NATCHEZ — Natchez High nearly saw a 16-point halftime lead slip away, but the Bulldogs were able to hold on for a 68-61 victory over the Vicksburg Gators Tuesday night.

Thanks to some solid defense, Natchez High took a 15-9 lead over Vicksburg at the end of the first quarter and then outscored the Gators 21-10 in the second quarter for a 36-19 lead at the half.

But Vicksburg turned up the defense in the third quarter and outscored the Bulldogs 18-9 in that quarter and trailed 45-37 at the end of that quarter. The fourth quarter turned into a shootout with the Gators putting up 24 points and Bulldogs scoring 23 points to make sure that Vicksburg’s rally would fall short.

Vicksburg was led by Romeo Carter with 19 points while Deangelo Richardson had 12 points and Edward Davis added 11 points. Natchez High (9-13) was led by Derrian Johnson with 18 points, Dearius Griffin with 12 points and Quincy Washington with 11 points. The Bulldogs host Forest Hill Friday night.

Marksville 59, Vidalia 38

MARKSVILLE, La. — Gabriel Alexander led Marksville with a game-high 25 points and LaDarius Reed added 12 points as the Tigers defeated the Vidalia Vikings Tuesday night in LHSAA District 3-3A action.

Vidalia stayed close with Marksville early on and only trailed 19-13 at the end of the first quarter. But the Tigers picked up the defensive pressure and that allowed them to pull away from the Vikings. Marksville led 32-21 at halftime and 43-27 at the end of the third quarter.

Michael Whitley scored nine points to lead Vidalia (8-16, 1-4) and Deion Brown had seven points. The Vikings play host to Caldwell Parish Friday night.

Jonesboro-Hodge 60,

Ferriday 50

FERRIDAY — Ferriday was able to stay with Jonesboro-Hodge in the first half, but the third quarter proved to be pivotal as the Tigers got a 10-point win over the Trojans Tuesday night to remain undefeated in LHSAA District 2-2A.

Ferriday was down by just two points, 30-28, and appeared in prime position to pull off the upset. That was until the third quarter, when Jonesboro-Hodge outscored Ferriday 14-8 to take a 44-36 lead.

The Tigers were led by E. McNeil with 20 points and C. Jahan with 11 points. The Trojans (9-8, 1-4) were led by Quavion Ellis with 10 points and Richard Jefferson with eight points. Ferriday hosts Sterlington Friday night.

Jefferson County 59,

Crystal Springs 52

FAYETTE — The Jefferson County Tigers overcame a bad second quarter to rally for a seven-point win over the Crystal Springs Tigers Tuesday night in MHSAA Region 7-3A action.

Crystal Springs outscored Jefferson County 17-10 in the second quarter to go into halftime with a 24-21 lead. But the host Tigers would not be denied as they outscored the visiting Tigers 13-8 in the third quarter and 25-20 in the fourth quarter.

Nicholas Brown led Jefferson County with 22 points and Jermell Anderson scored 16 points. Crystal Springs was led by J. Davis with 21 points and J. Archie with 13 points. Jefferson County next plays at Hazlehurst Friday night.

Northwood-Lena 65, Block 53

JONESVILLE — Donté Boose led Northwood-Lena with 17 points and Michael Lasayrd added 14 points to lead the Gators past the Block Bears in an LHSAA District 4-1A game Tuesday night.

The game was close for the first three quarters with Northwood-Lena holding a 42-40 lead at the end of the third quarter. But the Bears were done in by the fourth quarter, as they were outscored by the Gators 23-13.

Lonnie Price chipped in with 13 points for the Gators. Block (5-12, 2-2) was led by Dorian Bowman with a game-high 26 points. The Bears host LaSalle on Tuesday, Jan. 31.

Central Private 80,

Centreville Academy 38

BAKER, La. — The Central Private School Rebels, ranked No. 2 in MAIS Class AA, rolled to a 42-point win over the Centreville Academy Tigers in MAIS District 6-AA play Tuesday night.

Central Private improved to 21-4 overall and 6-0 in district play. Centreville fell to 6-15 overall and finished district play with a 1-7 record. The Tigers next play at Adams County Christian School on Saturday.