[11/4/03]First-year Warren Central boys basketball coach Jesse Johnson may have his eyes glued to Viking Stadium for the first few weeks of the season.

It seems most of his players are doubling on the football field.

Eight roster players suit up for the football Vikings, who will be making another appearance in the playoffs.

With the basketball season starting on Nov. 10 for WC, the Vikings may be a little short-handed early.

That doesn’t seem to be a problem for Johnson, though.

“We’ve been working very hard,” said Johnson, a Vikings’ assistant who took over the program from Preston Wilson a season ago. “I think they are getting used to my style and we’re ready to go.”

Under Wilson, who left after two seasons, the Vikings earned Division 4-5A runner-up honors after upsetting Clinton in the first round of the division tournament. Warren Central lost to state runner-up Starkville in the first round of the Class 5A state tournament.

Two key cogs from that team center Chi Chi Ezekwe and forward Dewayne Washington are no longer with the team.

Height will not be a Vikings’ strong point with only one player taller than 6-foot-4.

Where WC will look to capitalize will be in the transition game. Wilson brought a running game to the Vikings and Johnson is keeping things the same.

“Our systems were a lot alike,” Johnson said. “That’s why we were able to work so well together. We had a lot of the same philosophies.”

That also includes discipline. Johnson brings a 20-year military background to the sidelines and said his players are quickly grasping what he is trying to teach.

Point guard Seddrick Williams will be the Vikings’ sparkplug. A three-year starter, Williams will be counted on to be a leader.

“There’s no doubt, he will lead this team,” Johnson said. “He’s a three-year starter and can run the point very well.”