HATTIESBURG — Natchez High Bulldogs boys basketball finished in fourth place at the 2019 Hattiesburg Holiday Tournament last Saturday.

The Bulldogs came into Friday’s game off a 71-54 Thursday win against Jefferson Davis County to face host Hattiesburg High School Tigers.

Hattiesburg prevailed 65-55 over Natchez. James Singleton led the Bulldogs with 16 points in the game. Meanwhile, Cameron Brown led the Tigers with 19 points.

Natchez High Head Coach David Haywood said he saw good effort from the Bulldogs in both Thursday’s and Friday’s games.

“The first game we started down 15-1, and we came back and won by 17,” Haywood said. “The effort that they had on defense for the first two games, it was great for these kids to continue to fight and grind against some really good teams.”

Natchez High was knocked into the third- and fourth-place game against Brandon High School on Saturday. Brandon High won 64-27 over Natchez to finish third in the tournament.

Haywood said the energy from the Bulldogs lacked in the game against Saturday. Travis Berry led the Bulldogs with 10 points while Jaquevias Tarvin led Brandon High with 34 points.

Haywood said he liked playing in the Hattiesburg tournament.

“Because it’s a type of competition that we will see in district play and some of the teams were well prepared for this tournament,” Haywood said.

Natchez High (8-5) will play at 7 p.m. against Ferriday High School at Ferriday Junior High School.

Trojans lose two straight to end Sicily Island tournament

SICILY ISLAND —  With a day off to begin the 2019 Sicily Island High School tournament, the Ferriday High Trojans boys basketball team played on Friday and Saturday.

In the last game of the night, Tensas Academy won 54-53 against Ferriday High. Ferriday High Head Coach George Barnes said the Trojans scored a basket but it was taken away from them.

Derrick Johnson led the Trojans with 16 points. Jamarius Johnson was second on the Trojans’ squad with 13 points while Javarius Turner was third with 10 points.

The Trojans turned around on Saturday and faced Madison Parish High School. Madison Parish won 54-43. Derrick Johnson led the Trojans again with 24 points. Turner was second on the team with 13 points while Jamarius Johnson finished third with nine points.

Barnes said he saw growth in the Trojans over the span of two days.

“I think this was a great tournament as far as setting a foundation for the rest of the season,” Barnes said. “When we get into district games, its going to be high intensity, and we’re going to have to go on the road and play in some hostile environments.”

Ferriday High (3-5) will play at 7 p.m. Friday against Natchez High School at Ferriday Junior High.