WESSON — The No. 17-ranked Copiah-Lincoln Community CollegeLady Wolves begin the 2008 portion of their basketball scheduletoday. They host the Northeast Mississippi Lady Tigers at 5 p.m. inMullen Gymnasium.

The Co-Lin men will play Northeast at 7 p.m. South Division playtips off next week, starting with Pearl River Jan. 7, in MullenGymnasium.

In a massive rebuilding campaign after finishing sixth in theNJCAA National Tournament last March, Coach Gwyn Young’s LadyWolves (8-1) have made positive strides. Young had to replace hisstarting quintet and 6 of his top 8 players off the 30-5 team thatwon state and regional championships last season.

Top returnees for Co-Lin were super subs Alisha Mason (8.9 ppg)of Ruth (Enterprise) and Kristen Ellis (9.1 ppg) of Vicksburg whohave elevated their games. They have been supported by a talentedgroup of freshmen, plus sophomore transfer Reisha Bullock (14 ppg)of Kenner, La.

Coach Young said he has been pleased with his team’s progress.”We have a lot of new players and we still have a lot of work todo. We will see where we are at tonight.

“We have had good bench play, especially on defense,” Youngcontinued. “We need to keep working hard on offense.”

Bullock had 13 points and 6 rebounds in a 64-41 blowout atDelgado Community College, just before the Christmas break. Ellisscored 10 points.

In their last meeting with Northeast, Dec. 8, at Booneville,Co-Lin freshman forward Shrica Ward pumped in 17 points and grabbed4 rebounds to lead the Lady Wolves in a 62-59 win. Ward is a6-footer from Jackson Forest Hill.

The Wolves (6-3) have been carried by 6-foot-8sophomore Greg Truvillion who collected 32 points, 11 rebounds and6 assists on their way to a 75-67 comeback win over the Delgado(La.) Dolphins of New Orleans on Dec. 12. Truvillion, from EastLansing, Mich., was 20 of 25 from the free throw line.

Freshman guard Trent Hutchin, a 6-foot sharpshooter from BatonRouge (Woodlawn), leads Co-Lin in scoring. He’s averaging 19 pointsper game.

Sophomore guards Corey London of Birmingham, Ala., JemarioMartin of Crystal Springs, and Julius Blanks of Gautier, plussophomore forward Anthony Wilcher of McCall Creek provide Co-Lin’sleadership.

Northeast beat the Wolves 69-65 at Booneville, led by KenMoore’s 18 points. Travis Lee fired in 14 points. Following with 11points was Laquin Williamson. William Burdett finished with 10points.

Co-Lin got 26 points from Truvillion. Hutchin had 12 points,London 11 and Wilcher 10.