With six seniors and four juniors returning for the 2000-2001 season, the Ferriday Trojans of head coach James Davis should be one of the favorites to win the District 3-2A championship.

Last year, Ferriday went 15-12 overall, finished in third place in district with a 5-3 record and got to the second round of the Class 2A state playoffs before being eliminated.

&uot;If we can take care of winning at home and win a couple of games on the road, we have a good chance of winning district and we’ll be okay,&uot; Davis said. &uot;It’s going to be competitive in our district.&uot;

&uot;We’ve got to get the people to go to the games,&uot; he added.

Among the six seniors returning this year are what Davis called &uot;the nucleus of the team&uot; — Jason Scott (6-4, 184), who averaged 25 points a game last year, and Derrick Williams (6-2, 180), who averaged 15 points a game.

The rest of the starting lineup will consist of a pair of seniors — Marques Webber (5-9, 145) and D’Juan Banks (6-1, 160) — and junior Jackie Thomas (6-1, 155).

The two other seniors returning are Bobby Sheppard (5-11, 160) and Lawrence Washington (6-0, 140).

Davis said Washington and sophomore Lakendrick Nix will join the basketball team after the football season is over.

One thing that will help get Ferriday ready for district play is that the Trojans first play in tournaments with district foes Vidalia and Block.

&uot;We’ve got a pretty good schedule,&uot; he said. &uot;I think playing teams like that will help us get over the hump and get ready for district.&uot;

Davis said the team to beat this year in District 3-2A is McCall.

&uot;They lost two seniors from last year,&uot; he said. &uot;They have their point guard, guard, forward and center returning.&uot;

Ferriday’s season begins on Nov. 11 when it hosts the Concordia Jamboree.