WESSON – Friday was a big night for Wesson senior forward RichieMiller. Miller celebrated his 18th birthday and helped the Cobraswith 25 points in a 68-66 upset win over the Bogue ChittoBobcats.

Before the boys game began, the Wesson senior athletes in girlsand boys basketball and soccer were honored.

In the girls game, Bogue Chitto sophomore guard Jessica Meltonlit up the scoreboard, scoring 17 points to spark the Lady Bobcatsto a 49-25 win over the Lady Cobras. Melton also collected 12rebounds, made five steals and had five assists.

The Cobras picked up the tempo infourth-quarter play. Wesson led Bogue Chitto by two points, 66-64on a pair of free throws from Roderick Clay with 50 seconds left.Bogue Chitto’s Michael Blackwell hit a jumper to tie the game with27 seconds remaining.

Wesson boys coach Billy O. Britt called a timeout with 7.7seconds left on the clock. The Cobras scored a field goal on atip-in by David Smith to give them the lead with apparently no timeleft.

Bogue Chitto boys coach Theo Black told officials Don Presleyand Joe Portrey during the last timeout that he wanted a timeoutimmediately after the basket but the clock continued to run. Blackand the Bogue Chitto fans believed there were two seconds on theclock following the basket.

Presley and Portrey put .02 seconds back on the clock and gaveBogue Chitto the basketball. Dorian Dunn took the pass at midcourtand nailed a three-pointer off the glass but not before the buzzersounded and the game was officially over.

However, Coach Black felt there were 2 seconds left but theofficials put .02 instead of 2 on the clock. The score stood at68-66.

“We played well under the circumstances,” said Black after thegame. “I’m proud of the kids.”

Wesson (5-14) was handed 11 fouls and made 21 of 39 from thefree-throw line. Bogue Chitto was assessed 27 fouls and was 5-of-6from the free-throw line.

Bogue Chitto (13-8) dominated the first quarter, going up 19-9over Wesson. The Bobcats continued to outscore the Cobras, but bythree points 18-15 as Bogue Chitto went in to halftime with a 13point, 37-24, advantage.

The game turned around in Wesson’s favor in the third quarter asthe Cobras outscored the Bobcats 18-7 to cut the deficit to twopoints, 44-42, going into the fourth quarter.

In the final frame, the Cobras outscored the Bobcats 26-22 withthe teams exchanging the lead several times.

“The effort was there,” said Britt of the win. “I think weplayed a better ball game. I am very proud of them.”

Adding support to the Wesson win with 16 points was Clay. MarcusCorley followed with 12 points.

Britt was pleased with the performance of reserve senior forwardWesley Page who scored four points but played a great game,contributing on both ends of the court.

“Wesley Page had his best game of the year,” complimented Britt.”I am very proud of him.”

Leading Bogue Chitto with 22 points was guard Carlos Brown. Dunncollected eight points and six rebounds. Domenick Addison finishedwith seven points and four steals.

In the girls game, the Lady Bobcats (15-5) had too muchfirepower for the Wesson Lady Cobras (2-17). Bogue Chitto led 17-5in the first quarter, 25-8 in the second quarter and was up 35-15going in to the final frame.

“We just got outhustled,” said Wesson girls coach ScottJohnson. “The kids executed well. We held our headsup.”

Senior forward Caron Brister led Wesson with 12 points.Maggie Johnson netted eight points.

“Coach Johnson does a good job,” said Bogue Chitto girlscoach Mickey Myers. “His kids executed well. We were in foultrouble. We didn’t play with a lot of enthusiasm.”

For Bogue Chitto, Marquita Ratcliff added support with10 points. Randi Moak pulled down 11 rebounds. Yolanda Drummondmade five steals.

@Bbstandings:BOYS

Wesson 68, Bogue Chitto 66

Bogue Chitto (66) Carlos Brown 21, Blackwell 4, Wallace6, Ferguson 5, Moak 2, Wallace 6, Dillion 6, Addison 7, Dunn8.

Wesson (68) Richie Miller 25, Clay 16, Corley 12, Smith6, Page 4, Johnson 5.

Total fouls: Bogue Chitto 27. Wesson 11. Fouledout:Addison, Dunn. Technicals-Addison.

Free throws M-A: Wesson 21-39. Bogue Chitto5-6.

3-point goals: Brown 4, Dillon 2, Ferguson,Corley.

Bogue Chitto

19

18

7

22 – 66

Wesson

9

15

18

26 – 68

GIRLS

Bogue Chitto 49, Wesson 25

Bogue Chitto (49) Jessica Melton 17, Thompson 1, Moak 8,Ratcliff 10, Fairchild 1, Wallace 2, Brown 8.

Wesson (25) Caron Brister 12, M. Johnson 8, Baldwin 2,M. Smith 2, A. Johnson 1.

Total fouls: Wesson 25. Bogue Chitto 22. Fouledout-Hayley Carr, Baldwin, Drummond.Technicals-Baldwin.

Free throws M-A: Bogue Chitto 16-31. Wesson6-19.

3-point goals: Brister 3, Moak.

Bogue Chitto

17

8

10

14 – 49

Wesson

5

3

7

10 – 25