Daily Leader / Chris King / The Loyd Star Lady Hornets pose for a team picture after winning the girls’ region crown Friday night at Jack Case Gymnasium.

The Loyd Star Lady Hornets defeated the Amite County Lady Trojans 51-46 in overtime to win the Region 7-2A girls’ crown Friday night at Jack Case Gymnasium.

In boys’ action, Bassfield squeezed by Loyd Star 45-41 in the boys’ consolation game.

The Lady Hornets (21-1) will be in action Monday as they host North Forrest in the opening round of the state playoffs. The Hornets (13-10) will be on the road Tuesday to start their state playoff run at North Forrest. Both games start at 7 p.m.

Lady Hornets 51, Lady Trojans 46 

Amite County started the game on fire as it secured a 12-7 lead at the end of the first period. AC continued it in the second quarter to take a 23-15 lead into halftime.

The Lady Hornets’ defense came to life in the third period and held the Lady Trojans scoreless. They trailed by only three points at the end of the third period, 23-20.

Loyd Star outscored Amite County 20-17 to tie the game at 40-all at the end of regulation.

In overtime, the Lady Trojans jumped out to an early lead, but the Lady Hornets refused to give in as they rallied back to capture the crown.

“In the first half, we struggled to get things going,” said Loyd Star coach Gene “Moochie” Britt. “In the second half, we picked up the tempo on defense and caused Amite County to turn over the ball. Offensively, we did a great job fighting back to force overtime and secure the win. Overall, I was pleased with my girls’ effort. They fought hard throughout the whole game and did not give up.”

Britt took home the girls’ Coach of the Year award. Mackenzie Smith, of Loyd Star, took home the Player of the Year award.

Smith powered the Lady Hornets with double-double performance of 19 points and 12 rebounds. Faith Berguron and Toni Banks contributed eight points each. Lydia Britt provided six points. Hannah Dickerson scored five points, 11 rebounds, three steals and had three blocked shots. Jordan Shelby finished with five points, seven rebounds and had four steals.

Amite County had three players shoot in double digits. Destiny Williams directed the Lady Trojans with 13 points. Debony Wilson and Ambria Handy chipped in 12 points each. Danyelle Walker netted nine points.

Daily Leader / Chris King / Loyd Star’s Levi Redd (23) drives in for a tough shot as Bassfield’s Mason Sims (2) tries to block the attempt Friday night in boys’ consolation action at West Lincoln.

Bassfield edges Loyd Star

Bassfield 45, Loyd Star 41 

The Hornets took control of the first period at 11-7, but the Yellowjackets would answer in the second with a 15-3 run to take a 22-14 lead into halftime.

The Yellowjackets continued that momentum with a 14-9 run in the third period to increase their lead to 36-23 at the end of the third.

The Hornets put together an 18-9 run to close the final frame, but it wasn’t enough.

“We played really terrible in the first half,” said Britt. “In the second half, we waited too late to start playing, even though we came close several times to take over the lead in the fourth quarter. The difference of the contest was free throws.”

Loyd star finished 5-of-12 from the line, while Bassfield was 9-of-20 from the charity stripe.

Levi Redd directed the Hornets with 17 points and seven rebounds. Javion Beard contributed 14 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals. Greg Hooks scored eight points and grabbed seven rebounds. Patrick Price had two points.

Mason Sims paced Bassfield with 16 points. Calab McLaurin netted seven points. Joe Applewhite had six points. Gerobe Peters and Contravis Adams scored five points apiece.