TYLERTOWN – A typical Friday the 13th bad luck was quite evident in Tylertown Friday night as the Wesson Cobras were upset by the Salem Wildcats. The Wildcats varsity boys team outplayed the Cobras with a final score of 77 -51.

The Lady Cobras also were unable to defeat the Lady Wildcats and ended up losing with a final score of 56 – 48.

The Cobras play at Monticello Monday night, against the Lawrence County Cougars. JV action begins at 5 p.m. and the varsity teams begin play at 6 p.m. for the girls and the boys play at 7:30.

Salem 56, Wesson 48 

The Lady Cobras led Salem during the first period and then the game was neck and neck until the Lady Wildcats went on a scoring spree in the last few minutes of the game to pull away with the win.

Senior Ariel Fortenberry was the powerhouse for the Lady Wildcats with a point total of 24. The Lady Wildcats were 6/14 in free throw action.

For the Lady Cobras, sophomore Jashia Smith was Wesson’s top shot with a point total of 15. Senior Brandi McInnis followed with 11 points, which include two 3-pointers. Senior Xzaviah James led the Lady Cobra defense with six rebounds. The Lady Cobras were 12/26 in free throw action.

Coach Rusty Newman reflected on the loss by stating, “We battled back and forth all night, but in the end, little mistakes killed us.”

Salem 77, Wesson 51 

The Salem Wildcats turned a neck and neck game into a blowout against the Wesson Cobras Friday night in Tylertown.

The Cobras led on the scoreboard in the first half of the game but the Wildcats, led by senior Austin Fazande and freshman Julius Faulk, ended the game with a final score of 77 – 51.

Fazande had an impressive offensive showing of 19 points, which included two 3-pointers. Faulk followed closely with 18. Senior Donovan Peters led the Wildcats with six rebounds. The Wildcats had an average of 8/12 in free throw action.

For the Cobras, junior Tyler Christmas led the offense with a point total of 14 and four rebounds. Senior Tanner Allen had 10 points, which included one 3-pointer. Senior Marquis Lofton (9 points) and junior Mack Smith (5 points) were top defenders with five rebounds each. The Cobras were 7/14 in free throws.

After the game, Coach Newman commented, “I don’t have enough fingers to count all the lay ups we missed. Salem took advantage of our mistakes and made a run in the third quarter in which we never recovered from. They gained momentum and just blew us off the court. Defensively, we are still giving up too many lay ups and put backs.” He continued, “We have got to do a better job of playing defense and blocking out. If not, it’s going to be a long rest of the season.”

In JV boys action,  The Cobras JV boys’ suffered a disappointing 58-52 loss to the Wildcats. The Cobras rallied from 20 points behind to tie the game with four minutes left on the clock and then moved ahead with a three pointer by Freshmen Jermaine James.

The Wildcats fought back to regain the lead and held on for the win in the final minutes. Freshman Kirlin Jefferson was the top scorer for Salem with a point total of 12. For the JV Cobras, freshman Eric Rhymes scored 18 points and freshman Jermaine James scored 10 points.