VIDALIA, La. – When Brendy Ellis was named Vidalia High School’s basketball sweetheart last week, it’s a safe bet the Lady Bulldogs didn’t get a vote.

Ellis scored 16 points – four in a critical second quarter – to help the No. 6 Lady Vikings to a 56-41 District 3-2A win over Crowville.

The Lady Bulldogs trailed by only six headed into the second quarter, when a shift in Vidalia’s defense threw Crowville out of sync.

&uot;At first we were in a full-court press, but they called a time out to make adjustments,&uot; Vidalia coach Lillian Johnson said. &uot;We switched to a three-guard spread – I like to change it up when the other team calls a time out. Confuse them a little more.&uot;

Wendy Paul made a steal seconds after play resumed and scored two of Vidalia’s several fast-break points in the quarter.

Natalie McGraw’s three-pointer extended the Vidalia lead to 15 and Dominique Trimble made two steals and two quick baskets for a halftime lead of 36-15.

&uot;We came out and the shots were falling,&uot; said McGraw, who scored a game-high 20 points with five three-pointers. &uot;When I rush is when I miss, so I started taking my time.&uot;

McGraw sank two threes in the third quarter, and Ellis scored six to keep the game out of reach.

Crowville (4-11, 1-4) made a run late in the fourth quarter, but failed to seriously threaten the Vidalia lead.

&uot;I won’t say we ran out of gas,&uot; Johnson said, &uot;but we were flat in that fourth quarter.&uot;

Keisha Jones led the Lady Bulldogs with 15 points and 17 rebounds.

The Vidalia (25-6, 4-2) win snapped a two-game district losing streak, and keeps the Lady Vikings’ tournament No. 1 seed hopes alive.

With wins over Block and Ferriday, and a Ferriday win over No. 1 McCall, Vidalia, Ferriday and McCall would all tie for first place.

Vidalia hosts Block Friday for two games beginning at 6 p.m.