NATCHEZ &045; What was supposed to be a matchup of two of the top three teams in MPSA District 7-1A turned out to be otherwise as the Trinity Episcopal Saints defeated the Huntington Hounds 70-30 Tuesday night at Clyde Adams Arena.

With the win, Trinity, 19-4 overall, 5-0 in district play and the 5th-ranked team in the MPSA, moved one step closer to winning its fifth straight district championship.

&uot;Our players gave up some easy baskets to give our teammates some easier baskets,&uot; Saints head coach David King said. &uot;They were very unselfish.&uot;

Mike Lickliter led the Saints with 16 points to go with eight rebounds, two steals and one blocked shot. Dudley Guice Jr. had 15 points, 10 rebounds, nine blocks and three steals.

Chase Brown hit three 3-pointers and finished with 11 points and five boards. Gregory Ketchings had 11 points, including a pair of 3s and five boards.

Huntington (10-10, 6-3) stayed close with Trinity in the first few minutes of the game, trailing just 5-4 before the Saints closed out the first quarter with a 12-0 run.

&uot;They had too much horsepower for us,&uot; Hounds head coach Michael McAnally said. &uot;We were missing the intensity the normally play with. Trinity’s defense took control of the game.

&uot;I think what makes Trinity so dangerous is their role players. When they hit big shots it’s tough to stop.&uot;

A tough man-to-man defense, as well as the full-court press, allowed Trinity to get nine steals and force 15 Huntington turnovers.

Trinity outscored Huntington 18-7 in the second quarter and 22-7 in the third quarter to take a commanding 57-19 lead going into the fourth quarter.

&uot;We played very aggressive,&uot; King said. &uot;The first quarter we played some good defense. We’re getting better as far as not committing a lot of stupid fouls.&uot;

In the varsity girls game, the Lady Hounds got 20 points from Emily Hazlip, 17 points from Tiffany Ferguson and 14 points from Sarah Ashmore as they too got one step closer to the district championship with a 72-29 win over the Lady Saints.

&uot;I think our defensive pressure got to them,&uot; McAnally said. &uot;I’ve got a lot of respect for (Lady Saints) coach (Melanie) Hall. They’ve been the class of this district for so long. We’ve got some seniors who’ve been taking a pounding in this place.&uot;

Huntington, 17-6 overall and 9-0 in district play, had a 49-25 rebounding advantage, had 12 steals and force 16 Trinity turnovers.

&uot;The first quarter I thought we hung with them,&uot; Hall said. &uot;Then I thought we got away from our game plan. I think we beat ourselves with the press.&uot;

Trinity (6-14, 3-5) was led by Mallory Archer with 14 points and eight rebounds.