Loyd Star boys basketball coach Gene “Moochie” Britt andLawrence County’s J.P. Lewis and David Clark will play for theSouth team in the Mississippi Association of Coaches North vs.South All-Star Basketball Games Thursday in Clinton at MississippiCollege’s A.E. Wood Coliseum.

The girls play at 6:30 p.m. followed by the boys at 8.

The MAC changed its all-star format this year to invite juniorplayers instead of seniors. Some seniors failed to appear at lastyear’s games and that caused concern for a change this year.

Clark and Lewis are coached by Bobby Lee of Lawrence County.

Britt was The DAILY LEADER’S Coach of the Year on the 2003-04All-Lincoln County Boys Basketball Team. He has been coaching for31 years, 29 of them coaching basketball.

“I feel it is an honor to be selected,” said Britt. “It gives alot of juniors the chance to showcase their abilities.”

Britt played for the 1968 South All Stars.

The coaches and players report to Hinds Community CollegeTuesday at 12:30 p.m. The teams will practice that night, threetimes on Wednesday and twice on Thursday before the game.

“I feel like both the North and South have good players,”continued Britt. “The North especially has a good player in MontaEllis (of Lanier). Ellis has committed to Mississippi State.Another one committed to North Carolina. They have a bunch of goodplayers. We are going to give it all we got and have a goodtime.”

Britt’s career record is 863 wins and 222 losses. He coached 21years at Brookhaven Academy and has been at Loyd Star the last 8years. His Hornet teams are 172-68.

“The main thing is let them go out there and play,” said Britt.”They are some of the best players in the state. We are going to doour best to win.”

Joining Britt on the coaching staff is Tony Woody ofColumbia.

Clark, a 6-6 center, averaged 21 points, 14 rebounds and 3steals his junior season with Lee’s Cougars.

Lewis, a 6-5 forward, was named as an honorable mention onAll-County Team.

@Bbstandings:South Boys — Jeffery Allen, 5-10 guard, Columbia;David Clark, 6-6 forward, Lawrence County; Craigory Craft, 6-0point guard, Raleigh; Alex Ford, 6-5 forward, NW Lauderdale;Donaires Hair, 6-8 center, Picayune; Tony Hobson, 6-2 forward, JimHill; Darrell Johnson, 6-0 point guard, Mendenhall; Justin Lewis,6-5 forward, Lawrence County; Urie Ramsey, 6-5 forward, StoneCounty; Oscar Rayford, 5-10 point guard, West Marion; Ramsey Shawa,6-6 forward, St. Stanislaus; Reggie Shellwood, 6-2 guard, BaySprings.

South Coaches — Gene Britt of Loyd Star and Tony Woody ofColumbia.

North Boys — Jeremy Bibbs, 6-2 forward, NW Rankin; JeremyCaldwell, 6-7 forward, Murrah; Jocolby Davis, 6-0 guard, Meridian;Kenny Dawkins, 5-10 guard, Holly Springs; Monta Ellis, 6-4 guard,Lanier; Courtney Fells, 6-6 forward, Shannon; Jarvis Hill, 6-2guard, Starkville; Cyrus McGowan, 6-9 center, Meridian; DejisMiller, 6-3 guard, Booneville; Sam Walton, 6-6 center, Lanier;Jarvis Williams, 6-6 forward, Provine; Jeremy Wise, 6-2, guard,Murrah.

North Coaches — Rick Howell of Wheeler and Carlos Smith ofKosciusko.