NATCHEZ — The Loyd Star Hornet varsity basketball teams kickedoff season play Thursday night with a pair of wins over the NatchezCathedral Green Waves.

Ashton Fox fired in 18 points to lead the Hornets to a 74-63 winover the Greenies.

In the girls game, Haley Sones netted 14 points and blocked 2shots to pace Loyd Star to a 48-11 win over Cathedral.

Loyd Star hosts Franklin County Saturday night for 3 games,beginning with the junior varsity girls at 5 p.m. followed by 2varsity games.

Loyd Star 74, Cathedral 63

The game was close in the first quarter with Loyd Star leading16-15. A 23-12 scoring run in the second quarter put the Hornets up39-27 at the half.

“For our first game, we were very slow getting started,” saidLoyd Star boys coach Gene Britt. “We played in spurts. We need towork on our inside shots.”

Contributing to the Loyd Star win with 15 points and 3 assistswas Matthew Henderson. Ricky Barnes netted 13 points and led offthe backboards with 13 rebounds. Following with 10 points, 9rebounds, 3 steals and 2 assists was Ron Jones.

Cathedral’s Juan Gray led all scorers with a game-high 44points.

Loyd Star 48, Cathedral 11

In girls action, Loyd Star dominated Cathedral. The Hornets led11-1 in the first quarter and 20-3 at the half.

“It’s good to get started with a win,” said Loyd Star girlscoach Billy Vaughn.

Shannon Chester fired in 13 points, made 8 steals and had 5assists. Laura Britt collected 4 rebounds and had 3 assists.

Leading the Greenies with 6 points was Kristian Dobard.

Junior high action

The Loyd Star girls (2-3) dumped Cathedral22-7.

Leading the Hornets with 14 points was Courtney Watts.

Jinny Aggett netted 5 points for the Greenies.

The Hornets (0-5) lost to the Greenies38-24.

Jerrod Bullock led Loyd Star with 7 points. Anthony Durr andHunter Hooge followed with 6 points apiece.

Cathedral got 14 points from Collin Hammons and 10 from JoshCalloway.