By TAYLOR DENMAN

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — Adams County Christian School entered the 4-AAA district tournament as a No. 4 seed.

On Saturday night, the Rebels played No. 3 seed Cathedral High School and things seemed to come full circle for Adams Christian head coach Richy Spears and his squad. The Rebels knocked off Cathedral 50-43, clinching the district title and a No. 1 seed in the South State tournament.

“We’ve been close all year,” Spears said. “I’ve been here for years and when (the seniors) were ninth graders, we lost the district tournament by about the same amount we beat Cathedral by. I’m proud of them and these seniors who won the district tournament.”

Adams Christian was down 21-20 at the half, and battled back to hold the lead for most of the second half. Cathedral, down seven points with four minutes left, went on a run that brought the game within one after D.J. Batieste hit both of his one-and-one free throws.

Cathedral took a timeout, and Spears gave this message to his team as it held a 44-41 lead with two minutes left.

“Take care of the basketball and keep them out of the lane,” Spears said.

Adams Christian executed Spears’ plan. Rebel guard Devin Spear hit 11 of his 13 free throws in the second half and took care of Cathedral and the district title. He led Adams Christian in scoring with 22 points.

“Everybody still overlooks us,” Spear said. “(The No. 1 seed) is big; it gives us a lot of confidence.”

Cathedral had a clear advantage in the paint with big men James Allen Coley and Will Wallace. Coley played the post and grinded out 12 points. Cathedral had trouble finishing at the rim late, and head coach Peter Arnold said those looks in the paint cost the Green Wave dearly at the end.

“We had opportunities with rebounds and put backs,” Arnold said. “We tried to tip everything in a wasted some scoring opportunities.”

Adams Christian’s 3-point shooting was strong, and kept the Rebels from having to tangle with Cathedral’s forwards too often. Four first-half threes kept the game close, and Spears said it was up to his players to out-muscle Cathedral.

“They had about 50 or 60 pounds on my biggest guy,” Spears said. “They’re some beasts down there.”

Cathedral earns a No. 2 seed as the district runner up. Round one games for South State begin Tuesday.

“We’re looking forward to it,” Spear said. “We’re ready.”