Loyd Star guard Jared Britt pumped in 39 points and the Hornetscruised to a 78-61 Monday night win over the West Lincoln Bears inJack Case Gymnasium. Britt made 9 of 12 free throws and 2 treys inamassing his total against the host Bears.

In the varsity girls game, West Lincoln whipped Loyd Star 42-30,powered by guard Erica Shaw’s 13 points. Alicia Kennedy chipped in10 points.

The Hornets (4-0) remained undefeated bydominating the backboards and smothering West Lincoln’s comebackattempts. The Bears got 22 points from guard Tyler Smith and 19from guard Brooks Smith.

“I thought we played well and rebounded well the whole game,” ahoarse Loyd Star coach Gene “Moochie” Britt whispered. Britt wasfighting a severe chest cold and nasal congestion.

“Our defense did a good job,” Britt continued. “We knew we hadto stop Tyler and Brooks. Jared had an exceptional game for us. Oursubs did a good job, too.”

Most importantly, the Hornets crashed the backboards, usuallylimiting West Lincoln (2-3) to one shot. Britt had 10 rebounds andJonathan Smith 9.

Loyd Star also got 17 points from guard Tyler Williford,including 4 treys.

“We didn’t rebound the ball and our defense was not very good,”said West Lincoln coach Lane Young. “We need to have more peoplestep up on offense and make some plays.”

West Lincoln’s Kevin King led the Bears on the backboards with 9rebounds. Shane Lynch had 5 rebounds. Landon Case scored 10points.

Loyd Star led 36-22 at halftime. The Hornets increased theirlead to 19 points, 56-37, on a baseline jumper by Rufus Humphrieswith 1:32 left in the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, the Bears got a baseline drive and freethrow from Case, reducing their deficit to 10 points, 60-50, with6:51 left to play. The Hornets replied with a trey from Willifordand 2 free throws from Britt.

The Lady Bears (3-2) concentrated on defenseand held Loyd Star (3-1) to its lowest point total of the season.Kennedy grabbed 10 rebounds and Monica Price 7 for West Lincoln.Lyndsay Franklin made 6 steals.

“Our defense was very good,” said Coach Young.

Loyd Star coach Lori Britt agreed. “West Lincoln played gooddefense but we turned it over extremely too much.”

For the game, Loyd Star had 26 turnovers.

Offensively, the Lady Hornets were led by junior forward SharaJohnson’s 14 points and 6 rebounds. Ashton Williams and AmandaSmith each had 7 rebounds. Sarah Lofton made 3 assists and 2steals.

Junior High Action

Loyd Star and West Lincoln split the preliminary junior hightwinbill. Drew Case tossed in 22 points and Matthew Henderson 14 asthe Hornets rolled 47-29. The Bears got 9 points from Jamey Byrd, 8from Jerry Byrd and 5 from Darnell Sampson.

In the girls game, Kayla Moak pumped in 21 points in WestLincoln’s 36-30 triumph. Mary Posey added 6 points.

The Lady Hornets got 10 points from Dalena Brooks and 7 fromShannon Chester.