WESSON — Loyd Star boys basketball coach Gene “Moochie” Brittwas breathing a little easier following his game with the WessonCobras.

Britt’s red-and-white clad Hornets held off a persistentblue-and-black Cobra team for a 64-54 win in the first round of theDivision 6-2A Tournament Tuesday night.

“The pressure is off,” said Britt after the win. “Both teamswere tight tonight. Both teams wanted to win the ball game. We knowwe’ve got three more ball games.”

In four games with their arch rivals, Loyd Star won 3 out of 4games against Wesson. Two of them were overtime games.

In the other playoff game last night, Piney Woods eliminatedMadison St. Joseph 40-38 in the final seconds of the game.

Loyd Star (23-4) faces Piney Woods Thursday night at 8:30 p.m.in the semifinals.

In the only boys game tonight, St. Andrew’s tangles withMcLaurin at 7:30. The St. Andrews-McLaurin winner meets No. 1 seedHinds AHS Thursday at 5:30 in boys action.

Loyd Star senior guard Jared Britt led all scorers in the gamewith 29 points. Britt also pulled down 11 rebounds.

“It feels great,” smiles a tired but happy Britt after the game.”All of my teammates played great. We could have done better withour free throws.”

With 1:12 left to play, Wesson guard Wade Williams hit hissecond 3-pointer of the night to cut the deficit to six points,59-53. Britt followed up with two free throws for a 61-53 lead asthe Cobras began to foul the Hornets to stop the clock. Seniorforward Sidney Chester, sophomore guard Tyler Williford and Brittadded three more free throws in the final 1:03 to secure the keywin.

Wesson (10-16) battled back from a 13-8 deficit in the firstquarter on a three-point shot by junior guard Adrian Merchant, afree throw from junior guard Wade Williams and another field goalfrom Merchant to cut the Hornets lead to 13-12 going in to thesecond quarter.

A pair of free throws by Williams gave the Cobras a 14-13 lead.Merchant followed with a putback to push it to 16-13 with 5:52 leftin the first half. Britt ran off six straight points to give theHornets a 19-18 led with 4:27 left. With assistance from freshmanforward Brent Fells, plus Chester and Williford, Britt led a 15-2run for a 34-20 advantage for Loyd Star at halftime.

“The second quarter killed us,” said Wesson first-year headcoach Ron Kessler. “We played great in the first quarter.”

The Cobras played better in the third quarter, outscoring LoydStar 13-8 to cut the Hornets’ lead to 41-33 going into the finalframe.

“Wesson put a lot of pressure on us,” said Coach Britt. “Weplayed well. I’m very pleased.”

Directing the Cobras with a 21 points and seven rebounds wasWilliams. Senior forward Johnny Butler finished with 13 points,eight rebounds and three steals. Scoring nine points was AdrianMerchant. Senior forward Herman Johnson grabbed 14 rebounds.

Loyd Star got 10 points, four rebounds and three steals fromChester. Jonathan Smith pulled down four rebounds followed by RufusHumphries with three rebounds and six assists.

“I’m just proud of the kids,” added Kessler. “We’ve had somegood wins. “We have a good group of kids coming back. Next yearbegins tomorrow.”

Piney Woods 40, St. Joe 38

Dean Hadley led Piney Woods with 10 points. Anthony Crawfordnetted seven points.

Leading St. Joseph with 12 points was James Harris.