NATCHEZ &045; With 2:46 left in the game, WCCA had fought back to get down just 37-42.

Despite trailing since early in the first quarter, the Rams looked they might be able to upset the Rebels and get their first win of the season.

AC had different ideas. The Rams didn’t score for the remainder of the game, and the Rebels picked up a 46-37 win, moving to 2-0 on the season.

Guard Ray Simpson led the way for AC, scoring 23 points and making his presence known for his defense as well.

&uot;He’s really been our leader with Dustin (Case) out,&uot; AC head coach Cal Smith said. &uot;He sees the floor real well and he really helped us tonight.&uot;

The Rebels led for almost the entire game, though they never really pulled away from their opponents. AC led 21-16 at halftime. Midway through the third quarter, Simpson hit a three-pointer that gave the Rebels a 30-20 lead and hurt any momentum the Rams were trying to build.

The Rams’ Greg Garner came out on fire in the final quarter, hitting four consecutive shots before missing a layup that was put back in by Eli Ashley, moving the Rams within five. From there, the Rebels regained control and went on to win the game.

&uot;I thought we struggled on defense early on,&uot; Simpson said. &uot;We didn’t come in knowing that we were going to win, but we gave it our all and came out on top.&uot;

Turnovers hurt the Rams, leading to AC fast breaks and easy buckets.

&uot;If we cut out the turnovers we’ll do fine,&uot; WCCA head coach Ray Olive said. &uot;Turnovers, particularly early in games, have been killing us.&uot;

Smith used a number of players in different combinations and said he is still experimenting with the starting lineup. The Rebels have not had much practice time because the football season just ended, and several players were playing football.

&uot;I’m still getting a feel for the guys and they’re getting a feel for me,&uot; Smith said. &uot;With some more practice time things will get better.&uot;

Simpson led the Rebels with 23 points. Casey Gould had 12 and Timmy Foster nine. WCCA’s Garner had 19 points to lead his team.

Garner, just a sophomore, had a breakout game for the Rams.

&uot;He can play ball,&uot; Olive said. &uot;I’ve been waiting for that.&uot;

Adams Christian girls 45, WCCA 16

For the Adams Christian girls, it was smooth sailing as the Lady Rebels trounced WCCA for a 45-16 win.

The Lady Rebels (5-0) applied a tough full court press for most of the first half, forcing numerous WCCA turnovers. AC took advantage, building a commanding 27-9 lead at halftime.

The Lady Rams fell to 0-3 on the season, though head coach Paul Hayles said he sees improvement.

&uot;The first time we played them we could barely even get the ball past half court,&uot; Hayles said. &uot;It’s hard to say you’ve improved in a 30-point loss, but we have.&uot;

The Lady Rams hung tough in the early going, battling the Lady Rebels in the first quarter. Down just 13-9 after the first, WCCA looked like they might be able to stay in it.

But the Lady Rebel’s brutal full-court press pounded the Lady Rams into submission. AC also hit the boards hard, grabbing a number of offensive rebounds for easy putback scores.

As for the Rebels, head coach John Gray said he likes some of the things he sees from his team, but their poor shooting and decision-making are worrisome.

&uot;We’re getting better. I was pleased with the effort,&uot; Gray said. &uot;I’m concerned about our passing and our shooting.&uot;

Arianna DeLaSalle came off the bench to lead the Lady Rebels in scoring with 12 points. Ten different Lady Rebels scored in the game, as backups saw significant playing time once AC had a significant lead.

&uot;When we can play everybody, it helps their feelings and it helps me,&uot; Gray said.

But for the Lady Rebels, the season will really get started with Tuesday’s game against Trinity.

&uot;Next Tuesday against Trinity is where we find out how good we are,&uot; Gray said.