Wilkinson County High School basketball coach Julius Anderson said his squad was only able to get in one full practice so far because of the football team’s deep run through the MHSAA Class 3A playoffs.

On Tuesday night, the Wildcats demonstrated little rust.

Five players scored in double figures as Wilkinson County raced past Natchez High School 89-59 in boys basketball action.

“The boys are athletes,” Anderson said. “This is the same team that went to the Sweet 16 last year. They have a lot of confidence.”

Travion Jones led the way for WCHS (1-1) pouring in a game-high 23 points. JaQuarious Stewart added 19 points, while Kentreyl Miles and Juntavious Cage had 16 and 14 points, respectively.

“(Travion) is a player,” Anderson said. “He’s developed a shot. It’s not just an inside game, it’s inside and outside.”

Wilkinson County’s distinct advantage Tuesday came from behind the 3-point line as it knocked down 11 3 pointers to Natchez’s 0.

“The 3-ball is in the system of the offense,” Anderson said. “Everybody on the team can shoot, and everybody has the green light to shoot. The thing that is really great is that their shot is not even down pat yet; they’ve only shot the ball one day. As they get their rhythm, their shots going to get better.”

Izzy Holmes Jr. led the way for the Bulldogs (1-2) with 17 points while fellow post player Larry Griffin scored 15 and pulled down 10 rebounds.

“That team shot the ball extremely well,” Natchez coach David Haywood said. “We played man and we played zone, but they did what they’ve been taught to do and made shots.”

Wilkinson County led at halftime 44-23.

Natchez, however, cut the deficit to as little as 13 in the second half, but the Bulldogs weren’t able to come any closer.

“We played with a little more energy,” Haywood said. “We had a couple of bright spots, but we still missed layups and had some turnovers that gave the ball right back to them.”

Wilkinson County will attempt to sustain the momentum Friday against Amite County, while Natchez will look to reverse its fortune at South Pike.

Natchez girls 49, 

Wilkinson County 30

Kirdis Clark tallied a game-high 27 points and the Natchez High girls team cruised to a 49-30 win.

The Lady Bulldogs (3-1) jumped out to a 10-2 advantage and never looked back, building their lead to 26-11 at halftime.

“I think we played OK, but we could have put some more points on the board,” first-year coach Tim Richardson said. “We got all 15 players in and competed. It’s all about trying to work out our rotation and get more depth to have the bench to play well for us.”

The 27-point total is the second-consecutive game Clark tallied 20 or more points. This past Saturday, the senior guard scored 21 in her team’s win over Cathedral High School.

“Kirdis did a great job,” Richardson said. “(Post player) Asia (Carridine) didn’t have her best game, but she competed for rebounds and made layups and free throws when they needed to be made. Anytime you can have Kirdis that can help you in situations when you’re kind of stalling, it’s a big plus for us.”

Miesha Norman led the Lady Wildcats with a team-high 16 points.

“She is a great player, she’s a great leader,” said Anderson, who also coaches the WCHS girls team. “I have three seniors, and they’ve rallied behind their team and me, so I’m proud of their effort.

“They played tremendously better than what they played last game. I told them to keep fighting, and we’ll be there when the games count.”