NATCHEZ — There was no secret that the Trinity Episcopal Saints basketball team took a major hit when Tommy McCoy transferred. But ultimately, that could have uncovered Trinity’s newest weapon, Jakarius Caston.

Just an eighth grader, Caston immediately stepped in, and became the anchor of the team.

“Jakarius is a kid who wasn’t sure if he wanted to play varsity at the beginning of the year,” Trinity head coach Zach Rogel said. “I don’t know if he knew he was good enough, but the cream rises to the top. He brings a scoring element that maybe we don’t have anywhere else.”

But Caston isn’t the only one lighting up the scoreboard for Trinity. In girls action, D’Asia Mitchell has shouldered the load and become one of the Lady Saints’ top options.

“She has carried the team all year,” girls head coach Fay Minor said. “She is a tremendous player, and all her teammates love her.”

For Caston, stepping in at the varsity level wasn’t the easiest, but the transition came naturally.

“At first I was nervous, but then not after the first game,” Caston said.

For Mitchell, a tenth grader, basketball wasn’t even on her radar until three years ago.

“I used to see my dad and kids at my school playing all the time and it seemed fun,” she said. “They showed a lot of emotion and excitement during it, so that is why I started going out and playing.”

And that emotion Mitchell witnessed is evident in her game today.

“That is what I do,” she said. “If my emotions don’t show, then what is the reason to be playing?”

Both Minor and Rogel said each player has the potential to be something special, and that with time, they could develop into elite players.

“D’Asia can be awesome,” Minor said. “She has already got a couple calls looking at her in the tenth grade. If she stays humble and works on her game in the offseason, we are going to be great.”

Rogel said the same thing goes for Caston.

“He’s a dangerous kid for sure,” Rogel said. “We knew that day one of football. I think the sky is the limit for him, as long as he takes care of what he needs to take care of and works hard every day.”

For now, each will utilize their strengths in hopes of guiding Trinity on a deep playoff run.

For Mitchell, it is her agression and scoring ability, and for Caston, it is his speed and defense.

“I just move my feet and slide,” said Caston of being a good defender. “Then, whoever I’m on, I just make sure I have my hands up.”

And for Mitchell, when the ball is in her hands, it is game on.

“When it comes down to me scoring, when they give it to me, I’m going to do something with it,” she said.