The West Lincoln Bears and Lady Bears are anxious to begin their tour through the Class 2A ranks as they gear up for the 2013-14-basketball season.

Head coach Lane Young has high expectations for his varsity boys’ team as two starters return from the 31-4 squad that won the Region 7-1A and the South State Tournament championships.

Meanwhile, Coach Young’s Lady Bears look to improve from an 11-19 season; losing only two starters that helped the team finished third in Region 7-1A and reach the first round of the South State playoffs.

West Lincoln debuts Thursday, Nov. 7, visiting Lawrence County for an MHSAA Classic game against the Wesson Cobras. The junior varsity girls play at 5 p.m., followed by the varsity action at 6 p.m. and 7:30..

“We are looking forward to starting the season,” said Young. “We lost three starter from last year and two more that played key roles for us. Replacing those guys will be a tough task, but I think we have a chance to be a very competitive team.

“Sam Bivens and Duane Marshall will have to lead us offensively this year,” continued Young. “It will be a tough task moving up a classification to 2A, but we look forward to the challenge.”

The Bears’ amazing season last year came to an end in the Big House when Biggersville eliminated West Lincoln in the semifinals of the State 1A Tournament.

Returning for the Bears are seniors Sam Bivens at center, Lucas Sid Griffin and Chase Buckles at forward. Also back is junior guard Duane Marshall.

Young’s assistant coach is Brooks Smith. Young said Amite County and Bassfield may be the two best teams in the division, but the rest will be tough as well.

“The division will be competitive every night, so we have to bring our ‘A’ game,” stated Young. “We have a good solid schedule again this year to prepare us for our division. Hopefully, it will pay off at the end.”

Lady Bears Improving 

Bentley Sill, Heather Moak, Destiny Allen and Karley Smith are the seniors on Young’s youth-laden varsity girls’ squad. Lost to graduation were starters Tamasha Buckley and Katie Hester.

“The girls have been working hard since school started in August to improve individually and as a team,” said Young. “I like the way our seniors are leading by example each day. We will be limited offensively, but, hopefully, our defense will offset that some,”

Young said Amite County should be the favorite in the division race. As far the rest of the teams, it will be a close race between everybody else.

West Lincoln Girls Roster

Senior:  Bentley Sills, Karley Smith, Heather Moak, Destiny Allen

Sophomores:  Layton Sills, Alli Mullins, Hanna Moak.

Freshmen:  Anna Brooke Davis, Sara Jane Doty, Carly Holden, Demesha Deer, Lillianne Rushing, Heather Montgomery

West Lincoln Boys Roster 

 Seniors:  Sam Bivens, Chase Buckles, Sid Griffin.

Juniors:  Duane Marshall, Andrew Kimble, Javian Mackabee.

Sophomores:  Ronnie Edwards, Ke-Shaun London, Jason Watts, Jayden Rushing, Matthew Allred, Zakenith Porter, Lofton Sills.

Freshmen:  Bransen Ainsworth, Michael Quin, Seth Bivens.

West Lincoln Schedule

November: 

7-at Lawrence County, 12-Wesson, 14-Bogue Chitto, 19-Franklin County, 21-23 Brookhaven Tournament.

December: 

3-at Bogue Chitto, 7-Salem, 12-14 Lincoln County at Enterprise, 16-at Franklin County, 20-Brookhaven.

January 2014: 

2-4 Dexter Tournament, 7-at Wesson, 10-Bassfield, 14-Loyd Star, 17-at East Marion, 21-Amite County, 24-Enterprise, 25-Kiwanis Hotbed Classic at New Albany (Boys Only), 28-at Bassfield, 31-at Loyd Star.

February 2014: 

4-East Marion, 7-at Amite County, 11-at Enterprise, 17-21- Division 7-2A Tournament at Bassfield. 24 – South State 1st Round Girls. 25 – South State 1st Round Boys. 27-28 – South State Tournament.

March 2014: 

1- South State Tournament, 7-15-State Championship-Ms Coliseum.