[6/9/04]Joey Lieberman’s draft day Tuesday was in stark contrast to his former high school teammate’s.

Lieberman, a Meridian Community College slugger who belted 18 home runs this past season, was picked by the Atlanta Braves with the final pick of the 28th round.

The former Warren Central standout said, although it was nice to see his name, he would not be pursuing a pro career yet.

“I’m going to play another year at Meridian,” said Lieberman, who helped lead the Eagles to the Junior College World Series this season. “I’ve been there two years, I like it and I have a lot of friends there. I still have a lot to do here.”

The reaction was in stark contrast to the draft’s first day that saw former WC standout Taylor Tankersley taken in the first round.

“It was nice, but not like it was the first round or anything,” Lieberman said.

Lieberman was the 851st pick in the draft, which ended Tuesday after 50 rounds. He had not talked with Braves’ coaches or scouts as of Tuesday afternoon and said the pick was pretty ho-hum.

Until he told his parents.

“They were like 100 times more excited than I was,” he said with a chuckle. “They were acting like I was the second pick in the draft. I was like, Yeah, that’s cool.'”

Lieberman was among a large crop of Mississippians chosen, including Raymond High’s Jared Elmore, who was snagged in the 33rd round by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Lieberman was injured his freshman season and earned a medical redshirt allowing him one more season to play for the powerful juco.

Lieberman said after next season, he will pursue senior college offers. Ole Miss and Alabama, which offered a scholarship for the first baseman to come to Tuscaloosa in the fall, are showing the most interest.

Tankersley and Lieberman’s former coach, Sam Temple, said having two former players who came through the youth leagues of Vicksburg should play a key role in the continued development of youth baseball in the area.

“There are a lot of people who deserve this credit,” said Temple, an assistant at Mississippi College. “I hope the people of Vicksburg, all of them through the years, will take some credit for this.

“I hope a lot of young men in town see what hard work, dedication and commitment can do for them.”