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NATCHEZ — In the first game of a much-needed homestand this week, the Natchez High School Bulldogs held on for a 68-52 victory over the Wilkinson County High School Wildcats last Tuesday night at the Mary Jean Irving Gym on the Natchez High campus.

“I think we came out and played well defensively. We tried to speed them up by extending our full court press and we were able to create turnovers that led to some easy buckets early on,” Bulldogs head coach David Haywood said.

Ronald Ellis Jr., a transfer from Delta Charter School, and Daylan Haywood led a balanced scoring attack for Natchez High with 13 points apiece. Patrick Banks and Williams Johnson ended up with 12 points each.

With the Bulldogs pretty much in control of the game, Haywood said he was able to go to his bench to give his reserves important playing time in case they are needed as the season goes along.

“We had to use more numbers. Everyone came in and did a pretty good job from a coaching standpoint,” Haywood said.

Cameron Woodard led Wilkinson County with a game-high 26 points and Ladarius Galtney added eight points.

MHSAA Class 5A Natchez High (6-0) stepped up in competition as they played host to Class 6A Vicksburg High School at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

“Should be a great game. They are a well-coached team and they have some pretty good players,” Haywood said last Wednesday morning about the Gators. “Having to play three games in four days will let us measure our guys’ mental makeup as well as their physical ability.”

Natchez High girls 61, Wilkinson County 12 (Tues. night)

NATCHEZ — Zamonie Wilson led Natchez High School with a game-high 11 points and Domonique Doss added 10 points as the Lady Bulldogs cruised to a 61-12 win over the Wilkinson County High School Lady Wildcats last Tuesday night.

Altogether, 14 players for Natchez High’s varsity girls’ basketball team found their way into the scoring column. Faith Gutter contributed with eight points and Caleah Kennedy chipped in with six points.

“I think it was a really good team win for us (Tuesday) night. I think it gave us a good idea what we have to look forward to in the season,” Lady Bulldogs head coach Alphaka Moore said.

Natchez High dominated Wilkinson County on both ends of the court for majority of this match-up. The Lady Bulldogs led the Lady Wildcats 18-1 after one quarter of play. Wilkinson County hung tough with Natchez High in the second quarter and was only outscored 10-8, but still went into halftime down 28-9.

The second half was more reminiscent of the first quarter for both teams. The Lady Bulldogs went on a tear in the third quarter as they outscored the Lady Wildcats 21-2 for a commanding 49-11 lead. Natchez High then put up 12 points in the fourth quarter while holding Wilkinson County to just one point.

“We did a really good job keeping our energy up, rebounding well, and our defensive pressure helped out as well,” Moore said.

Alaysia Wells was the one bright spot for the Lady Wildcats as she led the team in scoring with six points.

The Lady Bulldogs improved to 4-2 overall and played host to Vicksburg High School at 6 p.m. Thursday.

“We’re definitely looking forward to that,” Moore said last Wednesday morning.