It was crunch time for the West Lincoln Bears and Calvin Keesbecame chairman of the boards. Kees accounted for 12 reboundsThursday night, helping the unbeaten Bears hold off the South LeakeWildcats 62-49 in the quarterfinals of the South Mississippi Class1A Boys Tournament in Jack Case Gymnasium.

West Lincoln (28-0) meets Dexter tonight at 7:30 in the semifinals.Dexter eliminated McAdams 84-81 in last night’s finale.

Durant meets East Oktibbeha in the 6 p.m. game. Tonight’s winnersland a berth Saturday night’s 7 p.m. title game. Most importantly,they both qualify for the State Tournament at the MississippiColiseum in Jackson.

West Lincoln 69, S. Leake 49

An estimated crowd of 1,000 watched the Bears roar to a 23-7,first-quarter lead as sophomore guard Jared Case pumped in 21points and senior guard Jay Case scored 16, sacking someNBA-distance treys. Early foul trouble for WL center Lucas Burrismade rebounding more important as the Wildcats (13-13) mounted adetermined comeback.

West Lincoln coach Lane Young said the game was nearly as physicalas football. “It was probably the most physical game we played allyear. The referees let it get out of hand.

“We had a letdown on defense and South Leake made a run at us,”Young continued. “That woke us up. Calvin rebounded real well. Itseemed like he got every rebound at the end.”

Early in the fourth quarter, when the Wildcats made their lastcharge, Kees collected 5 straight rebounds. Maurice Jackson andBurris finished with 6 rebounds apiece.

“I had to get those rebounds,” said Kees. “Coach told us to blockout. South Leake was physical.”

In the third quarter, South Leake reduced its deficit to 3 points,39-36, and Burris picked up his third personal foul. Two minuteslater Burris drew his fourth. Jackson snared 3 straight reboundsand a key basket after Burris exited.

The Bears committed 16 turnovers as the Wildcats employedfull-court pressure to slow the unbeaten hosts. The Wildcats had 12turnovers.

Third-year South Leake coach Michael Walden was disappointed by thesetback. “We didn’t do well early and everything went their (Bears)way. We didn’t get any calls.”

The Wildcats got 14 rebounds from 6-foot-4 post De Weidman. GuardTarus White tossed in 15 points and Randy Collier 11.

Durant 84, Salem 52

Fourteen points by Cortez Frizell, 12 by Cody James and 1 by KeithReynolds led Durant past Salem.

Salem got 19 points from Nel Quinn and 15 from D.J. Harness.

E. Oktibbeha 60, Sebastopol 50

Devonte Lucious tossed in 20 points for East Oktibbeha. Casey Nealscored 18 points and Chris Hunter 10.

Sebastopol was led by James Patrick’s 21 points. Brandon Hawkinshad 13.

Dexter 84, McAdams 81

Tyler Hart’s 20 points led four Dexter players in double digits.Ron Harvey had 14 points, Dontae Butler 13 and Chris Cooley12.

McAdams got a tournament-high 36 points from Jakele Snow and 17from Jalen Veasley.