Russell Brewer pumped in a game-high 24 points to lead the LoydStar Hornets to a 63-59 win over the Bogue Chitto Bobcats Thursdaynight. Brewer netted 7 three-pointers and also pulled down 3rebounds and made 2 steals.

In the girls game, Shara Johnson’s 21 points, 5 rebounds, 3steals and 5 assists sparked the Lady Hornets to a 55-48 victoryover the Lady Bobcats.

Loyd Star 64, Bogue Chitto 59

The boys game was close in the first quarter with the Hornetsleading 15-12 in the first quarter and 29-28 at the half.

“We started off sluggish tonight,” said Loyd Star boys coachGene “Moochie” Britt. “We picked it up in the second quarter. Andchanged defense in the third quarter. Bogue Chitto has reallyimproved from the last time we played them. We played well inspurts. So did Bogue Chitto. And Bogue Chitto made a comeback inthe fourth because of our poor judgment on defense.”

Loyd Star (17-9, 3-8) jumped on Bogue Chitto (4-20, 4-8) in thethird quarter for a 21-13 run to push their lead to 50-41 going into the final frame.

“We did not guard like we should,” said Bogue Chitto boys coachTodd Wilson. “We didn’t have a sense of urgency. Loyd Star shotwell all the game. They hit the open shots. We executed betteroffensively but the main thing was we just didn’t guard.”

Contributing to the Loyd Star win with 16 points and 5 reboundswas Dwayne Branning. Brent Fells netted 13 points, pulled down 10rebounds, made 2 steals and had 2 assists. Kordae Otis grabbed 5rebounds followed by Ron Jones with 4.

Loyd Star 55, Bogue Chitto 48

The girls game was close in the first half like the boys withthe Lady Hornets leading 24-20 over the Lady Bobcats athalftime.

“We were mentally focused tonight and we did a good job handlingBogue Chitto’s press,” said Loyd Star girls coach Lori Britt.

The Lady Hornets (13-10, 5-6) went on a 14-7 run in the thirdquarter to push their lead to 38-27 going in to the fourthquarter.

“Our defense was real sluggish,” said first-year Bogue Chittogirls coach Christi Terrell. “We gave Loyd Star too many openshots. On offense, we could not get our act together. We’ve got tostart making our free throws because we struggled tonight to makethem.”

The Lady Bobcats (17-8, 9-3) were led by Meleah Brown with 13points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists. Candance Braxton followed with 11points and 3 steals. Finishing with 10 points was KimberleeThomas.

Junior Varsity game

The Loyd Star girls nipped Bogue Chitto 28-27. Leading the LadyHornets with 8 points each were Dakota Brooks and Laura Britt.

Latoya Braxton paced Bogue Chitto with 8 points.

Loyd Star wraps up regular season play tonight with a Division6-2A matchup with the McLaurin Tigers. The seniors will be honoredtonight.

Bogue Chitto begins Division 7-1A tournament action nextweek.