Basketball practice for high school teams opened in gyms across Warren County on Monday. Optimism runs high at Vicksburg High, where the boys’ team could start the season ranked in the state’s top five and a veteran Missy Gators squad could get some notice.

VHS boys coach Dellie C. Robinson has 18 players on his senior-laden roster, with three more on the way once football season wraps up in a few weeks.

“We’ve got eight seniors and I like our team. I’m glad to see practice start. We’re going to put in a lot of our offense this week and then work on fundamentals,” Robinson said.

One Gator in particular was happy to get going. Sporting a new beard, senior Mychal Ammons is looking forward to the upcoming season.