WESSON –Friday night’s scheduled basketball games betweenpublic school Wesson and private school Central Private of Baker,La., almost didn’t happen. A grieving Wesson community was copingthe loss of a favorite basketball player.

Thursday, Wesson lost one of its most talented and popularformer basketball players in Brandt Hood who was a freshman memberof the Copiah-Lincoln Community College squad.

With the urging of Hoods’s parents, Copiah County District ThreeSupervisor Perry Hood and his wife Linda, the game remainedscheduled and was dedicated to this son.

Before the start of the boys basketball game, Wesson PrincipalRonald Greer asked for a moment of silence and followed with prayerfor the Hood family.

The Cobras placed 5 players in double figures as they puttogether a 99-68 win over the visiting Rebels from Louisiana.

In the varsity girls contest, Wesson held off Central Privatefor a 54-42 victory.

After the games, there was no laughter as teammates, friends andfans comforted each other. Present for the games was Brandt’s olderbrother, Brandon, and his younger sister, Chelsey.

Wesson 99, Central Private 68

Powering Wesson (7-3) with a double-double, featuring 22 points,19 rebounds and 5 steals, was senior center Josh Hart. LonnieReeves netted 19 points. Josh Hood, Brandt’s cousin, followed with16 points, 7 assists and 5 steals. Matthew Cliburn also had adouble-double, 15 points and 11 rebounds. Finishing with 12 pointsand 7 rebounds was Cody King.

“We had six guys on the floor tonight,” said Wesson boys coachRon Kessler after the game. “It was the spirit of Brandt. I can’tsay enough about Josh. We can’t really know what he is feeling. Hecame up, stepped up and played.

“This is a sad time for him and his family,” continued Kessler.”My heart and prayers go out to the Hood family.”

Kessler added, “We’ve committed the remainder of the season tohis memory.”

Central Private, coached by Rudy Smith, got 22 points from JeffMastraino. Josh Sides had 17 points followed by Jason Young with11.

“It was fantastic,” said Coach Smith. “I hope we can play eachother again. Wesson has a great team.”

Smith said his Rebels (2-4) are made up entirely of footballplayers. They have had 10 practices and played five games.

Wesson 54, Central Private 42

The Wesson girls (6-6) were led by sophomore center Ann ShelbyDavis with 19 points and 4 rebounds. Marion Allen netted 9 points,including 7 of 8 free throws. Danielle Tadlock, who had 8 points,led off the backboards with 9 rebounds, followed by Leah Greer with7.

“We have been struggling with Brandt’s death,” said Wesson girlscoach Hugh Webb. “The girls played as well as they could. Daviscontinues to lead the team. Tadlock and Greer had their best gamesof the year. Lydrissa Harris came off the bench and playedwell.”

Pacing Coach Lisa Thornton’s Central Private girls (1-5) with 16points was Jade Pierce. Jenny Morgan scored 11 points.

Junior high

The Wesson girls beat Central Private 26-11 while the Rebelsstopped the Cobras 35-21 in junior high action.