By REED DESALVO
The Natchez Democrat
NATCHEZ — Natchez High School demonstrated its strong championship composure at the most pivotal time Tuesday night.
Tied with Jim High School in the waning moments, the Lady Bulldogs held the Lady Tigers scoreless over the final two minutes to claim a 45-41 win Tuesday night.
“This game showed our ability to finish a game,” Natchez High girls coach Alphaka Moore said. “And that’s going to be major, because once we clean up the minor things, we know what we’re capable of.”
Natchez clamped down defensively over the final 120 seconds, as it contested each shot and swallowed up any defensive rebound to be had.
“We have to play like we played (Tuesday) in every game,” Natchez’s do-it-all forward Skylar Morgan said. “We just had to slow the ball down and play at our pace and control the game … We know we can’t take any team lightly.”
Morgan led the Lady Bulldogs with 15 points and 12 rebounds, while Kirdis Clark scored a game-high 17 points.
Ernesha Chatman led Natchez with six assists, and senior forward Laneriyah White pulled down six rebounds off the bench.
“The main thing for us is focus,” Moore said. “We have a lot of players who are great athletes, but they need to focus on the little small things.”
Natchez (10-6) managed to bounce back strongly after dropping a 68-58 contest on the road to Provine High School.
“We have some things that we need to work on,” Moore said. “Our free throws have gotten better, but we still have to improve on those. Our rebounding … we just have to improve on some things.”
The Lady Bulldogs led at the end of the first quarter 15-10, but the Lady Tigers (12-8) clawed back to tie the game at the half 24-24.
Truth Taylor led Jim Hill with 10 points, while De’Aisha Herring and Olajuwon Olagbegi each chipped in with eight points apiece.
The two teams headed to the fourth period tied 45-41. The Lady Tigers managed to take their first lead since the first quarter at the 4:40 mark of the fourth quarter, 38-37.
“I want us to continue to progress and accomplish the things we’ve accomplished the last three years,” Moore said. “But for us to do that, we have to correct the mistakes we’re making right now. And to do that, we just have to keep working.”
Natchez will attempt to keep the momentum going Friday when it travels to Brookhaven High School.
“We have the same we’ve had (in the past),” Morgan said. “We just have to continue to work together.”

Natchez (boys) 78,
Jim Hill 72

Jadarrious Ivory scored 26 points and Tyran Newman added 21 as Natchez topped Jim Hill 78-72 in boys action.
“Those two played a heck of a game (Tuesday),” Natchez coach David Haywood said. “They played big for us.”