[07/11/02]The heat is on at Halls Ferry Park and coach Boozer Emerson hopes the forecast continues as his Vicksburg Heat hosts the Cal Ripken 11-year-olds’ State Tournament this weekend.

The Heat opens tournament play against North Jackson Friday at 10 a.m. in the tournament’s first game. The winner will play Friday at 6 p.m. against Jeff Davis County. The loser will play Saturday.

“Being the host team we have to play an extra game,” Emerson said. “So, to win the state we have to win five games where other teams have to win four.

“We will see what we’re made of.”

It will take the team six games in five days to claim the state title. The extended schedule could either wilt the Heat, or mold them into a championship squad.

“We don’t really have a superstar on the team, and that’s one thing I’m proud of,” Emerson said. “It’s a team effort. All 12 of them are important members of this team.

“… We have real good pitching. We have a great defense. I’d like to match our defense up against anybody. We just don’t hit hard. We hit the ball, but not hard. To win this tournament you’re going to have to hit the ball. If we don’t, we will have to rely on our pitching and defense.”

Nine teams from as far away as the Gulf Coast and Booneville will be playing in the double-elimination tournament. A banquet featuring Millsaps coach Jim Page will be tonight at Sherman Avenue Elementary School.