Meridian’s Kayli Hite shields a loose ball during the Lady Wildcats’ home game against Hattiesburg Friday, Dec. 17, 2021.

Mississippi Valley State commit Charity Hinton had a team-high 16 points for Meridian High School as the Lady Wildcats rolled past Hattiesburg 57-32 in Friday night prep basketball action.

The Lady Wildcats’ defense limited Hattiesburg to just four points in the first quarter and nine points in the second quarter, giving Meridian a 37-13 cushion going into the break, and although Hattiesburg’s Chloe Thompson had a productive third quarter, Meridian kept pace to go up 53-25 at the end of the third.

“Those are the expectations,” Meridian girls basketball coach Deneshia Faulkner said. “I think defense has kind of worked its way into our identity, and that’s what we expect every game.”

More than a month and a half into the season, Faulkner said her team is beginning to show signs of improved conditioning as the players become more used to the grind.

“They’re really good at keeping each other up and going, and right now we’re just trying to get our numbers up, and I think it’s working out well for us,” Faulkner said.

Mississippi State signee Debreasha Powe finished with 10 points for Meridian, and Jaloria Hudson and Tytiana Buckley each scored eight points for the Lady Wildcats. Meridian’s bench played most of the fourth quarter.

“They came in and gave us some great minutes, and that’s what it’s all about,” Faulkner said. “That’s what we need now. Like I said a second ago, we need more numbers, so I was very pleased with our bench.”

Thompson scored 27 of Hattiesburg’s points, 12 coming in the third quarter.

MERIDIAN BOYS 83, HATTIESBURG 41 

Tamarion Jones scored 16 points and hauled in nine rebounds to help the Meridian boys beat Hattiesburg Friday.

“We thought we had the numbers to go at them,” Wildcats head coach Ron Norman said. “They were missing two starters, and we felt like getting to their legs would be the best course of action. Early it was kind of close, but once we made a few shots and he went to his bench, then we were able to exploit their younger kids.”

Jamire Clayton had 13 points and seven rebounds for Meridian, while Devin Portis finished with 13 points off three 3-pointers. Demarcus Powe scored 11 points off three 3s, and Norman said he was pleased to see Jones, Clayton and Portis each get into double figures scoring alongside Powe.

“When they score, it really opens up things for Demarcus,” Norman said. “When those kids are playing with confidence and shooting it well, we’re a hard team to beat.”

LAMAR GIRLS 60, NEWTON COUNTY ACADEMY 22 

Aryah Grace tallied 17 points and 14 rebounds for Lamar as the Lady Raiders rolled past Newton County Academy Friday.

Sarah Dudley Reed also had a double-double for Lamar, scoring 12 points and hauling in 15 rebounds. She also finished with three blocks. Blake Hart finished with 10 points, and Sarah Pierce Swift chipped in with nine points and four steals. Reece Shaffer had eight points for Lamar.