WESSON – Christmas came a few days early for Copiah-Lincoln Community College men’s basketball coach Dennis Sims. Two of his prize recruits, Lamar Williams and Tavin Cummings, became academically eligible for the second semester.

     Sims hopes the talented duo can help turn his team (1-8, 0-2) around as the Wolfpack begin the major portion of their MACJC South Division schedule. The Wolves and Lady Wolves tip off the 2013 portion Saturday in a non-division game at Delgado Community College in New Orleans. The Lady Wolves play at 2 p.m., followed by the men at 4.

      Williams is a 6-6 forward from Jackson Lanier. Cummings is a 6-5 forward from Memphis (Craigmont).

     “Their athleticism will help us,” said Sims, when asked about Williams and Cummings. “They are the two of the best athletes on our team and two of the best I’ve ever had.”

     However, Sims doesn’t mean their presence will mean instant success.

      “It all boils down to whether we start playing as a team and working hard on defense,” said Sims. “We must start playing as a team.

     “(Williams and Cummings) give us two more bodies to help us,” Sims continued. “I think they can help turn things around for us.”

     Sims said his team’s 1-8 record is the worst start in his long coaching career. This is his 17th campaign at Co-Lin.

     Currently, the majority of Co-Lin’s offensive production has come from the perimeter. Point guard Tim Harrison, a 6-2 sophomore from Louisville, Ky., is a transfer from Trinity Valley (Texas). He is Co-Lin’s leading scorer with a 17.1 points per game average.

      Point guard Joe Cunningham, a 5-8 sophomore from Moss Point,  averages 10.6 ppg. Terrance James,7.7 ppg; Eric Smith, 6.2;  Fred Fairman, 5.9;  Jay Case, 6.1; Demetrius Mobley, 4.1; and Sidney Chaffin, 2.9.

     Both Co-Lin squads returned early from the holidays and practiced Wednesday night.

     The Lady  Wolves (8-1) are off to an impressive start this season and remain unbeaten (2-0) in the South Divisiion.

     Veteran head coach Gwyn Young said he has been encouraged with his team’s progress. “I’m pleased where we stand in the conference. I know we have to get a lot better.”

     Asked about areas of improvement, Young said, “Scoring is always important. We want to execute better on offense, especially in the half-court setup.”

     Co-Lin is riding a 6-game victory streak since losing to Northwest in the Southwest Coca-Cola Classic.

     “Overall, we have had a couple of players step up,” said Young. “Vintrice Briggs had a real good first half for us. Our guards have played pretty good for us defensively.”

     Briggs, a 5-8 sophomore forward from Roxie in Franklin County, leads the team in scoring and rebounding.

     Jessica Wilson, 6-foot freshman forward from Hattiesburg, follows Briggs in scoring and rebounding.

     Also in Co-Lin’s starting lineup are guards Chanta Poole and Tiffany Sims, and 6-foot post Lavasha Allen.  Tops off the bench are KeKe Collins, Takeya Moore, Jessica Jackson and Laura Beth Wright.

     Earlier in the season, Young achieved a coaching milestone, winning his 800th game at Co-Lin. Overall, he has a record of 805 wins and 233 losses in 36 years.

     Young said Gulf Coast and Jones are two of the South title contenders. The Lady Wolves defeated both of them in the first half of the season. Also in the South Division are Southwest, Pearl River, East Central and Hinds-Utica.