JACKSON — Wednesday was a bad night for the Vicksburg Gators. First they get beat handily by St. Stanislaus for the second time this season and then they came home to find many of their cars broken into by thieves. Still, the future does look bright next year.

With two of the state’s best players returning, in sophomore Mychal Ammons and junior Kelsey Howard, Vicksburg coach Dellie C. Robinson is optimistic.

Though disappointed by the 45-32 loss to St. Stanislaus, the Gators did finish with a 22-11 record and reached the Class 4A state tournament for the second straight season. Vicksburg will compete in the new Class 6A next season.

“I’m kind of yes and no about moving back to 6A. There’s no doubt 4A is a tough league with its depth, but our division next year in 6A is going to be tough as well with Greenville and Clinton. Clinton had a very strong ninth grade team this year,” Robinson said.

The good thing about 6A is that the Gators won’t have to worry about the likes of Ridgeland, Callaway or St. Stanislaus. Those three teams, all of which are still alive for the 4A title after Callaway’s win Thursday over Wayne County, accounted for seven of the Gators’ 11 losses this season. They were 1-3 against Ridgeland, including two losses in the postseason. They were also defeated decisively twice by the Rock-A-chaws, the first coming in the Red Carpet Classic in January.

“Obviously the highlight for us was the (58-52) win over Callaway last week. We played really well,” Robinson said. “Stanislaus just poses a problem for us because they are so patient and it’s hard for us to guard them in either a zone or man.”

Of the eight players used against the Rock-A-chaws Wednesday, four were seniors — guards Maurice Williams, Darius Williams and Jeremy Squire, and center Denzell Erves.

“We have some holes to fill,” Robinson said. “Having Mike and Kelsey back definitely gives us a great nucleus. We need to find some bench guys. The JV has some athletes so that’s a good place to start.”

The key, though, will be Ammons and Howard. Howard led the club with 16.4 points a game and will return as one of the top shooting guard prospects in the state in his senior year.

Ammons, a 6-foot-6 forward, was second on the team in scoring at 14.4 points despite missing 14 games with an ankle injury.

*

Contact Jeff Byrd at jbyrd@vicksburgpost.com.