Young bags 700th victory
Published 6:00 am Monday, December 15, 2008
BOONEVILLE – It was another milestone in Co-Lin women’sbasketball coach Gwyn Young’s career but he considered it justanother day at the office. In an overtime thriller, Nadia Collinstossed in a 3-point goal with 1.6 seconds left, pushing the Co-LinLady Wolves past the Northeast Community College Lady Tigers 81-80Saturday, handing Young his 700th career victory.
In 33 years at the helm of Co-Lin women’s basketball fortunes,Young has amassed 700 wins and 217 losses. His Lady Wolves are 9-1this season.
In the men’s game, Northeast spanked the Wolves 81-57. Co-Linhosts Delgado Community College of New Orleans Tuesday. The women’sgame starts at 5 p.m., an hour earlier than usual, in MullenGymnasium; followed by the men at 7.
“I really haven’t been thinking that much about it,” said Young,in reference to the 700th victory. “My wife (Velesta) called meright after the game. She had said something earlier in the weekabout wanting to make the trip but I talked her out of it becauseit was such a long bus ride. I told her she would be worn out.
“It feels good to win 700 but you are more concerned aboutwinning the game,” said Young. “The win helps us in the region. Itwas a big game on the road. Our subs scored 47 points for us.”
After Collins connected on the game-winner, Co-Lin guard TeArraWilbert had 2 pass deflections to preserve the victory and keepNortheast from attempting a shot.
Co-Lin led by 9 points late in regulation before Northeastcaught up. “Northeast played us zone (defense) the whole game.”
Collins and Latoria Holder each scored 19 points in the victory,sacking 5 treys apiece.
“We got in the right place and made some shots,” said Young.”Collins and Holder shot the ball extremely well.”
On the backboards, Co-Lin was led by freshman Shareka Hunt’s 11rebounds.
Northeast, under the direction of veteran Ricky Ford, got agame-high 22 points, plus 14 rebounds from center CharniseMitchell. Bionca Hill added 17 points.
The Wolves fell to 5-6 with the loss. They are 1-0 in the SouthDivision.
Northeast quickly expanded a 39-31 halftime lead. The Tigerssacked 5 straight field goals, including 2 treys.
“Northeast made first five shots of the second half and made twothrees,” said Co-Lin men’s coach Dennis Sims. “We were down20.”
Sixteen points by Chris Gamble led 5 Tigers in doubledigits.
“We were awful on defense and Northeast shot the ball verywell,” Sims added. “This was the most points we’ve given up thisyear.”
The Wolves got 24 points from guard Rob Wallace and 19 fromTrent Hutchin.
Co-Lin shot 48 percent from the field.