Izzy Holmes Jr. scored 19 points and Larry Griffin added 16 as Natchez rolled past Jefferson County 65-46 in boys basketball.

The Bulldogs jumped out to a 19-4 first-quarter lead and never looked back en route to avenging a one-point loss last Thursday at the hands of the Tigers.

“I think our defensive pressure caused them to turn the ball over in the first quarter,” Natchez boys coach David Haywood said. “Larry established himself in the post, and Izzy attacked the basket well on the offensive end, and he set up a couple of guys with open 3s.”

Nico Griffin led Jefferson County with 15 points, and Joshua Day had 11.

“All the credit goes to Natchez and Coach Haywood,” JCHS boys coach Marcus Walton said. “We don’t understand how important the defensive end is. We’re focusing on our offense. Defense wins games and championships.”

Jefferson County outscored Natchez 20-15 in the second period, but the early deficit proved too much to overcome.

“They made a run, but we were able to sustain our lead,” Haywood said.

Natchez (2-5) scored the first eight points of the game, and the Bulldogs held the Tigers to just seven fourth-quarter points.

“Overall, I like our maturity,” Haywood said. “The guys were really focused on turning our season around in the right direction.”

Melvin Myles had nine points for the Bulldogs and Chad Woods had eight. Taylor Chasley and Charles Credit each chipped in with six points apiece.

Natchez will play at Franklin County High School today at 3:30 p.m., while Jefferson County won’t play again until next Thursday in the Madison Parish Tournament.