Infusion of young talent sparks Gators

An infusion of youth has given the Vicksburg Gators’ basketball team a lift into the Round of 16 which begins this afternoon against Pontotoc at Oxford High in the North State Tournament.

Coach Dellie C. Robinson’s Gators (27-6) currently start a freshman at center in Mychal Ammons and a sophomore at small forward in Kelsey Howard. Two more underclassmen in juniors Maurice Williams and 6-foot-7 center Denzell Erves, are getting significant minutes off the bench. And more talent is in the pipeline as Vicksburg’s ninth grade team won its third straight Little Six Conference championship in late January.

Gator seniors John Qualls and Delmon Robinson are elated to see that their program will be good for the next several years.

“These guys coming in are way more talented than we were. It means a lot more positive things in the future for Vicksburg High basketball,” Qualls said.

“Man, these young guys all have talent. And I’ve liked what I’ve seen from both Mychal (Ammons) and Kelsey (Howard),” Delmon Robinson said. “To see Mychal play, like he does as a freshman, that’s going to make things pretty good for my dad.”

Dellie C. Robinson’s initial plan was to retire after the school year so he could follow his son, Delmon, around the Southeastern Conference as he begins his career with the Mississippi State football team in the fall. But with so much talent coming back, those plans have been shelved.

“No doubt, I’m going to be around here a little bit longer,” Robinson said.

He hopes this year’s team can add a second state championship to his resume. He coached the Gators to the 2003 Class 5A State title. They made a good run in 2005, reaching the South State 5A consolation game.

“I felt like we had a golden opportunity that year,” Robinson said. “We had to play Biloxi the first night and got blown out, but the next night against Moss Point, we had a five-point lead late, and should’ve beaten them but didn’t. We’ve got another golden chance this year, but it also looks real good down the line.

“I’ve got three more years with Ammons. He’s already a special player. Kelsey Howard has come on big for us and made some big shots to get us going against West Lauderdale. We’ll also have back both Maurice and Denzell Erves for another year,” Robinson said.

Ammons, who at 14 won a FIBA World Championship in 2007 on the United States’ 15-and-under national team, has been a big reason for the Gators’ surge this season. The 6-5 freshman was huge in the Division 3-4A Tournament, posting a pair of double-doubles, including a 15-point, 16-rebound effort against Ridgeland which locked up a home satellite game Tuesday night.

Howard did his part, knocking down three 3-pointers in the first half to key the Gators’ 63-44 win Tuesday night over West Lauderdale. The win advanced Vicksburg to the North State Tournament against Pontotoc today at 4 p.m. Since joining the starting lineup after the Ranger Roundup in Raymond, the Gators have gone 14-1 with Howard at small forward. His shooting ability opens up the floor for the team’s leader, All-Star guard Jonathan Phelps, who has averaged 25.1 points in four postseason games.

While Phelps, Delmon Robinson, Qualls and Jaybri Williams will be done after this season, there is plenty of talent coming up from both the B-team and the ninth grade.

“There are some kids on this year’s ninth grade team that are going to help us next year. And then there is a sophomore kid named Chris Miller, already about 6-3, who’s also going to make an impact,” the coach said.

Pontotoc (25-8) comes into today’s game on a roll with 14 straight wins. They beat Gentry 105-89 Tuesday in a satellite game.

In other games, New Hope (25-8), which dethroned three-time defending 4A champ Lanier 81-79 Tuesday night, takes on the host Oxford Chargers (30-3) tonight at 8:30. Ridgeland (24-9), which upset Noxubee County 57-52 Tuesday, meets Hernando (28-6) at 5:30. The winner of that game meets the Vicksburg-Pontotoc winner on Friday at 7. Callaway (25-9) takes on Shannon (22-8) at 7.

Elsewhere, the unbeaten Hinds AHS War Dawgs (30-0) head to the South State 2A Tournament. Hinds faces Bassfield at 5:30.

Port Gibson (18-12) upset Wayne County 49-47 Tuesday in a South State 4A satellite game. The Blue Waves take on Forrest County AHS tonight in Picayune at 8:30.

Prep Basketball

4 p.m. – Vickbsurg (27-6) vs. Pontotoc (25-8), at Oxford

5:30 p.m. – Hinds AHS (30-0) vs. Bassfield, at Forest