WESSON — A capacity crowd watched the Loyd Star Hornets make aclean sweep Tuesday night in Division 6-2A varsity basketballaction with the Wesson Cobras.

Senior guard Jared Britt’s 25 points powered the Hornets to a58-51 varsity win over the Cobras. Britt collected 14 rebounds,made three steals and had three assists.

In varsity girls action, junior point guard Jordan Britt ledLoyd Star with 16 points on their way to a 52-37 victory overWesson. Britt finished with seven rebounds, six steals and twoassists.

Loyd Star 58, Wesson 51

The Wesson boys (8-13, 1-9) dug themselves into a hole in thefirst quarter, trailing Loyd Star (17-4, 5-3) 13-4. At halftime,the Cobras remained nine points down, 22-13.

“We started slow,” said Wesson first-year boys coach RonKessler. “It was tough to play from behind against a team with thatmuch outstanding talent.”

The Cobras’ third-quarter play improved as they cut the Hornets’lead to seven points, 42-35.

In the final frame, Wesson cut the deficit to one point, 50-49,on a three-point play from senior forward Herman Johnson. Brittresponded with a quick layup to push Loyd Star’s lead up to 52-49with 2:17 left in the game.

In the final minute of play, Britt, Tyler Williford and SidneyChester combined for six free throws, two free throws apiece, tosecure the win.

“We had a nine-point lead and let them (Wesson) back in the ballgame,” stated Loyd Star boys coach Gene “Moochie” Britt. “We didwhat we had to do to win. We went to a 1-3-1 zone and Wesson missedtheir outside shots.”

Contributing to the Loyd Star win with 14 points, five rebounds,two steals and two assists was Williford. Jonathan Smith pulleddown seven rebounds followed by Chester with five rebounds.

Johnson directed Wesson with 19 points and nine rebounds. CollinKing followed with 12 points, six rebounds and three steals. JohnnyButler grabbed five rebounds and Wade Williams had threesteals.

Loyd Star 52, Wesson 37

As in the boys game, the Lady Cobras (6-15, 3-7) got behindearly in the first quarter and trailed the Lady Hornets (12-8, 5-3)16-9. At halftime, Wesson cut the deficit to three points, 27-24before Loyd Star’s Ashton Williams hit a jumper at the buzzer for afive-point lead.

The Lady Cobras and the Lady Hornets exchanged leads in thethird quarter before Loyd Star took control for a 37-30 lead goinginto the final frame.

“We can play better defensively,” said Loyd Star girls coachLori Britt. “We’re still not making enough free throws to wingames. We worked hard to win.”

Adding support to the Loyd Star win with 11 points apiece weresenior guard Sarah Lofton and Williams. Shara Johnson collectednine rebounds and had two assists. Lofton, Hayley Ratcliff andAmanda Smith collected six rebounds apiece.

“Loyd Star outpowered and outhustled us,” stated Wesson girlscoach Jemmye Ann Helms. “Loyd Star was more consistent.”

Sophomore Bethany Dykes led Wesson with 10 points. Eighth gradeguard Perry K. Furr finished with nine points.

Junior varsity action

The Loyd Star girls nipped Wesson 26-25, powered by KatieNettles with eight points. Kristin Newell had six points.

Alexis Crosby paced Wesson with seven points. Bethany Dykesfinished with five points.

The Wesson boys got 23 points from Brandt Hood. Adrian Kingscored 12 points.

Brent Fells had 11 points for Loyd Star. Drew Case finished withnine points.

Wesson travels to Natchez Cathedral and Loyd Star hosts St.Andrew’s Friday night. North Pike invades Wesson Saturdaynight.