KILN &045; Things went well enough for Natchez in the final three quarters against a Hancock team that has its sights on another Class 5A championship.

But it was Hancock who had the upper hand in the first quarter, a period that may have proved to be the most pivotal in a 63-54 win Monday.

Hancock led 20-12 at the end of the first quarter, but the Lady Bulldogs made a game of it the rest of the way. Both teams kept it tight from there on out, but Hancock led 34-25 at half and 51-44 at the end of three.

Ke’Airra Jones led the Lady Bulldogs with 19 points.

Franklin 63, Columbia 35

MEADVILLE &045; The contest might have been over early, but Franklin County’s Lady Bulldogs had reason to celebrate afterward as they head into the Class 3A South State tournament starting Thursday.

&uot;This was our last home game for our seniors,&uot; Franklin head coach Charles Moore said. &uot;They were undefeated at home. That was one of their goals.&uot;

And the Lady Bulldogs did it in commanding fashion as they pulled away early and had the game in hand by halftime. They put up a 17-2 run in the first half after taking a modest 10-8 lead over Columbia thanks to three 3-pointers in the first quarter from Victoria Hunt.

From there the Lady Bulldogs led 35-18 at halftime and used a 16-2 run in the third quarter to lead 51-20 heading into the fourth quarter.

Wilkinson 62, West Marion 60

FOXWORTH &045; The Lady Wildcats had to hold on in the second half to get the win after they led 36-24 at halftime.

Pillow 67, Tensas Academy 36

CLINTON &045; The Lady Mustangs (37-2) led 20-7 at the end of the first and 36-18 at half.