MCCOMB — Howard Smith led all scorers with 27 points and came up big for Forest High School in the fourth quarter as the Bearcats held on for a 66-56 win over the Wilkinson County High School Wildcats Monday afternoon at the McComb High School Holiday Classic.

Wilkinson County cut Forest’s 11-point lead down to three early in the fourth quarter before the Bearcats went down low to Smith and he made several easy buckets to stretch the lead back out. The Wildcats also hurt themselves by getting into late foul trouble.

“They held the ball at the end of the game. The last two minutes they were doing more passing than anything,” Wildcats head coach Julius Anderson said.

Forest was clearly the more ready team of the two with a starting time of 2:30 p.m. The Bearcats led 14-11 after one quarter of play, 27-22 at halftime and 44-33 after three quarters of play.

“It was an earlier game, so it was harder for them to get into a groove,” Anderson said. “We were in foul trouble in the first half. We had eight fouls to their four. We couldn’t play our usual defense. At the same time, it is over break, we’ve been sitting out for a while. It’s hard to get back into a groove.”

Travion Jones and Ja’Quorias Stewart were the only two players for the Wildcats to score in double figures. Jones finished with 21 points and Stewart had 17 points.

“Travion is going to drive on everybody and Ja’Quorias hit five threes and was able to bring us back into the game,” Anderson said.

Wilkinson County (no record available) will play again at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday against Poplarville at the McComb High School Holiday Classic.

Southaven 65, Natchez High 44

HATTIESBURG — The Natchez High Bulldogs did not have enough offense to hang with Southaven High School as the Chargers rolled to a 65-44 win Monday afternoon at the Hattiesburg Coca-Cola Holiday Classic Tournament.

“It was a fast-paced game. Southaven was a really good team,” Bulldogs head coach David Haywood said. “We made a lot of mental mistakes. Lack of seniors was the reason for those mental mistakes. Overall, I think we had a great effort. Southaven is probably the best team we’ve seen so far.”

With the loss, Natchez High (2-6) dropped to the losers’ bracket and will take on Moss Point at 1:30 p.m. today. Moss Point lost to Gentry earlier in the day.

Riverfield Academy 43, ACCS 25

BROOKHAVEN — The Adams County Christian School Rebels lost to the Riverfield Academy Raiders 43-25 Monday afternoon at the Brookhaven Academy Christmas Classic.

No other information on the game was available.

ACCS next plays on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. against Amite School Center at the Brookhaven Academy Christmas Classic.

Vidalia 52, Madison 47

SICILY ISLAND — In just his fourth game back from injury, Julius Wilson scored a game-high 19 points and led Vidalia to a 52-47 win against Madison in the Sicily Island tournament.

“He’s done fairly well,” Vidalia head coach Robert Sanders said of Wilson since his return. “He’s come along really nice, but he still isn’t 100 percent.”

Vidalia’s Demarco Brown added 18 points in the win, and it is a win that Sanders said is big for the team.

“This was very important,” Sanders said. “Madison only had three losses, so a win against a team like that is good for us.”

Vidalia will play again at 6:40 p.m. today against Block High School.

Cathedral 69, Christian

Collegiate 56

HATTIESBURG — Derrion Batieste scored 20 points and James Coley added 17 points and 16 rebounds as the Cathedral Green Wave downed Christian Collegiate Academy 69-56 to advance to the finals of the Sacred Heart tournament.

The Green Wave will play tournament hosts Sacred Heart in the finals at 7:30 p.m. today.

Cathedral was able to edge Christian Collegiate in all four quarters.

Connor Mire chipped in with 10 points and Jardarius Anderson added eight points with eight assists.