By REED DESALVO

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ —

Twenty-one of the Lady Rebels’ swipes came in the first half, setting the tone for the lopsided win.

ACCS coach Melanie Hall, however, was quick to point out a 14-8 first-quarter score.

“I thought we came out sluggish to begin with,” Hall said. “It didn’t look pretty, but it was a win … To God be the glory.”

But the Lady Rebels (17-5) turned it up from there, outscoring the Lady Raiders 34-0 over the next two periods.

“I know what our girls are capable of, and I expect them to play hard,” Hall said. “I expect them to play sound, fundamental defense and move their feet. And when they do that, they’re creating a lot of opportunities on the offensive end.”

Brianna Henson led the charge off the bench with a game-high 15 points.

“(Hall) just tells me to give all I have,” Henson said. “I try to bump the team up when I go in and keep control of the ball.”

The versatile playmaker also chipped in grabbing eight steals and pulling down four rebounds.

“She’s a spark plug,” Hall said of Henson. “When she does come off the bench, I expect her to create energy for us.”

The win marked the second-consecutive dominating effort for the Lady Rebels as they rolled past Laurel Christian 46-2 Friday night.

“We’ve been playing together more,” Henson said. “When we haven’t done well, we didn’t make good passes and we weren’t (mentally) in the game. We were trying to have a one-man game. Now we are hitting the open man and not (forcing shots).”

ACCS led at the half 43-8. The Lady Rebels started the second half with the same way they ended the first, outscoring the visitors 8-0 in the period. And it all started on the defense end.

Adams County Christian had seven separate players record at least one point.

Jordan Petty and Bailey Boyd each scored nine points apiece for the Lady Rebels.

Despite not recording a point, Mackenzie Boyd and Lexi Emanuel found

other ways to contribute to their team’s successful night.

Boyd pulled down seven rebounds and dished out four more assists, while Emmanuel had three steals.

“I’m blessed,” Hall said. “When you see us play, and you see the players we have coming in off the bench, we don’t lose a beat. We just keep going to work. I am blessed because I do have depth.”

Adams County Christian will attempt to keep the momentum going Monday when it travels to Columbia Academy.

“From here on out, it’s rugged, and we better bring it every night,” Hall said. “I love it when my kids are playing together and having fun playing together.”