NATCHEZ — De’Arius Griffin led Natchez High with a game-high 26 points as the host Bulldogs rallied to defeat the Lanier Bulldogs 56-54 Tuesday night to get back to the .500 mark this season.

Natchez High got off to a rough start and trailed Lanier 14-6 after one quarter of play. But the home-standing Bulldogs found their rhythm in the second quarter en route to a 27-21 halftime lead.

Lanier had an answer of its own by outscoring Natchez High 19-12 in the third quarter for a 40-39 advantage. However, Natchez High responded with a 17-14 edge in the fouth quarter.

Gary Woods and Darius Ford added eight points each for Natchez High (8-8), which hosts MHSAA Division 6-6A opponent Brandon Friday night.

Wilkinson County 61,

Hazlehurst 59

HAZLEHURST — Wilkinson County almost let a 12-point lead slip away, but the Wildcats were able to hold on for a two-point win over the Hazlehurst Indians Tuesday night in an MHSAA Region 7-3A game.

Led by Allenzae Staggers and Phillip Fountain, Wilkinson County outscored Hazlehurst in each of the first three quarters en route to a 48-36 lead. The Indians went on a furious fourth-quarter rally and nearly pulled out the win before time ran out on them.

Staggers finished with 18 points and Fountain added 16 points for the Wildcats (12-6, 1-0), who play host to Franklin County Friday night.

Sterlington 79, Ferriday 67

FERRIDAY — Steve Wilkinson scored 22 points and DaJohn Mitchell had 17 points for Ferriday, which led Sterlington after three quarters of play before the Panthers went on a tear in the fourth quarter to pull out the win Tuesday night in LHSAA District 2-2A action.

Ferriday appeared to be on its way to a win in its district opener after taking a 51-43 lead before Sterlington put up 36 points in the fourth quarter to just 16 for the Trojans.

Corey Ellis and Brandon Scott added 12 points apiece for Ferriday (5-12, 0-1), which hosts Lake Providence Friday night.