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ELLISVILLE — Playing in their second game in as many nights due to the winter storm that hit the Miss-Lou region earlier last week, the Natchez High School Lady Bulldogs were outstanding on both ends of the court in a 54-25 win over the South Jones High School Lady Braves last Friday night in MHSAA Region 3-5A action.

Just 24 hours after holding on for a two-point home win over North Pike High School, traveling from one side of the state to the other did not bother Natchez High’s varsity girls’ basketball team one bit. Instead, the Lady Bulldogs played with a lot of confidence.

“I think that we played well overall as a team. Everybody was contributing in different ways and I think that contributed to our success,” Lady Bulldogs head coach Alphaka Moore said.

And that showed throughout the first three quarters. Led by Roniya Ellis, Caleah Kennedy, Mikiah Proby, and Zamone Wilson, Natchez High jumped out to an 18-8 lead by the end of the first quarter. But it was the second quarter that the Lady Bulldogs really showed their prowess as they scored 19 points while holding South Jones to a mere one point on a free throw for a commanding 37-9 halftime lead.

“Our team defense, I think we continue to be consistent and aggressive. That’s what it takes.” Moore said. 

Ellis led Natchez High with a game-high 22 points while Kennedy added 13 points. Both Proby and Wilson poured in six points. E’Maria Phillips and Berta Soules led the Lady Braves with six points each.

“Zamonie and Mikiah did a good job rebounding as well as Caleah,” Moore said.

The Lady Bulldogs improved to 16-5 overall and 5-1 in Region 3-5A. They next played at region foe Florence High School in a huge match-up for both teams at 6 p.m. Tuesday. The Lady Eagles gave the Lady Bulldogs their only loss in region play back on Friday, Jan. 5 at Natchez High 56-38.

In the varsity boys’ game, the South Jones High School Braves cruised to a 53-30 win over the Natchez High School Bulldogs. 

South Jones jumped out to a 17-8 lead on Natchez High after one quarter of play before the Braves shut out the Bulldogs 15-0 in the second quarter to take a 32-8 lead into halftime. South Jones kept up the pressure in the third quarter as it outscored Natchez High 16-9 for a 48-17 advantage.

The Bulldogs fell to 13-7 overall and 3-3 in region play. They next played at region opponent Florence High School at 7:30 p.m. Friday.