Loyd Star’s boys have made the best of a major rebuildingseason. The Hornets (11-3) won their fourth straight game Tuesdaynight, whipping the West Lincoln Bears 57-42 in Jack CaseGymnasium. They dominated the backboards and got a game-high 17points, 16 rebounds and 3 assists from senior guard DemarcusBarnes.

The Hornets owned a decisive 38-20 advantage in the reboundingdepartment. They got 15 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists fromsophomore guard Jared Britt. Junior post Jamie Johnson added 12points and 6 rebounds despite early foul trouble.

“This has been a rewarding season for us,” said veteran LoydStar head coach Gene (Moochie) Britt. “Nobody expected us to domuch this year.”

Britt’s Hornets are battling for first place in the Division6-2A race with three senior starters on the squad in Barnes,Jermaine Hunter and Seth Britt.

“Rebounding was a big key for us,” said Coach Britt. “I told ourplayers that West Lincoln would be ready for us.”

The Hornets were ready, racing to a 12-point, 29-17, halftimelead. Coach Andy Smithie’s Bears were decisively outrebounded andplayed passive defense as the Hornets got second and third shots atthe goal.

After a halftime chat, the Bears played inspired basketball inthe third quarter. They realized a 31-31 deadlock at the 2:33 mark.Slender Sam Collins scored on an inbounds play to cap a 14-2 run bythe Bears.

Loyd Star, minus the 6-5 Johnson who picked up his fourthpersonal with 6:03 left in the third, regrouped and came backstrong. Barnes scored on a pair of putbacks and Jared Britt sackeda free throw, giving the Hornets a 5-point, 36-31 lead entering thefinal frame.

“We went cold in the third and let them score,” said CoachBritt. “Jamie got in foul trouble and that hurt our insidegame.”

Collins got 12 of his game-high 16 points in the second half andchipped in 8 rebounds. Junior forward Luke Lofton added 12 pointsand 7 rebounds for the Bears who fell to 9-8 with the loss.

Smithie was happy to see his young team improve on their lastmeeting with the Hornets when they lost 65-43 at Loyd Star, Dec.22.

“We were able to handle their full-court press better than lasttime,” said Smithie. “Loyd Star is a very physical team. Theyrebounded very well tonight.”

Junior High Results

In a preliminary junior high boys game, Loyd Star beat WestLincoln 41-22, led by Tyler Williford with 15 points and BrentFells with 14. Gary Johnson added 10 points.

Wet Lincoln got 8 points from Shane Lynch and 5 from PatrickAyers. Drew Case and Robby Dees had 4 points.