The Ferriday Lady Trojans started off slow against the Block Lady Bears Tuesday, but after a fiery halftime speech from head coach Lisa Abron, Ferriday was able to go on and grab a 64-49 win.

“We started off rather cold, in my opinion,” Abron said. “Nothing was going right for us in the first half. I kind of chewed them out at halftime to get back on track. In the second half, we regrouped and refocused.”

Abron said Ferriday’s usual up-tempo press defense wasn’t working as planned, and she was forced to change things up.

“Our press wasn’t effective at all, and we were fouling a lot,” she said. “I changed it to our second press, and it was more effective. We managed to do what we normally do.”

Jada Griggs led Ferriday with 18 points, but she also had help with big contributions from Kesia Mason, who had 16 points and Shaniqua Hilliard, who added 13.

“I’m very proud of them,” Abron said. “It started with Jada and Kesia, and then everyone started to step up.”

Block head coach Veronica Savage, who had surgery earlier in the day, wasn’t present for the whole game. But Savage said that when she was there, her team was looking good.

“When I came in, they were doing it,” she said. “I try to coach them in a way that when I’m not there, my captains are calling the shots, and they seemed to be doing a good job.”

Bontresia Barber led Block with 22 points and Kiaci Parker added nine for the Lady Bears.

Natchez 61, Wilkinson County 47

WOODVILLE — The Natchez High Lady Bulldogs captured their sixth win of the season Tuesday on the road at Wilkinson County, 61-47.

After jumping out to an early lead against the Lady Wildcats, Natchez head coach Alphaka Moore was able to get a look at some of her younger players, which she said is an important part of the team’s continued success.

“We played well,” Moore said. “We had some younger girls play and get some experience, and they did fairly well. I think it is good to get them involved now, and that way down the road, they know exactly what to do. It is a great opportunity for them.”

But, of course, the Natchez starters got their fill as well, with Zyaire Ewing leading the Lady Bulldogs with 19 points.

“Zyaire played a little longer and did some good things,” Moore said. “I left her in, and she played well.”

Natchez also got solid performances from Rashonae Rice, who scored 13 points and Kirdis Clark, who added 10 of her own.

Sterlington 43, Vidalia 38

STERLINGTON, LA — After leading all the way into the fourth quarter, the Vidalia Lady Vikings were unable to hold on to their advantage and fell to the Sterlington Lady Panthers, 43-38.

“We missed 14 free throws and a number of layups,” Vidalia head coach Fred Marsalis said. “We just shot ourselves in the foot. We just had one of those games where it didn’t come together.”

Bre’honor Harris led all scorers with 17 points and teammate Tierra Bell added 14 for the Lady Vikings, but Vidalia failed to score a point in the fourth quarter.

“The other team got ahead and went into their stall offense, and we haven’t worked enough on our stall defense,” Marsalis said. “We were in there, just shot ourselves in the foot. You lose close games when you do that.”

But Marsalis said he and his team aren’t hanging their heads sitting at 3-4.

“We’re not down, and we’re not out,” he said. “The program is turning around. When I first took over three years ago, I don’t think we won a game, but the program is showing it is better. Students are taking pride in what they’re doing.”

Amite County 46, Jefferson County 36

LIBERTY — The Jefferson County Lady Tigers suffered their third loss of the season, this time at the hands of the Amite County Lady Trojans, 46-36.

Jailyn Hammett led Jefferson County with 11 points and teammates Antrell Gales, who scored eight points and Diamond Smith, who added seven turned in solid performances.

Jefferson County trailed 22-16 at the half, but was able to get back in the game, trailing by just four entering the fourth. But the Lady Trojans were able to put away the game in the final quarter of play, outscoring the Lady Tigers 13-7.

ACCS 54, Brookhaven Academy 22

BROOKHAVEN — The Adams County Christian School Lady Rebels improved to 10-1 on the year with a dominant 54-22 win on the road against Brookhaven Academy.

The Lady Rebels led 32-11 at halftime and cruised to a 50-14 lead after the third quarter.

Bailey Boyd led all scorers with 13 points, while Mackenzie Boyd added 10 and Caitlyn Gamberi had seven.

Anna Grace Covington led Brookhaven Academy with six points.

Next up for ACCS is a home game Thursday against Riverfield Academy.

Tuesday’s win was the first in district play this season for ACCS.

Monterey 43, Dodson 34

MONTEREY — Carli Scott scored 14 points and Mary Chatman added eight as the Monterey Lady Wolves improved to 7-2 with a 43-34 win against Dodson.

“I thought we played hard,” Monterey head coach Cary Shivley said. “We executed fairly well. My team is fun to watch because they play and get after it.”

Monterey jumped out to an early 15-5 lead after the first quarter, but Dodson stormed back to tie the game heading into halftime.

The Lady Wolves, however, were able to pull away in the second half to get the win.

Next up for Monterey is the Harrisonburg Tournament on Friday.