While St. Aloysius’ football enjoys its best season in more than 30 years, the basketball team temporarily suffers. Most of the players on the football roster double as basketball players once the season is over, and since they aren’t able to play hoops until after Friday’s state title tilt with Cathedral, only five players dressed in a 75-20 home loss to Loyd Star Tuesday.

“They’re playing hard and executing and doing what they need to do. We’re just short players,” coach Delvin Thompson said. “Every team we play it’s 15 players to five, so we’re wearing down after the first quarter.”

Loyd Star started the game with an 11-0 run and never looked back. After a Luke Eckstein and-one bucket put the Flashes on the board, the Hornets exploded for a 37-4 first quarter lead on the depleted St. Al team. That ballooned to 53-15 at halftime before the referees instituted a running clock in the second half.

Charles Keith Pendleton paced St. Al with 11 points, while Eckstein added nine points and six rebounds.

All five St. Aloysius players scored in the contest. John Owen Upshaw put up three points, Ryan Jarrett scored three, and John Tillman Thomas ended with four points.

“You really can’t coach effort. They’re playing hard and they’re playing with heart,” Thompson said. “That’s what I like to see. As a coach, they give you the effort. That’s all I can ask for.”

(G) Loyd Star 61, St. Aloysius 27

Loyd Star proved too much to handle for the St. Aloysius Lady Flashes. Jordan Shelby led St. Al with 12 points.

(G) Raymond 70, Vicksburg 53

Jayla Johnson scored 18 points and Raymond (8-0) hit seven 3-pointers to hand Vicksburg (5-2) its second straight loss.

Karry Callahan led the Missy Gators with 16 points, 15 rebounds, four blocks and four steals. Ruddie Shears added 14 points and eight rebounds.

(B) Raymond 49, Vicksburg 39

The Gators lost their second game of the season. Vicksburg (4-2) stays at home to face crosstown rival Warren Central Saturday at 1 p.m.