Off to a 5-0 start this season, the Loyd Star Hornets roared toan easy 81-37 Thursday night victory over the Bogue Chitto Bobcats.They were powered by 6-5 senior center Rickey Barnes with 11 pointsand 8 rebounds. Guard Ashton Fox and reserve post Zach Smith eachhad 11 points.

Loyd Star boys coach Gene (Moochie) Britt predicted a muchstronger test for his Hornets tonight when they visit Amite Countyat Liberty. “Amite County is a strong 3A basketball team. It willbe a tough challenge for us.”

By contrast, the Bobcats (0-2) were no challenge for Loyd Star.In a major rebuilding season, Coach Andrew Smithie’s squad was nomatch for the hosts.

The Hornets hummed to a 17-10 first quarter lead and were up38-19 at halftime. Britt substituted heavily in the secondhalf.

“Everybody got to play and that’s what the kids like,” saidBritt. “We played really well the first quarter but then we got infoul trouble. We missed some easy shots and didn’t do a very goodjob at the free throw line,” making just 16 of 31.

Britt’s Hornets went on an 18-0 run to start the second half,opening the door for a bunch of hungry reserves. McKinley Hamiltonhad 6 rebounds. Zach Smith, Glenn Thomas and Keldric Smith each had5 boards.

The Bobcats got 9 points from Justin London. They hostEnterprise tonight.

In junior high action, Bogue Chitto thumpedLoyd Star 29-10. Leading the Bobcats with 12 points was MichaelHarris. Darius Martin netted 6 points followed by Brandon Wellswith 4.

For Loyd Star, Tobias Dillion and Lane Smith led with 3 pointsapiece.