With its top rebounder John Qualls on the bench with foul trouble, Vicksburg had to go elsewhere for its rebounding against a big and physical team from Port Gibson Friday night.

Sophomore forward Maurice Williams stepped up, grabbing 11 rebounds as the Gators defeated the Waves 67-54.

&#8220I thought we did pretty well with John out,” Vicksburg coach Dellie C. Robinson said. &#8220Deko (Branch) grabbed a few rebounds, Charles Coleman grabbed a few and I didn’t know Maurice got that many – 11. That’s an okay night.”

The scoring load again fell to Jonathan Phelps, who took advantage of a newly installed zone offense to score a game-high 29 points.

&#8220We did a good job in a little offense we put in this week,” Robinson said. &#8220It’s designed for Maurice to hit that shot in the middle of the lane, but he couldn’t hit it. We put Phelps in that spot because he can score anywhere on the floor.”

Vicksburg (10-3) built a 14-point lead early in the second quarter but Port Gibson (5-9) came back behind 6-foot-5 center Josh Coleman, who scored 10 of his 20 points in the period.

&#8220We’ve got four sophomores out there and I’m pleased with how they are coming along against a good schedule,” Port Gibson coach Kim Windom said.

The Waves got the deficit down to five at 38-33. Delmon Robinson then hit a 3-pointer right before the half for a 41-33 lead.

Phelps knocked down four shots out of the Gators’ zone offense in the third quarter while Williams grabbed six rebounds as they went up 57-40.

Jaybri Williams chipped in 11 points for Vicksburg while Robinson and Qualls had eight each.

(G) Port Gibson 60, VHS 49.

Port Gibson coach Harold Liggans credited a tough early schedule for his team being able to handle the Missy Gators in an 11-point win.

&#8220We haven’t played any slouches,” Liggans said. &#8220Warren Central has beaten me three times, Hinds twice, and Forest Hill and Raymond once. That’s all seven of our losses. Those are some very good teams. We showed tonight we can run the floor.”

VHS coach Barbara Hartzog was disappointed in her team’s effort.

&#8220We didn’t come ready to play,” Hartzog said. &#8220We did nothing at the free throw line and we had no rebounding. We didn’t hustle.”

Port Gibson (10-7) got 13 points from Katrina Wilson and 12 from Lillie Porter. Three other players scored at least six.

Vicksburg (8-5) was led by Kamiko Martin with 15 and Taylor Ammons with 13.