pointers in the first quarter, three from Deion Palmer, giving Ripley a 22-10 lead after the first quarter.

Behind eight second quarter points from Daniel Drummond, New Albany cut the Tigers’ lead to four, 32-28, at the half and opened the third quarter on an 8-0 run to take the lead.