{1/25/03}It was too cold for grass to grow Saturday afternoon, and there wasn’t a spot of fresh paint to be found in Warren Central’s gym.

All Mike Coleman could watch instead was his Vicksburg Missy Gators turn in its worst performance of the season.

VHS (12-12) was just 5-for-30 from the field, didn’t score a single point in the third quarter, and lost to Yazoo County 35-13 at the Red Carpet Classic. No Missy Gator scored more than four points.

“That’s just one we’ve definitely got to put behind us, and not even try to remember. That was just a nightmare,” Coleman said.

Michael Spires had 17 points and 12 rebounds to lead Yazoo County (17-7), which scored more points in the first quarter than VHS had in the entire game. The Lady Panthers opened the game with a 12-0 run and led 14-2 after one period.

“That early start was the difference. That gave us a chance to play good, solid defense,” Yazoo County coach Patrick Nutter said.

The worst was still to come for the Missy Gators, however.

After heading into halftime down 20-8, VHS didn’t score at all in the third quarter. The Missy Gators were 0-for-11 from the floor, had several other shots result in airballs or bricks off the backboard, and missed numerous shots under the goal.

“We couldn’t buy a layup. We shot layup after layup after layup, and nothing went in,” Coleman said.

Yazoo County wasn’t much better on the offensive end. The Lady Panthers had seven turnovers, were 1-for-9 from the field, and scored just three points in the third quarter.

Solid defense kept them in the lead, however, and they pulled away with a game-ending 8-0 run in the fourth quarter.

“Neither one of us shot very well,” Nutter said. “It just seemed like we ended up getting better looks inside.”

(B) Yazoo Co. 51, VHS 43

Vicksburg (17-7) trailed by only three points at the end of the third quarter, then opened the fourth with seven straight missed shots.

Yazoo County capitalized on the missed shots and turned their three point lead into a seven point lead to win.

Anthony Carlyle was named MVP as he led Yazoo County and all scorers with 16 points.

Jamaal Thomas led Vicksburg with 10 points and 8 rebounds.