Chase Coley’s transition to catcher this year helped Loyd Starmake the Class 2A state playoffs. Coley will continue improving hisskills at Copiah-Lincoln Community College, joining a procession ofLoyd Star standouts who have played for the Co-Lin Wolves.

“I’m very excited about going to Co-Lin,” said Coley. “Co-Linhas a very good baseball program.”

Coley, (5-10, 170), a standout in baseball and football, hasplayed numerous positions at Loyd Star. He has worked as aninfielder, pitcher and outfielder.

As a senior, Coley batted .390. He hit 2 homers and 11 doubles,earning first team recognition on The Daily Leader’sAll-Lincoln County Baseball Team for a second straight year. Healso was named to the Leader’s All-Lincoln County FootballTeam as a wingback.

“Chase has the skills to become an outstanding catcher for us,”said Co-Lin head coach Keith Case. “He has a strong arm and he’sfast.”

Case compared Coley to former Co-Lin all-state/regional catcherLance Newman who played at Loyd Star. Newman is now the startingcatcher for Troy State (Ala.) University.

Seth Lofton and Jason Miles, two Loyd Star products, both sawstarting duty as freshmen in the 2001 Co-Lin season. They helpedlead Co-Lin to a 34-26 record and the NJCAA Region 23 Tournamentchampionship in a major rebuilding season.

In 2000, Co-Lin posted a 47-27 record and finished fourth in theNJCAA World Series at Millington, Tenn.

Loyd Star coach Anthony Hart said Coley worked overtime tobecome an outstanding catcher, making the difficult transtion fromshortstop. “Chase developed a strong throw to second base and fewteams tried to steal on him. He will continue to improve at Co-Linand his future looks bright.”

Coley was named to the South Class 1A-2A-3A All-Star Team. Thegame was held three weeks ago at the University of SouthernMississippi’s Pete Taylor Park. He said he was undecided on hismajor at Co-Lin.

Coach Case said he planned to sign a few more players. Among therecent signees were pitchers Cole Zumbro of Franklin County,Michael Edwards of Lawrence County and Mitch Magnum of SimpsonCounty Academy and infielder Kendall Poole of Brookhaven.