WESSON — Co-Lin playmaker Gloria Lewis doesn’t consider herselfa superstar, just a blue collar worker like the rest of the LadyWolves. Lewis, a 5-foot-7 freshman from Natchez, accounted for 23points and 5 steals Thursday night, leading Co-Lin to a 83-63trouncing of the Pearl River Community College women in SouthDivision action.

“We don’t have any one-on-one stars on this team,” said Lewis.”We play good defense and we work the ball to get the easy basket.We work together.”

Lewis is among nine freshmen on the squad, helping the 2-timedefending state championship Lady Wolves through a massiverebuilding campaign. Co-Lin was 29-1 last season, losing to PearlRiver in the semifinals of the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament.

“Our bench really did a good job tonight when we got in foultrouble,” said Lewis. “Coach Young put me at point guard and Istepped up my game.”

With only two sophomores returning from last season’soutstanding squad, the Lady Wolves have managed to make steadyimprovement. They are 8-5 overall and 3-1 in the South.

“We could go on and win state if we keep playing hard,”predicted Lewis.

Co-Lin women’s coach Gwyn Young said Lewis played well againstPearl River. “Gloria did a good job handling the ball and settingup our offense. All of our perimeter players had a good game.”

A key to the victory was Co-Lin’s exceptional accuracy at thefree throw line. The Lady Wolves made 23 of 26 free throws thefirst half and 37 of 47 for the game. Sophomore center Renee Fieldsfinished with 18 points, making 12 of 14 free throws in the firsthalf. She led the rebounding effort with 9 boards.

“I knew we shot free throws well tonight,” said Young. “I toldour players that free throws make a whole lot of difference in agame. Renee Fields took the ball to the goal and got (LadyWildcats) in foul trouble.”

Co-Lin hustled to a 42-32 halftime lead. Lewis had 12 points athalftime.

Pearl River’s 6-foot post players, Kim Winfrey and SonyaHenderson combined for 17 points in the game. Winfrey fouled outwith 4:53 left in the game, limited to 10 points and 3rebounds.

The shot clock, located above the goal on the south end ofMullen Gymnasium, broke down twice last night but it didn’t slowdown the Lady Wolves. Fields sacked 8 straight free throws in thelast 4 minutes of the first half and Dana King scored on a putbackas the first half ended, giving their team a 10-point lead.

When Fields netted back-to-back field goals and Jessica Meltonhit a short jumper, Co-Lin’s lead was 20 points, 64-44, with 6:27left in the game.

Pearl River (7-7, 2-2), coached by Ed Walley, got 20 points from5-8 freshman Carmen Labat of Waveland (Bay High).