By Angie Ledbetter

After her father passed away while she was in the fourth grade, South Panola Lady Tiger Christa Brown started going to the Batesville Boys and Girls Club where she learned to play sports under Mr. Jones. She continued to carry that athleticism into her junior high and high school years.

The 5’3”, 122 lb. senior is an all-around three-sport athlete. She plays slow pitch, fast pitch and basketball but basketball is her favorite because she loves playing the game. She has been a starter on the varsity team for three years and loves playing point guard.

“I love controlling the game and the aggressiveness on defense and offense,” said Brown.

A lot of pressure is on her this season because she is only one of two seniors. The team is looking for her to carry the load and she says she can handle it.

“Coach Ralph Stallings told me at the beginning of the season if I didn’t get 30 points a game I had to run the next day in practice.”

One special thing is that Brown has a younger sister starting who is a junior.

“Chresha and I are very competitive on the court but she helps me out a lot. It’s a lot of fun to play with her.”

Her mother, Regina Morgan, is her biggest supporter.

“She’s always at my home games cheering me on but can’t make all the away games due to taking care of my younger brothers and sisters. It’s very important that I have her there because after all the games she talks to me about what I could’ve or should’ve done.”

Another person that Brown looks up to is Stallings.

“He’s a good, hard coach and really like a father to me. I’ve played for him all four years and love it.”

“Brown has dominated all the games so far on offense and defense,” Stallings said. “She has so much potential and somebody that doesn’t sign her is going to miss a real diamond player.

“I don’t expect anything less from her this year because she’s done it throughout her career. She’s the go to girl and I think she can handle it.”

When Stallings got Brown as a freshman he said all she had was speed but has grown through the years as a player and person.

“She’s well respected by her teammates and feared by other teams. She’s a very vocal leader but very encouraging and I think she’s a perfect leader.”

Brown plans to attend college and continue to play basketball.