Lincoln County rivals Loyd Star and Bogue Chitto met Tuesdaynight at the Loyd Star gym for a pair of junior high games and twovarsity basketball matchups. The red-clad hosts captured all 4contests, with both girls games going into overtime.

The Loyd Star Lady Hornets went 12-of-14 from the charity stripein the extra session to escape with a 56-48 win over the BogueChitto Lady Bobcats. Loyd Star scorched Bogue Chitto for 31 firstquarter points as the Hornets held the Bobcats at bay 84-69.

Loyd Star swept both junior high contests over Bogue Chitto. TheLady Hornets won 37-36 in double overtime while the Hornetsdefeated the Bobcats 40-17.

Loyd Star travels to Natchez Cathedral Thursday night for a pairof varsity games only, beginning at 6 p.m. Bogue Chitto returns toaction in the Brookhaven Invitational Saturday against Salem. TheLady Bobcats face the Lady Wildcats at 1 p.m., followed by the boysgame at 2:30 p.m.

The Lady Hornets (2-0) trailed 8-7 after oneperiod, and 21-20 at halftime. Shara Johnson pumped in 10 of hergame-high 28 points in the second quarter. She also had 7 rebounds,6 steals and 4 assists.

The girls game resembled a tug-of-war match as neither teamcould get their offenses and defenses on track. Each squad managedto match the other in nearly every category. There were 7 ties and12 lead changes as 8 points was the largest deficit that each teamfaced the entire night.

“Shara (Johnson) had a good game tonight,” said Loyd Star coachLori Britt. “This was a good basketball game.”

Bogue Chitto (1-2), coached by Jason Kennedy, kept the gameclose with timely outside shooting. Chastity Avants, KimberleeBrown and Meleah Brown combined for 46 points in the game as theLady Bobcats carried a 36-33 lead into the final frame.

Kennedy’s team sent the game into overtime, tied at 51-51, whenMeleah Brown sacked a pair of free throws with 15 ticks left on theclock.

In the extra session, Loyd Star took the lead for good on a freethrow by Johnson. Jordan Britt hit 9-of-10 free throws in the final4 minutes to secure the win for the Lady Hornets. Sarah Loftonadded 9 rebounds and 5 assists.

Bogue Chitto was led by Avants, who tossed in 16 points, 6assists and 6 steals. Meleah Brown had 9 rebounds. Kimberlee Brownpulled down 6 rebounds. Candace Braxton and Marley Porter each had3 steals.

“We shot the ball well at the end,” said Kennedy. “We playedwell.”

The Hornets (2-0) came out of the dressing roomon fire, taking a 31-13 lead into the second quarter. Jared Britttossed in 11 points in the period.

Bogue Chitto (0-3) opened the second period with a 10-1 run. TheBobcats cut their deficit to 10 points at 32-22, on a 3-pointbasket by Kerry Brewer.

Kennedy received a technical foul with 4:06 left in the firsthalf as he was trying to get an explanation for a call theofficials made. His team trailed 54-33 at the intermission.

As the teams made their way towards the dressing room, Kennedyand the officials had an exchange of words. The officials, JamieOster and James Pillars, opened the second half by charging Kennedywith his second technical of the night, which draws an automaticejection from the game and the gymnasium.

Bogue Chitto principal Jerry Meador took over the coaching reinsafter the ejection.

Loyd Star led 74-48 at the end of the third quarter.

“We played a team game tonight,” said Hornet head coach Gene(Moochie) Britt. “We were balanced on offense and defensetonight.”

Britt led all scorers with 29 points, 14 rebounds, 3 steals and3 assists. Tyler Williford added 12 points, 4 steals and 4 assists.Sidney Chester pulled down 6 rebounds and dished out 3 assists.

Kerry Brewer and Irrie Catchings led the Bobcats with 19 pointsapiece. Catchings also had 15 rebounds. Nicholas Smith grabbed 11boards and had 3 assists. Daniel Howard had 4 assists.

“We are getting better,” said Kennedy following the game. “Oureffort was good. We did not give up.”

In the junior high games, the Loyd Star girlsgot a game-high 13 points from Shannon Chester. The Lady Bobcatswere led by Jesse Miller with 10 points.

The Bobcats got 5 points apiece from Blaine Roberts and JohnBuie. The Hornets got 11 points from Drew Case and 10 from MatthewHenderson.