WESSON — Co-Lin men’s basketball coach Dennis Sims will havesomething new on his basketball team for the 2005-06 campaign, agenuine big man. Former 6-foot-10 Jackson Wingfield centerChristian Marshall is among the incoming crop of freshmansignees.

“I’ve never had a true big man on my roster since I’ve been atCo-Lin,” said Sims. He is starting his 10th season as boss of theWolfpack.

The Wolves are fresh from a 21-8 campaign. They were MACJC StateTournament runners-up and semifinalists in the NJCAA Region 23Tournament. Co-Lin won the regular-season South Division title,earning the right to host the state tourney.

Marshall, who also played football at Wingfield, is among sevennewcomers to the Co-Lin basketball program. Other incoming freshmanare 6-1 forward Darrell Johnston and 6-3 guard Joey Jackson ofMendenhall, and 6-0 guard Jermario Martin of Crystal Springs.

Three transfers expected to enroll at Co-Lin are 6-6 Nick Brooksof Murrah, 6-1 guard Geric Anderson of Raymond. and 6-3 guard TroyTurner of Baton Rouge, La. Sims said he plans to sign one moreout-of-state player and one more in-state player.

“On paper, this is the most athletic group I’ve had since I’vebeen here,” said Sims. “We have a lot of work ahead of us to getthem all on the same page.

“We are going to be quicker and bigger at the guard position,”Sims added. “We have several prospects who can play either the No.4 or No. 5 positions for us.”

Sims has six players returning, among them three starters. Theyare high-scoring 6-2 guard Joe Holliday of Baton Rouge Lee, 5-7playmaker Ivory Dishmon of Clinton, and 6-5 forward Lamar Hall ofBrookhaven. Also back are 6-5 forward Jermaine Culver ofBrookhaven, and forwards Arvel Keys (6-4) and Tremaine Enoch (6-6)of Mendenhall.

Sims usually went with a 4-guard lineup last season. They lost a71-70 decision to nationally-ranked Northwest in the statefinals.

Among the starters lost to graduation were all-state guardLedell Eackles and forward Cedric Walker. Also lost were twopart-time starters, guard Brandon Caston and forward DexterMiddleton, both of Brookhaven.

Eackles, a 5-10 guard from Baton Rouge, earned honorable mentionall-American honors. He averaged 18 points and 3 assists forCo-Lin. He has signed a scholarship with Campbell (N.C.)University.

Sims expects Keys to have a solid sophomore year. He came offthe bench and scored 16 points against Southern University atShreveport in the Region semifinals.