With school set to start in just over a week, Poplarville has a new coach in place to lead its boy’s basketball program.

Kwame Smith was appointed to the post recently, according to Athletics Director John Miller.

Smith actually replaces Joe Garvin as the Hornet headmaster, but in effect actually takes the place of Luchious Moore.

Moore replaced Miller, the longtime and very successful Hornets coach, last year after Miller stepped aside after 20 years in that spot to concentrate just on the AD duties.

But Moore suffered through a woeful 3-20 season, and then resigned at the end of the school year.

Garvin came on board, but lasted less than a week before taking a job at Jones Junior College.

Smith has some prep coaching experience and has been recently coaching in the interleague and AAU circles in the Jackson area.

“He is young and energetic and we are excited to get him into our program,” Miller said. “We think it was a good fit.”

Miller said about a dozen applicants applied for the opening, and once the search committee met late last week Smith was offered the job “within the first hour,” according to Miller.

Smith is expected to begin work this week, as the Poplarville coaches will meet with Miller on Wednesday to go over the athletic procedures and then teachers begin the school year on Friday.

One of the highlights of Smith’s first season at the helm of the Hornets will be Poplarville hosting the renewal of the annual County Basketball Tournament.

The Hornets and Lady Hornets will welcome Picayune, Pearl River Central and Hancock in mid-November for a three day round robin event pitting all four schools against one another in both boys and girls action.