Warren Central’s recent four-game ownership of its basketball series with the rival Vicksburg Gators had both teams’ coaches searching for answers.

Vicksburg’s Dellie C. Robinson says what will help his Gators (7-3) most this afternoon at WC is a good start.

&#8220We got off to a bad start the last time,” Robinson said of the 53-51 loss to the Vikings in the finals of the Vicksburg-Warren Classic back on Nov. 11 at WC. That win, coupled with three straight from last season, makes one wonder if the Vikings have the Gators’ number.

&#8220They’ve beaten us four in a row. But I really think if we can get off to a good start, we can beat them,” Robinson said.

The Gators have some momentum. They won WC’s own Warren Central Classic, beating both Callaway and Jim Hill on consecutive nights. They followed it up Tuesday with a 69-63 win at Clinton.

&#8220The last couple of games, we’ve been able to cut down on our turnovers,” Robinson said.

Junior guard Jonathan Phelps has been another reason, averaging 37 points in all three wins. He was held to nine in Vicksburg’s last loss, a 73-70 decision to Hinds AHS. He had only 13 in the loss to WC.

Vikings coach Jesse Johnson just wishes he could get his team to bring the effort they come with against the Gators to other games.

&#8220We’re just so up and down,” Johnson said of his 5-5 Vikings. &#8220We’ll be up for that game, but I’m not pleased that we don’t get up for every game.

&#8220We beat Vicksburg and then fall off, losing to a Crystal Springs. We should have that same intensity we bring to Vicksburg for our other games. If we become consistent, will be fine,” Johnson said.

The Vikings are led by 6-foot-5 center Mario Luckett and guard Shone Ester. Luckett had a good game, scoring 14 points in leading the Vikings past VHS in the first meeting.

Luckett and Ester had some added help against the Gators but have not been getting much of late. The pair have been the only consistent scorers for WC in the last four games.

The season’s first girls matchup between the county rivals was a reversal of fortune. The Missy Gators won 63-53, beating the Lady Vikes for the first time since 2003.

&#8220They outplayed us, not much else to say,” WC coach Donny Fuller said of the first meeting.

&#8220We believed in ourselves, that was a big part of it. We finally believed in ourselves,” VHS coach Barbara Hartzog said.

The Missy Gators come in at 7-3. The win over WC won the season-opening Warren-Vicksburg Classic. Their losses have been to Callaway, Hinds AHS and Forest Hill.

&#8220We’re progressing. We’re still making unforced turnovers. But I think we’re gaining in our concept of becoming a team. We don’t depend on one person. We don’t have a standout,” Hartzog said.

The Missy Gators have had four different leading scorers this season in guards Kamiko Martin and Tiffany Williams, along with forward Rachel Jenkins and center Taylor Ammons.

Jenkins, a 5-9 senior, is coming off her best game of the season after scoring 19 in a 62-52 win over Clinton, the defending Class 5A champions. Martin and Williams have been the Missy Gators’ most consistent scorers.

&#8220Kamiko is just a sophomore but she’s been a big asset to us,” Hartzog added.

The Lady Vikes are led by their sophomore center in Sha’Kayla Caples at 23 points a game.

&#8220We’re playing pretty good right now,” Fuller said of his team that won the Warren Central Classic with a dramatic 49-48 win over Callaway.

&#8220But we’re still not playing up to our capabilities,” he added.