WESSON – For inspiration, the Co-Lin Wolves watched a replayMonday afternoon of the 1999 Co-Lin squad winning the MACJC StateTournament title. For success Monday night, the Wolves used clutchfree throw shooting to turn back the Holmes Community CollegeBulldogs 95-89 in the opening round of the state tourney in MullenGymnasium.

The Wolves made 37 of 42 free throws to reach tonight’s 8o’clock state title game. They’ll meet Northwest, a 105-98 winnerover Jones County Monday.

In the 6 p.m. women’s title game, Northwest plays Jones County.Northwest eliminated Pearl River 73-63 and Jones beat Northeast99-92.

Co-Lin sophomore guard Ron Haynes was among the Wolves watchingthe 1999 state championship game film which Co-Lin also won inMullen Gymnasium. “That film inspired us. We’ll have the home crowdbehind us tonight.”

Haynes sacked 6 straight free throws in the final 4 minutes ofthe game, setting a standard for his teammates. The Wolves weredeadly from the charity stripe, making 16 straight in the last 5minutes and 26 of 29 the second half.

The Wolves (22-5) overcame a 45-39 halftime deficit as Holmesshot the lights out. The Bulldogs made 10 of 24 treys in the game,led by Rod Newton’s game-high 24 points.

“We started blocking out better the second half,” said Haynes, asophomore from Monticello who finished with 16 points. “(Holmes)was getting a lot of transition baskets. We wanted to stop theirdribble penetration and stay with our man.”

Freshman forward Brannon Barfield electrified the partisanCo-Lin crowd with 5 backboard-shaking dunks. His fifth and finaldunk came with 6:25 left to play, giving Co-Lin a 74-73 advantage.Barfield finished with 22 points and 14 rebounds.

Barfield was followed by sophomore guard Brandon Dickerson whopumped in 20 points and grabbed 14 rebounds.

Freshman center Quentin Christian contributed 19 points, 6rebounds and 4 blocked shots. He said the Wolves played as a teamin the second half. “We got on the same page on defense. Barfieldgot some big rebounds and everybody stepped it up.”

Co-Lin playmaker Barry Whitley chipped in 13 points, 10 assistsand 4 steals. Because he missed a team meeting, Whitley didn’tstart the game and sat out the first 4 minutes and 26 seconds.

Coach Dennis Sims said his team’s free throw shooting wasdecisive. “Making 37 of 42 is something we’ll take any game.

“It was good to have Quentin Christian and Brannon Barfieldelevate their games.”

Holmes (17-12), coached by Todd Kimble, absorbed its third lossto Co-Lin this season. The Bulldogs had 5 players in doublefigures. Jonathan Asuzu, Isaac Greenwood and B.J. Townsend eachscored 17 points. Greenwood had 16 points the first half and wasone of three Bulldogs to foul out in the last 35 seconds of thegame.

A blocked shot by Christian was preceded by 2 free throws byHaynes which put Co-Lin up by 4 points, 82-78 with 3:51 left toplay. The Wolves proceeded to sink 12 straight free throws.

Northwest 105, Jones 98

Forty-two points by Jones County center Omar Barlettweren’t enough to overcome Northwest. The Rangers (21-5) got 27points from guard Jarvis Smith and 26 from guard JasonRogan.

Jones 99, Northeast 92

Forward Tamika Pierce scored a tournament-high 48 pointsfor Northeast in a losing cause. Jones County got 28 points fromTammika Sims and 21 from Ebony Johnson.

Northwest 73, Pearl River 63

Rhonda Cooper scored 20 points and Quintess Swanson 12in leading Northwest over the Pearl River women. Pearl River got 14from Mindy Ladner and 10 from Brandi Ladner.

Co-Lin 95, Holmes 89

Holmes (89) Rod Newton 24, Tucker 10, B. Townsend 17,Greenwood 17, Oliver 2, Asuzu 17, Pickens 2, Roberson0.

Co-Lin (95) Brannon Barfield 22, Dickerson 20, C. Smith0, Haynes 16, Whitley 13, Thompson 1, Calcote 0, Black 2, Christian19, L. Townsend 2.

Halftime score: Holmes 45-39.

Total fouls: Holmes 28. Co-Lin 20. Fouled out-Greenwood,B. Townsend, Newton.

Free Throws M-A: Holmes 11-20. Co-Lin37-42.

3-point goals: Holmes 10-24 (Newton 3, B. Townsend 3,Azuzu, Greenwood). Co-Lin 2-10 (Whitley 1-3, Dickerson 1-4, Haynes0-2, Thompson 0-1).

Rebounds: Holmes 29 (Newton 10). Co-Lin 44 (Barfield 14,Dickerson 14).

Assists: Co-Lin 16 (Whitley 10). Steals: Co-Lin 10(Whitley 14). Turnovers: Holmes 16. Co-Lin 13.

Field goals M-A: Holmes 34-73. Co-Lin28-51.