Loyd Star dominates Wesson
Published 6:00 am Wednesday, January 25, 2006
WESSON — Loyd Star guards Tyler Williford and Shannon Chesterput on an offense show Tuesday night in the Wesson Gym.
Williford, a 6-foot senior, pumped in a game-high 24 points andpulled down 10 rebounds to power the Loyd Star boys to a 64-43Division 6-2A win over Wesson. Joining Williford in double figureswere Ricky Barnes with 12 points and 13 rebounds followed by DrewCase with 11 points.
Chester, a 5-8 freshman, directed the Lady Hornets to a 58-50victory over the Lady Cobras with 25 points, 4 steals and 2assists.
Loyd Star returns home Friday to host division rival St.Andrew’s while Wesson entertains McLaurin.
Loyd Star 64, Wesson 43
The Wesson boys (9-14, 3-6) and the Loyd Star boys (9-9, 3-4)battled in first-quarter play, with the Cobras leading 15-14. TheHornets turned the game their way in second-quarter action,outscoring the Cobras 17-8 to take a 31-23 lead in at the half.
An 18-9 run in the third quarter gave Loyd Star a 49-32 leadover Wesson going into the final frame.
“We came out and played a whole ball game tonight,” said LoydStar boys coach Gene (Moochie) Britt after the win. “We practicedfor them. It was a total team effort.
“Wesson has a good team,” added Britt. “We outplayed them inevery phase of the game.”
Adding support in the Loyd Star win with 7 rebounds, 2 stealsand 3 assists was Matthew Henderson.
“Tyler reminds me of Jared Britt,” said Wesson boys coach RonKessler, referring to the former Loyd Star standout. “He has theheart and hustle and an outside shot to boot. He has the biggestheart of any kid we have played all year.”
Sophomore Brandt Hood paced the Cobras with 15 points and had 3assists. Chris Peets finished with 7 points, Phil Fortenberrycollected 6 rebounds and made 3 steals. Micah Davis grabbed 5rebounds and made 3 steals.
Loyd Star 58, Wesson 50
After trailing for two quarters, the Wesson girls (9-15, 4-5)made a game of it in the third quarter. The Lady Cobras overcame a27-21 halftime deficit with a 17-9 run on the Lady Hornets (9-11,4-3) to carry a 39-36 lead into the final frame.
But Wesson couldn’t stop Chester who led a 22-11 run in thefinal frame as Loyd Star escaped with a victory.
“I thought both teams played hard,” said Loyd Star girls coachLori Britt. “Shannon is doing well for a freshman.”
Following Chester in scoring for Loyd Star were Haley Sones,Laura Britt and Hailey Ratcliff with 8 points apiece. Ratcliffgrabbed 7 rebounds and made 3 steals. Britt also pulled down 6rebounds.
“We’re going to keep trying,” said Wesson girls coach Jemmye AnnHelms. “Summer (Easterling) did a good job guarding Ratcliff. LoydStar made the big plays when they had too. Ann Shelby Davis (an 8thgrader) did a good job.”
For the Lady Cobras, junior point guard Alexis Crosby led with17 points, 5 rebounds and 4 steals. Perry K. Furr fired in 9points, grabbed 5 rebounds and made 4 steals. Davis finished with 8points and 9 rebounds. Sam Ellison collected 5 rebounds.
Junior Varsity Results
The Loyd Star girls knocked off Wesson 42-35, led by DakotaBrooks with 11 points.
Chelsa Lucas netted 10 points for Wesson.
In the boys game, the Cobras held off theHornets for a 37-34 victory. Jamar Sims sparked Wesson with 8points.
Steven Watts and Ashton Fox netted 9 points apiece for LoydStar.