Gators begin playoffs with Saturday recreation vs. Lake Cormorant – The Vicksburg Put up – The Vicksburg Put up

Printed 3:05 pm Friday, February 16, 2024
By Ernest Bowker
As a lot as they might have loved and celebrated successful their area match, the Vicksburg Gators usually are not dwelling on it.
For one factor, there’s nonetheless work to do. For one more, it might need given them a extra favorable path to a state championship.
By ending second in Area 2-6A, the Gators (21-6) obtained a spot within the North half of the MHSAA Class 6A playoff bracket. That may permit them to keep away from a number of of Class 6A’s heaviest hitters which might be on the South aspect and supply a real impartial court docket match-up in spherical two.
“The primary-place crew has a more durable route as a result of they should go south. They should play Picayune, Pascagoula, Hattiesburg. They’re in a deeper pot than we’re,” Vicksburg coach Kelvin Carter mentioned. “We simply should discover a technique to get previous Saturday and get to Thursday.”
“Saturday” is the Gators’ first-round playoff recreation, at house at 4 p.m. vs. Lake Cormorant (17-8).
Enjoying in it’s one other reward for Vicksburg for ending second in Area 2-6A.
Lately, the MHSAA’s state match bracket included 24 of 32 groups in every classification and had the primary two rounds performed at campus websites. Area champions obtained a bye.
The most recent reclassification cycle, nevertheless, lowered the bracket to 16 groups — there are actually 24 complete in Class 6A — and solely the primary spherical is on campus. The Vicksburg-Lake Cormorant winner will play both Olive Department (23-3) or Columbus (18-10) on Feb. 22 at Mississippi Valley State College in Itta Bena.
If Vicksburg wins Saturday, whoever it performs should journey roughly two hours to Itta Bena similar to the Gators will. In contrast, the South bracket performs its second-round video games at Mississippi Gulf Coast Group School — a a lot nearer drive for match heavyweights Pascagoula (26-1) and Hattiesburg (25-4). Hattiesburg received the Class 5A championship in 2023.
Within the outdated format, groups taking part in within the first spherical needed to win 5 video games to win a state championship, together with two or three potential street video games. Within the new format, three of the 4 video games on the street to a state title are at impartial websites.
The semifinals and championship recreation are on the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson Feb. 28 and March 2, respectively.
“It’s loads completely different. Now it’s an excellent taking part in area. It’s a shorter path. You’ve simply bought to win,” Carter mentioned.
The Gators actually appear geared up to win within the postseason. They’ve three dependable double-digit scorers — guards Davian Williams and Tyler Henderson, and middle Kameryn Bailey — in addition to function gamers like Jaylin Jackson, Michael Johnson and Kealon Bass who’ve usually joined them.
Carter mentioned the linchpin of the group is Bailey. The 6-foot-7 middle is averaging 14.5 factors, 12.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per recreation, and his presence inside helps open issues up for the Gators’ proficient exterior shooters.
“We’ve at all times had guards, however we’ve by no means had anyone inside in any respect that might assist us. Now we have now a man that’s just about a double-double man. He’s been the glue,” Carter mentioned. “Davian has been spectacular. Tyler Henderson has been spectacular as properly. However I don’t assume we’d be this far within the recreation, or our report can be what it’s, with out Kameryn Bailey.”
Now the Gators will discover out if their proficient group has the suitable method to recover from the cussed hump they’ve been caught on for almost a decade.
Vicksburg performed for state championships twice in 4 seasons, in 2011 and 2014. It has not been previous the second spherical since that final look, regardless of being a playoff common.
Carter acknowledged this system’s postseason droop, however believes the 2024 Gators have what it takes to finish it.
“I actually be ok with it,” he mentioned. “The fellows are working arduous. We’ve bought a senior-led group. Day in, time out, they’re attempting to get higher. This can be a particular group. I’m hoping we will put some icing on the cake.”
LAKE CORMORANT AT VICKSBURG
• Saturday, 4 p.m.
• Boys MHSAA Class 6A tournament, first spherical
Ernest Bowker is The Vicksburg Put up’s sports activities editor. He has been a member of The Vicksburg Put up’s sports activities workers since 1998, making him one of many longest-tenured reporters within the paper’s 140-year historical past. The New Jersey native is a graduate of LSU. In his profession, he has received greater than 50 awards from the Mississippi Press Affiliation and Related Press for his protection of native sports activities in Vicksburg.


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