VIDALIA, La. – Vidalia handed Newellton a pair a losses Tuesday as the Vikings bombed the Bears 95-58 while the Lady Vikings eased by the Lady Bears 58-40.

Viking Jarvis Vaughn’s 33 points were the difference in the boys varsity win. He added 10 rebounds, three steals and a block.

Despite scoring 27 points in the first quarter and making four three-point shots, the Vikings (8-4) only led 42-35 at the half.

&uot;I think in the first half we showed a lack of energy,&uot; said Vidalia coach Robert Sanders. &uot;Our defense wasn’t playing well, and they were killing us in the paint.

&uot;In the second half, we came out a lot more aggressive,&uot; he said. &uot;We started playing our game in the paint.&uot;

Vidalia scored 53 points in the second half, even with reserves playing most of the fourth quarter.

&uot;Our bench did pretty well over all,&uot; Sanders said. &uot;One or two were playing out of position, but they seemed to find themselves.&uot;

Derrick Johnson scored 14 points for Vidalia and Kenny Warner had nine. Louis McNulty and Josh Bush each scored eight points off the bench, Bush’s last two off a slam dunk to end the game.

Newellton (1-7) was led by Darium Clark’s 23 points. Chris Snowden scored 17 and John Petty added 13.

A dexterous defense that racked up 25 steals helped the Lady Vikings win the earlier girls game.

Vidalia’s Brendy Ellis and Natalie McGraw had six steals apiece, thanks in part to playing at the top of the key against the taller Lady Bears.

&uot;I tried to get three of my bigger girls down low and let Brendy and Natalie play the point together,&uot; Vidalia coach Lillian Johnson said. &uot;The game plan was to get those two at point, especially against such a tall team.&uot;

McGraw led the Lady Vikings (7-4) with 16 points and Wendy Paul scored 14, many on fast-breaks resulting from steals.

Amanda Gales led the Lady Bears (5-6) with 16 points and Kim Brown had 15 points, 15 rebounds and a pair of steals.

Vidalia next travels to Ferriday for the Coca-Cola/Ferriday High School Invitational Thursday to face Wilkinson County. The boys play at 5:30 p.m. and the girls follow at 7 p.m.