The Trinity Episcopal Saints, fresh off a state championship in football, played their first basketball game of the season, Tuesday night.

Their opponent, the Pine Hills Wildcats, only looked like it was their first game, as they were put away early in a 73-16 Trinity rout.

Four players scored in double digits, as the Saints had no trouble on their first outing on the hardwood.

Dudley Guice paced the offensive attack with 21 points and 12 reounds for the Saints, who were in control from the opening tip, building a commanding 36-4 lead behind superior defense and ball movement.

If things weren’t bad enough for the undermanned Wildcats, Trinity held them scoreless in the third quarter, while extending to a 66-9 lead. Pine Hills went through a span of nearly 15 minutes without scoring a point.

After Johnathan Latham, who led Pine Hills in scoring with eight points, hit a bucket just before halftime to put the Wildcats in a 48-9 rut, the Saints held them without notching another point until the 3:30 mark in the fourth frame.

&uot;I just flew in from Jackson, getting ready for the football All-Star game, so I appreciate my assistants Billy Elzy and John Hungleford standing in here this week and getting these guys ready to play,&uot; Trinity head coach David King said.

Chase Brown also had a big night with 11 points, six assists and 10 steals. Marcus Archer added 11 points and six boards and Ryan Rachal added 10.

The Saints will host Amite School Center Thursday.

Trinity 51, Pine Hills 21

Ashley Kingsafer poured in 18 points and Lauren Tanner added 15, as tthe Lady Saints also jumped out to a big lead, with a 27-2 first quarter.

They also finished the game in grand style with an 18-2 outburst in the fourth quarter.

Vanessa Gordon also scored eight for Melanie Hall’s bunch. Tanner added eight boards. Kristi Whittington had a 12-point night to lead the Lady Wildcats.