NATCHEZ — Before the Trinity squad stepped on the court to face Bowling Green, coach David King might have been a little worried.

“Our boys are a little tired,” he said. “We’ve played three days in a row and in high school that can take a toll on you.”

But once the clock started, King had no reason to make excuses, especially about the defense.

The Saints’ defense shut down Bowling Green 63-33.

The Buccaneers were kept to just 12 first-half points. Multiple steals resulted in fast breaks which led to easy layups on the other end.

The Buccaneers could not find a way to bring the ball up the court against Trinity’s defense.

And King got to show off just what he can do when he has a “tired” first string. The second team came in midway through the first quarter, but the scoring didn’t stop.

“Our second team practices really hard. With three games in three nights our starters needed a rest,” coach King said. “Tonight our second team played really well.”

The second string defense still did not let Bowling Green get across half court without a struggle.

Trinity put up 20 points in each of the first two quarters, taking a 40-12 halftime lead.

In the second half, Trinity pulled out of their press and the Bucs took advantage by scoring nine unanswered points.

Trinity then stepped the tempo up, forcing more turnovers by the out matched Bucs. The Saints, despite only scoring 23 points in the second half, kept their defensive play solid and held Bowling Green in check.

“We took off the press in the second half and we played more half court defense,” King said. “It was good to see a lot of kids get a lot of minutes.

“We have finally gotten all of the football out of us and we’re focused on basketball. We can press and play zone. If we play hard we can be a very good basketball team.”

Kent King led the Saints with 15 points. Tanner Cage and Tip McKenzie both scored 12.