It appears the Vicksburg Missy Gators are finally starting to figure out how to win some close basketball games.

Kierra James finished with 24 points, eight rebounds and six steals as Vicksburg knocked off Ridgeland 56-51 on Friday for a big win in MHSAA Region 2-6A.

The Missy Gators (6-15, 3-2 Region 2-6A) moved into sole possession of third place in the league. It was also the second time since New Year’s that they won a game decided by seven points or less, after they were 2-7 in those situations before the holidays.

Vicksburg only led by two points entering the fourth quarter, but held off Ridgeland (10-8, 2-3) down the stretch.

Cynia Johnson had 10 points, eight rebounds and three steals for Vicksburg, and Rodrianna Hall scored nine points.

The Missy Gators will go across town on Tuesday to play at Warren Central. The girls-boys game is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. and tickets are available through gofan.co.

Warren Central lost 59-17 to Columbus on Friday.

Boys
Ridgeland 61, Vicksburg 50
Phil Nelson scored 11 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter, and Ridgeland (14-7, 3-2 Region 2-6A) handed Vicksburg’s boys’ basketball team (16-4, 4-1) its first region loss of the season.

Vicksburg’s Davian Williams made a pair of 3-pointers in the first quarter, but the Gators did not make any as a team after that. Williams finished with a game-high 23 points.

Kameryn Bailey added 12 points for the Gators. Khameron Shaw had nine for Ridgeland, and Ebo Wilson added eight.

Vicksburg had a six-game winning streak snapped but remained in first place in Region 2-6A.

Warren Central 63, Columbus 55
Gaylon Turner led four Warren Central players in double figures with 21 points, and the Vikings finished off an outstanding week by beating Columbus (15-5, 3-2 Region 2-6A) on Friday.

Turner scored eight of his points in the fourth quarter to help Warren Central (11-11, 2-3) win its second consecutive region game after it lost the first three.

Garrett Orgas added 13 points for the Vikings, while Jaylon Winters scored 11 and Roosevelt Harris had 10.

The Vikings will host Vicksburg Tuesday at 6 p.m.