Brookhaven’s Wallace signs scholarship with Millsaps
Published 5:00 am Tuesday, June 5, 2001
Juliana Wallace is going to have a busy college schedule.Besides taking classes to prepare for a career in medicine, sheplans to play basketball and softball at Millsaps College.
Wallace recently signed a scholarship with the Lady Majors.Along with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.L. Wallace; BHS softballcoach Lisa Covington and BHS girls basketball coach Ronald Gillwere present for the ceremony.
“I’m real excited about the basketball program at Millsaps,”said Wallace. “They haven’t been very good but (Millsaps) Coach(Robin) Jeffries has signed some good players.
“Hopefully we can help them get back on the winning track.”
Jeffries, a Lincoln County native, is starting her second seasonas head coach at Millsaps. Her first edition finished 6-19.
Millsaps is recognized for its high academic standards. “AtMillsaps the first thing we stress is academics,” said Jeffries.”Our players have to be strong in academics before they can playsports.”
Wallace, a 5-foot-10 forward in basketball, averaged 11,2points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game, helping the LadyPanthers to a 19-10 record and No. 1 seeding in the Division 6-4ATournament. She was named to The Daily Leader’s All-LincolnCounty Girls Basketball Team and was named Co-MVP on the All-CountyGirls Slowpitch Softball Team.
“I watched Juliana play a couple of games and she reallystood out,” said Jeffries. “She is a strong, well-rounded playerwith a good work ethic. She also did well in heracademics.”
Wallace maintained a 4.0 averaged as a senior at BHS and hada 3.97 overall average. She enjoys chemistry and biology.
“Coach Gill helped me become the player I am today,” saidWallace. “He helped me develop patience.”
She was a 3-year starter for Gill’s Lady Panthers. “Julianais a special young lady,” said Gill. “She should do well atMillsaps. She’s a physical and an emotional player; a great athletewith a lot of talent.”
As a softball player for Coach Covington, Wallace playedshortstop and third place. She batted .648 in softball, hitting 9home runs, 11 triples and 6 doubles.
In fastpitch, she batted .289 and served as teamcaptain.
“Millsaps will get a good player in Juliana,” saidCovington. “She has been an outstanding player for me.”
Wallace said Covington has helped her become a better playerand person. “Coach Covington has helped me mature, both on and offthe field. I sure won’t miss her summer practices because they wereso tough,” she added with a laugh.
Wallace will play in this summer’s Mississippi Associationof Coaches High School All-Star Softball Games. They will be playedat Raymond High School, July 7,