NATCHEZ — Confidence and momentum are a couple of powerful things in athletics.

And Vidalia Vikings coach Robert Sanders thinks his squad’s 61-60 victory over Tioga Friday night is just the thing they need going into district play this week.

“That was a good win for us going into district play,” Sanders said. “That’s one team that most everyone in the district has played and I believe (Tioga) has won those games. So that is a good sign for the team.”

Sanders said the win was important for his team because it shows they can play at the level of the teams with the teams that were picked to win the district in the preseason.

“Buckeye and Marksville are the two schools that were picked to win the district,” Sanders said. “This win was important for us to establish momentum as we head into this week.”

The Vikings open district play by hosting Bunkie in Tuesday night.

While the Vikings are sky high coming off the big victory, the Ferriday Lady Trojans are trying to get refocused after an upset loss to Lake Providence in district play on Friday night.

The Lady Trojans got off to a sluggish start and couldn’t over come an early deficit in a 54-53 loss.

“We knew that game was going to be tough,” Ferriday coach Lisa Abron said. “We didn’t control the boards like we needed to in the first half. We came out a lot better in the second half. I was proud of the girls for fighting back the way they did in the second half, though.”

Since the loss happened early in district play, Abron said there is plenty of time to get back on track and used it as a refocusing experience.

“It’s a big wake up call for us,” Abron said. “A lot of girls were crying after the game. I told them they did nothing wrong. Next time, we’ll just have to prepare better and practice harder. A lot of girls on the team have never been in a situation like this. We’re still a young team and expect to make some young team mistakes. But we’ll pick it up as time goes on.”

The Lady Trojans (21-5, 1-1) get their first chance to redeem themselves Tuesday night when they host Jonesboro-Hodge.

This week’s basketball action tips off tonight as Centreville takes on Trinity and Huntington travels to Amite School Center.

Games pick up in full force on Tuesday night. Games are; Chamberlain-Hunt at Trinity, Tensas Academy at WCCA, ACCS at Riverfield, South Pike at Wilkinson County, North Pike at Franklin County, Claiborne Christian at Monterey, Cathedral at West Lincoln, Natchez at Warren Central and LaSalle at Block.

Monterey plays at Jena on Thursday, and then teams return with a full night Friday.

Friday’s games are; Chamberlain-Hunt at ACCS, Franklin Academy at Huntington, Trinity at Prairie View, WCCA at Tallulah Academy, Bogue Chitto at Cathedral, Farmerville at Ferriday, Tylertown at Jefferson County, Natchez at Wingfield, Vidalia at Avoyelles, Franklin County at Amite County, Sicily Island at Monterey, Montgomery at Block and Wilkinson County at North Pike.