It may have been chilly outside, but it was hot inside the LoydStar Gym Friday night as the Hornets hosted the Wesson Cobras in akey Region 6-2A test.

DeAndre Butler pumped in 28 points and Glenn Thomas fired in 27points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the Hornets in a 98-69 winover the Cobras.

Powered by Ansley Schimmel’s 12 points and 5 steals, the LadyCobras put together a 54-37 win over Loyd Star in the varsity girlsgame.

Loyd Star entertains division foe Enterprise Tuesday night forfour games, beginning with the junior varsity girls at 4 p.m

Wesson hosts Puckett for three games Tuesday, with the JV boysbeginning play at 5 p.m. followed by a pair of varsity games.

Loyd Star 98, Wesson 69

“DeAndre Butler had a real good night, offensively anddefensively,” said Loyd Star boys coach Gene (Moochie) Britt afterthe game. “All five starters finished in double figures.”

The other starters included Joseph Shelby with 15 points, JuliusWhittaker with 13 and McKinley Hamilton with 10.

“I am proud of the way they played in the second half,” addedBritt. “We came out flat in the first quarter. In the second half,we just outplayed them.”

The game was close in the first quarter with Wesson (9-12, 3-2)taking a 21-20 lead over Loyd Star (15-2, 4-1). In the secondquarter, the Hornets outscored the Cobras 28-17 to carry a 50-39advantage at the half and 70-51 lead going into the fourthquarter.

With 2:30 left to play and leading 90-63, the Hornets went tothe full-court press and that drew the ire of the Cobra fans whofelt Loyd Star was running up the score. Wesson tried keeping theball away and was pressed until the final buzzer.

“I was very proud of our guys and their effort in the firsthalf,” said a solemn Wesson boys coach Ron Kessler. “We knew wewere outmanned. Loyd Star is very athletic. They were going for 100points.”

Tyler Lumley led Wesson with a game-high 34 points, plus 6rebounds and 4 assists. Hunter Hood added 14 points and 6rebounds.

Wesson 54, Loyd Star 37

The Lady Cobras (15-4, 5-0) played a strong first half, etchingout a 31-17 lead over the Lady Hornets (3-13, 2-3). Wessoncommanded a 45-28 lead going into the fourth quarter.

“It was all about defense,” said Wesson girls coach Hugh Webb.”Our man-to-man press hurt them. I was pleased with our defensiveeffort.”

Following Schimmel in scored for the Lady Cobras was DanielleTadlock with 13 points. Ann Shelby Davis netted 12 points. MacieCase made 5 steals and had 6 assists. Pulling down 5 rebounds wasShauntay Walker.

“We played better in spurts,” said Loyd Star girls coach BillyVaughn. “We have to play a complete game. We still have mentallapses.”

Directing the Lady Hornets with 17 points and 12 rebounds wasTyrisha Patterson who had a double-double. Courtney Watts scored 11points and grabbed 7 rebounds. Leah Britt made 3 steals. EricaSmith and Anna Brooks had 3 assists.

Junior varsity action

In the JV girls game, Wesson defeated Loyd Star31-20.

Leading the Lady Cobras with 10 points was Summer Rials. MadisonRials netted 8 points.

Melody Smith’s 9 points directed the Lady Hornets. Karly Newellnetted 6 points.

In boys action, Loyd Star knocked off Wesson 35-19.

Caleb Smith sparked the Hornets with 12 points. Jared Bullockscored 8 points.

The Cobras got 5 points apiece from Aaron Sorrels and J.Sutton.