WESSON – With a veteran group of sophomores, the Co-Lin Wolves are excited about the possibilities in 2015-2016. After coming up one game short of the state tournament last season, the Wolves are hungry to make the playoffs.

Head coach Kenny Bizot has nine returning players and two transfers along with four talented freshmen on this year’s squad.

“Our guys that were with us last year came back in better shape, stronger and better basketball players,” said Bizot.

The Wolves will look to the leadership from last year’s leading scorer Donte Watson of New Orleans, Louisiana. Watson, a 6-6 guard, started all 23 games, averaged 11.3 points and 6 rebounds per game. He scored in double digits in 15 games as a freshman.

Returning guards include Dearius Griffin of Natchez (Natchez High School), Shemar Williams of McComb (McComb High School), Josh Washington of Terry (Terry High School), and Darius Kennedy of Jackson (Jim Hill High School).

Griffin, known for his 3-point shooting, played in 22 games for the Wolves last season. He shot 88 percent from the free throw line.

Known for his defensive skills, Williams played in all 23 games for the Wolves last season.

Washington started 15 games for the Wolves as a freshman. He played in all 23 contests and had a season-high 14 points against Baton Rouge.

Kennedy saw action in 22 games last season scoring a season high 18 points against Baton Rouge. The combo guard can stretch the defense with his 3-point shooting.

Looking for some size on the front line, Coach Bizot picked up transfers Josh Smith-Levi of Jackson (Forest Hill High School) and Kiir Deng of Adelaide, Australia.

Smith-Levi was recruited by the Wolves out of high school. He comes to the Wolves from Itawamba Community College. His senior year at Forest Hill, he averaged 11.5 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. The 6-5 forward was selected Offensive Player of the Year.

Deng, a 6-9 forward, transferred from Harcum Community College in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.

“One of our big things in recruiting we wanted some size. We were fortunate enough to get Kiir who is 6-9 with great length and that’s going to be really important when we do some of the things we like to do on defense,” Bizot said.

Returning forwards include Terik Richardson of Madison (Germantown High School), Chris Williams of Sebastopol (Sebastopol High School), Tyler Turner of Jackson (DeSoto Central High School), and Jadarius Haymer of Yazoo (Yazoo County High School).

Richardson saw action in 14 games as a freshman and has developed a very consistent outside shot.

Williams played in 19 games drawing a start in 10 contests as a freshman. He shot a team-high 60 percent from the field and is best known for his shot blocking skills.

Turner saw action in 22 games as a freshman. He had a season-high 11 points against Jones County.

Known for his jump shot from both mid-range and the 3-point line, Haymer played in all 23 games for the Wolves. He averaged 5.7 points per game and had a season-high 17 points against Southwest Mississippi.

Coach Bizot is looking to freshman point guard Jonathon Dalton of New Orleans, Louisiana (West Jefferson High School) to make an immediate impact. Dalton averaged 15.4 points and 6.1 assists as a senior. He was selected All-District, District MVP as a sophomore and played in the Jefferson Parish-Orleans Parish All-Star Game.

Other freshmen expected to make an impact include guards Anfernee Parker of Camden (Velma Jackson High School), Tony Williams of Jackson (Forest Hill High School) and forward Brandon Brooks of Natchez (Adams County Christian School).

Parker was a key contributor in Velma Jackson’s three consecutive 3A State Championships. He was the team captain his senior season and his jump shot extends well beyond the 3-point arc.

A guard that can play the one or two position, Tony Williams averaged 13.3 points and 1.8 assists per game as a senior for Coach Jerry Currie’s Forest Hill team. He was selected All-District and can really shoot the 3-point shot.

Brooks, a physical forward from Adams Christian School, averaged 14.6 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. He was selected All-MAIS AA and was the District MVP.

Lost to graduation were playmaker Terry Morris (Delta State University), and forwards Jordan Lumpkins and Lucas Burris.

“This league has gotten a lot better,” said Bizot. “Looking at the rosters, some are very impressive. It’s really good for our league how talented and how good a lot of these teams are going to be from both the North and the South.”