Shalonda Williams’ mother played on the first state championship team at Warren Central.

Now, the sophomore will have a chance to do the same after trading her Missy Gators’ uniform for a Lady Vikes’ uniform after moving into the WC district.

Wearing No. 30, Williams arrived at WC on Monday when classes started.

“You have to look at it realistically,” Vicksburg coach Mike Coleman said. “It should make them a better team. I feel like they are now not only the odds-on favorite for the district title, but they ought to go far at the coliseum. They have to be considered one of the top two or three teams in Class 5A.”

Mississippi High Schools Activity Association rules state that a student is eligible for activities if that student moves with the legal guardian into a different area.

As a freshman last year at Vicksburg, Williams averaged 10 points and 3.6 assists in garnering Vicksburg Post All-County honors.

The long-range shooting specialist played on the Vicksburg summer team and played against WC several times.

Fuller said Williams will have an opportunity to earn a starting spot, but the Lady Vikes return all five starters from last season’s 13-15 squad.

“Anytime we start, everyone is fighting for a position,” Fuller said. “There are no set positions. I don’t care what happened, we are starting new.”

Coleman said he and Fuller, who coached the Mississippi All-Stars in 1995 together, are still close.

“We discussed it … and agreed that no matter what, we were not going to let a 14- or 15-year-old kid mess up our friendship,” Coleman said. “That would be ridiculous.”

Fuller coached Williams’ mother, Carolyn, as a ninth-grader and three years later, in 1986, led WC to its first state championship.

“Her mom was a great shooter, and I think Shalonda is a great shooter,” Fuller said. “She’s quicker than her mom was and she’s a better ball handler. Her mom’s favorite statement was she’d blow their eyes out’ (from outside).”

One year ago, in midseason, Miguel Henyard left Warren Central for Vicksburg High and helped the Gators to a division title.

Fuller can only hope his addition could prove as fruitful.

“She made the first time we played Vicksburg last year extremely close because she hit a few big 3’s,” Fuller said.

Coleman, who led Vicksburg to a 7-25 finish in his first year, said his team is already much improved over last year.

“We had an excellent summer and everyone is improved,” Coleman said. “We are twice as good now as we were last year.”