VIDALIA — Charles Credit led Natchez High School with a game-high 29 points as the Bulldogs used a big third quarter to defeat the Vidalia High School Vikings 76-63 Tuesday night at the Vidalia High gym.

“I thought the game was very competitive throughout. No matter which team had the lead, the other was going to go on a run,” Natchez High head coach David Haywood said. “That’s how the rivalry goes.”

The most important run of the game was the third quarter, in which the Bulldogs outscored the Vikings 16-7 to turn a 41-33 halftime lead into a 57-40 advantage. Despite putting up 23 points in the fourth quarter, Vidalia couldn’t make nearly enough stops defensively as Natchez High scored 19 points.

“They were a bit much for us. We couldn’t contain their shooters,” Vidalia head coach Robert Sanders said. “We tried to hang with them for a little bit, but it didn’t last long.”

As for Credit’s performance, Haywood said, “He’s a small kid, but I expect big things out of him because he has the most playing time and he has the most experience. I trust him with the basketball in his hands. He’s the quarterback of our basketball team.”

Haywood said the keys to his team’s win were being able to match the Vikings’ intensity and feeding off the crowd. He added that both teams played well at times and sloppy at others.

“They had a good crowd tonight,” Haywood said. When they made a run, we were able to make a run and keep some distance. We just made a few more shots tonight.”

James Singleton contributed with 17 points for the Bulldogs. Roderick Ransom led the Vikings with 20 points while Lakwison Hueing had nine points.

“Considering we had only two practices, I think we did pretty well,” Sanders said.

Natchez High (2-1) plays at Jefferson County High School Friday at 7:30 p.m. Vidalia (1-1) next plays at 7:20 p.m. Thursday against Sicily Island High School at the Tensas High School Tournament.

Natchez High girls 42, Vidalia 39

VIDALIA — The Natchez High School Lady Bulldogs bounced back from a rough second quarter to defeat the Vidalia High School Lady Vikings 42-39 Tuesday night at the Vidalia High gym.

Both teams struggled offensively in the first quarter, which Natchez High led 9-5 at quarter’s end. Then the Lady Bulldogs scored just seven points in the second quarter and went into halftime trailing the Lady Vikings 18-16.

“Shots weren’t falling, but we found a way to win,” Lady Bulldogs head coach ShaRhonda Gipson said. “We didn’t let the elements defeat us.”

Led by Tremecia Proby and Rearnna Mayberry, Natchez High outscored Vidalia 12-10 in the third quarter and 14-11 in the fourth quarter for the come-from-behind victory.

Proby led the Lady Bulldogs with 10 points and Mayberry finished with nine points.

“We had some players that didn’t play, but we came together,” Gipson said. “They fought hard. It’s like a rivalry game. Big crowd tonight.”

Jamaya Smith led the Lady Vikings with 11 points while three other players added five points each.

“I thought my girls did an excellent job. I’m very proud of them,” Lady Vikings first-year head coach Sue’Ann Easterling said. “They need to put more arch on the ball. They need to keep their eyes open so they can get some steals.”

Natchez High (3-3) next plays at Jefferson County High School at 6 p.m. Friday. Vidalia (0-2) will next play at the Tensas High School Tournament against Sicily Island High School Thursday at 6 p.m.