WESSON — The Wesson Lady Cobras, the North Pike Lady Jaguarsand the Natchez Cathedral Lady Green Waves advanced to the winner’sbracket following Tuesday night wins in the Wesson InvitationalTournament.

Wesson held off St. Aloysius of Vicksburg 39-35, defending champNorth Pike squashed Franklinton, La., 61-50 and Cathedral clippedDexter 46-30.

Today’s girls action kicks off at 10:30 a.m. with Franklinton,La. facing Dexter in a consolation test. Winner’s bracket actionsees North Pike battling St. Andrew’s at 1:30 p.m. and Wessontangling with Cathedral at 4:30.

In boys play today, Cathedral faces St. Al at noon in theloser’s bracket. Wesson hosts Franklinton at 3 p.m. and Dexterfaces North Pike at 6 in the winner’s bracket action.

Wesson 39, St. Aloysius 35

St. Aloysius (3-8) cut the deficit to one point, 36-35, with1:01 left to play. In the final 42 seconds of the game, Wessonguard Alexis Crosby went 3-for-4 from the free throw line whileforward Natasha Brown pulled down two key offensive rebounds thatkept the ball out of the Lady Flashes hands and preserved thewin.

“We didn’t rebound too well,” said Wesson girls coach Jemmye AnnHelms after the win. “We played hard and won it. This was good forthem.”

Wesson led 8-4 , 15-10 and 30-21 before St. Al went on a 14-9run in the final frame. The Lady Flashes held a definite heightadvantage over the smaller Lady Cobras.

Crosby and Brown powered the 6-7 Lady Cobras with 12 pointsapiece.

The Lady Flashes (3-8) got 12 points from Sarah Kerut.

North Pike 61, Franklinton, La. 50

The Franklinton girls (14-3) are coached by Jason Kennedy whoformally coached at Bogue Chitto.

North Pike (7-4) led 10-7 in the first quarter then trailedFranklinton 23-21 at the half. The Lady Jags came out in the thirdquarter for a 21-15 run to secure the win.

“My kids all played with a lot of intensity,” said North Pikecoach John Stephens. “They all gave a good effort. They all playedhard.”

Teresa Leonard directed North Pike with 17 points, nine reboundsand four steals. Britta Stephens netted 12 points, grabbed fourrebounds and had four assists. Keonna Pittman had six rebounds.

“We are very grateful to come up here,” added Stephens on histeam’s tourney opportunity during the holidays. “Playing is betterthan practicing.”

Leading Franklinton with 17 points was Courtney Thomas. LyntrellWilson finished with 10 points.

Cathedral 46, Dexter 30

Mattie Smith’s 12 points led Natchez Cathedral to the win.Caitlin Huffries netted eight points.

Dexter got 13 points from Sharika Weary.