WESSON – Copiah-Lincoln Community College men’s head basketballcoach Dennis Sims didn’t want to break up a set. Not when this setconsists of three talented Lawrence County senior basketballplayers, Nick Mikell, Darius Starks and Tim Horton.

All three standouts signed basketball scholarships with Co-LinFriday morning at the Lawrence County High Gymnasium.

Coached by Bobby Lee, the LCHS Cougars finished the 2000-2001basketball season with a 27-7 record and made an appearance in theState 4A Tournament in the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson.

Lee and his Cougar teams have won three state titles and hisplayers are known for playing solid defense.

Sims is very happy about the signing these three talentedathletes.

“When I was at Lawrence County for their first game, I wasimpressed with their defense, without a doubt. I’ve never seen thatkind of intensity for a whole ball game. The three guys’ (NicMikell, Darius Stars and Tim Horton) intensity level is high.”

Mikell was named the Daily Leader’s Player of the Year andMister Basketball on the 2000-2001 All-Area Boys Basketball Team.Starks was named to the first place team and Horton was selected tothe second team.

Sims looses three top starters to graduation. They includeRod Haynes (of LCHS), Brandon Dickerson and Barry Whitley.

Whitley, besides being named All-State, All Region andselected to the NJCAA All-Star team, has been named to theAll-American Third Team. He has also signed to play basketball atthe University of Idaho. Dickerson was also named to the All-Stateand All-Division team. Haynes was an honorable mention.

The Lawrence County trio will have some big shoes tofill.

Starks, a 5-foot-10 point guard, averaged 11.5points, 6.2 assists and 2.5 steals per game.

“He (Starks) had a good eyes for the goal,” saidLee. “His 3-point shooting percentage for the season was around 40percent. He can be a good defensive player.”

Starks is still undecided on a major and is lookingforward to playing with the Wolves this fall.

“I was going where I could play basketball,” saidStarks. “Co-Lin is a good school to go to. It’ll be a goodexperience for me.”

Mikell, a 5-11 second guard, led the Cougars with25.4 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.7 steals and 2.6assists.

“Nick gave us a lot of good leadership,” stated Lee. “He isa good shooter. He shot over 40 percent from 3-point line. He iscapable of being an excellent defender.”

Mikell planing on majoring in political science.

“Co-Lin is a good starting point before going to auniversity,” Mikell explained.

Horton, a 6-3 center, averaged 11 points and 7.8rebounds.

“He (Tim) has made a lot of improvement,” Lee said.”He can be a good defensive player. He will run the floor for melike no other. He’s very athletic.”

Horton plans on majoring in electricalengineering.

“I wasn’t ready to jump into a four year college,”Horton stated.

All three players had the opportunity to watch theWolves play this season. All three were impressed with Sims and hisprogram and wanted to be a part.

“Those three guys have excellent chances to fill ourvoids,” added Sims. “Nick can shoot the basketball. Tim is atremendous jumper. He’s played the post.”

It is rare according to Sims to sign three playersfrom one school.

“It’s unusual to sign three kids from one school,”added Sims. “I feel good about these guys. Those three playhard.”