WESSON — It’s a rebuilding year for both the men’s and women’sbasketball teams at Copiah-Lincoln Community College. How well theincoming freshmen adjust to the college level competition shoulddetermine the success level.

Co-Lin tips off its season Thursday night, hosting the HolmesCommunity College Bulldogs. The women’s game starts at 6, followedby the men at 8.

The Co-Lin Lady Wolves are coming off a state tournamentchampionship season. They are missing All-American guard TianiaBurns who signed with Mississippi State University. Burns averaged27.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists last season as the LadyWolves finished 29-1.

Also lost to graduation were center Shaquita Smith (12.9 ppg,7.3 rpg) forwards Nikki Blakely (6.1 ppg, 4.4 rpg), and LindseyAltman (5.0 ppg and 2.8 rpg) and point guard Ayme Beeson (3.5 ppg,6.3 assists). Blakely signed with West Georgia and Beeson signedwith Mississippi College.

“We’ve got a good group of young players but it will take timefor them to adjust,” said Young. “Learning how to play full-court,man-to-man defense is a priority.”

Young has four sophomores on the 13-member squad in 5-9 forwardLoretta Martin (8.2 ppg, 4.3 rpg) of Kenner, La., 5-11 forwardLauren Williams (4.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg) of Mendenhall, 5-10 forwardVictoria Richardson (6.0 ppg, 3.9 rpg) of Hazlehurst and 5-8forward Renee Fields of Magee.

Young has a talented group of first-year players. This couldbecome one of his best perimeter shooting teams if Dana King ofWest Lincoln and Jessica Melton of Bogue Chitto can find the rangefrom 3-point land. Ayana Tillman, a 6-foot center from Brookhaven,is expected to help out at the post position.

Starting his 26th season at Co-Lin, Young is looking forward tothe campaign. He has compiled a record of 559 wins and 175 losses.He has won 4 state championships and 4 regional crowns.

The Wolves, coached by Dennis Sims, have two veterans returningin 6-7 center Derrick Jarvis of Natchez and 6-6 guard JeremyRichardson of Zachary, La. As freshmen, Richardson averaged 9.2points and 2.0 rebounds per game. Jarvis averaged 5.2 ppg and 4.2rpg.

Jason Scott, the team’s leading scorer (17.6 ppg, 5.6 rpg)graduated.

What we have tried to do this year is try to improve ourathleticism and speed. The last few years we were non-athletic andslow.

Sims is in his eighth year at Co-Lin. His Wolves won a statechampionship in the 1998-99. A lack of speed and shooting skillshave hurt the Wolves in recent campaigns. Sims decided to signbasketball players who could run.

“This group could be the quickest team we have ever had atCo-Lin,” said Sims. “We hope they can play like Barry Whitley,” aformer all-state guard for the Wolves.

“We didn’t get much size,” answered Sims when asked aboutrecruiting. “We went after two out-of-state guards with speed.Overall, our recruiting class was physically small.”

Two freshman guards from Brookhaven, Brandon Caston and DexterMiddleton, are expected to make immediate contributions to thesquad. Luke Lofton, a freshman from West Lincoln, will play aforward position.

Rashon Autman, a freshman redshirt from Brookhaven, should makean impact at the position.

Co-Lin Women’s Roster

SOPHOMORES: Loretta Martin, 5-9, Kenner, La.; VictoriaRichardson, 5-10, Hazlehurst; Lauren Williams, 5-11, Mendenhall;Renee Fields, 5-8, Magee.

FRESHMEN: Dana King, 5-5, West Lincoln; Jessica Melton, 5-7,Bogue Chitto; Demetrice Jackson, 5-3, Tallulah, La.; TravalynSmith, 5-10, Union Church; Aiesha Collins, 5-7, Hazlehurst; AvaBrown, 5-11, Loyd Star; Crystal Brown, 5-11, Natchez; AyanaTillman, 6-0, Brookhaven.

Co-Lin Men’s Roster

SOPHOMORES: Martez Hopkins, 5-10, Jackson; Dontae Dixon, 5-8,Brookhaven; Jeremy Richardson, 6-6, Zachary, La.; Jason Berry, 6-0,Jackson; Don Lockhart, 6-5, Mendenhall; Derrick Jarvis, 6-7,Natchez.

FRESHMEN: Dexter Middleton, 6-2, Brookhaven; Ledell Eackles,5-10, Baton Rouge, La.; Brandon Caston, 5-10, Brookhaven; DartezEdwards, 5-10, Monroe, La; Luke Lofton, 6-3, West Lincoln; AnthonyWilcher, 6-4, Bude; Dewones Smith, 6-3, Fayette; Derrick Stewart,6-3, Natchez; Erik Newsome, 6-4, Mendenhall; Rayshon Autman, 6-6,Brookhaven.

2003-04 Co-Lin Schedule

NOVEMBER: 6-Holmes, 10-At Coahoma, 17-18 Northwest Tournament,20-Coahoma, 24-25 Southwest Tournament.

DECEMBER: 4-Meridian, 8-Gulf Coat, 16-At Delgado (La.).

JANUARY: 8-Delgado, 12-At Jones County, 15-Pearl River, 19-AtEast Central, 22-Southwest, 26-At Hinds-Utica, 29-At Meridian.

FEBRUARY: 2-Gulf Coast, 5-Jones County, 9-Pearl River, 12-EastCentral, 16-At Southwest, 19-Hinds-Utica 23-26 State Tournament atNorth women’s winner

MARCH: 1-4 REGION 23 Tournament at Mississippi College.