NATCHEZ — It was the first game of the season for the Adams County Christian School girls, but senior Tory Laird looked as though she never stopped playing after last spring.

Laird led ACCS with 14 points in a 57-15 win against the Wilkinson County Christian School girls in the closing game of a four-game slate Monday night in the ACCS Girls Tipoff Tournament.

“I expect a lot out of her, because she’s so capable,” ACCS head coach Melanie Hall said of Laird, who scored 12 of her 14 points in the first quarter. “She’s got another gear that, when she gets in it, she’s the complete basketball player.

“I stay on her to get her to understand that she has to bring it every day. She can’t take a play off.”

Laird helped ACCS rush out to a 26-7 lead after one quarter of play, and the Lady Rams were unable to sink a basket in the second quarter as the Lady Rebels took a 41-7 lead into the break.

“I’m grateful this is the first game,” WCCA head coach Dani Wright said. “There’s a lot we need to work on, and we got the jitters out. I now know what to expect playing against a very good team.”

The Lady Rebels’ inside game showed promise in their first game, with Ashleigh Williams tallying 11 points and Jordan Petty adding 10 points. Williams’ development in particular will make a big difference over the course of the season, Hall said.

“That’s going to be huge for us,” Hall said. “She could dominate (down low), and we could be a force to be reckoned with if our perimeter shooting comes around, because we’re big on the inside.”

No one for WCCA scored in double digits, with Brandi Norwood leading the Lady Rams with seven points.

WCCA (0-1) will play in the tournament again at 5 p.m. Thursday against Amite School Center. ACCS (1-0) will take on Oak Forest Academy at 7:30 tonight.

Monterey 29,

Silliman Institute 28

NATCHEZ — The Monterey Lady Wolves made their first-ever trip to the ACCS Girls’ Tip-Off Tournament a memorable one as they stunned the Silliman Institute Lady Wildcats 29-28 Monday afternoon.

“It was a typical first game of the year,” Monterey head coach Cary Shivley said. “There are a lot of kinks (to work out). I was pleased with the outcome. I was pleased with our effort.”

With the game tied at 28-all as time was expiring and Monterey in possession of the ball, it looked like overtime was inevitable as the Lady Wolves were unable to make the game-winning shot.

However, Jody Duncan was fouled going to the basket as the buzzer sounded to end regulation and went to the free-throw line. She missed the first free throw, but made the second one to give the Lady Wolves the victory.

Monterey led Silliman 8-6 after one quarter of play before Silliman outscored Monterey 7-3 in the second quarter to take a 13-11 lead into halftime. Then, the Lady Wolves buckled down on defense in the third quarter, holding the Lady Wildcats to four points en route to taking an 18-17 lead at the end of the quarter.

Silliman had outscored Monterey 11-10 in the fourth quarter until Duncan’s game-winning free-throw.

Karlee Woodruff led the Lady Wolves with 13 points and Duncan finished with five points.

Monterey (1-0) has its home opener today at 6 p.m. against Sicily Island.