WESSON – All-American playmaker Tiania Burns heads a list oftalented guards on the Copiah-Lincoln Community College women’sbasketball roster. Burns will be counted on to direct the LadyWolves through the difficult learning stage as a new group of postplayers learn the routine in Co-Lin coach Gwyn Young’s motionoffense.

The Co-Lin Wolves and Lady Wolves make their 2002-03 seasondebut Thursday night, hosting Holmes Community College. The women’sgame tips off at 6 p.m., followed by the men at 8.

Burns, a 5-8 sophomore from Nashville, Tenn., averaged 22.9points and 6.7 rebounds last season, sparking the Lady Wolves tothe NJCAA Region 23 Tournament championship and a berth in theNational Tournament at Salina, Kan. Co-Lin lost its top two postplayers to graduation in Mindy Livaudais and Christy Brown. Theyhad a combined average of 25.5 points and 19.4 rebounds per game asthe Lady Wolves finished 26-4.

Burns is joined at the guard position by sophomores Amye Beeson,Monica Townsend and Sherkia Harried. At forward, Lyndsay Altman(6.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg) and Nikki Blakely (4.7 ppg, 4.0 rpg) returnexperience. At center, 5-11 Shaquita Smith (7.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg) isbeing counted on to lead the way for a promising group offreshmen.

“We have Tiania and Ayme Beeson back at guard,” said Young.”Nikki and Lindsay played some at the three spot and the perimeter.That should help some.”

With former independent Meridian joining the South this year,Young said anticipates a hotly-contested race for the four stateplayoff berths. “Meridian makes another good team in the South.Last year in the state tournament, the South teams won theirfirst-round games.”

Traditionally, Meridian (29-3) produces outstanding teams.

“There are a lot of strong teams in the South, “said Young.”Pearl River and Southwest both have good groups coming back. EastCentral has signed some good young players. Jones County should bestrong. Hinds and Gulf Coast are always strong.”

Post play concerns Young. “We will have a bunch of freshmen whowill be playing in the position. The only veteran is ShaquitaSmith. I look for our newcomers to do a pretty good job forus.”

Erica Bennett, a 6-2 1/2 Natchez product, played for Co-Lin twoyears ago and returns for her sophomore season. Also at post is5-11 freshman Lauren Williams.

Young, 51, is recognized as the dean of coaches in theMississippi Association of Community/Junior Colleges. In 27 years,he has compiled an impressive record, 559 victories and 175 losses.His team won state and regional championships last season, making afourth trip to the nationals.

The Wolves, under the direction of seventh yearhead coach Dennis Sims, are expected to be in a major rebuildingmode, with just one starter returning. Jason Scott, a 6-5 forward,averaged 15 points and 4.0 rebounds per game in Co-Lin’s 7-15campaign.

“We are a young, inexperienced team,” said Sims. “We have someplayers back but they haven’t played a lot in crucialsituations.”

Lost to graduation were starting guards Bruce Smith and ChadSmith and center B.J. Black, all of the Mississippi Collegesignees. Another guard, Lorenzo Townsend, became a starter in thesecond half of the season.

“It’s like we are playing a bunch of new guys.” said Sims. “Ofall the years (29) I’ve been coaching, there are still a bunch ofquestion marks. lt’s kind of scary right now.”

Sims said the Holmes men are ranked No. 22 in the nation. TheBulldogs won the state tournament last year. “We will be testedright away.”

Sims, 52, won a state tournament title at Co-Lin in the 1998-99campaign. The Wolves have won the South 3 of the last 4 years.

“We are more athletic but I’m not sure if we are athletic enoughto be competitive in this league,” said Sims. His sophomore guardsmainly watched from the bench last season and are untested. Atalented group of high school recruits, complete with impressivestatistics, will receive their first taste of junior collegebasketball tomorrow night.

At center, Derrick Jarvis, a muscular 6-7 freshman from Natchez;and Kristinn Jonasson, a slender 6-8 freshman from Halnaford,Iceland, are being counted upon. Jonasson played high schoolbasketball at Decatur, Ala., last season.

Working as assistant coaches at Co-Lin are Bill McGuire andDewayne Middleton.

South Division Preview

The top four teams in the North Division and the top four teamsin the South compete for the state title at the end of the regularseason.

“Meridian will make a difference in the South,” said Sims. “Theleague should be better this year. The talent level is up.”

Sims said Jones County has several returning players. Southwestwon South last year. Gulf Coast was second, Jones third and Hindsfourth.

“Pearl River had a very good recruiting year,” said Sims. “Theysigned some talented kids.”

Meridian still has the opportunity to recruit state-wide thisyear. That gives the Eagles an advantage over other leaguemembers.