NATCHEZ — The Ferriday Lady Trojans used a late run to take the lead and then held off one final charge from Franklin County to grab a 50-47 win on the first day of the Miss-Lou Hoops Fest at Natchez High School.

The Lady Trojans were up 41-34 early in the fourth quarter but the Lady Bulldogs went on a 7-0 run to tie the score at 41 with 4:37 remaining.

However, baskets by Jasmine Upchurch and Jasmine Butler gave the Lady Trojans a cushion.

They would push their lead to 47-41 before Franklin County would make one last charge in the final minute.

Monique Starks hit a three-pointer with 45 seconds left to cut the lead to two points, and after one Ferriday free throw, the Lady Bulldogs had a chance to send the game to overtime.

However, Starks missed an open three with seven seconds left. CeeCee Davis got the rebound, was fouled and hit two free throws with 3.3 seconds left, but Ferriday’s Butler hit two freebies of her own on the other end with 1.8 seconds left to ice the game.

A desperation heave at the buzzer fell well off the mark.

“Our intensity level picked up (once the game was tied),” Ferriday coach Lisa Abron said. “It was a good game and a good win for us. We have a young team and to come out and beat a good Franklin County team says a lot for our players.”

Jalessia Davis and Butler led Ferriday with 13 points each while Deonka Birdon had 12 and Upchurch scored eight.

Davis and Charlesia Houston led Franklin County with 10 points apiece.

Natchez High girls 63, Wilkinson County 57

The Natchez Lady Bulldogs jumped out to a huge lead and withheld a fourth quarter rally to take a six-point win over Wilkinson County.

Natchez built a 44-31 lead after three quarters but Wilkinson County scored 26 points in the fourth to make the game close.

Keosha Bradley was dominant for Natchez, scoring 33 points. Ashley Morrison added nine for the Lady Bulldogs while Alia Frank chipped in with eight.

Wilkinson County was led by Toni Anthony with 21 points and Jasmine Ayeres with 14.

Natchez boys 52, Wilkinson County 44

The Natchez Bulldogs overcame a seven point deficit at halftime to defeat Wilkinson County by 11 points.

Natchez trailed 24-17 at the break but outscored the Wildcats 35-20 in the second half to pull away for the win.

James Reed led the way for the Bulldogs, scoring 16 points while Lorenzo Chatman scored 11 and Dwong Hughes chipped in with nine.

Ferriday boys 63, Franklin County 44

The Ferriday Trojans outscored Franklin County 28-12 over the second and third quarters to pull away for a 19-point victory.

Josh Upchurch and Albion McKeel led the Trojans with 17 points each while Orlando Davis had 13 points in the winning effort.

Jason Hunt scored eight points for Franklin County in the defeat.

All four teams will be back in action in the Miss-Lou Hoops Fest today beginning at 4 p.m.