The Hinds AHS War Dawgs have won 14 games this season and are currently ranked second in this week’s Class 2A poll by the Clarion Ledger.

But the Utica school is 0-1 against the Vicksburg Gators this season. The two teams meet again Thursday at 3:30 p.m. in the Raymond Holiday Tournament.

&#8220They’ve lost just two this year, but one of them was to us,” said VHS coach Dellie C. Robinson of the 61-53 win on the War Dawgs’ floor three weeks ago. &#8220That was one of our good nights.”

The Gators have been up and down in the last three weeks, something that belies their overall record of 9-4. Not only have they beaten Hinds, they also own a win over defending Class 5A state champion Murrah.

But they’ve also lost twice to archrival Warren Central, including a stunning 25-point loss at home in the Division 6-5A opener just 10 days ago.

&#8220It was embarrassing to lose by that much on our floor,” Robinson said.

The key for the Gators is to have big games from their top two scorers in Brandon Harper and Jonathan Phelps.

&#8220When Harper don’t score, we’re in trouble. He didn’t make a field goal against Warren Central and that’s why the game went the way it did,” Robinson said. &#8220Phelps didn’t do much either. We’ve got to get points from those two guys.”

Harper has had his moments, specifically, a 42-point performance in a loss to Callaway in the Warren Central Classic. Though just 6-foot-2, Harper is an outstanding leaper and can score in a variety of ways.

Phelps is the Gators’ long range threat and needs to be on in order to give VHS an inside/outside game.

The VHS girls (6-7) will open the four-team Raymond Tournament against unbeaten Hinds AHS (16-0) at 2 p.m. Thursday. The other tournament games have host Raymond taking on the Morton girls at 4:30 and the two boys teams following at 6 p.m.

Thursday’s winners advance to the finals on Friday while the losers will play in the consolation games.

First-year Missy Gators coach Barbara Hartzog said she expects her team to play better than the 13-point loss in the first meeting with Hinds AHS.

&#8220It’s been a big adjustment for them to get used to how we want to play. It’s going to take time. We’ve gotten better and I think we’ll have a better effort this time. We’ve played them once and they beat us 13, but they have all their players back from last year.”

The Missy Gators are led by 5-9 forward Rachel Jenkins and 6-foot sophomore Taylor Ammons.

Following the Raymond Tournament, both VHS teams will be off for the remainder of the holidays. They will return to action with a home game on Jan. 3 against Clinton. The Lady Arrows (12-0) currently have the top-rated club in Mississippi, heading into next week’s eight-team tournament at Northwest Rankin.