A big first quarter from Montrell Tennessee and made free throws were the difference maker for Ferriday, as the Trojans defeated Vidalia 67-57 at home Tuesday night.

Tennessee led the Trojans’ first quarter charge as he scored 13 of his 19 total points in the first quarter.

Both teams stayed even with each other until the Trojans went on an 11-0 run after both teams were knotted at 10.

The Vikings answered back with seven quick points of their own following the scoring run, but Ferriday managed to hang onto a 23-18 lead at the end of the first quarter.

“We set the tempo in the first quarter. We got up the floor and defended well,” Trojan coach Robert Sanders said.

Both teams cooled off in the second quarter, but the Vikings were able to cut into the Ferriday lead by outscoring the Trojans 11-9 in the second quarter and trailed 32-29 at the half.

“We knew going into this game that it was going to be an outright battle,” Viking head coach James Davis said.

Both teams picked up the pace in the third quarter, and Vidalia seemed to pick up some momentum as the quarter came to a close.

Trailing 49-46 at the start of the final quarter, the Vikings cut the Trojan lead to two points with four minutes to go in the game, and tied the game at 55 all at with two minutes and 40 seconds to play when Brandon Hawkins knocked down two free throws.

But that was as close as the Vikings would come as the Trojans made eight free throws down the final stretch to keep their lead. Vidalia also had several free throw opportunities late in the game but failed to convert on most.

“We missed a lot of free throws, we were out rebounded and were out hustled on loose balls,” Davis said.

Sanders said his team did things to stay on top in the fourth quarter, but added he was not pleased with his team’s overall performance in the game.

“We took a step back tonight, even with the win. We came out big, then lost our concentration,” he said.

Davis said he too thinks his team took a step back in the 67-57 loss.

“We missed a lot of open shots tonight, in part because of their defense,” he said.

Ferriday girls 47, Vidalia 32

Jasmine Upchurch scored 17 points to lead Ferriday High past Vidalia High 47-32 at home Tuesday night.

Upchurch was limited to two points in the opening quarter, but scored eight points in the second and seven in the third to help the Lady Trojans get the win.

Ferriday led Vidalia 13-8 after the first quarter and extended their lead to eight by half time, leading 23-15 at the intermission.

Tyshica Rodgers scored 11 points in the first half for the Lady Vikings, but was limited to one point in the third and seven points in the fourth. She led all Lady Viking scorers with 19 points, but her effort fell short as her team trailed 36-23 at the end of the third quarter.

Upchurch was backed by teammate Jasmine Butler, who scored seven points in the fourth quarter. Butler finished the game with 13 points total, and the Lady Trojans rolled in the second half to a 15-point, 47-32 victory.