West Lincoln sophomore point guard Erica Shaw produced a careergame Friday night in Jack Case Gymnasium. She scored a game-high 17points, grabbed 7 rebounds and made 4 steals, leading the LadyBears to a 51-42 victory over the Bogue Chitto girls in Division7-1A action.

West Lincoln hiked its record to 16-4 overall and 9-0 in thedivision, giving the Lady Bears another step toward No. 1 seedingin the division tournament at Natchez Cathedral Feb. 16-20. BogueChitto slipped to 17-7 and 5-3, losing its second division game toWest Lincoln. It was the third loss to West Lincoln this season,the other defeat coming in the Lincoln County Round-Robin which washeld in mid December at West Lincoln.

The Lady ‘Cats fell behind 8-0 early in the game but camebattling back, led by playmaker Chastity Avants. When Avants cashedin a driving layup with 3:41 left to play, BC had its first lead at38-37.

That proved to be a wake-up call for the Lady Bears who went ona 14-4 run. Senior guard Lyndsay Franklin tossed in a 12-footer andShaw followed with 3 free throws and an 18-foot bomb, giving WestLincoln a 44-40 lead. Franklin sank 4 of 6 free throws to cementthe win.

“Erica and Lyndsay made some big shots for us at the end,” saidWest Lincoln coach Lane Young. “We had too many turnovers and wemissed too many free throws. Bogue Chitto played hard.”

Franklin and Alicia Kennedy accounted for 5 rebounds apiece.

Bogue Chitto nearly overcame 24 turnovers. The Lady ‘Cats got 16points from Avants and 14 rebounds from Kimberlee Thomas. MeleahBrown had 6 rebounds and 9 points.

“Our girls played hard and hung in there,” said Bogue Chittocoach Jason Kennedy. “West Lincoln has a good team, the best in ourdivision.”

Kennedy said senior guard Marley Porter had stepped up her gamethis season. “Marley played her heart out. She really has given usa boost with her leadership.”

Bogue Chitto hosts MSD for a division test Monday night andentertains Enterprise Tuesday night. West Lincoln is at DexterTuesday night for a non-division test.

@Bbstandings:GIRLS

West Lincoln 51, Bogue Chitto 42

Bogue Chitto (42) Chastity Avants 16, M. Porter 7,Braxton 4, Brown 9, Thomas 6.

West Lincoln (51) Erica Shaw 17, Franklin 9, L. Smith 5,Price 6, Palomarez 2, B. Smith 8, Hunt 2, K. Shaw 2.

Total fouls: Bogue Chitto 17. West Lincoln 19. Fouledout-none.

Free Throws M-A: Bogue Chitto 12-17. West Lincoln12-22.

3-point goals: Bogue Chitto 2 (Avants, Porter). WestLincoln 3 (E. Shaw 2, L. Smith).

Bogue Chitto

5

18

9

10 — 42

West Lincoln

12

13

8

18 — 51