NATCHEZ &045; Sam West’s wheels around in a navy blue Volvo.

But unlike his vehicle’s engine, West’s internal motor only knows one speed: pedal to the metal.

Whether he’s two-stepping up and down the sidelines as Alcorn State’s head basketball coach or acting as emcee at his annual Miss-Lou basketball camp, West is full throttle.

Close to 80 5- to 15-year-olds have provided their undivided attention to West and his staff during the camps, which close today with the boys during the morning session and the girls will take the Martin Gym floor this afternoon.

&uot;We’ve got about 25 old faces and a lot of new faces,&uot; said an always-excited West, who was a bit disappointed with this year’s numbers. &uot;Normally we usually average 100, so to me it’s actually dropped down a bit. It takes a lot of hard work every year, especially now with my busy schedule. But we’re going to try to find a way to keep it going if we can.&uot;

No. 1 on West’s list for his pupils each summer is developing in them an appreciation for the fundamentals.

While some of the older campers are only in need of polishing learned skills, there are some &045; along with the little ones &045; who are back at square one.

&uot;If they don’t play every day and practice the skills they’re learning in these four days, it won’t do them any good,&uot; West said. &uot;But I think if they continue to work, they’ll be in good shape.&uot;

It’s an all too familiar mantra for West, who is less than five months away from beginning his second season as Alcorn’s coach.

The Braves finished 11-18 a season ago, playing their best ball during the last week of the regular season heading into the Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament.

Alcorn got two impressive, but necessary wins to close league play and entered the tourney at Fair Park Arena in Birmingham, Ala., riding high.

&uot;We’re not going to do anything different. It was ideal,&uot; West said. &uot;It was God sent. It showed, except maybe in the win-loss column. The kids finished strong academically too, with an overall 3.0 GPA.&uot;

The Braves graduated five seniors, losing leading scorer Brian Jackson and the team’s heart-and soul in Dion Callans.

With the unexpected exodus of upcoming junior guards Trey Johnson and DeAndr Jones, the only starter returning in 2004 is 2002-03 All-Metro Player of the Year Juan Wyatt.

The former Jefferson County standout started 19 games a season ago, averaging 2.4 boards per game.

&uot;Everyone is eligible to play. We’re planting the seeds of growth,&uot; West said. &uot;I think it’s going to take some time to mature. In God’s time, though, I think He’ll see a heck of a basketball team.&uot;

Johnson and Jones, two of the team’s catalysts throughout last season, cited different reasons for leaving The Reservation.

It was Jones who led Alcorn to an upset victory against top-seeded Mississippi Valley State in the opening round of the SWAC Tournament in Birmingham and nearly gave the Braves an improbable victory the following night against Alabama A&M.;

Jones left the team for undisclosed personal reasons, West said.

Johnson, who West said left Alcorn because of the school’s poor facilities, was one of the coach’s favorites.

The pair’s relationship demanded Johnson, a Northeast Community College transfer, remain the coolest head on the court when things got stuffy, and the junior often responded with clutch performances, such as the 22 points during the tourney loss to A&M.;

&uot;Even with (the losses of Jones and Johnson), with the kids we’re bringing back, we won’t miss a beat,&uot; West said.

The Braves depended heavily on their bench last year, especially during the brief postseason.

While Wyatt is the only regular starter returning, Alcorn does have some experience in guard Alleo Frazier and center Rhau-Chavis Landfair &045; a pair of starters during the ’02-03 year that redshirted last season.

It’s too soon to set expectations, but Brave fans are assured West will approach the season with the same hard-charging attitude he takes with him everywhere.

&uot;I don’t know why, but I didn’t regroup emotionally the way I thought I would,&uot; West said referencing last year. &uot;It took a lot out of me. It was a growing process.&uot;