WESSON — Basketball at Copiah-Lincoln Community College arrivesMonday night in the Northwest Tournament at Senatobia and Co-Linfans anticipate another successful season.

The Co-Lin Lady Wolves are coached by Gwyn Young who enters his29th year as women’s coach at Co-Lin. His Lady Wolves advanced tothe finals of the Region 23 Tournament last season, one win shy ofa national tournament trip to Salina, Kan. They lost in thesemifinals of the state tournament and finished 19-9.

Young, 53, said he anticipates another successful season for theLady Wolves. “We have a good group of sophomores who got a lot ofexperience last year. At the end of the year they played reallywell.

“Hopefully, they can take up where they left off,” Youngcontinued. “That would put us in good shape.”

Young lost forwards Victoria Richardson and Lauren Williams tograduation. Reserve center Renee Fields also graduated.

Returning for the Lady Wolves are standout guards JessicaMelton, Gloria Lewis and Dana King. Back at the forward positionare Travalyn Smith and Loretta Martin. Returning to the post isCrystal Brown.

Smith, a 6-footer from Union Church, averaged 10.7 points 6.2rebounds and 1.3 steals as a freshman. Lewis worked at point guard,averaging 2 assists and 2 steals per game. Melton averaged 7.5points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game.

Martin averaged 8.2 points and 4.8 rebounds an outing.

Asked about incoming freshmen, Young said the post positionshows promise. Brookhaven’s Kristin McCray and Anna Autman, both6-footers; and Jessika Smith (6-0) from Marksville, La. should workhard on the backboards.

Newcomers at guard are Jennifer Carter of Magee and AshleyMurphy from Raymond (Central Hinds). At forward is Laquita Ard ofSummit (North Pike).

Asked about the South Division race, Young said, “East Centralshould be one of the teams to beat. Jones County only lost onesophomore. Pearl River and Gulf Coast should be strong. Meridianhas two of their top post players back.”

The Northwest Tournament starts Monday. Co-Lin plays Northwestat 6 and 8 pm. On Tuesday, Co-Lin plays Itawamba and 2 p.m. and4.

The Wolves lost leading scorer JeremyRichardson (16.1 ppg) who signed with Delta State University. Alsograduating were leading rebounder (6.8 rpg) center Derrick Jarvis,and point guard Dartez Edwards who led the team in assists.

Returning for the Wolves are guards Ladell Eackles (15.0 ppg),Dexter Middleton (8 ppg), Brandon Caston (4 ppg), Luke Lofton (1.1ppg), and forward Derrick Stewart ( 4 ppg).

Sims said two players with potential transferred to Co-Lin. Theyare 6-7 sophomore forward Cedric Walker of Memphis and 6-6 centerLamar Hall of Brookhaven.

“Our kids are playing hard,” said Sims. “We are a lot moreathletic at the post position. We’ve been doing a good job on theboards in scrimmages.

“We’ve got to have offensive production,” said Sims. “We areplaying well as a team. Our kids are enjoying what they aredoing.”

Sims said Pearl River is expected to be strong in the SouthDivision. For Sims 54, this in his ninth year at Co-Lin. Assistantcoaches are Bill McGuire and Dewayne Middleton.