NATCHEZ — The Cathedral Green Wave could not create a big enough surge Tuesday night to overtake the Bogue Chitto Bobcats.

Cathedral surrendered a third quarter lead just seconds into the fourth as the Bobcats put the Green Wave away, 58-53.

With a 45-43 lead heading into the fourth period, the Green Wave had played nearly flawless basketball against a team that Arnold said was very athletic.

The fourth period resulted in a collapse for Cathedral, as the Bobcats took the lead immediately and never lost it.

After a three-pointer to start the final period by Bogue Chitto, Colin Hammond of Cathedral was called for a technical foul on a call that many fans thought was questionable.

The technical foul sent Germie Martin to the line where he made one of two free shots, giving Bogue Chitto a 47-45 lead.

“The refs gave him a technical for negative remarks on a no-foul call,” Arnold said. “There was so much time left that it really didn’t impact the game.”

From there, Bogue Chitto played keep away from the Green Wave, forcing Cathedral to foul just to get the ball back. Cathedral had many opportunities inside the closing 90 seconds to tie the game, yet errant passes resulted in turnovers. Throughout much of the game, the score changed multiple times. Neither team was able to pull away.

“We played a game we needed to play, we kept it in the fifties,” coach Peter Arnold said. “We played a decent game.”

Daniel Huffines led the way for the Green Wave, scoring 18 points, many in dire situations.

The Bobcats tried a full-court press early against the Green Wave, but the efficient passes from Cathedral’s players forced the Bobcats to settle into a zone, allowing Cathedral to slow the game down and play at their pace.

As the game slowed down, Bogue Chitto’s big man, Colby Johnson, took advantage of it with his size. Johnson made the paint his territory as he leapt over would-be rebounders, stealing many offensive boards. Johnson also had many put backs, some of which were off missed free throws.

“Johnson’s 6’8”, he beat us to the ball. He probably had three or four put backs off missed free throws alone,” Arnold said.

Cathedral boxed out well, Johnson was just a taller player, and Cathedral had no answer for him. The second chance points Cathedral surrendered to Bogue Chitto ultimately was the deciding factor in the game.

Cathedral girls

Bogue Chitto 69, Cathedral 48

Natchez — Cathedral brought the score closer in the fourth period. The Green Wave went from cold to hot as the buckets started falling. However, it was too little, too late.

“We just came out in the second half and got refocused. The baskets started to fall,” coach Bernita Dunbar said.

Cathedral managed single-digit scores in the first two periods, and then put up 15 in the third and 18 in the fourth.

“We started out the first half really slow. They outscored us the first half,” Dunbar said. “Their girls were very physical down low. It was a challenge to guard their big girls. It wasn’t anything defensive-wise. It was more of our shooting.”

Ginny Daggett scored 14 for the Lady Green Wave with Ana Perry following her with 11.