NATCHEZ — The Natchez High School Bulldogs started the season 9-0, but their perfect non-division record meant nothing heading into divisional play Friday night against Pearl River Central.

NHS ousted the Blue Devils, 64-39, to go into the Christmas break 1-0 in its region before playing in the Coca-Cola Tournament in Hattiesburg Thursday.

De’Arius Griffin led the Bulldogs in scoring with 24 points, but assistant coach David Haywood said equal contributions from several players made the team’s night much easier.

“We preach team ball, because no one player can do it by themselves,” Haywood said.

The Bulldogs had every player do their part. Dominique Mazique and Keylan Wimley had stellar defensive games, and Griffin, Daryl Jones and Gary Woods provided NHS with several scoring threats.

Despite their 25-point victory, Haywood said there are things they will have to tighten up as they practice today to prepare for the Coca-Cola Tournament.

“We just have got to keep working; we have to work on getting better,” Haywood said. “There are some things we didn’t do well offensively, and we’ll get better.”

Trinity boys 65,
Wilkinson County boys 62

The Trinity Episcopal Day School Saints finally got the early season test they needed when they went head-to-head with the MHSAA Class 3A Wilkinson County High School Wildcats.

It’s not often that a Single-A private school upsets a bigger public school in any sport, but Trinity showed it had the athletes to compete with a bigger school.

Tommy McCoy led Trinity to a 65-62 win with 23 points, and Michael Whitley complemented the performance with 19 points.

Trinity came out in its full-court press and didn’t back out of it even when in foul trouble in the fourth quarter, when Arzell McCoy and Trey Hall fouled out.

Though two key starters had to hit the bench, the fourth quarter sealed the deal for Trinity, with the Saints making 12-of-21 free throws compared to Wilkinson County connecting on eight-of-17 from the line.