Marguerite Sims of VHS drives around a Clinton defender in the third quarter Wednesday at the Northwest Rankin tournament. The Missy Gators lost, 65-31.(The Vicksburg Post/MARK THORNTON)

[12/27/01]Clinton coach Gary Miller denied sending extra turkey and dressing to Vicksburg High’s players for Christmas.

It only seemed like the Missy Gators were going a little slower in their 65-31 loss in Wednesday’s first round of the Northwest Rankin holiday tournament.

“It was a holiday for Clinton, too,” VHS coach Mike Coleman said when asked if the layoff hurt his team. “In the first half, we just had a lot of turnovers, and we didn’t rebound.”

Vicksburg (10-8) was without 6-foot post player Rae Evans for most of the game. She played the first two minutes, but couldn’t go because of a bad ankle, Coleman said.

Point guard Marguerite Sims led VHS with 11 points, and LaToya Trunell chipped in eight.

“That’s a good team,” Sims said, adding that she expected the score to at least be close. “You’ve got to key on (LaToya) George, but you’ve got to watch the others, too.”

George, a Louisiana Tech signee, poured in 17 in the first half and finished with 20. Markkessa Hughes, who made four straight shots in the fourth quarter to put Clinton up 55-26, finished with 18, and Christina Robinson added 14.

Clinton (12-3) pushed a 33-13 halftime lead to 29 points late in the fourth quarter before substitutes took over and built the lead to 34.

“I was a little surprised” at the victory margin, Miller said. “We can’t dominate people. We’ve got to make our shots because we’re not big.”

VHS played Mendenhall in a losers’ bracket game this morning.

VHS faces Clinton again Jan. 8 and Jan. 22.