The Vicksburg Gators might have lost to Callaway in the Division 4-5A boys’ basketball tournament championship game, but did make some progress.

Callaway won 77-59 to claim its second straight division title, but for the Gators the game showed a lot of improvement. They had lost by 24 the last time they tangled with the Chargers and, although the defense had some missteps, it was still a stronger performance this time.

Darius Johnson’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer cut it to 35-28 at halftime, but Callaway pulled away in the second half. The Chargers’ center, James Williams, was the difference-maker with 29 points in the game.

Callaway (23-5) beat Vicksburg for the 12th consecutive time, a streak that dates back to 2009.
Despite the loss, the Gators (12-16) will play in the Class 5A state tournament that begins next week. They’ll host Lake Cormorant in a first-round game either Monday or Tuesday. The time and day were to be set Saturday morning.

Vicksburg coach Kelvin Carter felt his defense took a few too many chances against Callaway.
“We played a lot of 4-on-5, we were gambling a little bit and they got some shots on the inside, so we have to stay in front of them and play some 5-on-5 defense as a team,” Carter said.

Overall, however, the defense did a much better job at containing Callaway’s stars.

“We utilized the scouting report, watched film, practiced over and over again on how to maintain (Daeshun Ruffin) and (Deonte Spencer), and I think we did a great job of that, but some of the others got going,” Carter said. “They were really effective.”

It was key for the Gators to slow down Ruffin, as the freshman guard scorched them for 31 points the last time they met. On Friday, Ruffin had only 12 points and struggled to convert on his jump shot the whole game.

“We tried to work on keeping him in front, making it tough for him, put a taller guy out there on him, make it harder for him to shoot it over the top,” Carter said. “We knew that he was going to break free a couple of times and get to the goal, because he’s big-time quick, but I think the game plan to try and stop them was A-OK.”

On offense, Cameron Butler was electric for the Gators, scoring 17 points and hitting four 3-pointers. Jermiyah Brown added 12 points, all from beyond the arc.

“We’re working toward moving the ball more, taking our time, giving up a good shot for a great shot,” Carter said. “Butler has really come on, that kid has been playing his heart out. He’s been working extra in the morning, he ran cross country, he’s been doing everything it takes to get better and he really has helped us.”