Printed 3:05 pm Friday, February 16, 2024
By Ernest Bowker<\/a><\/strong>
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\u2019s 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\u2019s heaviest hitters which might be on the South aspect and supply a real impartial court docket match-up in spherical two.
\u201cThe primary-place crew has a more durable route as a result of they should go south. They should play Picayune, Pascagoula, Hattiesburg. They\u2019re in a deeper pot than we’re,\u201d Vicksburg coach Kelvin Carter mentioned. \u201cWe simply should discover a technique to get previous Saturday and get to Thursday.\u201d
\u201cSaturday\u201d is the Gators\u2019 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\u2019s 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 \u2014 there are actually 24 complete in Class 6A \u2014 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 \u2014 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Within the outdated format, groups taking part in within the first spherical needed to win 5 video games to win a state championship, together with two or three potential street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.
\u201cIt\u2019s loads completely different. Now it\u2019s an excellent taking part in area. It\u2019s a shorter path. You\u2019ve simply bought to win,\u201d Carter mentioned.
The Gators actually appear geared up to win within the postseason. They’ve three dependable double-digit scorers \u2014 guards Davian Williams and Tyler Henderson, and middle Kameryn Bailey \u2014 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\u2019 proficient exterior shooters.
\u201cWe\u2019ve at all times had guards, however we\u2019ve by no means had anyone inside in any respect that might assist us. Now we have now a man that\u2019s just about a double-double man. He\u2019s been the glue,\u201d Carter mentioned. \u201cDavian has been spectacular. Tyler Henderson has been spectacular as properly. However I don\u2019t assume we\u2019d be this far within the recreation, or our report can be what it’s, with out Kameryn Bailey.\u201d
Now the Gators will discover out if their proficient group has the suitable method to recover from the cussed hump they\u2019ve 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\u2019s postseason droop, however believes the 2024 Gators have what it takes to finish it.
\u201cI actually be ok with it,\u201d he mentioned. \u201cThe fellows are working arduous. We\u2019ve bought a senior-led group. Day in, time out, they\u2019re attempting to get higher. This can be a particular group. I\u2019m hoping we will put some icing on the cake.\u201d
LAKE CORMORANT AT VICKSBURG <\/strong>
\u2022 Saturday, 4 p.m.
\u2022 Boys MHSAA Class 6A tournament<\/a>, 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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