WESSON — After a 2-week absence from the Co-Lin sidelines dueto illness, Coach Dennis Sims returned to the bench Monday nightand watched his team whip Hinds Community College 54-41 in MullenGymnasium. The Wolves were directed by post players Greg Truvillionand Christian Marshall, scoring 14 and 10 points respectively.

Sims, who had been hospitalized with a severe viral infection,was pleased to see his Wolves (16-7, 9-4) work hard on defense andsecure second place in the South Division race and claim a berth innext week’s state tournament at Co-Lin. Hinds, coached by RalphMoore, fell to 13-11 and 7-6.

“To hold anybody to 41 points is good,” said Sims. “Hinds hadthat many at halftime when we played at their place,” where Co-Linprevailed 69-60.

Sims said a key to his team’s success was defending high-scoringguard Flawaan Flaggs who had poured in 27 points against Co-Lin inthe first meeting at Utica. Flaggs, a 6-1 sophomore from Jackson,was held to 9 points.

“We defended Flaggs and made him work hard,” said Sims. “Weplayed hard as a team. Julius Blanks gave us some goodminutes.”

Co-Lin had been tied with Gulf Coast for the South Division leadbefore Sims became ill. The Wolves dropped 3 of 4 South gamesduring his absence.

“It feels good to have coach back tonight,” said Truvillion. “Weall wanted to play hard for him.

“We felt like we had lost our general when he was in thehospital. When we looked on the bench, he wasn’t there.”

Sims said Co-Lin women’s coach Gwyn Young and volunteerassistant Bill McGuire had done a commendable job in his absence.”I know it was tough on them. They weren’t familiar with ourplayers or the offensive scheme.”

During last night’s game, Sims paced the sidelines and barkedinstructions to his team. He singled out individuals and chastisedthem when mistakes were made.

Co-Lin freshman guard Corey London said he and his teammateswere accustomed to Sims and his tough approach to coaching. “We areused to having coach chew our butts. This team has a lot ofpotential. We have a chance to win state if we all playtogether.”

Co-Lin will be among four men’s games next Tuesday in theopening round of the state tournament.

In the first half, the Wolves got a late spark from WesleyBrown, a 6-6 freshman from Franklin County. His free throw gaveCo-Lin a 22-21 lead with 16 seconds left. His putback, with 7seconds showing, provided a 24-21 halftime lead.

In the second half, Zach Thomas slammed his third crowd-pleasingdunk, giving Co-Lin an 11-point, 43-32 lead with 9:10 left toplay.

Marshall fouled out with 4:11 left to play, just afterTruvillion had sank a hook shot, making it a 15-point, 52-37margin.

Lewis Younger, 6-5 sophomore from Jackson, led the Bulldogs with16 points.