WESSON – Glover Quin’s basketball stock rose several notchesMonday night in the championship finals of the Wesson InvitationalTournament. Quin, a North Pike junior, broke open a close game witha series of fourth-quarter steals cashed in for layups, directingthe Jaguars to a 54-41 win over the Loyd Star Hornets.

Quin, an explosive 5-10 forward, was named the tournament’s MostValuable Offensive Player, scoring 8 of his 12 points in the finalframe. Jared Britt, a junior guard from Loyd Star, scored agame-high 19 points and was named MVP Defensive Player.

North Pike boys coach Cassels Wilson said Quin was a welcomeaddition to his squad after arriving late because of the statefootball playoffs. “Glover was walking like a zombie when he gotthrough with football. He was all bunged up. It took him a while toheal.”

In the fourth quarter, Loyd Star had gained a 31-31 deadlock ona layup by Britt and 5:56 left to play. The Jaguars responded with15-unanswered points to go up 46-31 when Quin cashed in his fourthsteal and layup in the scoring surge. A baseline jumper by seniorguard Clay Shepherd and an impressive dunk off a steal by PatrickWashington were highlights of the 15-point run.

“Glover is a tremendous athlete,” Wilson continued. “He hasgreat anticipatory skills.” Quin accounted for 9 steals, 6 in thesecond half.

Wilson said his bench was a a major factor in the victory. “Wedidn’t have starters on the floor very long. Corey Patterson got infoul trouble early. We are able to use eight or nine players.”

North Pike (10-4) got 12 points from Shepherd and 10 reboundsfrom Mark Butler. Shepherd and Jackie Robinson are the only seniorson the squad.

“I thought we played well for three and a half quarters,” saidLoyd Star coach Gene “Moochie” Britt. “We made too many turnoversin the fourth quarter. Number 3 (Quin) is quick, quick, quick.

“North Pike is as good as anybody in our district,” said Britt.”That quick spurt hurt us in the fourth quarter.”

Loyd Star (13-2) battled North Pike to a 19-19 halftime deadlockand trailed 31-27 starting the final 8 minutes of action.

Jamie Johnson, Loyd Star’s 6-5 senior center, was in early foultrouble. He picked up his third personal with 4:19 left in thethird quarter and the Hornets down 26-21. He finished with 12points and 7 rebounds.