NATCHEZ — The Trinity Saints might have rolled right from football season into basketball season, but it doesn’t seem to have affected them too much.

The Saints have jumped out to a 12-4 record against a tough schedule, which includes a victory over four-time defending state champion Brookhaven Academy in Brookhaven’s holiday tournament.

The Saints were also ranked No. 3 in the latest MPSA Class AA poll.

“There is a lot of talent on this team,” Trinity coach David King said. “This is about as deep a team as I’ve had. The problem is trying to get the team chemistry set.”

And the reason for that goes back to football season.

The Saints finished football season on Friday, Nov. 14, and played their first basketball game the following Monday.

That hasn’t left much time for practicing.

“We’ve played 16 games and only had 10 practices,” King said. “We went right from football into basketball games. We just haven’t had four or five days in a row to practice to get better.”

Despite the lack of practice time, the Saints have started off the season well, including the big victory over Brookhaven.

The Cougars defeated the Saints in the State Tournament championship game last year, and Trinity had not beaten Brookhaven in the Cougars’ gym.

“Brookhaven doesn’t lose many games at home,” King said. “That was a big win for us. We feel like we can compete with anyone in Class AA.”

And one of the reasons for that confidence is the success the Saints have had against their difficult schedule.

The four teams they have lost to are four of the top teams in the state — Jackson Prep, MRA, Hillcrest Christian and Brookhaven.

“That will make us better in the long run,” King said of the tough early schedule. “That’s why we played them. It’s better to get a couple of early losses that will make us better than some lopsided victories against team we’re better than.”

And while Trinity did fall to Brookhaven at home on Saturday, if they keep playing the way they have, they might get a chance to see them again in the State Tournament

“We’re trying to get that state championship,” King said. “We’ve been so close seven or eight times in the last 10 years. Hopefully this is the year that we’ll get over the top.”