JACKSON — Alia Frank scored a game-high 28 points, and Keosha Bradley had 21 points as the Natchez High Lady Bulldogs defeated the Jim Hill Lady Tigers at their own gym 65-53 Friday night to win the Division 6-5A Tournament girls’ championship.

Natchez High head coach Sue Johnson said defense was the difference in the game, especially in the third quarter. And that allowed the Lady Bulldogs to overcome several missed layups during the game.

“The third quarter our defense came to life. I was so proud of them,” Johnson said. “Even with the mistakes we made, they battled back. Jacquita and Jacquerra Williams and Jasmine Hayes really stepped up on their defense. Jasmine Belton stepped up on the boards.”

Top-seeded Natchez High struggled against Jim Hill in the first half. The Lady Bulldogs led the Lady Tigers by just one point at the end of the first quarter and by just two points at halftime. But the third quarter proved to be the turning point as the Lady Bulldogs outscored the Lady Tigers 20-12 to take a 45-35 lead into the fourth quarter.

Jade Hooper led Jim Hill with 18 points while Kierraiel Mitchell scored 13 points and Carmen Smith had 12 points.

Natchez High improved to 20-8 on the season and will take on the winner of the Harrison Central-Petal game in the first round of the Class 5A South State Playoffs Monday at 7 p.m.

Ferriday girls 59, Delhi 33

DELHI, La. — Chante Poole led all scorers with 26 points, and Jasmine Upchurch had 11 points to lead the Ferriday Lady Trojans to a win over the Delhi Lady Bears Friday night.

Ferriday (27-5), the No. 3 team in the Class 2A power rankings, took a 15-8 lead at the end of the first quarter and then outscored Delhi 15-7 in the second quarter to open up a 15-point halftime lead.

Ferriday is in a three-way tie for first place in District 2-2A with Jonesboro-Hodge and Lake Providence. Lake Providence will take on Jonesboro-Hodge at 7 p.m. today at Sterlington High School in Monroe, La.

Ferriday, which won the coin toss between the three teams, will take on the winner of that game Monday at a neutral site.

Monterey girls 49, Epps 47

EPPS, La. — Brooke Baker scored 15 points, while Kendall Lispey and Ellen Bairnsfather each had 10 points as the Monterey Lady Wolves rallied in the fourth quarter to defeat the Epps Lady Panthers Friday night.

With the win, Monterey finished in second place in District 3-B and will be in the Class B playoffs, which start next week.

Monterey trailed 18-14 at halftime. The comeback started in the third quarter when the Lady Wolves outscored the Lady Panthers 12-10. Monterey then outscored Epps in the fourth quarter 23-18 to pull out the win.

Vidalia boys 83, Bolton 37

ALEXANDRIA, La. — Torrey Dixon led five Vidalia players in double figures with a game-high 21 points as the No. 1 team in the Class 3A power rankings routed the Bolton Bears Friday night in District 3-3A action.

Bolton couldn’t recover from a 28-9 deficit at the end of the first quarter. Even though the second quarter was closer, Vidalia still outscored Bolton 18-14 to take a 46-23 halftime lead.

Rolandin Webster had 14 points, and Quartrell Thomas scored 12 points for Vidalia (26-1, 8-0).

Bolton girls 61, Vidalia 31

ALEXANDRIA, La. — Vidalia had no answer for Bolton’s duo of Brittany Jones and Natasha Gotlida, who combined for 44 points in the Lady Bears’ rout of the Lady Vikings Friday night in a District 3-3A game.

Bolton took a 12-6 lead after one quarter of play and never looked back from that point.

Gabrielle Wagoner led Vidalia (4-22, 1-9) with 11 points, and Tyshica Rodgers had 7 points.