Fresh off of winning the Dixie Youth 11-12 sub-district championship from the Natchez Ace Adams All-Stars, the Natchez Wallace All-Stars seem primed and ready to take on any and all competition at the district tournament, which begins tonight in Gloster.

&uot;I feel like we’re playing real well right now, and after winning this last tournament, the boys feel like they’re ready to play,&uot;&160;head coach David New Jr. said.

New, however, is approaching the district tournament with guarded optimism.

&uot;I’m really glad to get where we are right now, but at the same time, we still have to play just as well or better than we did in the last tournament,&uot;&160;he said.

The Wallace League will be competing against the host team Pine Hills today at 8 p.m. Summit meets Brookhaven at 6 p.m. in the opening game.

&uot;Anytime you go up against the host team, you have to be at your best, but I&160;feel like with the group we’ve got right now, we ought to be in good shape.&uot;

New said even though his team must concentrate on getting through district, their ultimate goal is winning the state tournament, which is being held in Laurel.

&uot;The boys all set a goal from the outset that they wanted to win state, and who are we as coaches to argue with that,&uot;&160;he said.

New said his players have had no trouble understanding the task at hand.

&uot;They understand just fine that they have to get through the district tournament before they can even get to state,&uot; he said.

&uot;They understand that they cannot get ahead of themselves.&uot;&160;

New said every aspect of his team’s game is their strength.

&uot;We don’t have one outstanding hitter, or pitcher, or defensive star,&uot; New said. &uot;We’ve got a well-rounded group of boys, who know how to play the game.&uot;

In other Dixie Youth action, the Natchez Confederate 9-10-year-old All-Stars host the St. Charles Parish (La.) All-Stars at 6 and 8 p.m. Saturday.

A third contest will be played at 2 p.m. Sunday.

All three contests will be played at Duncan Park.

The 9-10 all-stars are currently preparing for the Dixie Youth AAA State Tournament, which will begin July 22 in Natchez.