Center Jeremy Byrd poured in 23 points and pulled down 10rebounds, leading the West Lincoln Bears to a 66-61 Friday nighttriumph over the Dexter Bulldogs. Dexter made a close game of itwhen the Bears missed 8 fourth-quarter free throws, including 7 inthe last 2 minutes of the game in Jack Case Gymnasium.

In the varsity girls contest, West Lincoln whipped Dexter 54-29,powered by Julie Case and Talashia Fells with 14 and 11 pointsrespectively. The Lady Bears improved their record to 7-4 overalland 1-0 in Division 8-1A.

The Bears (8-3, 1-0) led by as much as 17points, 56-39, in the third quarter on a short jumper by JeremieRichardson. That lead slowly dwindled in the fourth frame as theBulldogs caught fire.

A steal and a rim-rattling dunk by Byrd provided the only pointsfor the Bears in the last 3 minutes and 56 seconds of the game.Dexter’s Terrance Mark had reduced WL’s lead to 6 points, 64-58,with 1:31 left to play but the Bulldogs could come no closer.

“If we were playing horseshoes, we would be OK,” said Dextercoach Steven Fortenberry. “We have led in almost every game we’veplayed.

“Not having a gym hurts us a lot,” Fortenberry admitted.Dexter’s aging gymnasium was destroyed in late August of 2005 byHurricane Katrina. Funding hasn’t been available to rebuild it.

Fortenberry said a concrete slab foundation was poured for thegym last summer but construction is on hold. In the meantime, boththe boys and girls teams practice outside, using portablegoals.

Dexter (2-10, 1-1) got 20 points and 17 rebounds from themuscular Mark. Carlos Crumedy, working at guard, had 12 points.

The Bears got 17 points from forward Aaron Collins.

“We knew Dexter plays hard and they play extremely hard in thefourth quarter,” said WL coach Lane Young. “Our missed free throwslet them get back in the game.

“Jeremy got a couple of big rebounds for us at the end,” Youngnoted. “He made some good offensive moves, too.”

The Lady Bears romped past Dexter and Young wasable to substitute freely. They led 46-15 entering the fourthquarter. Fells claimed 6 rebounds and Case 5.

Dexter, coached by Zach Ratcliff, only had 7 players availablefor the game. Their only win came over Sacred Heart of Hattiesburg,a newcomer to the division.

The Lady Bulldogs got 12 points from Brittany Mack and 13rebounds from center Ashley Lenoir.

Junior High Results

In the junior high girls game, West Lincoln beat Dexter 31-20,led by Taylor Lofton’s 7 points. Beth Montgomery had 8 points andCarlie Acy 6.

Dexter got 15 points from Taylor Gamble.

In the boys game, the Bears prevailed 20-19, led by Lucas Burriswith 7 points. Hunter Fauver had 6 points and Trevion King 5.

Dexter was led by Donte Butler’s 10 points. Troy Mack had 5.