Truvillion sparks Co-Lin men; Lady Wolves survive
Published 6:00 am Monday, February 18, 2008
WESSON — Co-Lin’s last home game brought out the best in GregTruvillion. The slender, 6-foot-8 sophomore center collected 20points and 11 rebounds Thursday night, leading the Wolves to a70-63 triumph against Mississippi Gulf Coast in South Divisionaction.
The victory kept Co-Lin (16-6, 10-2) atop the South Divisionrace, 1 game ahead of Meridian. Co-Lin has road games atHinds-Utica and Jones County next week to wrap up the regularseason.
In the women’s game last night in Mullen Gymnasium, Co-Lin heldoff Gulf Coast 71-63, led by Reisha Bullock’s 14 points and RhondaDumas’ 12. The Lady Wolves (16-6, 7-5) remain in contention for astate tournament berth. They could be seeded either No. 3 or No.4.
The Wolves played a solid defensive game and survived along second half that was plagued with personal fouls. Co-Lin coachDennis Sims saw Truvillion pick up his fourth personal foul with6:40 left in the game. He eventually fouled out with 23 secondsleft to play.
“The second half was long because the officials made alot of calls,” said Truvillion, a Lansing, Mich. product. “Our teamplayed pretty good defense and our team wanted to win for CoachSims.
“I’m going to miss Coach Sims when I leave,” Truvillionadded. “I’ve had two good years at Co-Lin. We plan on going back tothe state tournament and doing better this time.”
Freshman guard Trent Hutchin directed the Wolves with 21points, sacking 5 of 9 treys. Hutchin hit 4 treys in the firsthalf, leading the Wolves to a 33-20 lead.
“We defended extremely well the first half,” said Sims.”Justin Ray (MGCCC guard) scored 34 last time but Julius Blanks andGerald Bass did a good job on him.”
Co-Lin had survived an 82-77 overtime scare atPerkinston Jan. 20. Ray only had two points at halftime andfinished with 18 last night.
“Greg had one of his better games for us and it was agood win,” said Sims. “Trent made some big shots early in thegame.”
Anthony Wilcher added 13 points to thevictory.
Ray, a 5-8 freshman guard from Gulfport, kept theBulldogs (14-9, 6-6) in contention. Teshawn Byron, a 6-5 freshmanfrom McKee, N.Y., followed with 14 points. Byron converted a rare4-point play in the second half. After making a short jumper he wasfouled and made both free throws on a double-bonus.
The Lady Wolves survived serious foul trouble assophomore starters Kristin Ellis and Alisha Mason both sat out over10 minutes of the first half. They combined for a total of 10points and 10 rebounds before fouling out.
“We had a good effort from our bench,” said Co-Linwomen’s coach Gwyn Young. “Yashunda Williams did a good job comingoff the bench,” to bag 11 rebounds and 9 points. “TeAirra Wilberthad six steals and Sondra Moncure had nine points.”
In a massive rebuilding season, the Lady Wolves havestruggled offensively. They lost a 49-39 decision at Gulf Coast inwhat Young described as “the worst game I have ever seenplayed.”
The Lady Bulldogs (7-16, 3-9), coached by Melanie Stone,got 17 points from 5-6 sophomore guard Keaundra Augustus ofPatterson, La. Nacole Stedman, a 5-8 guard from Macon, added 15points and 11 rebounds. Ja’Net Schonberg, an athletic 5-10sophomore forward from Donaldsonville, La., collected 15 points and10 rebounds.
Co-Lin’s bench outscored Gulf Coast 33-18.