University of Memphis Athletics
Princess Swilley Steps Into Coaching Ranks at ECCC
Aug 25, 2005 | Women's Basketball
Aug. 25, 2005
DECATUR, Miss. - Former Lady Tiger guard Princess Swilley was named the assistant women's basketball coach at East Central Community College it was announced by Warrior head coach Billy Smith, Thursday.
Swilley, a four-year letterwinner for the Lady Tigers, capped her career in 2004, scoring exactly 1,000 career points while helping the Lady Tigers to the second round of the WNIT tournament. A native of Hazelhurst, Miss., Swilley battled through off-season shoulder surgery in her senior year to cap her career as the school's 16th 1,000 point scorer. She also finished her career with 251 assists, 179 steals and 266 rebounds. Swilley played in 113 career games, averaging 8.8 points and 2.2 rebounds while shooting 40.8 percent from the floor.
She scored double digits in 51 career games and forced a steal in 84 games. One of the Lady Tigers' offensive cornerstones, she also handed out an assist in 92 career games.
The Warriors are under first-year head coach Billy Smith after previous head coach Brad Hodge was hired at Birmingham Southern College in June. The Warriors finished 31-4 under Hodge in 2003-04 and won a Mississippi Junior College Athletic Association state title, the Region XXIII title and an appearance in the Elite Eight of the National Junior College Athletic Association Tournament. The Warriors were 20-10 last season and were runners-up in the Region XXIII tournament.
Swilley becomes the third Lady Tiger from the past two graduating classes to move into the coaches ranks. Swilley's classmate, Jordie Soso, is currently in her second year as a graduate assistant coach at Christian Brothers University, while 2005 Lady Tiger graduate, Jennifer Sullivan, was named the assistant coach at Rhodes College last week.
