WESSON – The Wesson Cobras and Lady Cobras are ready to start their 2014-15-basketball season this Friday.

Wesson debuts Friday as they prepare to welcome the West Lincoln Bears to the Snake Pit for four games. The junior high action starts at 4 and 5 p.m., followed by the varsity games at 6 and 7:30 p.m..

After joining the Class 3A ranks last year, Coach Rusty Newman’s Cobras and Lady Cobras are looking to make some noise in the Region 7-3A race this year. Wesson region rivals are Jefferson County, Hazlehurst, Franklin County, Crystal Springs and Wilkinson County.

Lady Cobras ready begin season 

Head coach Rusty Newman entering his second year as coach for the girls program is expecting to have good season.

Coach Newman will have to rely on three returning starters, Jashia Smith, Kayla Britt and Aurianna Vaughn, to provide leadership.

Kayla Britt and Brandi Wages are the only seniors on the Lady Cobras’ 12 player team for the 2014-15 season.

“I’m excited about the upcoming season,” said Newman. “We are hoping to back after a disappoint season last year. The girls have been working hard to prepare for the season and they are ready to play.”

The Lady Cobras finished 10-17 overall last year. They were eliminated from the playoff in the region tournament.

The Lady Cobras lost two starters to graduation: Brandi McInnis and Gabby Thomas.

Cobras exciting to watch 

Coach Newman is anxious to see what the season may bring for his team after experience a disappoint season last year in the move up to Class 3A.

The Cobras finished with a 13-15 overall record last year and will looking fro better results.

“We are ready to start the season,” said Newman. “The guys have been working hard during the summer workouts and in practices to prepare for the season. We are hoping to make a better run in the Class 3A division. Some of the guys have improved and grown, so this season should be exciting to watch.”

Newman lost two starters to graduation Tanner Allen and Marquis Lofton. The Cobras will have four returning starters back Dartavious Dixon, Tyler Christmas, Anthony Jones and Eric Rhymes.

 Wesson Girls Roster 

Seniors:  Kayla Britt, Brandi Wages

Juniors:  Jerineshia Braxton, Cameshia Green, Aysha Thomas, Madison Coleman, Jashia Smith.

Sophomores:  Aurianna Vaughn, Tashay Glasper, Alaysha Vaughn.

Freshmen:  Jamiya Christmas, Abby Meredith.

Wesson Boys Roster 

Senior: Dartavious Dixon, Tyler Christmas, Demarkyeus Combs.

Juniors:  Anthony Jones.

Sophomores:  Eric Rhymes, Jermaine James, John Newman, Randy Hooker, Jay Stewart, Will Hulon, Tyler Robinson, Arthur Harris.

Freshmen:  Trey Glasper, Brian Thomas.

 Wesson 2014-2015 Schedule 

November:  14-West Lincoln, 17-at Bogue Chitto, 20-at Amite County, 24-at South Pike Tournament.

December:  2-Amite County, 5-at Sumrall, 6-at West Lincoln, 9-Bogue Chitto, 12-Salem, 16-Loyd Star, 19-McLaurin, 30-at Dexter Tournament.

January:  2-3-at Dexter Tournament, 6-at Loyd Star, 9-at Jefferson County, 10-Dexter, 13-at Puckett, 16-Hazlehurst, 20-Franklin County, 23-at Crystal Springs, 27-at Wilkinson County, 30-Jefferson County.

February:  3-at Hazlehurst, 6-Franklin County, 10-Crystal Springs, 13-Wilkinson County, 17-20 Region 7-3A Tournament at Wilkinson Co., 23 – South State 1st Round Girls. 24 – South State 1st Round Boys. 26-28 – South State Tournament.

March:  4-14-State Championship in Jackson.