JACKSON — The Natchez High School Lady Bulldogs will play South Jones in the state championship 6:30 p.m. Friday after beating Canton High School 64-60 in triple overtime.

Natchez defeated South Jones 34-30 at home on March 1 to win the South State Championship. Natchez lost 44-38 in the regular season to the Braves. The trilogy will conclude with the winner claiming the state championship.

Natchez High head coach Alphaka Moore was greeted with a packed Jackson Coliseum in her first opportunity to coach in a semifinal game. Playing against the reigning state champions, Moore and her team were surrounded by a sea of blue and gold.

“If you can imagine the coliseum and Canton being the returning champ, for us to have so many people there to support us was amazing,” Moore said. “My ears are still ringing.”

Moore said half of the student section was there, and after every made field goal, she could hear a roar from the supporting fans.

The fans in attendance observed Natchez go toe-to-toe with an experienced Canton squad and do more than hold its own.

Ernesha Chatman and Kirdis Clark led the Bulldogs in points with 17 each, while Zyaire Ewing and Kiana Jones added 13 and 12 respectively.

“Kirdis and Ernesha stepped up big time, and Kiana Jones made some good shots and got some good steals on defense,” Moore said.

The Bulldogs led 30-23 at halftime after outscoring Canton 17-12 in the second quarter. However, after both teams scored eight in the third, Canton would outscore Natchez 12-5 in the fourth to send it to overtime.

In the overtime periods, the Bulldogs made just 4-of-15 free throws, and after scoring just one point, Natchez and Canton each scored six in the second overtime.

Moore settled her team down, rallied her squad and reminded them of what was at stake.

“I could tell that they were getting nervous, and that the atmosphere was getting to them at certain points,” Moore said. “It was all about staying focused though, and they did that.”

Moore’s team responded in the third overtime period. After being tied 54-54 with two minutes to play in the triple overtime period, Natchez went on a 10-6 run that would seal the fate of both teams. Moore singled out Jones in the third period, telling her to take control of the game.

“Kiana made one big 3s and two big shots,” Moore said. “I was in Kiana’s ear going, ‘nobody can hold you. Take it to the basket.’ When she started doing that, everything started falling into place.”

Jamilah Sanders and Andreal Fleming each provided 14 points for the Tigers, while Jamelia Owens added 13 and Alexis Sanders scored 10.