January 5, 2005

For More Information, Contact: Keith Gentry (901) 333-4114 / Kimberly Stark (901) 333-4023

SALUQIS BASKETBALL PLAYERS AMONG TJCCAA LEADERS
Release written by Keith Gentry

Several Southwest men’s and women’s basketball players were ranked among the statistical leaders this week in the Tennessee Junior and Community College Athletic Association. The Saluqi men are currently 10-5 overall and are in second place in the TJCCAA Western Division at 4-2. The Lady Saluqis are also 10-5 overall and are tied for first place in the West with a 3-3 record.

The Southwest men lead the TJCCAA in scoring offense at 92.0 points per game and are seventh in scoring margin at 7.1. Sophomore guard Nick Covington ranks high in several statistical categories. Covington, a native of Little Rock, Arkansas who transferred to Southwest from Three Rivers Community College, ranks seventh in free throw percentage (80.8), ninth in three-point field goal percentage (40.0), and 14th in assists (3.1). Two other Saluqis also are listed in three categories - freshman guard Lester Hudson and freshman forward Deon Lawson. Hudson, a product of Memphis Central High School, ranks eighth in rebounding (6.7), eighth in steals (2.1), and eleventh in free throw percentage (80.0). Lawson, a former player at Memphis East High School, ranks 10th in blocked shots (0.9), 13th in rebounding (5.5), and 15th in field goal percentage (57.8).

The Lady Saluqis rank fourth in scoring offense (72.8 points per game) and fifth in scoring margin (5.5). Freshman Imesia Jackson (Crawford, MS) ranks high in three categories – second in blocked shots (1.6), seventh in field goal percentage (57.5), and seventh in rebounding (7.6). Leading scorer and rebounder Ashley Mason, who transferred to Southwest from Mississippi Delta Community College and prepped at Trezevant High School, ranks fifth in the TJCCAA in scoring (16.0) and fourth in rebounding (8.1). Two other players rank in two categories - freshman point guard Porshia Willis (Kirby High School), who is third in assists (4.2), and third in steals (2.6), and freshman Kenya Moore (Blytheville, AR), who ranks 20th in scoring at 11.6 and 13th in two-point field goal percentage at 53.4.