You can rattle off the reasons why Wilkinson County’s girls basketball program has never gained much mention in recent seasons.

Football school. Overshadowed by boys. Tucked away in the far corner of the state. Or just not putting up the wins.

This year’s bunch is changing that last part, and if head coach Edwin White has his way, it’ll change all the other perceptions about the program. The Lady Wildcats have quietly produced this season and a good portion of last season, but they made a huge statement Friday with a win at home over Hazlehurst.

The Lady Wildcats are now tied in first place with Franklin County with four games remaining &045; including a Jan. 25 game against Franklin at home.

&uot;What we’re doing right now is trying to get some respect,&uot; White said. &uot;At the beginning of the season we were overlooked. Everybody had their eyes on Hazlehurst and Franklin County as being the top two teams. Nobody gave us a chance. We’ve been taking our time, taking it one game at a time trying to get to the top.

&uot;Hazlehurst is a good team, and they play tenacious defense. But I must commend my girls.&uot;

White may be the only person not surprised by the team’s start so far, which he said is the best since he’s been at the Woodville school. The nucleus of the team has been together for three years now, and their first season included a trip to the playoffs after pulling a couple surprises in the Region 7-3A tournament.

Last season the Lady Wildcats got into the South State tournament as one of four teams out of 7-3A to get in. This season White said he expected big things with Latasha Williams, Erica Lewis, Nakia Stewart and Kim Griffin leading the team.

That was the case Friday. Williams had 21, and Stewart and Griffin each chipped in 14 points in a 55-47 win over Hazlehurst. Griffin got more touches down low with Stewart’s outside shooting, and Williams manning the point.

&uot;This is the best start in district since I’ve been here,&uot; White said. &uot;Kim has finally started scoring and contributing. She went through a slump and wasn’t scoring like we thought she should. If Nakia is shooting well from the outside, it opens her game up. They like to double-team on her, but when we get our outside shooting, you have to play her one on one.&uot;

It may be a confidence thing for Griffin, the lanky, 6-0 forward who is getting attention of college scouts once they arrive to check out Williams. The Lady Wildcats had an inside presence last season in LaToya Bailey and used Griffin more away from the basket, but Bailey graduated and signed with Southwest Mississippi Community College.

Williams is still getting interest from a number of colleges, including McNeese State, Alcorn State and Mississippi Valley State.

Griffin, however, is only a junior.

&uot;She can play,&uot; White said. &uot;She’s a Division I player. But sometimes she goes into a slump and doesn’t play well. The last four games she’s struggled big time, but (confidence) is about it. But she’s still young, and that goes along with maturity. I think she’s coming along really well.&uot;

That way at least college coaches will know where Wilkinson County High School is located. But the best thing the team can do is keep playing well and winning, and everyone will come around.

Even at the JPS Tournament in Jackson White had to tell people where his school was located.

&uot;We’re trying to do something,&uot; White said. &uot;We’re just working at it day by day. We still have some things we have to work on, but at this point everybody knows what everybody is doing. It’s just which team shows up &045; the good team or the bad team.&uot;

LITTLE MOTIVATION &045; All Natchez High head girls’ coach Sue Johnson had to do was tell everybody to sit back and watch.

Or if they missed it, she just told the story.

The freshmen Lady Bulldogs put up an effort Thursday she had to relay to her varsity girls. With just five players, the team pulled off a win over South Pike thanks to a full game of a superb defensive effort.

The Lady Eagles had at least 10 players, but Jennifer Jackson nailed free throws at the end to give Natchez the win.

&uot;I’m pretty sure they were energized by that ninth-grade group,&uot; Johnson said after Friday’s win over Forest Hill. &uot;They played outstanding defense. The most fouls one player had was three. I was extremely proud of them. A lot of people can learn from that. They didn’t give up. They played good defense &045; I’m talking good defense.&uot;

Other players were Kanisha Jackson, Tori Paxton, Skylar Chaney and Quantrese Green. Coaches are Alexine Profice and Steve Davis.

TUMS ANYONE? &045; It doesn’t matter who you are &045; games decided in the final seconds don’t get old.

So far six of Cathedral’s boys games have come down to the last second, and Friday night was no difference when they took a 52-50 win over Enterprise. The Green Wave has won four of those, and three of them have come in Region 7-1A.

&uot;When you watch Cathedral play, you get your money’s worth,&uot; CHS head coach Peter Arnold joked. &uot;I tell people to bring $4 and your blood pressure medicine. It’s going to take you for a ride.&uot;

LUCKY NO. 13 &045; Athletes are generally a superstitious bunch. Some eat the same meals every day before a game, some put on their uniform in the exact same order every time, some take the field at a precise time.

Few athletes wear No. 13. Katie Ann Swinny isn’t bothered by the superstition.

At least, the Adams Christian forward isn’t afraid to wear the No. 13 on her jersey. For her, it’s simple &045; it works for her.

&uot;I like 13, I’ve worn it since seventh grade,&uot; Swinny said. &uot;Most people won’t wear it.&uot;

Swinny first chose the number in junior high because her good friend and Rebel guard Clay Floyd wore it. Floyd now wears No. 10, but Swinny didn’t budge.

Christian Schmidt contributed to this report.