Vidalia — Even though it wasn’t their best performance of the season, the Vidalia Vikings managed to pull out an 82-74 win over Class 4A Franklin Parish at home Tuesday evening.

Vidalia (18-1), who is ranked No. 1 in LHSAA Class 3A, seemed to be headed to a commanding lead after a strong first quarter but allowed the Patriots to pull within three at the half.

“In our previous games with Franklin Parish it has been close at halftime,” Vidalia head coach Robert Sanders said. “We were forced to make some adjustments on defense.”

The Vikings started strong in the third quarter and built up an 11-point lead by the end of the third quarter.

Sloppy play and foul trouble caused Vidalia to once again lose their double digit lead and found themselves leading Franklin Parish by three at one point.

Gary Stewart made 7-of-8 free throws in the fourth quarter and helped clinch the win for the Vikings.

The Vidalia boys find themselves on a two-week break before their next game but hope to find a fill-in for their Jan. 13 open date.

“Hopefully we can find someone to play next week,” Sanders said. “It’s hard to go on a long break like that.”

Quatrell Thomas led Vidalia with 28 points while Stewart added 19 and Torrey Dixon chipped in 11 points.

Vidalia’s boys will open district play on the road at Bunkie on January 20th.

Franklin Parish girls 59, Vidalia 45

The Vidalia Lady Vikings played what might have been one of their best games of the season, but missed lay-ups and poor shooting in the second half caused Vidalia to stumble 59-45 at home against the Franklin Parish Lady Patriots.

Franklin Parish led by seven at the half and found themselves in a battle with the Lady Vikings.

Vidalia closed the gap to three points before struggling late in the third quarter and finding themselves down 42-34 at the end of the third.

The Lady Vikings surged again though and scored six straight points to open the fourth quarter and narrow the lead to two.

The Lady Patriots used poor shooting by Vidalia to their advantage and held off any final push the Lady Vikings had in mind.

Gabrielle Wagoner led Vidalia with 15 points while teammate Tyshica Rodgers added 10 to the effort.

LaTonya Whitley scored 20 to lead Franklin Parish.

The Lady Vikings open district play versus Marksville on January 13th.