The final day of the Lincoln County junior high girls’ basketball tournament saw a new champion crowned as the Bogue Chitto Lady Bobcats won the title on their home court Thursday night with a 41-14 victory over Enterprise.

In the earlier consolation game Loyd Star slipped past West Lincoln 21-20 in a close game.

Neither team was able to sustain momentum in the first quarter of the consolation game as things were tied 4-4 after the first quarter.

The second quarter saw both teams tie up the game several times and then swap the lead. Loyd Star took a slim 10-9 into halftime.

Coming out of halftime West Lincoln looked like a totally different team. Behind their defense and rebounding the Lady Bears created some distance between them and the Lady Hornets.

Loyd Star and coach Gene “Moochie” Britt fought hard to stay in the game as their defense started to lead to baskets that chipped away at West Lincoln’s lead.

West Lincoln and coach Brooks Smith held onto a 20-14 lead going into the final frame of the game before a Lady Hornet comeback in the fourth quarter.

Loyd Star pulled within one point, 21-20, with three minutes left in the game before getting the go-ahead basket.

Loyd Star got eight points from Elizabeth Sellers. Riley Thornton and Natalie Womack scored six points each. Atleigh Anding chipped in two points. Other members of the Lady Hornets include Madison Elizabeth Altman, Lydia Bass, Alexis Byrd, Kazlin Calcote, Shante Furnace Ainsley Gennaro, Leslie James and Xia Gertha Lynae Townsend.

West Lincoln got 11 points from Gabby Evans. Gentry Smith scored six points for the Lady Bears and Alexis Johnson added two points. Other members of the Lady Bears include Kylie Suchy, Preslee Rushing, Haley Waldrop, Carly Suchy, Emma Quin, Zyeria Pryor, Madison Moak and Zy’Kayla Pryor.

In the championship game the Lady Bobcats used pressure to overwhelm Enterprise as the young Lady Bobcats took control of the game early and never looked back.

Bogue Chitto got off to a fast start, going up 6-0 before Enterprise could get a basket to fall.

The BC offense and defense didn’t slow down as they took a 19-5 into halftime.

Coming out of halftime, Bogue Chitto kept up the pressure, taking a huge 34-7 lead into the fourth period.

Enterprise got seven points from Bailey Parks and four from Kaylee Nuckles. Ainslee Jergins added three points. Other members of the Lady Jackets team coached by Shane Adams include Hailey Clifton, Samantha Price, Katelynn Malone, Allayna Barnett, Adelia Nations, Lainey Delaughter, Natalie Williams, Carmin Banks, Miranda Anderson, Isabelle Ballard, Jayden Keene and Harleigh Herrington.

De’Mya Porter scored 23 points to lead the Lady Bobcats. Ty May added seven points while Maya Robinson and Neeli Magee chipped in six points each. Amara Thadison scored one point for coach Robbie Walters. Other members of the Lady Cats include Macie McCaffrey, Autumn Ramshur, Mallory Williams, Alana Hathorne, Layla McKnight and Oreva Smith.

“I am happy for the girls,” said Walters. “We didn’t win a game last year in junior high. The girls worked very hard and we achieved our goal of winning the county tournament. If we can stay together and continue to work, the future is very promising for these young ladies.”

Story by Dave Linton