Dexter’s Rico Haynes made a big impression on the West LincolnBears Tuesday night in Jack Case Gymnasium. Haynes, a 6-foot-1junior, exploded for 43 points and 23 rebounds in leading theBulldogs to a 75-66 triumph over the Bears in a battle of divisionleaders.

Dexter (18-6, 10-1) is tied with Puckett for the lead inDivision 8-1A. West Lincoln (14-7, 9-0) leads Division 7-1A.

In the varsity girls game, West Lincoln crushed Dexter 70-42,led by Alicia Kennedy’s 22 points and 5 rebounds. West Lincolnresumes play Thursday night, traveling to MSD in Jackson for adivision test.

The Bulldogs, a former Division 7 member,exploded for 31, fourth-quarter points to beat West Lincoln. Haynesscored 16 points in the fourth quarter and was 6 of 9 at thecharity line.

“Haynes killed us on the offensive glass,” said West Lincolncoach Lane Young. His Bears were unable to block Haynes off theboards and he consistently put back garbage shots for key points.Haynes scored 26 second-half points.

Nigel Fortenberry followed Haynes with 10 rebounds as theBulldogs erased a 7-point, 51-44 deficit entering the fourthquarter. With 4 minutes left to play, Dexter took the lead at 57-55on a short jumper by guard Kylon Cotton.

The Bears never regained the lead. Haynes cashed in a putbackand tacked on a pair of free throws for a 61-57 bulge with 3:33left to play. The Bulldogs were content to cool it the rest of thegame, making 6 of 8 free throws in the final minute.

“We were a little bit quicker than they were, especially in thesecond half,” said Dexter coach Steven Fortenberry. “We startedattacking the goal.

“West Lincoln has some good players and they have a lot ofheart,” Fortenberry pointed out. “They should win theirdivision.”

Senior guard Tyler Smith led West Lincoln with 23 points. He wasclosely guarded by Dexter’s Ladarius Miller who fouled out with2:41 left to play.

Shane Lynch followed Smith with 14 points. Kevin King chipped in13 points and 8 rebounds. Bradleigh Rice also had 8 rebounds.Steven Jones accounted for 7 points, 6 assists and 6 rebounds.

The Lady Bears (18-3, 9-0) dominated Dexter forthe start, taking a 42-19 halftime lead. Kennedy had 20 points athalftime. Guard Lauren Smith scored 12 of her 14 points the firsthalf, plus making 8 steals.

Playmaker Erica Shaw accounted for 13 points and 7 steals..

Dexter (4-19, 4-7) was credited with a whopping 41 turnoverslast night. The Lady Bulldogs got 14 points from Nikki Ratcliff and12 from Shereka Weary.

In the JV boys game, Dexter beat West Lincoln39-23, led by Terrance Marks with 15 points and Carlos Crumedy with9.

The JV Bears got 7 points from Jamie Byrd and 6 from AaronShaw.