Andrew Smithie is excited about the opportunity to coach WestLincoln’s basketball teams. Smithie has been on the opposing benchmany times, first as a player and then as a coach, so he knows allabout the tradition-rich program.

“I’ve always respected West Lincoln and their basketballprogram,” said Smithie. “I will do my very best to maintain thehigh quality of the program that has been established, both on andoff the court.”

Smithie, 34, is a Lawrence County native. He graduated fromTopeka-Tilton High School in 1984. He also graduated fromCopiah-Lincoln Community College and the University of SouthernMississippi where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in secondaryeducation and coaching/sports administration

The West Lincoln coaching job became open when Jason Caseaccepted the position of principal at the school in June. Case hadcoached 11 years at West Lincoln, working with his father, Jack,who retired two years ago. The gymnasium is named in honor of theelder Case whose teams won back-to-back boys state tournamenttitles in 1981-82 during his 28 years at the helm.

“There’s no way that anyone will ever exceed the contributionsthat Coach Jack and Coach Jason have made at West Lincoln,” saidSmithie. “West Lincoln has a solid basketball program.”

Smithie served as an assistant coach at North Pike last season,working with varsity boys head coach Cassells Wilson. Smithiecoached the boys teams at Enterprise for three years prior to that,compiling a 38-37 record. He worked two years as an assistant atBrandon, coaching boys and girls.

He will coach the varsity boys and girls teams and the juniorhigh girls team at West Lincoln. Randy Laird will continue as avarsity assistant and coach the junior high boys.

Jason Case said he was pleased to have Smithie on West Lincoln’sstaff. “I’ve coached against Andy and his teams were always wellprepared. He’s a student of the game.

“Coach Smithie is a very good teacher, too. He takes a lot ofpride in his classroom work.”

Case said Smithie would have a positive impact on West Lincoln’sstudents and athletes. “I would be proud to have him coaching mykids. Besides basketball, he will teach them about life. We arefortunate to have him with us.”

Smithie will teach physical science and world history at WestLincoln. He and his wife, the former Pamela King of Brookhaven,have three children, a 4-year-old daughter, Taylor; and two sons,Will, 1 1/2 years old; and Brian, 4 months.

Mrs. Smithie is a dentist and is establishing a practice inMcComb. “We are looking forward to making West Lincoln our home,”said Coach Smithie. “It’s a very good school and it has a lot ofcommunity support.”

West Lincoln returns five starters to the girls team and two tothe boys team.