A pair of Division 6-2A rivals squared off in the Loyd Star gymTuesday night, as the Lady Hornets and Hornets welcomed Hinds AHSto Lincoln County.

The maroon-and-gold clad visitors swept 3 games from the hosts.The Hinds AHS Lady Bulldogs blew past the Lady Hornets 74-20, whilethe Bulldogs authored a 70-48 win over the Hornets.

Hinds AHS defeated Loyd Star 23-8 in the preliminary JV girlsgame.

Loyd Star takes a break for the Christmas holidays. They willreturn to action Jan. 4, 2005, hosting St. Andrews for 3 games;beginning at 5 p.m.

Hinds AHS 74, Loyd Star 20

The Lady Hornets (7-7, 0-1) were minus seniors Shara Johnson andJordan Britt. Britt sprained her right ankle in practice Monday.Johnson has missed several games due to a foot injury.

“We hope to have them both back after Christmas,” said Loyd Starhead coach Lori Britt. “We missed them tonight.”

Hinds AHS (11-2, 3-0) used a pressure defense to create basketson the offensive end throughout the night.

The Lady Bulldogs led 16-7 after one quarter, and 33-10 at theintermission.

Loyd Star committed 28 first-half turnovers, and finished thegame with 46. “We committed too many turnovers,” said Britt.

The Lady Bulldogs, coached by Bruce Baker, torched the LadyHornets to the tune of a 28-4 third period.

Jerrica Thomas and Cieta Davis combined for 18 points in theperiod, as Hinds led 61-14 entering the final frame. Davis scored agame-high 16 points, followed by Thomas and Tanesha Clark with 11points apiece.

Loyd Star was led by Hailey Ratcliff with 10 points and 12rebounds. Shammeron Ivory dished out 3 assists.

Hinds AHS 70, Loyd Star 48

Hinds AHS and Loyd Star were ranked first and secondrespectively in a Jackson newspaper Class 2A poll. Both teams hadonly a single loss.

The Bulldogs (12-1, 3-0), coached by Keith Williams, torchedtheir way to a 25-14 first-quarter lead. Dandy Dozen guard MarioWebb tossed in 13 of his game-high 24 points in period, including a3-of-3 performance from beyond the 3-point arc.

Loyd Star (12-2, 0-1) battled back to cut their deficit to 4points, 28-24 on a free throw by Tyler Williford.

Hinds finished the second frame with a 12-6 run, to take a 30-20lead into the halftime locker room.

Williams’ squad opened the third with an 8-0 run to take a 48-30lead. The Bulldogs turned their defensive pressure up a notch andforced the Hornets into 7 of their 21 turnovers.

Williford scored 8 of his team-high 15 points in the third, butHinds carried a 54-38 lead into the final stanza.

“The third quarter killed us,” said Loyd Star head coach Gene”Moochie” Britt. “Those turnovers hurt us too.”

Webb also had 16 rebounds, 4 steals and 5 assists for theBulldogs. Joseph White sacked 15 points, and O’Shad Lofton tossed10.

Lending support for the Hornets were Dwayne Branning with 6rebounds. Kordae Otis and Russell Brewer each dished out 2 assists.Williford and Brent Fells had 2 steals apiece.

In the JV girls game, Heather Carmical scored 3points for Loyd Star. Hinds got a game-high 8 points from AlexisMcGrigg.