West Lincoln’s Bears looked like abasketball powerhouse Tuesday night in Loyd Star’s gymnasium.Resembling green giants versus fire ants, the Bears roared to a73-46 triumph over the Hornets, led by freshman guard DuaneMarshall’s 18 points.

    In the varsity girls game, Loyd Star knocked off West Lincoln40-32, directed by center Tyrisha Patterson’s 11 points. A crowdestimated at 500-plus witnessed the Lincoln County rivalry.

    West Lincoln resumes play Thursday, hosting North Pike for atripleheader. Action starts at 5 p.m. with a junior varsity boysgame.

    Loyd Star hosts Salem Friday night.

     The Bears (2-0), comingoff a 29-1 campaign, started slowly but steadily pulled away fromthe smaller Hornets. They outscored Loyd Star 32-11 in the secondquarter, sparked by a full-court press.

    “Loyd Star tried to work the ball and run some clock in the firstquarter,” said West Lincoln boss Lane Young. “It took us a coupleof minutes to figure out what they were doing. We got in our pressand made some steals.”

    The Bears got 16 points from power forward De Price, plus 8rebounds, 5 steals and 4 assists. Junior center Lucas Burrisprovided 13 points. Jared Case made 5 steals.

    “West Lincoln was better than us tonight,” said Loyd Star coachGene (Moochie) Britt. “They have a strong team.”

    The Hornets got 14 points from 6-1 junior center Terion Williams.The Bears forged a 62-30 lead at the end of the third quarter andYoung benched his starting quintet for the final frame.

    The Lady Hornets (2-0) turned back the cold-shooting West Lincolngirls. Patterson, a 2-time All-Lincoln County post player, was inearly foul trouble and fouled out with 5:25 left in the game.

    West Lincoln (0-2) pulled within 29-27 on a trey by Micah Redd butcame no closer despite Patterson’s absence. Loyd Star’s MarcyGivens responded with a trey and Ruby McCullough scored on aputback, pushing the hosts ahead 34-30. Maggie Redd drained ajumper from the lane and Melody Smith cashed in a steal with alayup.

    “We hit some huge shots in the second half and we gutted out awin,” said Loyd Star girls coach Billy Vaughn.

    Givens tossed in 10 points, grabbed 9 rebounds and made 3 assists.Natalie Smith had 8 rebounds. Redd had 6 boards and 4 assists.

    Young said his team’s loss resembled Monday night’s home floordefeat at the hands of Wesson. “We had a bad second half last nightand it happened again. We need to shoot the ball better.”

    The Lady Bears got 15 points from junior forward Katie Hester whohit 5 treys. Tamasha Buckley added 9 points and 6rebounds.     Senior guardMarisa Pruski had 9 rebounds and 6 assists.

Junior High Results

    In the junior high girls game, Loyd Star beat West Lincoln 35-21,led by Julie Smith and Jordan Shelby with 10 points each. AliGartman and Hannah Dickerson scored 4 apiece.

    The Lady Bears got 7 points  from Ali Mullins. Hannah Moak had 6and Layton Sills 4.

    In the boys game, Loyd Star posted a 40-28 triumph, paced by BradJasper’s 15 points. Levi Redd chipped in 8 points, Javion Beard 7and Lane Rogers 4.

    Ten points by Ronnie Edwards led West Lincoln. ZeKenith Porter had7 points and Jason Watts 4.