Jack Case Gymnasium will be the epicenter of Lincoln County basketball this week as the 2019 Lincoln County Tournament will see 12 games played over three nights to crown new county champs.

Last season West Lincoln swept the tournament with both teams finishing perfect 3-0 during the week for coach Brooks Smith.

The West Lincoln boys will be favored again on their home court as they come in with a 3-1 record on the young season. The Bears have a pair of close roads wins over 4A Lawrence County (55-53) and 4A North Pike (36-33). The only loss this season for WL is a 56-52 setback at the hands of 6A Germantown.

Senior Karlton Byrd is leading the WL offense by averaging 22.3 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. Senior guard Anthony Hughes is chipping in 15.8 points per game.

The Bears will face stiff competition at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday night when they take on the Loyd Star Hornets. Coach Seth Britt and his Hornets come in with a 4-3 record.

The senior duo of Stephen Mills (15.4 ppg) and Reese DeHart (15.1 ppg) leads the Hornet offense.

The first boys’ matchup Tuesday has Bogue Chitto (3-1) taking on Enterprise (2-4) at 5:30 p.m.

Bogue Chitto coach Robby Walters already has the Bobcats nearly halfway to their combined win total from last season (8). Walters took over the boys’ program this season and replaces Marvin McGee who coached the team for only one season.

Enterprise coach Shane Adams and his team rely on seniors Hib Johnson and Austin Fulger and sophomore Taylor Presley to help carry the scoring load for the Yellow Jackets.

On Thursday, Enterprise and Loyd Star play in the 5:30 p.m. game while West Lincoln tangles with Bogue Chitto at 8:30 p.m. The Friday night matchups feature Bogue Chitto and Loyd Star in the 5:30 p.m. game and West Lincoln playing Enterprise in the 8:30 p.m. nightcap.

The West Lincoln girls took the county tournament title last season on their way to a 26-6 record and a 2A state runner-up finish.

This season the young Lady Bears (0-4) are still looking for their first win after graduating three of their top five scorers.

Tuesday at 7 p.m., West Lincoln takes on a Loyd Star (5-2) team that’s been able to put points on the board this season. Coach Moochie Britt and his team have gone over 70 points in road wins at String and McLaurin and had a close (57-55) loss at Franklin County in their last game.

The tournament kicks off at 4 p.m. Tuesday with the Enterprise girls (1-6) playing Bogue Chitto (5-1).

The BC Lady Cats have picked right up after going 20-10 last season in coach Robby Walter’s first year at the school. BC has been very good on defense, holding their opponents to under 40 points in all five of their wins.

Thursday, the first girls’ game is Enterprise and Loyd Star at 4 p.m. and West Lincoln playing Bogue Chitto in the 7 p.m. matchup. Friday night games have Bogue Chitto and Loyd Star playing at 4 p.m. followed by West Lincoln and Enterprise at 7 p.m.

 

TUESDAY

4 p.m.

Enterprise vs. BC (girls)

5:30 p.m.

Bogue Chitto vs. Enterprise

7 p.m.

WL vs. Loyd Star (girls)

8:30 p.m.

West Lincoln vs. Loyd Star

THURSDAY

4 p.m.

Enterprise vs. Loyd Star (girls)

5:30 p.m.

Enterprise vs. Loyd Star

7 p.m.

WL vs. Bogue Chitto (girls)

8:30 p.m.

West Lincoln vs. Bogue Chitto

FRIDAY

4 p.m.

Bogue Chitto vs. Loyd Star (girls)

5:30 p.m.

Bogue Chitto vs.  Loyd Star

7 p.m.

WL vs. Enterprise (girls)

8:30 p.m.

West Lincoln vs. Enterprise