NATCHEZ — Although the Adams County Christian Rebels held right in with Centreville Monday night, the Tigers eventually overcame a stout defense for a 51-46 win.

After the Rebels faltered early, the game stayed within a 2- to 4-point difference for most of the first half.

Adams County (1-5) forced multiple turnovers, making the Tigers look sloppy in the first half, but the Rebels began to wear down in the third quarter.

“(Centreville was) running in two groups of players, and we were running in basically eight, so we got a little tired during the game,” said Adams County coach Rick Fife. “But I was proud of our defense — the first two quarters, they stepped up.

“We got a little tired the third quarter, especially at the end of the third, which might have cost us at the end.”

The Tigers took a 6-point lead to go into the half and jumped ahead for good with an 8-point lead to start the fourth.

Both teams’ players were all over the ground, and balls were sailing through the air as the Tigers and Rebels attempted down-court passes in the hard-hitting game.

“It was a very physical game,” Fife said. “It was more like a football game at times, it really was.”

Adams County, down 9 points with under a minute left in the game, attempted one last comeback. They had gone to a half-court press defense to start the fourth quarter and had cut into the Tigers’ lead.

They came within 6 points and had three chances to get closer but missed two shots and turned the ball over. Lee Swinney’s 3-point shot with 16 seconds left was as good as the Rebels would get.

“That’s a credit to the kids that they never gave up,” Fife said. “We’re improving every game. I hope to improve through January when we start our district games.”

Joe Barksdale led the Rebels with 16 points, and Swinney added 10.

For the Tigers, Kyle Brown put up 15 points, Jamie Dezendorf scored 11 and Colby Lockwood added 10.

ACCS varsity girls 39, Centreville 16

The Lady Rebels took an early and solid lead and never came close to losing it, scoring 30 points in the first half against the Lady Tigers.

Ashley Morrison recorded a double-double of 10 points and 12 rebounds, and Sebrenah Belgard scored another 10.

“I was thankful all three of my teams got to play,” said Adams County coach Melanie Hall. “My first team overall averaged a half (of playing time) maybe.”

Morrison gave credit to her teammates for running a good offense and passing the ball, allowing her to score.

She said she was glad to see the bench get time on the court.

“The starting lineup is not going to be able to be in all the time,” she said. “They’ll have to step up.”