It was a history-making campaign for the Copiah-LincolnCommunity College baseball team. The Co-Lin Wolves won the Region23 and Super Region Tournaments, advancing to the NJCAA Division IIWorld Series in Millington, Tenn. Coach Keith Case’s Wolvesfinished fourth in the Series and posted a best-ever 47-17 finalrecord.

It was a remarkable season for Co-Lin and the most note-worthysports accomplishment on the area scene in 2000. Co-Lin secondbaseman Christopher Dunn was named to the All-America team andsigned with the University of Southern Mississippi. Teammate Xavier”Nook” Logan was selected in the third round of the Major LeagueDraft and signed with the Detroit Tigers.

As Lincoln County shivers and absorbs rain drops, let’s take alook at the sports highlights of 2000, starting with baseball. TheBrookhaven Brakemen and the Cotton State League made its debut lastsummer and played home games on Moyer Field. Composed ofcollege-level players from across the state, the Brakemen won thewooden bat league title under the direction of Pete Young andgeneral manager Randy Spring.

Spring’s Brookhaven Panthers were runners-up in the Division6-4A race and advanced to the state playoffs. At Bogue Chitto, MikeHodges coached his Bobcats to the Division 7-1A title and theyachieved the second round of the state playoffs. Hodges and LoydStar pitcher/infielder Seth Lofton were recognized as The DailyLeader’s Coach and Player of the Year on the All-Lincoln CountyTeam.

At McComb, Ken Jackson guided the Parklane Academy Pioneers to aClass AAAA state title. At Franklin County, Johnny Monroe steeredthe Bulldogs to another Division 6-2A title and pitcher/shortstopCole Zumbro joined Jackson as the leaders on the DL’s All-AreaBaseball Team.

Andrew Redd coached the West Lincoln Bears to a second placefinish in Division 7-1A and earned the state playoffs in his firstyear at the helm. Loyd Star, under the direction of Anthony Hart,was second in Division 6-2A and advanced to the playoffs.

Basketball was strong again in Lincoln County. Barry Gray’sBrookhaven Academy Lady Cougars cruised to a second straight ClassAA state tournament title. BA boys coach Dale Watts led his team toa South State AA title and the Cougars were runners-up in the statetourney.

Bogue Chitto’s girls, coached by Mickey Myers, made the most ofa major rebuilding season. They reached the semifinals of the Class1A state tournament before being eliminated. Myers and Bogue Chittostar forward Vanessa Andrews were selected Coach and Player of theYear on the DL’s dream team. Watts and West Lincoln guard BruceSmith earned the Boys Team honors.

Brookhaven boys coach Preston Wilson guided the Panthers to asecond straight state tournament appearance after winning thedivision title.

At Co-Lin, men’s coach Dennis Sims guided the Wolves to a SouthDivision Tournament title. Women’s coach Gwyn Young directed theLady Wolves to the Region 23 Tournament.

The 2000 football season featured some overachievers at twoschools. Hart coached the Loyd Star Hornets to a second placefinish in the division and an 8-3 record, landing him Coach of theYear honors in his first season at the helm. Brookhaven alsosurprised its fans with a 7-3 record under Greg Wall, giving thePanthers second in Division 6-4A and a berth in the stateplayoffs.

Bogue Chitto, coached by Carl Cole, led the Bobcats to a secondstraight runners-up finish in Division 7-1A as they posted 5-7mark.

Quarterback Fred Perkins of Brookhaven was named Player of theYear in Lincoln County and senior classmate Ron Mackabee was namedDefensive Player of the Year. Quarterback Jake Sessums ofBrookhaven Academy was chosen Offensive Player of the Year.

In neighboring Pike County, Lee Bramlett coached thedefense-minded McComb Tigers to a 13-1 record and the Class 4Astate championship. They shut out Laurel and Clarksdale 14-0 in theSouth finals and state title games.

Also noteworthy was the resignation of Co-Lin head coach PhilBroome last month after the Wolves finished an injury-plaguedseason 3-7. Broome was 30-30 in six years at the helm. Co-Lindefensive coordinator Dave Cross was elevated to the top job Dec.7.