NATCHEZ — Natchez High School got off to a rough start Tuesday, falling to McComb High School at home 71-51.

Derrian Johnson had 22 points for the Bulldogs but fouled out with 49 seconds left. At that point, though, McComb was already ahead 69-51.

McComb led 34-25 at the half. The Bulldogs played well in spurts and even cut McComb’s lead to 43-40 with 1:04 left in the third period. However, the Bulldogs went scoreless in the final minute of the quarter while McComb tallied seven straight points to go ahead 50-40 after three.

“Right when we cut it to three, I think that’s when our guys kind of exhaled for a second,” NHS assistant coach David Haywood said. “And before you know it, the guy jumped up and hit another three, and then they’re back up (by) 10 in a matter of seconds,”

Things didn’t get any easier for the Bulldogs Friday, when Brandon won convincingly 82-57 against NHS. The loss dropped the Bulldogs to 8-13 on the season, 0-5 in conference play.

NHS will host Vicksburg Tuesday night.

Ferriday High School

Lakeside High School’s T.J. Carpenter led his team in scoring with 35 points as Lakeside had little trouble against the Trojans, winning 60-40.

The loss dropped Ferriday to 1-3 in district play, and head coach James Davis acknowledged that his team’s offensive struggles were nothing new.

“It has been a problem all year,” Davis said. “We’re not doing the things we need to do as far as handling the ball. We are turning it over too much.

“We have to work on being able to set screens where they need to be (so the ball handlers) can cut to get our guys free.”

Trinity versus ACCS

After having their first game postponed, the Saints will travel to ACCS Tuesday to take on the Rebels.

Trinity enters Tuesday’s matchup with a 14-7 overall record, 2-1 in district, after defeating Columbia Academy 69-42 Friday. ACCS, meanwhile, is looking for just its second win overall after a 75-16 loss against Brookhaven Academy Friday.

The two teams will face again Jan. 31 at Trinity, a makeup of the game that was originally scheduled for Jan. 10.