NATCHEZ — Cathedral High School’s Mary Evans Kelley sat back with teammates Thursday night clapping and singing along to Christmas music during the Green Wave’s Holiday Tournament. After all, she’s just one game away from her favorite holiday.

As the Lady Wave defeated Trinity Episcopal 67-23, Kelley said she might have let her mind wander just slightly during the win.

“I’m ready,” she said. “This is my favorite season. I love presents.”

Kelley and just about every one of Cathedral’s players rotated playing time Thursday, led by Caroline Kaiser with 15 points. Hailey Ellis ended with 12 points to follow 11 Lady Wave scorers in the win.

Baylee Graning added another seven points for Cathedral, but wish she had more.

Instead of thinking about her break, Graning said she was still focused on the game.

“I had to be worried about the game,” she said. “I wasn’t playing very well. I was trying to think about it.”

After tomorrow’s game against West Lincoln, however, Graning is off to Florida to visit Universal Studios for her time off.

“I’m very excited,” she said. “I’m ready to ride roller coasters and sleep, too.”

Trinity’s players are also eager to receive some relaxation time, including eighth-grader Ginny Borum.

Borum ended with four points for the Lady Saints to follow Cate Drane’s game-high 16 points.

“I think I’m just going to stay home and relax,” Borum said. “I just want to spend some time with my family.”

Trinity coach Mo Rodriguez agreed the Saints are in need of some well-deserved downtime.

“We are excited for the whole break. We definitely need it, especially the boys,” he said. “After tomorrow, I think we will be good.”

Rodriguez himself will be traveling to North Carolina with family and plans on taking time to ski.

“I’m so excited,” Rodriguez said. “We will be back here after the new year to get back to practice.”

For Cathedral’s Lessley Dooley, Thursday’s game might have been the best time for her to relax.

“I think I am babysitting every day during the break,” she said. “Even when I don’t have anything to do, I still have things to do.”

Cathedral will round out its home tournament by playing West Lincoln at 6:40 p.m. today, and Kelley is doing everything she can to go into break with a jolly spirit.

“We are all wearing Christmas socks,” she said. “Mine are green with lights all around them.”

Trinity is scheduled to play Adams County Christian School in the tournament at 4 p.m. today.

Trinity (boys) 68,
Cathedral 49

Jakarius Caston scored 20 points, TJ Peyton had 14 and Dee Fleming added another 12 points as the Saints defeated Cathedral Thursday, 68-49.

The Green Wave (3-7) trailed by just one point at halftime, 29-28, but a 25-point third quarter propelled Trinity to the win.

J.T. Taylor had a game-high 30 points for Cathedral, while Ty Tobias added another nine.

The Green Wave will play West Lincoln at 8 p.m. today, while Trinity is scheduled to play ACCS at 5:20 p.m.