WESSON – The Wesson boys could have pulled out a big Division6-2A win over Piney Woods Tuesday night if they had made their freethrows. The Cobras made 20 of 32 free throws while the Tornadoeswere 11 of 18 and escaped with a 72-63 victory.

In the girls game, the Lady Cobras dug themselves into a hole inthe first quarter and never got out as the Lady Tornados came awaywith a 41-28 win.

“We missed a lot of easy shots and free throws,” said Wessonboys coach/principal Billy O. Britt following the game. “Ourrebounding has improved.”

Wesson (4-14, 1-11) jumped out to a 10-4 lead early in the gamebut Piney Woods (18-10, 8-4) roared back to take a 21-12 advantageat the end of the first quarter. The Cobras came back in the secondquarter but the Tornados still outscored them 17-16 to take a 38-28edge at the half.

With 17.5 seconds left in the second quarter, Piney Woods wasleading 36-28 when Britt was assessed two consecutive technicalfouls by referee Lawrence Pillars. Then Demetric Dent, who finishedthe game with 19 points for Piney Woods, netted 2 out of 4 freethrows to give the Tornados the 38-28 lead.

According to Mississippi High School Activities Associationrules, Britt had to leave the gym floor when the second half began.Replacing Britt on the bench were Wesson football coach RonaldGreer and volunteer coach Mike Hux. Britt stated after the gamethat officials Pillars and Brian Miller were both on his scratchlist but were still assigned to call the contest.

A 17-9 third-quarter run by Piney Woods put them up 55-37 goinginto the final frame. Wesson came back and outscored Piney Woods26-17 in the fourth quarter. The Cobras cut the deficit to sevenpoints twice, 54-57 at the 4:21 mark and 69-63 with 40.7 secondsleft. The Cobras had to foul the Tornados who were running time offthe clock with a spread offense.

Richie Miller directed the Cobras with 22 points. Roderick Claynetted 18 points. Scoring 10 points was David Smith.

Assisting Piney Woods with 18 points was Issiac Prince. JamesWilliams added 16 points.

In the girls game, Piney Woods (8-17) punched out a 15-3lead over struggling Wesson (2-16, 0-11). The Lady Tornados led 7-6in the second quarter to take a 22-9 lead at the half. Wessonoutscored Piney Woods 11-7 in the third quarter to cut the deficitto 29-20 going into the final frame. A 12-8 run in the final framesecured the Lady Tornados’ win.

“We shot 8 of 40 from the field,” said Wesson girlscoach Scott Johnson, reviewing his team’s field goal shootingstatistics. “Our minds weren’t in it. We needed to foul (in thefourth quarter) but we wasted 48 seconds before fouling someone.You have to play eight minutes in each of the fourquarters.”

Anna Johnson fired in 12 points for Wesson.

Sytaeis Weathers scored 11 points for Piney Woods. TeeyTaylor finished with 10 points.

Wesson wraps up regular season play at home Friday nighthosting Bogue Chitto for three games. The junior varsity boys gamebegins at 5 p.m.

The Division 6-2A Tournament starts next week atMcLaurin.

@Bbstandings:BOYS

Piney Woods 72, Wesson 63

Piney Woods (72) Demetric Dent 19, Issac Prince 18, J.Williams 16, Lloyd 8, Sarter 7, Payne 2, Olyin 2.

Wesson (63) Richie Miller 22, Roderick Clay 18, D. Smith10, W. Williams 5, Powell 2, Corley 3, Page 3.

Total fouls: Piney Woods 26. Wesson 14. Fouledout-Sarter. Technicals-Wesson coach Billy O. Britt(2).

Free throws M-A: Wesson 20-32. Piney Woods11-18.

3-point goals: Dent 3, Prince 2, Miller 2, Corley, W.Williams.

Piney Woods

21

17

17

17 – 72

Wesson

12

16

9

26 – 63

GIRLS

Piney Woods 41, Wesson 28

Piney Woods (41) Sytaeis Weathersby 11, Cook 2, Taylor10, Robinson 6, Williams 8, S. Weathersby 4.

Wesson (28) Anna Johnson 12, M. Johnson 3, Brister 5,Baldwin 4, King 7.

Total fouls: Piney Woods 21. Wesson 15. Fouled out-None.Technicals-None.

Free throws M-A: Wesson 7-17. Piney Woods5-13.

3-point goals: Taylor 2, Brister.

Piney Woods

15

7

7

12 – 41

Wesson

3

6

11

8 – 28