After last year’s reloading season (10-18) that ended in the first round of the Class 6A playoffs, the Gators are hungry for more.

Vicksburg coach Dellie C. Robinson is extremely excited about the potential that his team (2-1) possesses this season.

After flirting with retirement, Robinson decided to return for his 20th year at the helm. And it’s easy to see why.

“Anything less than the (Mississippi) Coliseum will be a disappointment,” Robinson, who earned his 600th career coaching victory Saturday, said. “We know we’ve got enough guard play. If we can get some better play out of our big men, our chances are as good as anyone else’s.”

The strength of the Gators this year, as last year, is a group of guards that might be the deepest backcourt in the state.

Sophomore Romeo Carter (9.6 points per game, 34 percent from 3-point range and 41 steals last season), juniors De’Angelo Richardson (13 points per game, 51 assists and 37 steals), De’Vonte Brisco, De’Andre Carter (7.7 points per game and 36 steals) and Edward Davis (12.2 points per game, 93 steals and 125 assists) accounted for most of last year’s offense and will be heavily relied upon again.

“I’ve got five outstanding guards and each one of them brings something a little different to the table,” Robinson said. “We’ve got outstanding play when it comes to our guards.”

The frontcourt, anchored by center Tre’Darius Carter (30 blocks and 142 rebounds), will be reinforced by Tra’Vonnie Paige and Shaquille Bracey. With more depth, the Gators will be better able to withstand foul trouble from their frontcourt.

But for the Gators to take the next step, they will need much-improved play in the paint.

“Our inside game has got to get better for us to be a contender,” Robinson said. “If we can rebound a bit better and score some more inside, there’s no reason why we can’t be a better basketball team than we were last year.”

As for the Missy Gators (1-2), the talent level is high and so are expectations after two straight seasons that ended in the first round of the Region 3-6A Tournament.

In the frontcourt, junior forward Kailin Young is already off to a good start this season, averaging 14 points per game to lead the team. Seniors Aleesha Smith and Ruddie Shears give VHS two more rebounders and interior scorers. Smith is averaging 8.8 points per game and 7 rebounds so far.

In the backcourt, the Missy Gators are loaded, with senior Breanna Foy (10.7 points per game), last year’s Vicksburg Post Player of the Year Ama Arkoful (7.0 points per game and 12 assists) and freshman Karry Callahan (7.7 points per game and 10 steals), who was a differencemaker as an eighth-grade callup late last season.