Lady Wolves hope for playoff run in 2017
WESSON, Miss. – The Copiah-Lincoln Community College Lady Wolves advanced to the MACJC State Semifinals last season and finished the year with an impressive 20-5 record, but the thought of an MACJC title are fresh on the minds of Co-Lin's returning sophomores. The season also saw coach Gwyn Young's 900th career victory, which leads the NJCAA.
"Our sophomores realize what the commitment is and how hard you have to play at the end to win games," said Young. "Our girls are seeking an opportunity to get back in that position."
The Lady Wolves are going to need to capitalize on the experience gained from last season that saw several freshmen on the floor for Co-Lin.
"We are going to need our sophomores to be leaders," said Young. "The ones that were here last year got a lot of experience and that's what you need to win."
Paired with the returners are a group of freshmen that hope to make an immediate impact.
"A couple of these freshmen are going to push for starting roles and a lot of playing of time," said Young. "Competition like that is great for the team, it makes everyone play harder to earn starting spots."
Co-Lin's guards look to play a big role for the Lady Wolves in the 2017-2018 season as several players have the ability to drive the ball. Combine that with great speed and quickness throughout and the Lady Wolves have a dangerous offense that hope to light up the scoreboard.
Alexus Holt and Karry Callahan, two sophomores, look to be leaders this season. Holt, a 5'7 guard from Epps, La., is a combo player that can play guard or wing. As a freshman Holt averaged nearly 10 points a game and 2.8 assists while shooting 40 percent from the field. Expect Holt to be a leader on the floor in all facets of the game this season.
Callahan, 5'7 guard from Vicksburg, is a hard-nosed player that will out hustle almost everyone on the floor. Callahan saw the court in all 25 games last season and started in 21. She led the team with 8.1 rebounds and 7.4 points per game while shooting 46.8 percent from the field.
Another standout sophomore returning for her sophomore campaign is Brittany Rose. Rose, a Lamar High School graduate, led the Lady Wolves with 15.2 points per game last season. The 5'9 guard started in 24 contests as a freshman and averaged a staggering 31.3 minutes per game. Rose also led Co-Lin in assists with 3.5 dimes per game. The stellar season landed Rose MACJC First Team All-State recognition. Expect Rose to continue to be a dominating factor for the Lady Wolves this season.
Diamond Smith, a 6'3 forward from Union Church, will be back for Co-Lin after seeing the floor in 24 games last season. The lengthy forward led the Lady Wolves with 2.2 blocks per game and a team high 51.1 shooting percentage from the floor. Smith was great on the boards as she hauled in 5.7 rebounds per game. Smith hopes to continue her intense presence under the rim and as a leader on the Lady Wolves' defense.
After missing last season due to an injury Kyeonia Harris is looking for a breakout season this year. The 5'4 guard was a solid player at Raymond High School where she averaged 12 points, 3 rebounds, and 6 assists as a senior. Harris is a scoring point guard that can attack the basket and knows how to find the open player.
New to the roster this season is Krysten Kenner. The 5'7 guard from Destrehan, La. posted great numbers in high school as she led her team to the 2017 5A State Championship. Kenner averaged 18 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals as a senior. The hard working guard is excellent at driving the ball into the lane, and is not afraid to get physical under the rim.
All-District honors and District MVP were awarded to Nakeisha Holcomb as she racked up impressive numbers at Jim Hill High School a year ago. Holcomb averaged 12.3 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 assists her senior season. Holcomb has tremendous speed and explosiveness that she hopes will help her excel in her freshman season with the Lady Wolves. Expect the 5'9 forward to be all over the court in 2017-2018.
Kiara Bolton, a 5'9 forward from Jackson, joins the Lady Wolves in 2017. The Provine High School graduate was a fierce competitor under the basket. Bolton averaged 13.8 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 3.2 steals her senior season. Bolton is very strong in the paint and uses her aggressiveness to her advantage as she battles for rebounds and put-backs.
Shemiah Amos, a 6'1 freshman from Bude, graduated from Franklin County High after a solid senior season. Amos averaged 4.1 points, 11 rebounds and 5.5 blocks. Amos is a hard working player that is extremely coachable and getting better everyday.
Ciara Norwood is another local player that is new to the team this season. Norwood, a 5'8 freshman, graduated from Magee High School where she averaged 20.7 points and 6 rebounds her senior year. The aggressive play landed her All-District honors in 2016 and 2017. Norwood excels in defensive play as well and is a player that never lacks effort.
T'Kyra Hicks, a 2016 North Mississippi All-Star, joins the Lady Wolves in 2017 after stellar high school play. The 5'7 guard from Greenville averaged 22.9 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 2.1 steals per game as a senior. The athletic guard is not afraid to take a jump shot and is always looking for the basket. Expect Hicks to get several minutes on the floor for the Lady Wolves this season.
Destiny Hemphill, a Greenville High School graduate, is a strong guard that can drive the lane and score from under the basket. This aggressive play from outside landed her 2015 North Mississippi All-Star honors. As a senior, Hemphill averaged 22.7 points, 2.4 rebounds, 7.2 assists, and 3.7 steals per game.
Rounding out the new players on the roster is Alexandria Patton. Patton, a 6'0 forward from Brandon, was a dominating force under the basket in high school. Patton averaged 11.9 points and 5.8 rebounds her senior year and earned 2017 All-District Team honors. Patton already had a strong inside game when she arrived at Co-Lin, but has developed even better post moves as the season nears.
Co-Lin has the players and the coaching staff in place to take the Lady Wolves deep into another playoff run this season. With standout guards paired with good size in the post the Lady Wolves are prone for a balanced offensive attack. Couple that ability to score with good quickness and grit on the defensive side of the floor and the Lady Wolves are set up for a breakout year.
"We always hope to make the playoffs," said Young. "We just want to make some noise once we get there."
Three former Lady Wolves will be in action at the next level this season. Tytiana Hall will suit up for Southeastern Louisiana University for her senior year. Kelly Allen will begin her senior season at Mississippi College, and Jamilah Sanders, Allen's former teammate at Co-Lin, will join her for her junior campaign.