NATCHEZ — The Trinity boys’ 83-56 win against Cathedral Monday night was only the second time the two teams have squared off.

It wasn’t long ago when teams in the public school league and private school league weren’t allowed to face each other, Green Wave head coach Peter Arnold said.

After Cathedral was granted permission to play schools in the MAIS, Arnold said the first matchup between the two was in 2009.

“Last year, we were supposed to play in early January, but they had the bad wreck, so we ended up canceling it,” Arnold said.

“As soon as we were allowed to, I scheduled ACCS and Trinity.”

And there’s a big advantage in not having to travel too far from home to play in a game.

“We’re all in the same situation in that our district games usually require a great distance of travel,” Arnold said.

“It’s a win-win for everyone. Neither team has the travel, and it will bring in a lot of money through the game to whoever has the home game that night.”

But Arnold said he doesn’t see a rivalry forming between Cathedral and Trinity.

“Rivalries exist in districts and leagues, but these kids all know each other, so maybe it’s bragging rights.”

Natchez High School

The Natchez High School girls basketball team won against McComb 53-47 Tuesday night, but fell to Terry 53-49 Friday night. Following both games, NHS girls head coach Sue Johnson said her team needed to improve in shooting layups.

“It’s coming,” she said. “We just have to focus. Right now, they lose focus too quickly, and that comes with maturity.

“It’s all mental. A lot of these layups are wide open. If they would quit thinking, ‘Oh Lord, please don’t let me miss this,’ and just think about putting the ball in the square, they wouldn’t have time to think anything negative.

But Johnson said she expects her girls to eventually put it together.

“We’ll be all right. Don’t ever count us out,” she said.

ACCS

When the Adams County Christian Lady Rebels easily handled 58-17 Thursday night, head coach Melanie Hall commented on the smiles her girls had after the game. The Lady Rebels currently sit at 15-3 overall, 4-0 in district.

“We have a lot of depth, but the big thing is they’re having fun, playing hard, playing smart, playing together and having fun,” Hall said.

“It’s always for God’s glory. He gives us talent and it’s up to us to use that talent. If we can stay healthy, it will be exciting for us by tournament time. They’ve worked hard to be where they are.”