WESSON – The Wesson Cobras and Lady Cobras will start the 2015-16 basketball season Tuesday at West Lincoln.

The junior high action starts at 4 and 5 p.m., followed by the varsity games at 6 and 7:30 p.m.

Coach Rusty Newman’s Cobras and Lady Cobras are looking to have a great season as they prepare for a tough race in Region 7-3A. Wesson’s region rivals are Jefferson County, Hazlehurst, Franklin County, Port Gibson and Wilkinson County.

Lady Cobras ready to begin season 

Newman is entering his third season as coach for the girls program and will rely on four returning starters, Jashia Smith, Carnesha Green, Aurianna Vaughn and Tashay Glasper, to provide leadership.

Jashia Smith and Carneshia Green are the only seniors on the Lady Cobras’ 12-player team.

“I’m excited about the upcoming season with four returning starters,” said Newman. “We are very deep, so we all have to manage our games wisely. We match up really well with our district opponents. I hope to get us back in the playoffs after missing them the past two years.”

The Lady Cobras finished 12-15 overall last year. They were eliminated from the playoffs in the region tournament.

The Lady Cobras lost only one starter to graduation – Kayla Britt.

Cobras bring youth and experience 

The Cobras finished with a 21-9 overall record last year and will be looking for better results this season.

“These guys have worked extremely hard during the offseason to get better,” said Newman. “We are very young with nine freshmen, and our style of play had to change a bit. I am anxious to see what the season has in store for us. If we can build team chemistry to go along with our hard work ethic, we should be successful.”

Newman has three returning starters back – Anthony Jones, Will Hulon and Eric Rhymes – along with several new faces for the Cobras.

Wesson lost two starters to graduation – Farrod Green and Dartavious Dixon.

Wesson girls roster

Seniors: Cameshia Green, Jashia Smith

Juniors:  Aurianna Vaughn, Sabria Green, Tashay Glasper, Alaysha Vaughn

Sophomores: Jamiya Christmas

Freshmen: Nekevia Frye, Nefritiria Carter, Kierra Brown, Alayshia Mims, Jerrineisha Edwards

Wesson boys roster 

Senior:  Anthony Jones, Jamarcus Patterson, Cornelius Barlow, Kendrick Brown

Juniors: Eric Rhymes, Jermaine James, Randy Hooker, Will Hulon

Sophomores: Trey Glasper, Brian Thomas, Dale Thigpen

Freshmen:  Shemar Dickerson, JaDarrius Allen, Cameron Gladden, Victvian Edwards, Slay Acy, Ahmaad Harvey, Malik Clay, Chamar Martin

Wesson Schedule 

November:

10-at West Lincoln

17-Lawrence County

21-at Brookhaven

23-24-at Lawrence County Tournament

December: 

1-Salem

4-West Lincoln

5-Hillcrest

8-at Bogue Chitto

11-Bassfield

15-at Loyd Star,

18-Brookhaven

28-29-at Pearl Holiday Tournament.

January:

5-Loyd Star,

8-Jefferson County,

9-Pearl

15-at Hazlehurst

19-at Franklin County

22-Port Gibson

26-Wilkinson County

29-at Jefferson County

February: 

2-Hazlehurst

5-Franklin County

9-at Port Gibson

12-at Wilkinson County,

15-19- Division 7-3A Tournament at Wesson

22-23 State Playoffs (First Round)

26-27 State Playoffs (Second Round)

March: 

2-12- State Championship in Jackson.