Zion Knox hits game-winner as Vicksburg edges Warren Central 55-53

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — A late inside shot by Zion Knox lifted the Vicksburg High School girls’ basketball team to a 55-53 win over crosstown rival Warren Central on Friday night.

“I knew I would come up with a game-winning shot, so I’m feeling good right now and this was real big for us,” Knox said.

The game opened with both teams trading baskets as Knox scored repeatedly on layups for Vicksburg while Warren Central capitalized at the free-throw line behind Arrionna Jenkins and Da’Mayria Cosby. The Lady Vikes held a slim 11-9 lead at the end of the first quarter after a pair of free throws from Jenkins.

Vicksburg regained momentum early in the second quarter when Aaliyah Mims connected at the free-throw line. Ka’Ryn Henderson sparked Warren Central with two baskets, and Jenkins continued to control the paint. Saudia Stewart added four points for the Missy Gators, but Warren Central maintained a 24-20 advantage heading into halftime.

Foul trouble became a major storyline in the second half, particularly for Jenkins, as the pace slowed and both teams relied heavily on free throws. Knox and Nakia Jeffers helped Vicksburg pull even, while Henderson and Kayla Parson kept Warren Central in front. The third quarter ended deadlocked at 38-38.

The physical play continued into the fourth quarter, with each team answering key shots down the stretch. Ana Bridges knocked down a late 3-pointer for Warren Central, but Jordan Grace answered with a 3 of her own for Vicksburg. Warren Central briefly went ahead before Jenkins converted a basket and a free throw to tie the game late.

With less than 20 seconds remaining, Knox drove to the basket and converted the game-winning shot to secure the victory for the Missy Gators.

“The way the season has been going, we’ll take any win we can get, and I’m happy for the girls,” Vicksburg head coach Troy Stewart said. “We’ve been making too many mistakes, and we finally got something to work, but all of them have been playing their hearts out.”

For Vicksburg, Knox scored 16 points, Jeffers had seven, Jada Erwin, Mims and Stewart each added six, Zaria Jones finished with five, Grace scored three, Nykeria Watson and Raylyn Parson had two apiece, and Kenley Henderson and Madisyn Kimble each added one.

For Warren Central, Jenkins led with 19 points, Henderson scored 12, Parson added seven, Destiney Lisenbee and Cosby had four, Ana Bridges scored three, and Madison Ward and Ballet Duty each finished with two.