VJHS won the Little Six Championship

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The Vicksburg Junior High School boy’s basketball team are now the 2022-2023 Little Six Champions after defeating Northwest Rankin 45-40.

The Gators went up 14-12 after Wallace Curry hit two 3-pointers and Jaquez Jones contributing heavily inside the paint. Jordan Clay and Marlyn Foy took over the second quarter be hitting key shots to put VJHS up 23-17 at halftime.

Coming out of halftime, Foy, Clay and Jones all managed to drive the ball well and secure key layups to keep the Gators ahead 36-28 headed into the final quarter.

The Cougars would come out strong in the fourth but with two free throws made by Foy kept VJHS ahead. NWR would continue to capitalize off the Gators mistakes as VJHS’ lead narrowed to 38-36 with 3:34 left to play.Nick Carson would soon draw a foul from the 3-point line and nailed one to keep the Gators  on top by one point.

Carson didn’t let that discourage him as he bounced back and knocked down a 3-pointer seconds later.

A tight 42-40 game with under a minute to play, the Cougars are forced to foul Clay and he knocked down one of the free throws. The Gator defense then stepped up and got the ball again as NWR sent Clay to the line to hit two more free throws where time soon expired, leaving VJHS as the Little Six Champions.

“I feel great and these boys worked hard all season and I always tell them that if you work hard you play smart,” VJHS Head Coach Jerdon Hardiman said. I knew that we would win once I called timeout and I stressed defense because defense will win ball games.”

Jerdon Hardiman: Photo by Keith Phillips

Foy led the Gators with 15 points followed by Clay who added 11. Jones ended the day with nine points while Curry finished with six and Carson added four.

The Gators finished the season with a 14-1 record under Hardiman’s leadership along with Assistant Coach Larry Carter Jr.