[01/25/02]Don’t let the fact Bogue Chitto is a Class 1A school fool anyone, Vicksburg girls coach Mike Coleman said.

All Coleman sees is the Lady Bobcats’ six state championships since 1988 and the 10-1 record.

“I have a lot of experience coaching against them from when I was at Utica,” Coleman said. “They’ve won six state championships and have been to the Coliseum almost every year.”

Coleman also knows that Class 1A schools often get overlooked when playing bigger schools.

While at Utica, Coleman’s team was set to play in the Coca-Cola Classic against Warren Central.

“I told our girls that they picked you because they think you’re the worst team,” Coleman said. “We beat Warren Central by about 20 and Callaway by 18 the next night. It ended up being us and Port Gibson in the finals and we were the only two schools that weren’t 5A.

“I’m sure that’s going to be Bogue Chitto’s outlook.”

Coleman’s Missy Gators, coming off a runaway 72-54 win over Clinton on Tuesday, will play the Bobcats less than 24 hours after squaring off against Natchez on a key Division 6-5A matchup.

“I feel like if we play like we did Tuesday night, a lot of teams in this state will have some problems with us,” Coleman said.

Bogue Chitto coach Mickey Myers was away and not expected back until this afternoon. He was unavailable for comment.

“I understand that West Lincoln gave Bogue Chitto it’s first loss the other night,” said Coleman, whose last scouting report on the Lady Bobcats came in 1994. “Those schools down there just love to play basketball.”

Coleman said he wanted to find a team for the RCC that would bring lots of competition and fans to the game. Choctaw Central, which has played in the RCC before, was unavailable, leaving a spot for Bogue Chitto.

“They’re going to follow their girls like crazy,” Coleman said. “When we played them when I was at Utica, the place would be packed for the girls game and the stands would clear out for the boys game.”

In their only other game against a 1A opponent this season, Vicksburg demolished Madison-St. Joseph in the Northwest Rankin Tournament, 70-14.

Vicksburg’s boys are also riding a high heading into the matchup with the Bobcats after an improbable win over Clinton.

Chris Humes’ 3-pointer tied the game as time expired, then Dewayne Jackson took control in overtime to secure the 78-71 win.

Robinson, like Coleman, will be coming off a tough division game against Natchez on Friday night.

“We’re certainly on an emotional high after the Clinton game, but our guys understand that we have a very tough game against Natchez,” Robinson said.

Robinson said he will prepare for Bogue Chitto Saturday morning.

“We’ve spent all our energy on Clinton and Natchez and haven’t even thought about Bogue Chitto,” Robinson said. “I know it will be an excellent ballgame, though.”