Wolves working towards Nov. 3 tipoff
Published 12:00 pm Wednesday, October 29, 2014
WESSON – You’ll definitely need a roster when you come catch the Copiah-Lincoln men’s basketball team this season, as coach Kenny Bizot trots out a team with a whopping 12 freshmen in 2014-2015.
Only two players return from the 9-14 team of 2013-2014, Terry Morris and Jordan Lumpkins. Morris, a graduate of Jim Hill, played most of his minutes as a point guard last season and averaged 7.2 points and 2.3 assist per game. Morris was one of the team’s most reliable 3-point shooters, a skill the team will count on this season as the young Wolves find their footing in the MACJC. Lumpkins, a 6’4″ forward, averaged 6.8 points and 3.8 rebounds per game as a freshman. The New Orleans native, who prepped at Brother Martin, is also a strong student who was recently inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Academic Honor Society.
Lumpkins will get some help in the post as Co-Lin welcomes in transfer Lucas Burris. Burris, a West Lincoln graduate, played at Mississippi College as a freshman.
The freshman for Co-Lin include Dearius Griffin (Natchez), Jadarius Haymer (Yazoo County), Darius Kennedy (Jim Hill), Donovan Rice (Picayune), Terik Richardson (Germantown), Joe Shelby (Loyd Star), De’Archie Stewart (Provine), Tyler Turner (Desoto Central), Josh Washington (Terry), Donte’ Watson (New Orleans), Chris Williams (Sebastopol), and Shemar Williams (McComb).
Last season was one filled with close losses for Bizot in his first season at Co-Lin. Of the 14 losses suffered by the Wolves in 2013-2014, nine of them came by six points or less.
Bizot didn’t only have to replace players in the offseason as his longtime assistant, Justin Henley, exited Wesson after one season with the Wolves. Henley accepted the head boys’ basketball position at Petal High School after previously coaching with Bizot at Jackson Prep, University of Texas at Tyler, and Co-Lin.
Bizot made a popular hire when he brought in a former Wolf, Jake Reed, to fill the position on his staff. Reed was a standout player for Co-Lin from 2010-2012 before finishing his career and education at William Carey University.
Co-Lin will begin the 2014-2015 season with their usual plate of non-division games against the likes of Delta, Holmes, Baton Rouge, and Delgado. The Wolves will also face tough early season competition at the Southwest tournament when they play Northwest and Southern-Shreveport.
Co-Lin opens their season on Nov. 3 with a trip to Holmes. The women tip off at 5:30 and the men follow with a 7:30 p.m. tip in Goodman. The Wolves host their home debut on Thursday, Nov. 3 with games at 6 and 8 p.m. versus Delta.
2014-15 Co-Lin Schedule
NOVEMBER: 3-at Holmes, 6-Ms. Delta, 10-Baton Rouge, 17-18-at Southwest Tournament, 22-Delgado.
DECEMBER: 1-at Ms. Delta, 4-at Hinds, 8-Pearl River, 13-at Delgado.
JANUARY: 6-at Baton Rouge, 12-Jones, 15-at East Central, 20-Southwest, 22-at Meridian, 26-at Gulf Coast, 29-Hinds.
FEBRUARY: 2-at Pearl River, 5-at Jones, 9-East Central, 12-at Southwest, 16-Meridian, 19-Gulf Coast, 23-26-MACJC State Tournament.
MARCH: 4-7 Region 23 Tournament at Mississippi College.