FLORENCE — Friday night’s third encounter between the Loyd StarLady Hornets and the Wesson Lady Cobras would not be much differentthan the previous two. However, this time the game was for Division6-2A Girls Tournament Title.

Before a capacity crowd of loud fans from Loyd Star and Wesson,the Lady Hornets jumped on the Lady Cobras from the opening tipoffon their way to a 56-32 division championship win in the McLaurinHigh School Gym.

In the girls consolation game, Hinds AHS knocked off Madison St.Joseph 53-43.

Loyd Star finished No. 1, Wesson No. 2, Hinds AHS No. 3 and St.Joseph No. 4. Loyd Star and Wesson will host playoff games Mondaywhile Hinds AHS and St. Joseph travel.

Selected to the All-Tournament team from Loyd Star were HaleySones, Laura Britt and Shannon Chester. Picked from Wesson wereMarian Allen and Ann Shelby Davis. Lacey Orr was selected fromEnterprise.

Loyd Star girls coach Billy Vaughn was recognized Division 6-2ACoach of the Year.

Monday night, Loyd Star (23-5) hosts Lake and Wesson (20-12)entertains Newton County in the first round of the South 2Aplayoffs. Game time is 7 p.m.

Loyd Star 56, Wesson 32

“It was a good team effort,” said Vaughn. “The girlsreally came out ready to play. We came out with a 12-0 start andgot our third win over Wesson. We wanted to wear them down in thefourth quarter. Fortunately, we jumped on them in the firstquarter.

“I was proud of the way we played,” continued Vaughn.”We had played just two games in 2 1/2 weeks. I was proud of theway we responded after the long layoff.”

It was Loyd Star’s third win over Wesson thisseason.

“We just did not play under control,” said Wesson girlscoach Hugh Webb. “Loyd Star just pressured us from the start of theball game and got that 12-point lead. We got ourselves in a holeand we couldn’t get out of it.

“We got a good effort out of Ann Shelby Davis and MacieCase. We didn’t hit any perimeter shots (0-8). Loyd Star is so biginside. They took away our inside game. Again, hats off to LoydStar. They were the better team tonight.”

The Lady Hornets opened the first quarter with a 12-0lead before Davis put the Lady Cobras’ first points on the board atthe 3:19 mark. At the end of the first quarter, the Hornets led16-7. At halftime, Loyd Star pushed its lead to 27-17.

Loyd Star junior post Haley Sones led with adouble-double, 26 points (16 second-half points) and 10 rebounds,plus 4 blocked shots. Shuntell Dillon finished with 12 points,grabbed 6 rebounds and made 3 assists. Following with 6 steals wasShannon Chester.

“Sones does a great job for them,” addedWebb.

Davis, a 5-10 sophomore forward, directed Wesson with 16points and 6 rebounds. Macie Case pumped in 10 points and had 2assists.

Vaughn credited his girls with him receiving the coachesaward. “That is more of a team award. Coaches gets the recognition,but t is as much an award for the team as myself.”

“I encourage our fans to come out and support us Mondayand Tuesday night,” said Vaughn.

Hinds AHS 53, St. Joseph 43

Powering Hinds AHS with 14 points was Lafushia Wilson.Jerrica Noel netted 13 points followed by Kayla Marshall with12.

St. Joe got 21 points from Brittany Bailey.