West Lincoln center Lucas Burris said itrequired a team effort to beat the Hinds AHS Bulldogs Friday nightin Jack Case Gymnasium. Burris contributed 25 points and 12rebounds in directing the Bears to an impressive 72-56 triumphagainst Hinds AHS in a Region 7-1A showdown.

    In the varsity girls game, Hinds AHS handed the Lady Bears a 49-30setback.

    “It was a team effort and it was a rough game,” said Burris, astrong, 6-foot-4 junior. “Hinds was quick and the guy I wasguarding, No. 2 (Ladarrion Robinson) was real quick.”

    Burris picked up his fourth personal foul with 45 seconds left inthe third quarter and West Lincoln leading by 9 points, 45-36. Hereturned to action at the 5:20 mark of the fourth quarter and theBears ahead by 12 points, 57-45.

    West Lincoln (14-3, 2-1) got 14 points each from guards Jared Caseand Duane Marshall. Case also had 5 assists and 4 steals.

    Sophomore post Sam Bivens added 9 rebounds to the victory.

    The Bulldogs (9-8, 1-1), long a dominant force in Class 2A, slippedto Class 1A this season, joining former 2A powerhouse Piney Woodsin the Region 7-1A mix. They reduced their deficit to 5 points,41-36 with 2:31 left in the third quarter. Burris with a shortjumper and fierce dunk before picking up his fourth foul. LaKeithWard drained a trey from the top of the key and Case hit a drivinglayup in a 9-0 run to give the Bears a 50-36 advantage.

    “We played good enough to win but we didn’t play real smart,”observed West Lincoln coach Lane Young. “We played hard.

    “We made some good passes to Lucas and he finished them,” Youngadded. “He has worked hard in the weight room to get stronger.”

    The Bulldogs, coached by the animated Keith Williams, got 14 pointsfrom Kajuan Williams, a 5-11 senior guard.  Jalen Price, a 6-2 senior forward,scored 12 points. D’Marcus Dulaney added 11 points.

    Bulldogs committed 18 turnovers compared to 15 for the Bears.

The Lady Bears (2-14, 1-2) were overwhelmedby the aggressive, full-court pressure applied by Coach BruceBaker’s Lady Bulldogs (13-5, 2-0).

    Directing the victory was 4-year starter Eugenia Grigsby with 15points and 8 rebounds. Iesha Dillon chipped in 11 points.

    West Lincoln got 8 points from sophomore center Bentley Sills. TheLady Bears were down 32-14 at halftime.

JV Results

    In the junior varsity boys game, West Lincoln beat Hinds 39-29 asLaKeith Ward pumped in 17 points, Sid Griffin 11 and Laronte Byrd6.

    The Bulldogs got 10 points from Dante Jones and 7 from JuwonBurks.