Missy Gators advance to the second round after defeating Center Hill

Vicksburg, Miss.-Vicksburg High School girls’ basketball team came away with a 64-60 victory over Center Hill on Friday. The win advances the Missy Gators to the second round of the playoffs which will be held at Mississippi Valley State University next Friday.

Zion Harvey put down another dominant performance as she led with 30 points on the night.

“I feel good that we can move to the next round but we knew we were the better team tonight so we had to motivate each other and play our game,” Harvey said.

The first quarter started off with a fast-paste offense on both sides as Cynia Johnson scored eight points to start the game and Harvey added 10 in the quarter alone as VHS led 18-17. K. Hulbert kept Center Hill alive by scoring eight points in the first quarter.

The second quarter consisted of defense on both sides and Center Hill eventually took the lead until Jordan Grace popped a 3-pointer to tie things at 22-22. Johnson also hit a 3-pointer as VHS went up 29-27 at halftime.

Coming out of halftime, Center Hill took control of the game and eventually went up by nine points until Head Coach Troy Stewart called a timeout and switched up the plan. Zion Knox knocked down a couple of shots while Harvey nailed another 3-pointer that tied the game at 45-45 at the end of the third.

The Missy Gators found themselves in a jam again in the fourth quarter but a steal & scored by both Harvey and Raylyn Parson put them back in the game. Johnson also put up a couple of layups as they completed the 64-60 win.

Harvey finished with 30 points and Johnson added 17. Knox put up five points while Carjessa Albert scored four and Grace added three. Alaina Williams and Parson both had two points each and Madisyn Kimble hit a free throw.

The Missy Gators will play at MVSU next Friday at 4 p.m.