NATCHEZ — Earlier this year, Natchez native Nook Logan devised a plan to give local youth the opportunity to play organized league basketball.

And on Monday night, a large group of kids were throwing on jerseys at the Morgantown Middle School gym to suit up for the first time in the Miss-Lou Youth Activities Association basketball league.

“It is fun to see them out here,” Logan said. “To see them want to be out here, it makes me want to be doing this even more.”

Opening games on Monday night started with players age seven through nine, and was highlighted by a game between Dodges Southern Style and JPaul Entertainment.

Dodges Southern Style, led by Mardriquez Carr’s eight points, were able to capture a 15-6 win.

But even though his team won, head coach Albert Davis said this is more than just wins and losses.

“The main thing is for the kids to learn how to play the game,” he said. “I was proud of the way they shared the ball and spread the floor, and they played good defense. We are just learning how to play right now, and they did a good job of it.”

Davis’ team jumped out to an early lead with baskets from Nicholas Davis and Carr in the first. The two also found the bottom of the basket in the second quarter to push the lead to 7-2 heading into halftime.

Dodges Southern Style continued to find success in the third quarter with both Davis and Carr carrying the load, but JPaul Entertainment was able to pull back with a basket from Teddrick Hargraves.

MacKenzie Kennedy added two points for Dodges Southern Style in the fourth and Carr capped the scoring with just over a minute left in the game to give his team their first win of the year.

“It is a beautiful thing,” Davis said. “Win or lose, as long as we gave our best effort, that is all that counts.”

Davis said by just spending some time with these kids, he is already seeing talent emerge.

“There are a lot of seven and eight year olds that can’t even dribble a ball,” he said. “So this is a good thing for them to get the practice, so when it is time for them to compete come middle school and high school, they have a jump on a lot of people. They are ahead of the curve. You look at some of these players and the sky is the limit.”