Once again, Copiah-Lincoln CommunityCollege will open its Sports Hall of Fame doors and embrace fournew inductees. The quartet includes Gene “Moochie” Britt ofBrookhaven, Jack Case of Bogue Chitto, Tangela Jones Hawthorne ofEastabuchie and John R. Ward of Holly Springs.

    The induction ceremony will take place on Saturday, Oct. 15, aspart of the homecoming activities on the Co-Lin campus. The Co-LinAthletic Alumni Association will recognize them during a 10 a.m.luncheon in the school’s cafeteria and during a halftime ceremonyat that afternoon’s homecoming game in Stone Stadium.

    Case is  best known forwinning back-to-back basketball state championships in 1981-82 withthe West Lincoln Bears. He coached high school basketball for 36years. He was the first football coach at Loyd Star, back in1965.

    Case starred for the Bogue Chitto Bobcats during his high schoolcareer, earning all-state honors. He played for Co-Lin in 1959-60and later for Delta State University where he was the team’sleading rebounder.

    Britt, a 1970 Co-Lin grad, led Loyd Star’s Hornets to a statechampionship before graduating. He also played at New Mexico Stateand West Alabama at Livingston. He has won over 1,000 gamescoaching boys and girls basketball at Brookhaven Academy and boysat Loyd Star.

    Hawthorne is a 1991 Co-Lin graduate who starred for the Lady Wolvesand earned All-State honors. She also played for William CareyUniversity where she graduated in 1993.

    Ward is a 1948 Co-Lin graduate. He was an outstanding footballplayer for the Wolves and later played for Wyoming. He went on tocoach and teach.

    For sure, it will be a wonderful day on the Co-Lin campus as thesefour standouts celebrate with their families and join a legendarygroup of former Co-Lin stars.

 

    Meanwhile, Professor Hoopla B.S., was looking for a place to hanghis hat. He found himself in the doghouse after Mississippi Statelost to LSU last Thursday night in Starkville. In fact, WestCherokee Street in downtown Brookhaven  was lined with purple and gold LSUbanners. Dave “Bulldog” Pace growled with distain and sought acongressional investigation.

    Hoopla predicted the winners of 21 games last week and missedseven. That’s a great batting average but it leaves lot to bedesired in the prognosticating department.

    Here’s a preview of this weekend’s winners, starting with aThursday night, junior college special.

    Gulf Coast at Southwest: The defending state champion Bulldogshaven’t matched last season’s big offensive numbers but they seemto be improving. Gulf Coast 31-17.

    Brookhaven at Wingfield: Unbeaten Panthers locate the field onHighway 49 and take care of business Friday night. Brookhaven32-12.

    Brookhaven Academy at Centreville: This is known as a mettle testerwhen the Cougars tackle the Tigers on the road. Brookhaven Academy29-22.

    Bogue Chitto at Hinds AHS: Bobcats put their perfect (5-0) recordon the line in Utica against a mean bunch of Bulldogs. Bogue Chitto20-16.

    Enterprise at Richton: Win-starved Rebels appease their appetite atthe expense of the Yellow Jackets. Richton 24-14.

    Lawrence County at Franklin County: Hoopla said he would pay to seethis showdown in Meadville. Looks like a thriller. Lawrence County27-24.

    West Lincoln at Mount Hermon,La.: Bears are hunting a secondstraight victory in the woods below Kentwood. Mount Hermon24-16.

    In other area action, Presbyterian Christian over Copiah Academy32-22, Parklane over East Rankin 28-10, South Pike over JeffersonCounty 22-19, Crystal Springs over Bailey Magnet 42-12, North Pikeover Amite County 39-6 and McComb over Stone County 22-7.

    Observing and enjoying open dates are Loyd Star, Wesson andHazlehurst.

 

    Moving along to Saturday’s collegiate scene, Hoopla considers avariety of winners.

    Co-Lin at Jones County: Still limping after the loss to Hinds, theWolfpack encounter a buzz saw Saturday night in Ellisville. Jones28-17.

    Georgia at Ole Miss: Looks like it’s time to break out the “ForSale” signs in Oxford. Georgia 30-13.

    Southern Miss at Virginia: Apparently, all of the best players areat Virginia Tech and West Virginia; so that’s good news for theGolden Eagles. Southern Miss 39-19.

    Louisiana Tech at Mississippi State: MSU’s Bulldogs are regroupingafter two heart-breaking SEC losses. State 38-10.

    Alabama State at Jackson State: Tigers notch a third consecutivevictory. J-State 29-13.

    In other games, involving Magnolia State colleges, Prairie View ofValley State 38-12, Texas Southern over Alcorn State 26-14,Louisiana College over Mississippi College 30-19, Delta State overHenderson State 27-10 and Trinity over Millsaps 17-14. Belhaven hasopen date to regroup.

 

    Contact sports editor Tom Goetz by E-mail:tgoetz@dailyleader.com