The big attraction for this week’s Vicksburg-Warren County Basketball Classic will be the appearance of Port Gibson’s 7-foot-2 junior center Jamarious Sykes.

Sykes and the Blue Waves (2-1) open tournament play tonight at 7:30 against the Vicksburg Gators (1-0), a preseason No. 9 ranked team by the Clarion-Ledger. Sykes came to Port Gibson after transferring from North Hardy High School in Kentucky.

In three games this season, his size has made an impact. He’s averaged 14 points and 16 rebounds for coach Kim Windom’s team, which included an 18-point, 17-rebound game against Hinds AHS last week.

“He could definitely be a difference maker for them,” Hinds coach Keith Williams said after his team pulled out a 74-65 win at Port Gibson. “I saw him play down at North Pike. He’s so tall.”

Windom says Sykes is a work in progress.

“He’s going to be all right. He didn’t play last year and he came to us right before last Christmas. He played his ninth grade year up in Kentucky. He had gone here during his elementary school days up until high school and he wanted to come back and be with his class.”

Sykes said he was glad to be back in Mississippi.

“My family felt I could get a better education and play basketball here,” Sykes said. “I’m just trying to get back into basketball shape. I was out all last year. It’s a little different playing here than back in Kentucky.

“I’ve just had to work more on my conditioning, my foot work and remember to keep my hands up,” he added.

When he does, Sykes provides a formidiable obstacle.

While most Mississippi scouts have not seen or heard of him before, Sykes was seen at a pair of prestigious camps over the summer.

“I went to the Top 10 Adidas Camp in Atlanta and I also went to Tracy McGrady’s Camp in Houston. I think I did pretty good there,” Sykes said.

Vicksburg’s girls team will host Port Gibson at 6 p.m.

This week’s tournament will serve as the season opener for the Warren Central Lady Vikes and Vikings. The Lady Vikes were also a preseason Top 10 team in the Clarion-Ledger poll. Two-time Vicksburg Post Player of the Year Sha’Kayla Caples, a junior forward, leads coach Donny Fuller’s team. They’ll open up against Natchez today at 4 p.m., while WC’s boys host Wingfield at 8:30.

“We’re anxious to play somebody else for a change. We’re at the point where we need to play somebody,” Fuller said.