Wesson’s Wade Williams and Adrien Merchant pumped in 15 pointsapiece Tuesday night to power the Cobras to a 53-42 Division 6-2Awin over the host Loyd Star Hornets. Williams also grabbed sixrebounds and made three assists.

In the girls game, Natasha Brown fired in 15 points, collected20 rebounds and made two steals to direct the Lady Cobras to a57-50 overtime victory over the Lady Hornets.

Loyd Star was without the services of leading scorer TylerWilliford who is sidelined for two weeks with a stretched ligamentin his right ankle.

“Tyler is out with a strained ligament,” said Loyd Star boyscoach Moochie Britt. “We missed Tyler and his points.”

The Lady Hornets are with out senior point guard Jordan Brittwho is out for the remainder of the season with a torn MCL.

The Wesson boys improved to 15-8 overall and 6-3 in divisionplay. Loyd Star falls to 13-8 on the season and 0-7 in divisionaction.

The Lady Cobras moved up to 4-5 in the division and 10-13 on theseason. The Lady Hornets fell to 3-4 in division play and 10-11overall.

Wesson 53, Loyd Star 42

In the boys game, Wesson led Loyd Star 12-4 in the first quarterand went up 29-20 at the half. In second half action, the Cobrasoutscored the Hornets 24-22 to preserve the win.

“This was the 15th win for us against a tough rivalry,” saidWesson boys coach Ron Kessler. “We scored early and made our freethrows. It was good to win on the road, especially district.”

Brent Fells fired in 13 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and made asteal for the Hornets. Drew Case netted 12 points and made asteal.

“We had too many turnovers and too many missed shots,” addedCoach Britt. “Wesson has some good ball handlers. We must go on anddo what we can do to win.”

Contributing to the Wesson win with 10 points, five rebounds andtwo steals was Collin King.

Wesson 57, Loyd Star 50 (OT)

Wesson’s girls outscored Loyd Star 9-2 in overtime to pull outthe win. At the end of regulation, the teams were deadlocked at48-all.

Loyd Star led Wesson 28-22 at the half.

The Lady Cobras outscored the Lady Hornets 26-20 in the secondhalf to force the tie.

“We played great in the second half,” said Wesson girls coachJemmye Ann Helms. “We had good post play. Our guards did a good jobnot turning the ball over. We picked up our intensity in the secondhalf.

“In the first half we struggled and took control in the secondhalf,” continued Helms. “Sam Ellison made the layup to force theovertime.”

Wesson got 14 points each from guard Alexis Crosby and centerKira Turnbo. Crosby also had four assists. Turnbo grabbed 10rebounds. Perry K. Furr grabbed six rebounds.

“We played a good first half,” said Loyd Star girls coach LoriBritt. ‘We went cold in the second half and allowed ourselves toget mentally frustrated with the shots not going in. My eighthgraders (Haley Sones and Shannon Chester) played a good game.”

Senior guard Shara Johnson sparked Loyd Star with 15 points,seven rebounds and three assists. Center Hailey Ratcliff netted 10points, pulled down eight rebounds, made two steals and has oneassist. Chester finished with 11 points and eight rebounds. Sonescollected six rebounds.

Junior varsity games

The Loyd Star boys knocked off Wesson 45-36. Pacing the Hornetswith 15 points was Matthew Henderson followed by Fells with 10points.

Warren Hood directed Wesson with 15 points followed by JoeDecker with nine points.

In the girls game, the Lady Hornets crushed the Lady Cobras36-15. Katie Nettles paced Loyd Star with nine points followed byEmily Vaughn with eight.

Shanell Adams led Wesson with seven points.

Loyd Star travels to St. Andrew’s Friday night for anotherdivision game. Wesson is at McLaurin Saturday.