The Loyd Star Lady Hornets are on their way to the second roundof the Class 2A South Mississippi state playoffs Thursday nightafter putting away the Bassfield Lady Yellow Jackets 66-62 Tuesdaynight in the first round at Loyd Star.

In the boys game, the Hornets came close in the final frame butcouldn’t stop the Yellow Jackets from posting an 87-81 win andmoving on to the next round. Coach Gene Britt’s Hornets finishedthe season 24-6.

The Loyd Star girls (18-11) travel to Perry Central Thursday tomeet Philadelphia at 7 p.m.

Coach Charley James’ Yellow Jackets improved to 12-15 and travelto Heidelberg Thursday to meet Williams-Sullivan at 4.

“I was proud of my team,” said Loyd Star girls coach Lori Brittafter the win. “Ashton Williams (senior post-player) had acareer-high points and rebounds.”

Williams directed the Loyd Star girls with 25 points and 14rebounds. Junior point guard Jordan Britt fired in 19 points,grabbed five rebounds, made three steals and led with sevenassists. Junior guard Shara Johnson finished with 18 points, fiverebounds and four steals. Senior guard Sara Lofton had fiveassists. Johnson and Britt nailed three treys apiece.

The Lady Jackets and the Lady Hornets exchanged lead in thefirst quarter, with Bassfield taking a four-point, 20-16, lead. Inthe second quarter, Williams hit a field goal and Britt athree-pointer to take a 32-31 lead with 1:49 left.

The Lady Jackets went back up 33-31 with 25 seconds, for theirlast lead in the ball game. Britt came back and nailed a jumper togive the Lady Hornets a 34-33 lead at the half.

In the third quarter, Loyd Star pulled away and held a 46-37cushion with 4:44 left. The Lady Hornets began to slow the pace ofthe game and take Bassfield out of its rhythm.

Going into the fourth quarter, Loyd Star was on top 54-44.

“They (Loyd Star) have a real good team,” said Bassfield girlscoach Sylvia Hall. “Our shots just didn’t fall.”

Directing the 12-14 Lady Jackets with 25 points was guardLaTonisha Booth. Laquenta Turner netted 15 points, including 3three-pointers. Finishing with 11 points was Jessica Berry.

Bassfield 87, Loyd Star 81

Loyd Star sophomore guard Tyler Williford nailed a jumper to cutthe Bassfield lead to four points, 75-71, with 2:42 left in thegame. The Yellow Jackets were up 78-74 when senior forward SidneyChester hit a three-pointer to cut the deficit to 78-73 with 1:58left.

Bassfield kept its cool and burned Loyd Star on some fast layupsdown the stretch for the win.

“I want to thank my team for their effort,” said Loyd Star boyscoach Gene “Moochie” Britt. They gave me 100 percent all year. Wedidn’t get the breaks.”

Bassfield led Loyd Star 22-20 in the first quarter, 43-38 athalftime and 63-57 going into the final frame. In the thirdquarter, the Hornets took the lead several times but the Jacketsfound a way to came back and go ahead.

Powering the Hornets was senior guard Jared Britt with 23points, nine rebounds and four assists. Chester followed with 22points, 10 rebounds, two steals and two assists. Williford finishedwith 17 points. Williford and Chester nailed three treysapiece.

Hornet Rufus Humphries netted nine points, grabbed fourrebounds, made three steals and had six assists.

“Loyd Star fought hard,” said Bassfield boys coach CharleyJames. “No. 12 (Britt) is unbelievable. Loyd Star is a well coachedteam. My guys fought back and got after them.”

Guard Marcus Pitts directed Bassfield with 23 points. MarvesFairley fired in 16 points. Scoring 14 points was Timothy Leggett.Jermaine Reese had 13 points followed by Malcom McLeod with 11.