West Lincoln and Loyd Star both got big victories Tuesday nightin Loyd Star’s gymnasium. The West Lincoln girls whipped Loyd Star56-35, powered by guard Erica Shaw’s 28 points.

In the varsity boys game, the Hornets smashed West Lincoln 80-62as guards Tyler Williford and Drew Case pumped in 28 and 24 pointsrespectively.

The Lady Bears (14-3) broke open a close gamewith a 23-point third quarter, steadily pulling away from a 20-20deadlock. Shaw was joined in double figures by Lauren Smith whopumped in 15 points. Alicia Kennedy grabbed 12 rebounds and MonicaPrice had 7.

“Erica hit some shots in the second half which opened it up,”said West Lincoln coach Lane Young. “Lauren hit some big ones, too.We took Loyd Star out of what they wanted to do.”

Loyd Star (13-6) was minus leading scorer Jordan Britt. Thesenior guard is recovering from a strained miniscus ligament in herknee suffered last week.

“We only had one senior (Shara Johnson) playing tonight,” saidLoyd Star coach Lori Britt. “We had a good first half but you haveto have play four quarters.”

Britt’s girls struggled with West Lincoln’s pressure defense,committing 20 turnovers. Shaw made 5 steals.

Johnson provided most of Loyd Star’s offense, scoring 16 points,making 5 steals and grabbing 5 rebounds. She fouled out with 3:04left in the game and Loyd Star trailing 48-31.

Center Hailey Ratcliff had 8 rebounds and 3 assists for LoydStar. Portia Jones had 4 rebounds.

The Hornets (13-6) snapped a 5-game losingstreak after battling through a stretch of Division 6-2A games.Williford, a junior guard, shot the lights out in the firstquarter, making 4 treys. He scored 21 points in the first half asthe Hornets took a 43-31 lead.

On the backboards, Kordae Otis and Brent Fells each had 7rebounds for Loyd Star. Fells sank a driving layup with 5 minutesleft in the game, giving the Hornets a 20-point, 74-54 lead.

“We finally got a win and it feels good,” said Loyd Star coachMoochie Britt. “We shot the ball really well tonight. Tyler andDrew filled it up.”

West Lincoln (11-6) got a team-high 26 points from senior guardTyler Smith, including 4 treys. Stephen Jones followed with 14points and Kevin King netted 10.

On the backboards, Bradley Rice led the Bears with 6 rebounds.Shane Lynch and Smith both had 5 boards.

Junior High Action

In the junior high girls game, Shannon Chester’s 18 pointspowered the Lady Hornets (12-1) to a 44-28 victory. Haley Sonesadded 12 points and Brittany Beeson 6.

West Lincoln got 8 points from Keri Easley. Kacey and KelseySmith both had 5 points.

In the boys game, Loyd Star beat West Lincoln 33-29, led byBlake Wilson’s 6 points. McKinley Hamilton added 5 points and GlenThomas 4.

West Lincoln was led by Brett Rushing’s 10 points. James Mageescored 7 points, Zach Jordan 6 and Garon Collins 4.