NATCHEZ — Juan Gray’s amazing night helped the Cathedral Green Wave overcome a slow start Friday.

They improved their record to 11-2 with a 72-62 win over the Dexter Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs out-played the Green Wave in the first period. Terrance Marks scored 11 points before getting into foul trouble and gave Dexter a 23-16 lead at start of the second period.

“They surprised me with their full court man defense in the first period,” Cathedral head coach Peter Arnold said. “They jumped up on us quick. They were out-rebounding us and out-hustling us.”

The Green Wave settled down in the second period and did a much better job handling Dexter’s pressure.

“We started doing what we do best,” Arnold said. “We started playing at their pace and pushed the floor and got some fast break points.”

Cathedral’s defense stepped their game up allowing the Bulldogs just five points in the second period while Cathedral scored 19 points to pull ahead.

“The defense allowed us to take over the game,” Arnold said.

Cathedral’s senior guard Gray got hot, scoring 13 of his game high 42 points in the second period.

“I don’t think anyone in the district can cover him man to man,” Arnold said. “Not many teams play us in man because of him. He just breaks down the guy on him and gets to the goal.”

The Green Wave went into the half with a 35-28 lead that they never relinquished.

“I look at it like they beat us in the first period and we beat them in the last three,” Arnold said.

Along with his 42 points, Gray had 10 rebounds, four assist and two steals and Andy Lucas was second on team with nine points.

“A lot of people look at us like we are a one man team,” Arnold said. “But we’re not. I have total confidence that any of my players can chip in 10 or more points.”

Cathedral girls 45, Dexter 35

The Lady Green Wave fought back after a difficult first half.

They put together a dominating second half to get a 45-35 win and go to 2-0 in district.

After being down 21-19 at the half the Lady Green Wave out scored the Dexter 14-7 in the third quarter to take the lead.

The biggest shot coming a buzzer beating 3-pointer from Amanda Richardson that turned the momentum in Cathedral’s favor for good.

Cathedral built a 10-point lead six minutes into the fourth period. The Lady Bulldogs were never able to find an answer for Cathedral’s press.

Kristin Dobard led the Lady Green Wave with 17 points followed by Mae Durkin with 7 and Anna Huffines with 6.