WESSON – The Co-Lin Wolves and Lady Wolves are ready to kick off their 2013-14 campaign Monday night in JUCO basketball action.

Co-Lin visits Moorhead to battle the Mississippi Delta Trojans and Lady Trojans. Action begins at 6 p.m., followed by the men’s game at 8.

Lady Wolves Youth 

The Lady Wolves have a lot of young talented athletes on the basketball squad as sophomore forward Jessica Wilson will have to provide leadership being the only returning starter back.

Co-Lin lost starters Chanta Poole, Tiffany Sims, Vintrice Briggs and LaVasha Allen to graduation.

Returning reserves, Tyrisha Patterson, Kierra Collins, Ashley Minor and Charnea Keyes, will be needed to step into their roles to help provide leadership for the young class.

The ladies will have to rely on their strong points of fast breaks, outside shooting and defensive pressure to be successful in their tough division.

The Lady Wolves are coached by Gwyn Young, who is recognized as the NJCAA’s winningest active coach in the nation and the winningest women’s coach in Mississippi. Young launches his 37th campaign with a record of 821 wins and 236 losses.

“Hopefully by the end of the year, the girls have worked hard to earn a spot to play for the state championship,” Young said.

Young’s assistant is former Co-Lin standout Nikki Williams.

Wolves New Look 

Co-Lin men’s new head coach Kenny Bizot has taken over the reins after replacing coach Dennis Sims this summer.

Bizot comes to Co-Lin from the University of Texas at Tyler where he served as the head coach for six years. He is no stranger to Mississippi, having served as the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Mississippi College for four years. He also had several coaching stints as a high school head coach.

Bizot’s assistant coach is Justin Henley. He has worked with coach Bizot at Jackson Prep, Mississippi College and UT Tyler.

The Wolves finished 4-19 last season. Co-Lin will have a fresh new start as they have no returning starters back. Returning reserves Anthony Davis, Chris Stevenson, Corey Cox, Eric Smith and Terrance James will have to have step up and provide leadership in their key roles.

“We are looking forward to starting the season. This is a tough league, so we need to play at a tough level to compete in the division,” Bizot said.

Co-Lin Women’s Roster 

Sophomores:  Kierra Collins, 5-5, Bude; Ashley Minor, 5-6, Natchez; Jessica Wilson, 5-11, Hattiesburg; Tyrisha Patterson, 5-10, Wesson; Charnea Keyes, 6-0, Taylorsville.

Freshmen:  Tyra Gibson, 5-9, Sunset, La.; Keyana Miller, 5-5, Natchez; Claresa Banks, 5-9, Jackson; Kentija Tarleton, 5-7, Port Gibson; Brittany McDuffey, 5-8, Monticello; Caroline Lumpkin, 5-9, Carriere; Allison Newton, 5-10, Monroe, La.; Maleah Isaac, 5-9, Philadelphia; Kiera Banks, 5-10, Hattiesburg.

Co-Lin Men’s Roster

Sophomores:  Anthony Davis, 5-8, Leesville, Ls.; Chris Steverson, 6-2, Jackson; Michael Vardaman, 6-0, Lula; Ricky Kelly, 6-2, Ocean Springs; Robert Johnson Jr., 5-10, Byram; Terrence James, 6-4, Jackson; Corey Cox, 6-0, Yazoo City; Eric Smith, 6-6, Clinton.

 Freshmen:  Terry Morris, 6-1, Mize; Jordan Lumpkins, 6-5, New Orleans, La.; LaJustin Anderson, 6-2, Senatobia; Tyrome Madkins, 6-9, Oxford; Alex Foster, 6-4, Tupelo; Ron Logan, 6-5, Bassfield.

2012-13 Co-Lin Schedule

NOVEMBER:  4-at Ms. Delta, 7-Holmes, 11-at Baton Rouge, 14-Delgado, 21-at Bishop State, AL.

DECEMBER:  2-Ms. Delta, 5-at Gulf Coast, 9-Jones, 14-at Delgado.

JANUARY 2014:  7-Baton Rouge, 9-at Itawamba, 13-Southwest, 16-at Meridian, 21-at East Central, 23-at Hinds, 27-Pearl River, 30-Gulf Coast.

FEBRUARY 2014:  3-at Jones, 6-at Southwest, 10-Meridian, 13-East Central, 17-Hinds, 20-at Pearl River, 24-26 MACJC State Tournament.

MARCH 2014: 5-7 Region 23 Tournament at Mississippi College, 17-22 NJCAA National Tournament.