WESSON – It took two overtimes but the Wesson Cobras finallyprevailed over their archrival, the Loyd Star Hornets. Wesson puttogether a 16-9 run on Loyd Star in the second overtime Tuesdaynight to come away with a 77-70 win and claim the WessonInvitational Boys Tournament title before a loud, capacitycrowd.

The game was tied 58-all at the end of regulation and 61-61 atthe end of the first OT. Each OT consisted of a four-minutequarter.

“Our kids didn’t quit,” said first-year Wesson boys coach RonKessler following the win. “We lost to them (Loyd Star) in overtime(64-57) the last time we played. Loyd Star is one of the top twoteams in the district.”

The Hornets (13-2) battled to the very end following athree-pointer from senior guard Jared Britt with 10 secondsremaining in the second OT. Britt’s three-pointer cut the deficitto four points, 74-70 and Wesson got the basketball.

Cobra guard Collin King was immediately fouled and went 1-for-2from the charity line for a 75-70 lead with eight seconds left.King followed with a steal and a field goal at the buzzer for theseven-point victory.

“Wesson played well,” said Loyd Star boys coach Gene “Moochie”Britt. “They got some big shots.”

The Cobras took advantage of a cold-shooting Hornet team in thefirst quarter for a 15-8 lead. Loyd Star kicked its running gameinto gear in the second quarter to go ahead 34-29 over Wesson athalftime.

“We were cold in the first quarter,” explained Britt. “We wentto our full-court press and took the lead.”

In the second half, Wesson outscored Loyd Star 29-25 to tie thegame at 58-all at the end of regulation.

‘We had a mental lapse in the second quarter,” explainedKessler. “It was a game of runs. Loyd Star put it on us in thesecond quarter. We made some runs to get back into the game.”

Guard Adrian Merchant fired in 27 points and pulled down fiverebounds for the Cobras. Guard Wade Williams netted 25 points,grabbed six rebounds and made six steals. King finished the gamewith 17 points and four steals.

Jared Britt, the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, directed theHornets with 27 points and 10 rebounds. Britt played the secondhalf and both overtimes with four fouls and a badly sprained ankle,sustained in the third quarter.

Loyd Star’s Rufus Humphries scored 23 points and collected sixrebounds. Tyler Williford finished the game with 8 points.

“Our two seniors (forwards Herman Johnson and Johnny Butler)wanted it a lot,” added Kessler. “They got Adrian, Wade and Collinthe shots.”

Wesson returns home following the holidays to host districtopponent McLaurin on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2004. Loyd Star travels toSt. Andrew’s for a big district test the same night.