Natchez tames Tigers at Hoops Classic

Published 12:00 am Saturday, December 9, 2000

Natchez High’s varsity basketball teams came away with a sweep of Jefferson County in the Natchez High Hoops Classic Friday night at the Natchez High Gym

In the varsity girls game, Gloria Lewis’ game-winning shot at the buzzer gave the Lady Bulldogs a 59-58 win over the Lady Tigers.

&uot;I hit it and it felt good,&uot; said Lewis, who finished with 10 points.

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Crystal Brown led four Lady Bulldogs in double figures with 16 points. She added seven rebounds and two blocks.

Chrystal Sylvester had 11 points and 12 rebounds and Angel Taylor added 10 points and nine rebounds.

&uot;The best way to describe it is pure determination,&uot; said Lady Bulldogs head coach Mary Irving. &uot;I have a group this year that is starting to work good together. They’re building a lot of confidence in themselves.&uot;

Shalonda Wyatt made two-of-four free throws to give Jefferson County (7-6) a 58-57 lead with six seconds left before Lewis’s heroics.

&uot;We never gave up,&uot; Lewis said.

The Lady Bulldogs (9-5) wouldn’t have had to win the game in such dramatic fashion if they had made their free throws – they were only 7-for-16 from the line – and numerous lay-ups.

&uot;In a game of this type you expect missed free throws and lay-ups,&uot; Irving said.

Travalyn Smith led the Lady Tigers with 21 points and Sherika Harried had 16 points.

In the varsity boys game, Jamal Bouldin led four Natchez players in double-figures with 26 points as the Bulldogs defeated the Tigers 72-61.

Bouldin also had six rebounds and hit six three-point shots.

&uot;They were aggressive on defense,&uot; he said. &uot;We didn’t take of the ball like we usually do. But we kept our composure and played to the best of our abilities.&uot;

Natchez (11-1) led 23-7 after one quarter of play, but never could put the Tigers away, even though the Bulldogs’ lead never got below double digits.

Vasshun Newborne had 11 points and Je’Kel Foster and Burton Broudy each had 10 points.

Foster also had 12 rebounds and four blocks.

Delvin Thompson led the Tigers with 19 points and nine rebounds.