The story for Warren Central’s season opener was all about Cory.

Sophomore guard Cory Davis led the Vikings to an impressive 66-43 victory over Lawrence County in the nightcap game of the Vicksburg-Warren Classic Tuesday night at the Vikings Gym.

Davis, who led WC’s ninth grade team to a 15-3 record last year, was a standout in his first varsity game. The 5-foot-6 point guard had 21 points, seven steals, five assists and five rebounds.

“I’ve been waiting to play at this level for a long time,” Davis said. “We were 15-3 last year and got beat in the Little Dixie Tournament finals by three points. I really have to credit my teammates. I was able to learn a lot from them during practice.”

WC coach Jessie Johnson, who was going up against former WC coach Preston Wilson, was glad to have the quick-handed Davis on his team.

“Cory is a good, all-around player. This was a great first game for him. Being our first game for the season, it was a good way to start with a win,” Johnson said.

WC (1-0) advances to play Wingfield in Thursday night’s semifinals. Wingfield beat Canton 59-51. Canton (0-1) will play Lawrence County (0-1) Thursday evening at 5:30 at WC. The Canton girls, who defeated Lawrence County 49-30, will face the Lady Vikes on Thursday night at 7 while Wingfield will face Lawrence County at 4 on Thursday afternoon.

WC looked a lot like the team that stumbled to an 8-21 record last year with eight first-quarter turnovers.

“We were too anxious,” Davis said.

“We weren’t being patient enough,” Johnson added.

Things changed in the second quarter as WC slowed down. They took just five shots and made three, including a 3-pointer by Davis to close to within 20-18 by halftime.

Davis then broke out in the third quarter. He scored 10 of his game-best 21 points in the quarter to go with four assists, four rebounds and three steals. A big key was his back-to-back 3-pointers that turned a 27-26 deficit into a 32-27 lead. WC went on to close out the quarter with an 11-0 run to go up 45-33.

“I just tried to have quick hands and move my feet,” Davis said.

Warren Central blew the game open in the fourth quarter. They led by 14 at 54-40 with three minutes to play. A delay of game cut another minute off the clock and the Cougars conceded things at that point.

Dino Harris fired in 18 points, scoring eight in the final quarter. Y’Tarrius Goldsberry had 11 points. WC was 26-of-40 from the field and had just five turnovers after opening game with eight in the first quarter.

Devin Mills led Lawrence County with 11 and Leroy Fifer had 10.

(G) Natchez 74, P. Gibson 50

Keosha Bradley scored 20 points and Alia Frank had 16 to lead the Lady Bulldogs past Port Gibson

Natchez will face Vicksburg Thursday night. Stacy Hutchins had 14 points for Natchez. Ragee McDonald led the Waves with 17.

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Contact Jeff Byrd at jbyrd@vicksburgpost.com.