Guard Matt Fitzsimmons and center Corey Bryant were a dynamicduo for the Brookhaven Panthers in the 2000-01 basketball season.They are taking their talents to the next level, signing basketballscholarships with the Copiah-Lincoln Community College Wolves.

Bryant and Fitzsimmons both signed with Co-Lin Wednesday, in aceremony held in the office of BHS boys basketball coach PrestonWilson. They helped the Panthers post a 25-9 record this season,leading their team in scoring and rebounding.

Bryant, a 6-foot-4, 175-pound senior, averaged 15 points and 11rebounds this season. He was named to The Daily Leader’sAll-Lincoln County Basketball Team. He has been selected to play inthis summer’s Mississippi Association of Coaches Coca-Cola HighSchool All-Star Game.

“I feel real good about signing with Co-Lin,” said Bryant.”They have a good basketball program.”

Bryant said Coach Wilson had helped him improve his game. “Iappreciate everything he did for me. He made me a betterplayer.”

Bryant said he expected to play small forward, a newposition for him, at Co-Lin. “I want to work more on my outsideshooting.” He wants to pursue a career in the computerfield.

Co-Lin men’s coach Dennis Sims said Bryant had the potentialto become a strong college player. “Corey is a good athlete who wewill try to use at a new position. He shoots the ball well. He mustimprove his skills at passing and handling the basketball as aforward.”

Fitzsimmons (6-0) was named Player of the Year on The DailyLeader’s All-Lincoln County Team. His perimeter shooting andability to drive to the basket made him a versatile scorer for thePanthers. He averaged 14 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists pergame.

“I feel good about signing with Co-Lin,” said Fitzsimmons. “Iwant to get bigger and work on my ball-handling.”

Fitzsimmons said he planned to major in business and accountingat Co-Lin. He will join two former BHS teammates, guard TonyThompson and center B.J. Black, on the Co-Lin squad.

“It will be good to play on the same team with some Brookhavenplayers,” said Fitzsimmons.

According to Fitzsimmons, Coach Wilson took extra time helpinghim with his jump shot. “I was having trouble with my shooting. Heworked with me after practice. I was shooting (the ball) comingdown instead of when I was going up.”

Sims said Fitzsimmons had made dramatic improvement since hisjunior season. “Matt is one of the most improved kids from hisjunior to senior year. I knew he could shoot the ball and hisball-handling has improved tremendously.”

Wilson, in his sixth year at the helm, has enjoyed five 20-plusvictory seasons and three state tournament appearances. He saidBryant and Fitzsimmons would be missed.

“Corey and Matt have both been a big asset to our program,” saidWilson. “I am looking forward to them doing big things atCopiah-Lincoln.”

Sims coached the Wolves to a 23-7 record this season. They wonthe South Division Tournament and were runners-up to Northwest inthe state tournament. He loses three starters to graduation inplaymaker Barry Whitley, second guard Rod Haynes and shooting guardBrandon Dickerson.

Sims said he planned to sign guards Nick Mikell (6-1) and DariusStarks (5-9) and 6-3 forward Tim Horton of Lawrence County nextweek. He also plans to sign Turner Havard of Brookhaven Academy andCarl Minor of Natchez, both 6-5 forwards.

Wolf Tails: In last Friday’s MACJC All-Star Men’sBasketball Game at Philadelphia, the North beat the South 93-85 asWhitley scored 6 points.