NATCHEZ — Friday will mark another season in the rivalry between Natchez Bulldogs and Jefferson County Tigers in both boys and girls basketball.

The rivalry between Natchez High and Jefferson County High began when Natchez High School was created in 1989.

Since then, the Bulldogs have played the Tigers twice per year. Against Jefferson County, Natchez has won 18 out of 19 meetings. The latest Natchez win came from last season on Dec. 14 when the Bulldogs picked up a 57-30 win over the Tigers.

Bulldogs Head Coach David Haywood said it would be an overstatement to call this game against Jefferson County a rivalry.

“Rivalries become a rivalry when teams are going back and forth,” Haywood said. “As a coach, we try and focus on the next game on the schedule. I try to get the players not caught up in it and try to focus on the next game on our schedule.”

Before Friday’s game, Natchez continued their three-game winning streak and won 61-55 against an undefeated Amite County High Trojans.

Kedarious Stampley led the team with 21 points. Ethan Thomas and Travis Berry came off the bench and each scored eight points.

Haywood said the Bulldogs played well at some times in the game.

“They [Thomas and Berry] did pretty well for us last night when we needed it,” Haywood said. “They stepped up and made some plays.”

In preparation for Friday’s game, Haywood said he wants the Bulldogs to focus on defense and rebounding.

“At times, we played pretty well on defense and we would rebound the ball and they [Amite County] would take one shot,” Haywood said. “In the first minutes of the game, we didn’t guard well and we gave them second shots.”

Tip off for the game is at 7 p.m. at Natchez High School.

Lady Bulldogs

The Natchez Lady Bulldogs faced the Amite County Lady Trojans on Tuesday night. The Lady Bulldogs cruised to a 43-18 win.

Candi Gray led Natchez with 10 points and Kya Singleton was second on the team with five points. Lady Bulldogs Head Coach Alphaka Moore said she was able to play a lot of players off of the bench in Tuesday’s game.

“Off of the bench De’Awshane Combs stepped up and had four points and she rebounded well,” Moore said. “Tremecia Proby also scored four points and got quite a few rebounds for us.”

From Tuesday’s game, Moore said in practices to prepare for the Lady Tigers, the Lady Bulldogs are working on correcting mental mistakes on defense and wrong positioning on offense.

The Lady Bulldogs and Lady Tigers have squared off 22 times since the 2007 season. Natchez is 21-1 against Jefferson County. Last season on Nov. 12, the Lady Bulldogs won 64-38 over the Lady Tigers.

“It is always a fun game for us,” Moore said. “It’s our local rival so it’s always a good game.”
Tip off for the girls’ game is at 6 p.m. Friday at Natchez High School.