[02/05/01] Vicksburg Missy Gators coach Kevin Manton said he wasn’t expecting his team’s first-round rematch with Tupelo to be a repeat of VHS’ 7-1 win earlier this season.

He was right. The Missy Gators only won 5-1 Saturday.

Brandi Parker scored two goals in her first game back since dislocating both kneecaps against Warren Central on Jan. 16 to lead VHS.

Now, Manton is anticipating hosting a second-round playoff game for the first time in his 12 seasons at the helm of the Missy Gators. VHS will host Southaven on Tuesday.

“It’s an advantage for us, because I think we’ve lost one game at home this year,” Manton said.

Courtney Chapman and Beth Ashby added a goal and an assist apiece for VHS (16-4), which outshot Tupelo 22-12. Kim Griffin had a goal and Cassie Griffing had an assist.

“They’ve got the look in their eyes that nobody’s going to take anything from them,” Manton said.

(B) Tupelo 8, VHS 0

The Golden Wave (19-1), who have given up just five goals in 20 games, got another shutout to send the Gators (8-8-2) home with a first-round playoff loss.

“That’s the best team in the state,” VHS coach Josh Harper said. “There’s not a college in this state that could hang with them.”