[01/09/02]Leanne Feibelman is in her fourth season at Vicksburg High. Jill Rush has played one game at VHS. Both scored their first goals as Missy Gators Tuesday night.

It was that kind of night for VHS, which pummeled Natchez, 16-0, in the division opener. Brandi Parker had a hat trick to lead the Missy Gators (9-1) while Beth Ashby, Cassie Griffing and seventh-grader Holly Head all had two apiece.

Coach Kevin Manton moved some of his forwards back to defense early, but that didn’t slow down the offensive onslaught.

Michelle Beatty and Brandi Head had a goal and three assists apiece for VHS, which had 10 players get in the scoring column. Neely Nasif and Laura Peyton both had a goal and an assist. Also dishing out assists were Ashby (2), Tayvi Ellis, Viola Howard, Fiebelman and Anna Johnson.

Rush, a seventh-grader who transferred from Meridian over the Christmas holiday, scored on an assist from Brandi Head in her first time to suit up at VHS.

“It was good to get one like this just after the break,” Manton said, adding that it won’t be so easy the next few days and next week.

The Missy Gators go to Northwest Rankin Thursday, then play in the Brandon tournament Friday before facing Warren Central and Clinton next week.

“It’s going to be a tough week.”

(B) VHS 5, Natchez 1

Jeremy Johnson scored his second goal early in the second half to break open a 2-1 halftime advantage and the Gators (6-4-1, 1-0) cruised from there. Justin Jones added a penalty kick and Dave Matthews, who assisted Johnson’s second goal, netted the final score. Coleman Morrison scored the first goal on an assist from Johnson. Natchez’s Chris Hughes tied it four minutes later, but Johnson got the go-ahead goal with about four minutes left in the half.

“We struggled at times, but I’ll take an ugly district win,” VHS coach Josh Harper said.

Harper said his guys had an explanation for their first-half woes: “They told me they hadn’t played since last year.”