Gators crushed Cleveland Central 57-19

VICKSBURG, Miss.(VDN) — Vicksburg High School’s boys’ basketball team bounced back from a heartbreaking loss to Holmes County Central with a dominant 57-19 win over Cleveland Central on Tuesday night, while the Missy Gators fell 46-20 to the Lady Wolves.

The Gators set the tone early as Jadarius Henderson opened the scoring with a 3-pointer to help Vicksburg jump out to a 14-4 lead at the end of the first quarter. Henderson kept the momentum going early in the second quarter with a tough layup. Jaquez Marshall connected on a couple of shots during the period, and Marlyn Foy made multiple trips to the free-throw line as the Gators carried a 26-13 advantage into halftime.

Vicksburg delivered its best stretch of the night in the third quarter, outscoring Cleveland Central 22-0 to build a 48-13 lead and force a running clock. Jayden Stewart knocked down a 3-pointer in the quarter, while Marshall converted multiple free throws as the Gators did not allow a point in the period.

“We preached at halftime to speed the game up and play team ball because we have to get ready for Lanier on Friday,” Vicksburg head coach Kelvin Carter said. “That loss to Holmes County was the one that got away but it motivated us to come out and play so we made many adjustments and they played team ball.”

Foy said the energy after the break made the difference.

“I feel like we did good but we have a lot of work to do still and the energy we had coming out of halftime was the key to everything,” Foy said.

The Gators cruised through the fourth quarter to put the game away. Foy led all scorers with 15 points. Marshall finished with 10 points, Henderson and Stewart each added nine points, and Jaquez Jones scored five points. Fabian Moore contributed four points, while Devin Banks and Lebrone Chiplin each had two points. Daquan Warfield rounded out the scoring with one point.

With the win, Vicksburg improved to 9-6 overall and 3-1 in district play. The Gators will host Lanier on Friday.

Missy Gators:

In the girls’ game, the Missy Gators battled early but dropped a 46-20 decision to Cleveland Central. Vicksburg stayed within striking distance in the first half as Zion Knox and Jada Erwin scored early, and the Missy Gators trailed 17-11 at halftime. Scoring proved difficult in the second half as Cleveland Central pulled away.

Knox led Vicksburg with six points, Erwin added five points, and Jordan Grace scored four points. Ny’Keria Watson finished with three points, and Nakia Jeffers had two points in the loss.