Michael Watkins, left, of Vicksburg hides his head as Natchez goes on a run in the fourth quarter. (The Vicksburg Post/PAT SHANNAHAN)

Vicksburg made several runs at high-powered Natchez, but the Bulldogs one-upped everything the Gators did to hand them their first loss of the season, 60-47.

The Gators (2-1) briefly took a lead in the third quarter and tied it early in the fourth in the championship game of the Coca-Cola Classic Thursday at Warren Central.

Then it turned into the Vasshuur Newborne show.

After trailing by as much as 10, Jason Walker’s 3-pointer with 6:20 remaining knotted it at 36-36. Seconds later, Newborne got back and finished off a fastbreak with a high-flying dunk on an alley-oop. He got a steal and 12-foot jumper on the inbounds pass. On the next trip down, he broke through the VHS defense for a one-handed jam before hitting another short jumper. That gave him eight points in less than a minute. The explosive 6-foot-5 forward hit 12 of his game-high 24 in the fourth quarter for the Bulldogs (3-0). Jamal Bouldin added 15.

“I just turned it on,” said Newborne, who said he’s being recruited by Southern Mississippi, Mississippi State and Alcorn. “I looked up at the scoreboard and they were getting too close.”

Demetrick Allen led VHS with 15 points, 10 rebounds and three steals while Walker chipped in nine points and handed out eight assists. Dewayne Jackson had two blocks and eight points.

Miguel Henyard had what VHS coach Dellie Robinson called a rare off night, finishing with 11 points while making only 1 of 9 3-pointers.

That one he hit, which was about 8 feet behind the arch, made things interesting down the stretch. The shot, which bounced straight up before dropping in, made it a four-point game, 51-47, with 1:35 remaining. But the Gators were forced to foul and the Bulldogs hit six straight from the free-throw line to keep their distance.

“We gave the effort and never quit,” Robinson said, “but we just turned it over too much.”

Robinson, whose team opened with wins over perennial powerhouses Canton and Provine, pointed out that Natchez is among the state’s top teams.

“That team will be in the South State Tournament,” he said, adding with a smile, “I’m glad we’re in the North.”

WC 64, Provine 44

Sherman Logan, Clifford Walker and Clifton Walker all scored in double figures to pace Warren Central in a historic win for third place in the Coca-Cola Classic.

Logan had 17 points and a team-high nine rebounds while the Walker twins scored 12 and 10, respectively, for the Vikings (2-1).

“Because of the tradition they have … it’s a very big win for us, very gratifying,” WC coach John Duett said after noting that it was the Vikings’ first win over any of the Jackson Public Schools in five years. “Any win builds confidence.”

The Vikings jumped out to a 10-0 lead, then built the advantage to 13 points, 20-7, in the second quarter after a technical foul on Provine coach Luther Riley.

After that, the Rams (0-3) went on a 13-0 run to tie it. Logan responded with a quick putback and WC took a 27-22 lead into the locker room.

Another tech early in the third, for checking in a player who wasn’t listed in the official scorebook, didn’t inspire the Rams again. Clifton Walker’s steal and dish to his brother for an easy layup gave WC a 15-point lead, 42-27, going into the final period.

“I’m extremely pleased with the Walkers,” Duett said. “They hustle and just create havoc on defense.”

Kevin Coker added nine points for the Vikings.

Davian Dixon led Provine with 12.