Loyd Star guard Rufus Humphries wasn’t expected to play Fridaynight but head coach Gene “Moochie” Britt was happy he did.Humphries was a perfect 6-of-6 at the free throw line in overtime,helping lift the Hornets to a 64-57 Friday night triumph over thevisiting Wesson Cobras.

Humphries had sustained a shoulder injury in last week’s loss atHinds AHS and his status was questionable at best. He finished witha team-high 19 points as the Hornets improved to 10-1 overall and1-1 in the Division 6-2A race.

“Rufus had a good game for us,” said Britt. “He had a sore leftshoulder. The doctor released him and said he could play.”

Wesson (3-8, 0-4), under the direction of first-year head coachRon Kessler, produced an inspired effort against its archrival. TheCobras battled to a 7-point, 36-29 halftime lead. They trailed44-41 starting the fourth quarter after Loyd Star’s Sidney Chesterhit a jumper from the right wing.

Coach Britt elected to slow the tempo in the final frame, due tofoul trouble. It became a patient passing game.

“We were in foul trouble,” said Britt. “I said if we ever getahead, we’ll pull it out and make them play our way.

“Wesson is very much improved,” Britt pointed out. “They had abunch of threes.” The Cobras tossed in 7 treys.

Loyd Star led 47-41 on a driving layup by Humphries, plus a freethrow, with 5:50 left in regulation. Consecutive treys by HermanJohnson and Adrien Merchant gained the Cobras a 50-50 deadlock with1:07 remaining.

Senior guard Jared Britt, Loyd Star’s leading scorer, wasslapped on the arm when he launched a trey with 5 seconds left toplay but the foul went undetected. Wesson’s Collin King missed ahurried field goal from past midcourt and the game enteredovertime.

Humphries made 2 free throws and then stole an inbounds pass asLoyd Star surged to a 59-52 lead in overtime. Tyler Willifordswished a trey and Britt cashed in a steal with a layup during therun.

The Hornets then proceeded to make 7 of 8 free throws to cementthe victory. Williford finished with 17 points. Britt had 15 pointsand 8 rebounds. Sidney Chester accounted for 10 rebounds.

“This was one of our best efforts,” said Kessler. “We are about75 percent there. We need four quarters. The third quarter has beenour Achilles Heel.”

Kessler complimented the Hornets. “They hit some big shots andthey got after it on the boards.”

The Cobras, clad in black uniforms with blue trim, got agame-high 25 points from Merchant, a slender 5-10 senior. Merchantsank 3 treys.

Junior High Results

In the junior high boys game, Loyd Star (6-1) beat Wesson 50-30,powered by Drew Case’s 23 points. Matthew Henderson chipped in 12points and Cayce Falvey 6.

Wesson got 8 points from Cody King. Matt Cliburn had 6 points,Roy Williams 5 and Trent Rutland 4.