WESSON — The Co-Lin basketball program is a study in contrastsentering the 2006-07 campaign. The Lady Wolves are loaded while theWolves are in a major rebuilding mode.

Both teams receive their first official tests this week in theSouthwest Tournament at Summit, facing Northwest and MississippiDelta on consecutive days. They play Wednesday and Thursday inHolmes Gymnasium; women at 2 p.m. and the men follow at 4.

“We have a lot of sophomores who have experience,” said veteranCo-Lin women’s coach Gwyn Young. “They know what’s going on.”

Point guard Nikki Williams directs a seasoned group of veterans.She averaged 14.3 points. 1.2 rebounds, 3.2 steals and 2.8 assistslast season, earning first team All-State and All-Region 28honors.

Guard Whitney Scott (6.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg), and forward DominiqueWhitfield (8.1 ppg, 6.8 rpg) are returning, along with center EricaTrahan (7.7 ppg, 9.1 rpg), the leading rebounder. Forwards CorissaTillman (3.3 ppg, 1.6 rpg) and Alicia Kennedy (3.1 ppg, 1.8 rpg)also return experience.

Making a comeback from ACL knee surgery is sophomore centerKristian McCray (5.2 ppg, 4 rpg) who sat out last season.

“We have a good group of freshmen,” said Young. “Hopefully, wehave five freshmen who can contribute.”

Last year the Lady Wolves were state and region runners-up,going 20-8. They lost all-region guard Ashley Murphy, center AnnaAutman, to graduation along with guards Jennifer Carter and AieshaCollins.

Young, 55, begins his 32nd season in charge of Co-Lin women’steams. He has compiled a record of 643 wins and 202 losses, winning4 state

championships and 4 regional titles.

Sims Rebuilding Wolves

The Wolves, coached by Dennis Sims, finished 16-9. They tied forfirst place in the South but lost a tie-breaker. They lost in thefirst round of the state tournament and in the semifinals of theRegion 23 Tournament.

Sims, 56, is starting his 11th year at Co-Lin, winning a statechampionship in 1999. He has been coaching for 34 years.

Co-Lin lost five starters to graduation in point guard IvoryDishmon, guard Geric Anderson, forward and leading scorer JoeHolliday, forward Trumaine Enoch and center Arvel Keys. Sims alsolost part-time post starter Lamar Hall.

“We have eight sophomores, including two transfers,” said Sims.Greg Truvillion, a 6-8 forward from Lansing (Mich.) CommunityCollege, and Charles Lewis, a 6-2 guard from Jackson Wingfield arethe transfers with plenty of potential.

Christian Marshall, a 6-10 sophomore post from Wingfield,averaged 8 points and 17 minutes per game last season. “His pointsand minutes should pick up,” Sims predicted

At point guard, Dexter Brunson of Jackson returns someexperience.

Zach Thomas, a 6-6 forward from Meadville; Derrick Richardson,6-5 from Capital High School in Baton Rouge. Joey Jackson, a 6-4Mendenhall product give Co-Lin depth in the paint.

Sims has two signees from Gautier, Anthony McDaniel Jr., a 5-9point guard; and Julius Blanks, a 6-3 guard. Corey London fromIrondale, Ala., is a 6-foot guard whose father, John, starred forCo-Lin 20 years ago.

Anthony Wilcher, a 6-4 guard and Wesley Brown, a 6-6 forward,both from Franklin County have shown promise in practice.

“We are larger than we have been in terms of height,” said Sims.”We aren’t as quick as we need to be. We lack experience. Our guardplay needs to improve. Our inside game. should be strong.

Asked about the South Division race, Sims said, Gulf Coast isprobably the most talented team. Southwest is vastly improved intheir talent and Pearl River is very good.”

Serving as an assistant coach for both teams is BillMcGuire.