In Vicksburg coach Dellie C. Robinson’s eyes, there’s no doubt that Warren Central’s Kourey Davis is Warren County’s best player. He also feels his Gators are still the county’s best team.

Vicksburg drove that point home for the 16th straight time Saturday afternoon before a packed house at Vicksburg High. The Gators forced Davis into a key turnover with 1 minute left to preserve a 61-57 win.

Robinson was all smiles afterwards.

“There’s no doubt that the (basketball) talent has moved to the other side,” Robinson said of Warren Central’s improved play. “They have the best player in the county in Kourey Davis. He creates a lot of problems for us. But we came up with a huge play on that last steal.”

Warren Central (5-6, 0-1 Region 2-6A) had cut a 57-48 fourth-quarter deficit down to 57-54 with 1:05 left. The Vikings had the ball with a chance to tie it up and there was no doubt, Davis, the reigning Vicksburg Post Player of the Year, would get the ball.

Vicksburg countered by running DeAngelo Richardson and Romeo Carter at him and together they came up with a turnover.

The swipe led to two free throws for Devonta Brisco to put the Gators (9-1, 1-0) up 59-54 with 37.8 seconds left.

WC’s Mario Doyle answered with a top of the key 3-pointer for a 59-57 game but the Vikings could not get closer as Carter sank two free throws with five seconds left to seal it.

First-year Warren Central coach Bruce Robinson said his team had its chances.

“I felt like we could have won that game,” Robinson said. “But our guards are pretty young and we made some turnovers late that came up huge for them.”

As big a play as Richardson made late, it was his shooting that had the biggest effect in the game. Richardson made four straight 3-pointers to close out a big second quarter for the Gators.

Vicksburg made eight treys in all in the quarter to turn a 21-14 deficit into a 32-24 halftime lead.

“I just caught fire,”

Richardson said. “I just love shooting over the top of a zone.”

Richardson finished with 18 points, two assists and two steals.

Vicksburg went up 10 in the third quarter, but Davis brought them back to within two at 46-44 with 6:55 left. He finished with 24 points.