When Vicksburg High lost four talented senior guards who provided the bulk of its offense for the past three seasons, it left the program with a lot of questions to answer.

Who would take over as the primary ballhandler? Who would pick up the scoring slack? How would the team fare with a new offense, and new faces running it?

The answer to the first two questions has been K.J. Murphy. The answer to the last one is extremely well.

Murphy, a junior guard, has emerged as the Gators’ go-to guy in the first half of the season. He’s scored in double figures in seven of his last eight games and is the team’s leading scorer with 12.9 points per game. Vicksburg has won eight of its first 11 heading into Friday’s game against Hillcrest Christian at the Northwest Rankin Holiday Tournament.

“He played a lot last year but wasn’t a marquee player because of those guys we had last year. But we knew from ninth grade that he could score the basketball,” Vicksburg coach Dellie C. Robinson said. “He played JV last year and had a real good season, so when he came in this year he’s been on fire.”

Murphy played in 12 games as a sophomore last season, but only scored a total of 29 points. He had 12 against Hazlehurst in November 2013, then scored 17 the rest of the season. Most of that was because he only played in mop-up duty or when the Gators’ quartet of senior guards — De’Angelo Richardson, Edward Davis, La’Darrie Ward and De’Vonta Brisco — were in foul trouble.

After that entire group graduated, Murphy knew he’d have a chance to break out this season.

“I barely got any playing time last year. Coach told me these next two years are going to be your years, and I’m just taking advantage of it,” Murphy said.

It was a bumpy road to stardom, though. Murphy and the rest of the Gators struggled during the summer schedule as they adjusted to a tweaked style of play.

For the past three seasons, the undersized Gators relied on their speedy guards to push the pace and cause havoc. Now, with a more traditional lineup anchored by forwards Khris Walker and Kirk Parker, they’re trying to push the ball into the post a bit more.

Murphy said things started to click for both he and his teammates during preseason practice, and they’ve been rolling ever since.

Murphy scored nine points in the season opener aainst Brookhaven and just four the next game against Wingfield. He’s only been held under 12 points once since then. His season-high of 25 points came on 11-of-13 shooting in a 75-59 win over Canton on Nov. 25.

“I didn’t have a very good summer,” Murphy said. “But in the offseason, once we got into school, I worked real hard on my ballhandling and shooting, and that’s gotten me better.”

In addition to his scoring, Murphy is averaging 2.4 assists and 1.9 steals per game and is shooting 39 percent from the field. Murphy’s overall contribution has left little doubt as to his role with the team, Robinson said.

“K.J. is our leader. He’s our leading scorer and he can score the basketball. He’s been stepping up and making big shots for us all year long,” Robinson said.

Tournament time

Vicksburg, Warren Central and St. Aloysius will all play in holiday tournaments this weekend. Here is each team’s opening game on Friday:

At Northwest Rankin

(G) Vicksburg vs. Velma Jackson, 11 a.m.

(B) Vicksburg vs. Hillcrest, 12:30 p.m.

JPS Tournament

(G) WC vs. Wingfield, at Forest Hill, 10 a.m.

(B) WC at Lanier, 2:30 p.m.

At Sacred Heart (Hattiesburg)

(G) St. Al vs. Enterprise-Lincoln, 3 p.m.

(B) St. Al vs. Enterprise-Lincoln, 4:30 p.m.