STARKVILLE — In a battle of two of the best teams in Class 6A, Starkville had more weapons than the Vicksburg Gators.

The third-ranked Yellow Jackets hit nine 3-pointers in a fast-paced first half, then changed tempo in the second with a combination zone to limit the smaller Gators to one shot and done. And with it, the Gators’ shot at getting back to the Mississippi Coliseum for the Class 6A state tournament was over after an 84-67 loss.

Starkville (26-2) advanced to the North State title game game tonight at 7 and also clinched a spot in the state tournament which begins on March 4.

Vicksburg coach Dellie C. Robinson thanked his team for recording the best season, record-wise in his tenure. Vicksburg finished with a 25-4 record.

“We had a super year — 25-4. This was my best year in Vicksburg record-wise, even though we did win state in 2003,” Robinson said.

Ironcially, Vicksburg beat Starkville that year for the Class 5A title in Jackson after losing to the Yellow Jackets here at North State. With a change of format to six classes and only four teams advancing to state instead of six as in past seasons, there is no second chance for the Gators via the consolation game.

Robinson said the Gators were beaten by two factors — Starkville’s superb first-half shooting and its rebounding.

“They came out and shot lights out. We couldn’t double team anybody because you have to account for (Edward Townsel) all the time. You have to give it to them, they played great on their home floor. And then they just killed us on the boards. We didn’t get to the offensive glass and they did,” Robinson said.

Standout Vicksburg junior Mychal Ammons had to battle two Yellow Jackets who were 6-foot-5 or better. Gavin Ware, a 6-8 sophomore, converted five offensive rebounds into second chance points. Tory Rice, a 6-7 back-up, had eight points off four putbacks.

Ammons had 18 points and seven rebounds, but his contributions were offset by those of the Starkville duo.

“This was definitely disappointing,” Ammons said.

Starkville forced a furious pace in the first half. Jacquez Johnson hit two 3-pointers to open the game and light the Yellow Jackets’ fire. They hit five treys in the quarter and nine in the first half.

Vicksburg kept pace for the first 11 minutes, drawing even at 28 after two free throws from Kelsey Howard. Then the Gators started missing both long range and driving shots while the Yellow Jackets kept hitting. In the second quarter, the Gators missed 10 shots while the Jackets were on a 75 percent clip until they missed the last two shots in the half.

Starkville took a comfortable 51-41 lead into the halftime break.

The Yellow Jackets made 16 of their first 20 shots and finished the game 31-of-56 (57 percent).

“We have had games where we shot well for a quarter or half, like we did against Provine, but we haven’t had a game where it seemed like we shot well the whole game,” Starkville coach Greg Carter said. “Anything we threw up there in the first half, went in.”

In the second half, the Yellow Jackets switched to a zone defense and limited the Gators to a single shot on most possessions. Vicksburg did not make a field goal until Dominique Brown hit a 3-pointer with 30 seconds left in the quarter. By then, the Gators trailed 64-49.

Townsel, a cat-quick point guard, made the lead hold up in the fourth quarter by beating Vicksburg’s press for six points and a 19-point lead.

Vicksburg made one last run when Brown knocked down a 3-pointer and Howard followed with one of his own to make it 76-63 with two minutes left.

Two costly turnovers prevented the Gators from getting any closer.

Howard ended his outstanding career with the Gators with 23 points, five assists and three rebounds. Brown had nine points and five assists.

Starkville was led by Townsel, who scored all 18 of his points in the second half. Shaquille Hill had 17 points, 15 of which came in the first half, while Johnson scored 13.

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Contact Jeff Byrd at jbyrd@vicksburgpost.com