HATTIESBURG — It took about a quarter and a half for the Natchez High School Bulldogs to get over their jitters and start playing basketball. Once they did, Jefferson Davis County High School was in trouble.

James Singleton scored 20 points to lead four Natchez High players in double figures as the Bulldogs rallied from an early 10-point deficit to defeat the Jaguars 82-72 Thursday afternoon at the Hattiesburg Holiday Tournament.

The Bulldogs trailed the Jaguars 23-13 at the end of the first quarter. They responded with a 26-16 advantage in the second quarter to make the score at halftime 39-39.

“We started out slow. I think the guys’ eyes were wide for a minute,” Bulldogs head coach David Haywood said. “Great tournament. Great atmosphere. We had some nervous energy at the beginning of the game. About the middle of the second quarter, we started focusing on basketball and not everything around it.”

Another thing that Natchez High started doing from that point was playing defense. And in the third quarter, the Bulldogs forced Jefferson Davis County into turnovers and made them take several contested shots. They ended up outscoring the Jaguars 25-13 for a 64-52 lead.

“The first four minutes of the third quarter is when we took control,” Haywood said. “I’m proud of my kids for getting over the jitters. They came back and performed good in the second half.”

Travon Jackson had 15 points while Kedarius Stampley added 14 points and Charles Credit chipped in with 12 points for the Bulldogs. Tynerious Daniels led the Jaguars with a game-high 21 points and TyKevious Daniels had 15 points.

Natchez High (9-2) will take on the winner of the Hattiesburg/South Jones game today at 7:30 p.m.

Hattiesburg girls 53, Natchez High 23

HATTIESBURG — Kendyl Terrell led Hattiesburg High School with 15 points and Melyia Grayson added 13 points as the defending MHSAA Class 5A state champion Lady Tigers cruised to a 53-23 win over the Natchez High School Lady Bulldogs Thursday night at the Hattiesburg Holiday Tournament.

Hattiesburg took it to Natchez High on both ends of the court throughout the first half. By the time the first quarter was over, the Lady Tigers led the Lady Bulldogs 24-4. Hattiesburg let up some offensively, but still outscored Natchez High 13-6 for a commanding 37-10 lead.

Kenedi Walker chipped in with 12 points for the Lady Tigers. Candi Gray led the Lady Bulldogs with a game-high 17 points.

Natchez High (7-7) will next take on Laurel High School today at 12 p.m.

Cathedral games at ASC Christmas Tournament canceled

LIBERTY — Cathedral’s varsity boys’ and varsity girls’ basketball teams were scheduled to take on Central Hinds Academy Thursday afternoon at the Amite School Center Christmas Tournament.

But because of inclement weather that hit much of southwest Mississippi during the late morning and early afternoon, those games were canceled, Lady Green Wave head coach Michelle Kaiser said.

Cathedral will play in this tournament on Saturday against Silliman Institute. The Lady Green Wave goes up against the Lady Wildcats at 9 a.m., followed by the Green Wave against the Wildcats at 11 a.m.

Delta Charter girls 78, General Trass 29

SICILY ISLAND — Kierra Neal led four players for Delta Charter School in double figures with 21 points as the Lady Storm defeated the General Trass High School Lady Panthers 78-29 Thursday afternoon at the Sicily Island Tournament.

Shyvlie Blaney and Cloi Cummings scored 14 points apiece and Jaden Boydstun added 13 points for the Lady Storm, which snapped a four-game losing streak. They did so with defense, holding General Trass to single-digit scoring in each of the first three quarters.

The first quarter was dominated by Delta Charter on both ends of the court. The Lady Storm put up 22 points and held the Lady Panthers to a mere three points. By the time the third quarter was over, the Lady Storm enjoyed a 59-19 lead.

SICILY ISLAND — The Vidalia High School Lady Vikings held on for a 60-58 win over the Sicily Island High School Lady Tigers Thursday afternoon at the Sicily Island Tournament. No other information on the game was available.

Vidalia (2-8) will take on Madison Parish High School today at 1:20 p.m. Sicily Island (no record given) will take on General Trass High School today at 12 p.m. as tournament action continues.

Lincoln Prep boys 70, Ferriday 47

STERLINGTON, La. — The Ferriday High School Trojans lost to the Lincoln Preparatory School Panthers 70-47 Thursday afternoon at the Sterlington Tournament. No other information on the game was available.

Ferriday (6-9) will take on tournament host Sterlington High School today at 7 p.m.