Photo: Lewisburg soccer seniors who committed to college programs are (seated from left) Larkyn Griffin (Arkansas State), along with Kaylee Redding, Marissa Black, and Lily Frazier (all Itawamba Community College). They are joined by (standing from left)athletic director Rusty Cagle, coach Scotti Miles, and assistant principal Logan Clark. (Bob Bakken/desotocountynews.com)
Thursday brought more commitments to college athletic programs, this time at Lewisburg, where four members of the Lady Patriots soccer program officially signed.
Of the group, three will remain teammates at their new destination next season, as Kaylee Redding, Marissa Black and Lily Frazier are choosing Itawamba Community College. The fourth, Larkyn Griffin, heads to Jonesboro, Arkansas, where she will play for the Red Wolves of Arkansas State.
Lewisburg coach Scotti Miles said it has been great to watch them grow as students and soccer players.
“Each one of them have fit in exactly where we needed them, when we needed them,” Miles said. “It’s been so fun watching them grow, face hard things and come out on top, through injuries and illnesses and all that stuff.”
Lewisburg, now 6-5 after a Region 1-7A win over Horn Lake Thursday, has been led by this senior group. Griffin, prior to Thursday’s contest, was second on the roster with seven goals scored. Redding has netted three goals, and Black has one. Frazier, as a defender, has played a solid position near the back line.
Griffin plays as a center midfielder and has also been a forward. Miles said Griffin can play almost anywhere on the pitch.
“I think Larkyn’s mindset and work ethic will contribute to any program she would have committed to,” Miles said. “She sees the field so well, I think that she’s going to really help them progress and help the attack.”
The Red Wolves were 4-6-6 in the fall season and were 1-5-4 in the Sun Belt Conference. Arkansas State is coached by Brian Dooley, in his eighth season in Jonesboro.
David Stroher has led the Indians of Itawamba Community College since 2015. This year’s squad finished with a 12-4-2 record and was 7-3-1 in MACCC play.
Miles had high praise for the trio heading to Fulton.
“Redding has been our center back, but she’s also an amazing goalkeeper,” Miles said. “She played goalkeeper for us last year, so she’s really versatile on that aspect of being a field player, and in the goal. Marissa has fit anywhere we needed her all four years. If I need someone to go play defense, she’s there. Midfield, there, Forward there, I can probably even ask her to be a goalkeeper, and she’d be like, ‘OK.’ Lily plays defense, and she has just grown so much.”
Thursday, Dec. 5
Prep boys basketball
Center Hill 48, Saltillo 42
Prep girls basketball
Center Hill 67, Saltillo 57
Center Hill: Madison Hughes-26 points, Yazlyn Buffington-18 points
