NEW ORLEANS &045; There weren’t any awestruck feelings about playing on the same floor as the New Orleans Hornets.

Nor was it a case of being throttled by a simply superior team.

Granted, Jackson Academy is far from being a slouch. Don’t cut the Raiders short, but the Trinity Episcopal Saints were walking on tired legs into the New Orleans Arena before playing 32 minutes of basketball.

The Raiders took advantage with a 69-63 win Tuesday in the first of two games the Saints will play in New Orleans.

The other is scheduled for Jan. 22 prior to the Hornets’ contest against Michael Jordan and the Washington Wizards.

&uot;We’ve played four games in five days, and I think it took its toll in the fourth quarter,&uot; Trinity head coach David King said. &uot;They were such a good ball club. It was a good experience for our kids. Fortunately for us we get to come back and do it again in three weeks.&uot;

The Saints came in fresh off three wins in the Parklane tournament, all wins over bigger schools and a win over a tough Delta team in the finals.

Tuesday didn’t seem any different against the Raiders with both teams locked at 22-22 at halftime. The third quarter things started to go awry for the Saints as JA came with the press.

Jackson Academy held a 22-12 edge in the third quarter to take a 44-34 lead heading into the fourth quarter. The Raiders had a 12-0 run in the third quarter with all 12 points courtesy of post man Tyler Winford.

The Saints answered a bit with 29 points in the fourth quarter, but the Raiders scored 25 points of their own to seal the win.

&uot;They picked it up a notch in the third quarter,&uot; King said. &uot;I think they realized we were tired. We couldn’t get our press offense going much. The third quarter they got a lead on us, but we fought back. We played a great team and learned a lot about ourselves &045; we really did.&uot;

The Saints had the stronger start early on as they took a 15-9 lead by the end of the first quarter. Jackson Academy outscored Trinity 13-7 in the second for the tie score at halftime.

&uot;I thought we played well,&uot; King said. &uot;It was tied at the half, and we just wore down.&uot;

Winford led JA with 20 points, while Thad Burke had 19. Top scorers for Trinity were Dudley Guice Jr. with 22 and Chase Brown with 18.