BOGUE CHITTO – New Bogue Chitto boys basketball coach Curt Crainbrings a lot of enthusiasm to the Bobcats. Having coached atPuckett the past seven years, Crain knows Bogue Chitto teams alwaysare competitive.

“I want us to be a competitive team year in and year out,” saidthe 28-year-old Crain. “We want to compete for the district and theplayoffs. I want to bring back the tradition here. I’m excited andready for a new challenge. It’s a good opportunity for us.”

Crain replaces head football coach Garreth Sartin who took overthe boys basketball team when Andy Smithie left Bogue Chitto afterthe Christmas Holidays last year. He will teach four classes ofjunior high history at Bogue Chitto.

“We anticipate big things from him,” said Bogue Chitto principalBill McGehee. “Coach Crain comes from a basketball family. He is aguy of integrity. The kids have responded well to him. He makes usa strong coaching staff.

“His work ethic is of high standards and he is a strongdisciplinarian,” McGehee added. “He is a father image to hisplayers. He comes from a family of educators.”

Crain will also serve as head baseball coach.

Crain, the son of James and Kathey Crain, knows his basketball.He played for his father at Mendenhall and averaged 14 ppg. hissenior year as a point guard. His father retired from public schooland took over head coaching duties at Hillcrest Christian. Theyfinished second in overall last year.

“Growing up, I always went to Co-Lin’s team camps,” said Crainwho had the opportunity to watch the teams in the area.

After graduating from Mendenhall, Crain attended MississippiCollege in Clinton and played basketball under Coach Mike Jones. Hegraduated with a BA in history.

“We finished 20-4 one year and went to (NCAA) Sweet 16Tournament in Division Three,” explained Crain. “We won ourconference my first two years.”

Crain started his coaching career at Puckett where he spent thelast seven years.

“I was blessed with talented there,” said Crain. “We wondistrict 5 or 6 times and state (his first year). We went to statethree out of six years while I was there.”

The Wolves hadn’t been there in 23 years before Crainarrived

Crain and his wife Jennifer have four children: Sara, Bay(Bradley), Brady and Stone.