Hailey Ratcliff is the only senior on Loyd Star’s girlsbasketball team. The talented center displayed plenty of leadershipFriday night, collecting 19 points and 5 rebounds, leading the hostLady Hornets to a 56-40 trouncing of Wesson’s Lady Cobras inDivision 6-2A action.

Loyd Star (6-9, 1-2) got 13 points, 9 rebounds, 6 steals and 5assists from freshman guard Shannon Chester. The Hornets rolled to31-17 halftime lead, outrebounding Wesson 17-10 in the firsthalf.

“They outrebounded us bad,” said Wesson girls coach Jemmye AnnHelms. After a strong rebounding effort in the third quarter,Wesson (7-11, 2-2) managed just 3 boards in the final frame.Starters Bethany Dykes and Sam Ellison both fouled out.

“This is the best we’ve played since the County Tournament,”said Loyd Star coach Lori Britt. “I was happy to see my postplayers step up.”

Loyd Star had clipped Wesson 45-42 last Friday, Dec. 30, in aconsolation bracket game of the Wesson Invitational.

Britt praised Chester’s performance. “Shannon can take over agame when she makes up her mind.”

Wesson outscored the Hornets 11-8 in the third quarter. TheCobras reduced their deficit to 7 points, 39-32 on a short jumperby point guard Christy Watson, but could come no closer.

Ratcliff hit a short jumper and 2 free throws, and Chester sanka free throw, pushing her team ahead 44-32. The Hornets entered thedouble bonus and began pulling away.

Freshman post Haley Sones followed Ratcliff and Chester with 7rebounds and 3 blocked shots. Laura Britt grabbed 5 rebounds andscored 8 points coming off the bench.

Wesson was led by guard Alexis Crosby’s 12 points. On thebackboards, Dykes and Lalita Payre grabbed 6 rebounds apiece. Dykesfouled out with 4:14 left in the game.

JV Results

In the junior varsity girls game, Loyd Star beat Wesson 43-23,led by guard Emily Vaughn’s 17 points, including 5 treys. DakotaBrooks added 10 points.

Nine points by Sarah Fortenberry led Wesson.