By REED DESALVO

The Natchez Democrat

Cathedral High School pressured and harassed Laurel Christian all game long defensively, and moved the ball efficiently inside-and-out en route to earning a 46-28 demonstrative win Saturday.

“Everything always starts with defense,” Cathedral coach Peter Arnold said. “Defense and rebounding gives you a chance to win every game you play.”

The assist on the game’s opening play was just one of a slew of nifty passes for Anderson, who finished with five assists to go along with nine points.

“I just try to step up and be a point guard,” Anderson said. “I tried to direct everybody and try to get everyone in the right spot on plays.”

The senior point guard also chipped in other categories as he registered five rebounds and three steals.

“This is one of the better games that I’ve had on defense,” Anderson said. “I’ve been slacking on the defensive end all season, so I’m trying to pick up my defensive (effort) up.”

Anderson wasn’t the only Green Wave dishing out slick as five other players tallied at least one assist.

“We were trying to have more ball movement (Saturday),” Anderson said. “Lately, we’ve been going to fast (offensively), so we wanted to slow it down and get more ball movement and get everyone at least a touch on every possession.”

Connor Mire led Cathedral (14-8, 5-5) with 12 points, and Coley finished with 11.

The Green Wave led at the end of the first 14-4, and led 35-8 at halftime.

“When we go wrong is when get impatient and play frantic,” Arnold said. “At halftime, I was telling them when we’re patient like we are (Saturday), this is the result. It doesn’t matter who we play. When we take our time on offense and move the ball around the zone, then good things are going to happen.”

With the win, the Green Wave has now recorded back-to-back wins as they head into the final week of the regular season before beginning the district tournament Feb. 2. Cat

“We had lost four games in a row before (Friday night’s 60-45 win over Bogue Chitto),” Arnold said. “We’re looking to get it back turned around; we can beat anybody on any given night.”

Cathedral will look to sustain the momentum Tuesday when it travels to Salem Academy.

Cathedral (girls)

Cathedral raced out to a 27-1 first-quarter advantage and never looked back as it topped Laurel Christian 44-15 in girls basketball action.

Caroline Kaiser and Baylee Graning led the Lady Green with nine points apiece.