The Lady Bears of West Lincoln got stingy with the rebounds and broke out a fast-paced offense to overwhelm Wesson’s Lady Cobras 62-27 Friday night.

With West Lincoln’s rebounds giving them multiple chances and shutting down Wesson’s offense, the Lady Bears took control of the game early and had sealed it up by halftime.

“Our hustle wasn’t good, we should’ve done more hustle, and get back on defense so West Lincoln wouldn’t have had so many shots,” said Wesson junior Jerinesha Edwards. “I feel like we made bad passes instead of good passes.”

The Lady Bears hit a seven-point run to start the game before the Lady Cobras were able to score. Using their fast-paced offense, the West Lincoln girls ran up a 22-6 lead to start the second period and kept up the pressure. The Lady Cobras were powerless, and West Lincoln went into the locker room with a 45-15 lead.

The second half was different.

After a pep talk from their head coach, the Lady Cobras’ defense started showing up, slowing the Lady Bears’ offense down some. Wesson’s defense continued to harass, but the she-snakes were still down 47-23 at the start of the final period.

West Lincoln’s team woke up again in the fourth quarter and extended their already large lead. The young Bears were rotated in with more than three minutes remaining in the game and they, too, added to the total on the scoreboard until it was over.

Megan Gerald led the Lady Bears with 19 points. Skylar Hall netted 15 points, while Katelyn Dickerson shot 14 points. Baily Wilson had six points and Jona Hughes nailed a single three-pointer. Paige Shedd had two points, and Mattie Floyd finished the night with one point.

Jerinesha Edwards led the Lady Cobras with nine points. Latavia Jackson had six points. Alissa Coone and Destiny Vaugh each had four points, while Nekevia Frye and Alashyia Mims both finished the night with two points.

West Lincoln will be in action next Thursday and Friday as they take part in the Natchez Cathedral Christmas Classic.

Wesson will be in action tonight as they visit Bogue Chitto.

Story by Dave Linton