The Wesson Lady Cobras and the West LincolnBears notched season opening victories Monday night in Jack CaseGymnasium. The Lady Cobras edged the Lady Bears 44-40. In the boys’game, the Bears crushed Wesson 80-47.

    Wesson and West Lincoln continue action today as both play on theroad. The Cobras visit Raleigh as tipoff begins at 5 p.m. withjunior varsity action. The Bears invade Loyd Star to play twovarsity games beginning at 6 p.m.

Wesson 44, West Lincoln40

    Lady Cobra senior guard Madison Rials pumped in a game-high 29points to lead Wesson (1-0). Moody James provided 8 points and 6rebounds.

    “It was good to get our first win to begin the season against awell coached team,” said Wesson girls coach Rusti Magee, a WestLincoln graduate.

    West Lincoln junior forward Katie Hester was the leading scorer forthe Lady Bears with 15 points and 8 rebounds. Tamasha Buckleycontributed 13 points and 9 rebounds.

    “We played really well in the first half,” said West Lincoln LaneYoung. “Both teams played extremely hard.

    “It really hurt us in the second half, when Marisa Pruski got intofoul trouble,” continue Young. “We had a tough time stoppingMadison Rials. We had plenty of opportunities in the second half,but could not take advantage of them.”

West Lincoln 80, Wesson47

    The Bears had four players score in double figures as freshmanguard Duane Marshal led the charge with 21 points, 5 rebounds and 4assist. Lucas Burris provided 15 points and grabbed 8 rebounds.Jared Case contributed 13 points, 4 rebounds, 4 steals and 5assists. De Price added 12 points and collected 6 rebounds.

    Sophomore center Sam Bivens was the leader on the boards for WestLincoln with 11 rebounds.

    “We played really well defensively,” said Young. “We managed totake Wesson out of their game plan early and set the tone of thegame. Overall, I was pleased with our first game effort.”

    Junior guard James Clay was the leading scorer for the Cobras with9 points. J.J. Sutton provided 8 points and grabbed 8 rebounds.Kaleb Skinner added 8 points, 2 steals and 3 assists.

    “West Lincoln had a good night shooting the ball,” said Wesson boyscoach Rusty Newman. “They controlled the game from the start bytaking us out of our game plan. Hopefully, we can bounce back andget out of our first game jitters.”

In junior high action, the Lady Bearsclobbered the Lady Cobras 20-11 as Alli Mullins led West Lincolnwith 10 points. Jashia Smith was the top scorer for Wesson with 10points.

    In boys’ action, West Lincoln edged Wesson 50-48. Ronnie Edwardsdrained a team-high 22 points to lead the Bears. Jason Wattscontributed 10 points.

    Eric Rymes pumped in a game high 24 points to lead Wesson. AnthonyJones provided 15 points.