The West Lincoln Bears and Lady Bears are ready to begin their second tour through the Class 2A ranks as they gear up for the 2014-15-basketball season.

West Lincoln debuts Thursday, Nov. 6, as they welcome the Lawrence County Cougars to Jack Case Gymnasium for an MHSAA Classic game. The junior varsity boys play at 5 p.m., followed by the varsity action at 6 and 7:30 p.m.

Bears reload

Head coach Lane Young will be entering his 13th year at the helm as he and his varsity boys’ team are looking forward to the season. The Bears finished with a 24-6 record last year. They finished runners up in the Region 7-2A championship and were eliminated in the first round of the South State playoffs by Taylorsville.

This year, the Bears have two starters returning with Keshaun London and Ronnie Edwards. West Lincoln will have several returning players back with playing experience with Javian Mackabee, Jason Watts, Zekenith Porter, Lofton Sills, Michael Quin and Seth Bivens.

“We are looking forward to starting the season,” said Young. “Our guard play is going to be our strength this year, but our inside player have to keep improving to play an outside/inside game this year. Overall, I like our team’s makeup and look for us to play a lot of different people at times,”

The Bears will have only one senior Javian Mackabee to provide leadership in the post and on the boards.

Young’s assistant coach is Brooks Smith. Young said Loyd Star, Bassfield and Amite County may be the favorites in our division.

“”Loyd Star, Bassfield and Amite County will be the top teams in our division,” stated Young. “We can compete for the district championship, if we improving throughout the season and play together as a team.”

Lady Bears Improving 

Coach Young’s Lady Bears look to improve from an 5-21 season; losing only three starters to graduation: Karley Smith, Destiny Allen and Heather Moak.

The Lady Bears have a year without seniors on the team as they will be looking to juniors: Alli Mullins, Allie Rushing, Layton Sills and Hanna Moak to provide leadership and guidance on the eight man team.

West Lincoln has several returning reserves back with Lillianne Rushing, Demesha Deer, Carly Holden and Heather Montgomery. Coach Young mention that he will bring up some of the eight grade players after the conclusion of the junior high season.”

“The eight players we have are working to improve everyday,” said Young. “Everybody will have to play and contribute throughout the season. We will have 10 eighth grade junior high girls that will be moved up to high school as the conclusion on the junior high season.”

Young said Amite County, East Marion and Loyd Star 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 

Juniors:  Layton Sills, Alli Mullins, Hanna Moak, Allie Rushing

Sophomores:  Carly Holden, Demeshia Deer, Lillianne Rushing, Heather Montgomery

Managers:  Anna Grace Brown, Kasie Allen, Matthew Allred

West Lincoln Boys Roster 

Seniors:  Javian Mackabee

Juniors:  Ronnie Edwards, Keshaun London, Jason Watts, Zekenith Porter, Lofton Sills

Sophomores:  Michael Quin, Seth Bivens.

Freshmen:  Le’Darrius Jones, Donterrius Taylor, Adam Martinez, Dominique Chism, Landon Lynch, Nick Brumfield

West Lincoln 2014-2015 Schedule

November: 6-Lawrence County, 13-at Bogue Chitto, 14-at Wesson, 18-at Franklin County, 20- at Brookhaven.

December: 2-Bogue Chitto, 6-Wesson, 11-13-Lincoln Co. Tournament at BC, 15-Franklin Co., 19-Brookhaven 30-at Dexter Tournament.

January: 2-3 Dexter Tournament, 6-Bassfield, 9-at Loyd Star, 13-East Marion, 16-at Amite County, 20-at Enterprise, 27-Loyd Star, 30-at East Marion, 31-Bay Springs Tournament (Boys Only).

February: 3-Amite County, 6-Enterprise, 10-at Bassfield, 12-at Salem, 16-20- Division 7-2A Tournament at Amite County. 23-South State 1st Round Girls. 24-South State 1st Round Boys. 27-28-South State Tournament.

March: 4-14-State Championship in Jackson.