His life revolves around basketball. When Gwyn Young isn’tcoaching the Copiah-Lincoln Community College Lady Wolves, he isbusy watching high school games, searching for future Co-Linplayers. In the offseason, Young is either conducting or assistingwith numerous basketball camps.

So, ho-hum, here comes victory No. 600 in Young’s distinguishedcoaching career.

“I really haven’t thought much about it,” replied Young whenasked about the 600 milestone. “It’s nice to get to that point butI approach it as just another game.”

While most coaches turn green with envy when they eyeballYoung’s won-lost record, Young prefers taking it in stride.Entering tonight’s game at Meridian, Young has accounted for 599victories and 181 losses in 28 years at the helm of the LadyWolves.

Riding a 2-game victory string, the Lady Wolves are 10-6 on theseason. They are favored to beat Meridian tonight. The next gamewill be Monday night in Co-Lin’s gymnasium, versus Gulf Coast.

Young’s squad is in a heated battle for a berth in next month’sstate tournament. The top four teams out of the North and SouthDivisions advance.

“I’d rather go ahead and get it (600) Thursday night,” Youngadmitted. “We need every win we can get.”

Obviously, Co-Lin will hold a brief ceremony between gamesMonday night, provided the Lady Wolves can win one of the next two.Young will receive some accolades, then smile humbly and startgetting ready for the next game.

At 52 years of age, Young plans on coaching several more years.Yes, his adrenalin still flows during hard-fought basketball games.He enjoys the victory and endures the agony of defeat.

Looking at this season’s youthful team, Young has been pleasedwith the progress. They started out slow but have steadilyimproved.

“Our girls are playing a lot better,” said Young. “They havecome back and worked hard. They have been willing to try and workat those things and get better. It has paid off for them.”

Young has been at Co-Lin for 29 years. He coached the men’s teamfor one season back in the late 1970s.

Over the years, Young has taken the Lady Wolves to four nationaltournaments. He’s won four regional titles, five statechampionships and 11 South Division titles.

For a coaching philosophy, Young relies on discipline and hardwork. Defense is the name of the game.

Naturally, Young has seen a lot of changes in the game ofbasketball. “Players have become more athletic. They lift weightsand they’re a lot more physical. Their roles have become similar tothe men’s game.”

Currently, Young also serves as Co-Lin’s athletic director anddean of students. He has a wide range of responsibilities.

His work day begins at 7:30 a.m. and ends after 5 p.m. On gamedays, road games usually keep him out after midnight.

Recruiting is a key to Co-Lin’s success. It has become moreimportant under the new state-wide recruiting guidelines. Only alimited number of high school stars can be placed on a protectedlist in each junior college district. It’s open season on the restof them.

Young’s wife of 30 years, the former Velesta Smith, oftenaccompanies her husband on recruiting adventures. They were inLouisiana last Friday to watch two high school games. On Saturday,Velesta stayed home while Gwyn caught the Vicksburg-Warren Centralgame and then a game in Brandon.

Recruiting advice from Young. “You look for the athlete first.Guards must be shooters and ballhandlers. Post players have to beable to score and rebound. If you’re an athlete, you can playdefense, too.”

A 1969 graduate of West Lincoln, Young grew up in a basketballhotbed. He credits former West Lincoln coach Jack Case for lightinghis basketball fire. Young played for M.K. Turk at Co-Lin and StuteAllen at Mississippi College, two more exceptional coaches.

Young and his wife have two children, Lane, age 28, and Jessica,25. Both are avid followers of their father’s basketball teams.Lane also coaches at West Lincoln.

Young’s parents, L.G. and Mavis, are regulars at Co-Lin’s homegames. Velesta’s mother, Irene, continues to attend games after thedeath of her husband, J.C. Smith. The family always sits togetherin the lower bleachers, directly across from the press table.

“Gwyn is very fortunate,” said Velesta. “He has always had a lotof family members who are very supportive. I enjoy basketball,too.”

When Coach Young does find some spare time to be at home, hewatches films and draws plays. He always reserves time for hischurch work at Mt. Zion Baptist, where he serves as a deacon andSunday school teacher.

If there’s a basketball game in town, Young will probably be inattendance, too.