WESSON – Ron Kessler has been named as new Wesson AttendanceCenter high school boys basketball coach. Kessler, age 26, replacesformer head coach/principal Billy O. Britt who stepped down aftertwo seasons to concentrate on his administrative duties.

“There have been a lot of positive things academically about theschool,” said Kessler. “I pushed the student athlete. The academicsare foremost. Athletics is second. It (program) is a rebuildingproject.”

Kessler coached the last few years at Forest County AgriculturalSchool in the junior high basketball program.

“I was ready to make the jump to the high school program,”explained Kessler. “I head a lot about Wesson. I decided this wasthe best opportunity for me to pursue at this time.”

Kessler will be teaching 7th and 10th grade social students. Hegot his bachelor of science degree in physical science at LibertyUniversity in Lynchburg Va. in 2000. He recently earned hisendorsement in social studies at Copiah-Lincoln CommunityCollege.

“I have all the boys basketball programs,” said Kessler. “I willbe helping in the spring with baseball as an assistant.”

Kessler will he helping new baseball coach Hugh Knight, formerlyof Copiah Academy. He replaced Phillip Knight who stepped downafter last season as head coach.

“We are real excited about getting him,” said Britt.

At Forrest County, Kessler coached the last four years with thejunior high boys and girls basketball teams. During his last year,Kessler worked as an assistant coach to the varsity teams.

“Forest (boys) was 25-4 and fell to Raleigh in South State StateTournament,” explained Kessler. “We are in the same division asPrentiss. We beat them 2 out of 3 times last year.”

Kessler is originally from Philadelphia, Pa. His parents are Ronand Carol Kessler. He has an older sister Michelle, 37, and ayounger brother Joe, 24, who recently got married.

Kessler excelled in athletics in high school at Life CenterAcademy in Burlington, New Jersey. He lettered all 4 years insoccer, basketball and baseball. Kessler played striker andmidfielder in soccer. On the basketball court, he was a shootingguard. Kessler played first base and centerfield in baseball.

After high school, Kessler attended Liberty University. He tornan ACL in his leg his freshman year but continued playingintermural sports. Then turned his sights on coaching.

“That’s when I took the coaching route,” added Kessler followinghis injury.

Kessler will commute from in Summit.

“It am very excited about this program,” explained Kessler. “Wehave a great group of kids. We have been to camp at Co-Lin. I amlooking forward to school starting. We have 7 or 8 players that aregoing to see a lot of playing time. They are excited about thechange. I want to bring winning tradition back to Wesson.”

Kessler want the players to learn the game and enjoy it.

“It is Important to learn the game and learn the principles,”added Kessler. “I want them to learn how to go about winning. It’snot every thing but it is important. I want them to strive forexcellence. If we don’t, we will not succeed.”