Saturday’s win over Warren Central did a lot for the confidence and morale of the Vicksburg Gators, who are without one of their key players and had been on a three-game losing streak.

The Gators have had to adjust their brand of basketball until sometime in January without the big, physical presence of Kirk Parker. The 6-foot-5 forward suffered an elbow injury while going for a rebound against Terry on Nov. 12. It’s hurt the team’s ability to rebound and taken away a scoring threat in the paint. But, as with any team, players are stepping in to fill the void.

“We needed a victory without Kirk,” Gators coach Dellie C. Robinson said after Saturday’s 51-36 win over Warren Central. “I thought if we got a victory without Kirk, we’ll be able to build momentum off that. I thought they stepped up tonight and played a great game without him.”

Robinson said his team is working by committee in the absence of Parker. Dylan Claiborn stepped in and scored four points off the bench for the Gators on Saturday. Although Ke’Darrion Parson didn’t play a lot against Warren Central, he did contribute in a loss to Pearl last week and showed he can be another scoring option off the bench.

Raheam Moore is another player Robinson is asking to step up. Moore scored 12 points against the Vikings, and was the Gators’ second-leading score behind Kenneth Murphy, who totaled 14 points.

“I was hoping he would step up and he did. He had a knee problem in football and he’s just kind of getting to where he can run a little bit and do some things off that knee,” Robinson said. “Kardell English stepped up and handled the ball real well for us. Dentarius Richardson got to step up and make some 3-point shots. He’s getting the open look, but (Saturday) he made them. If he continues to make those 3-point shots that’s going to put us in real good shape for district.”

Richardson hit three 3-pointers on Saturday.

At this point in the season, the Gators aren’t where Robinson wants them to be and have a lot of work to do. They’re 4-3 and will host Germantown on Tuesday night and then Pearl on Friday night.

Boxing out and grabbing rebounds are two key aspects he wants his team to improve on. Robinson said at the end of the Warren Central game, they were hurt on the boards due to not blocking out.

“If we would’ve got two or three rebounds, they wouldn’t have had the shots they had at the end, but we couldn’t get the rebounds,” Robinson said. “And then work on the press too. We get a little nervous on the press when people start to put pressure on us.”

Robinson also wants his team to become better shooting the ball against zone defenses.

“If they’re playing zone, you got to make the open shots. If they’re going to trap you, you’re going to get some wide open looks and you got to make them,” Robinson said. “We worked a lot on shooting the basketball. We’ve got to get better at it and hopefully we can.”

Upcoming VHS schedule

• Germantown at Vicksburg, Tuesday, 6 p.m.

• Pearl at Vicksburg, Friday, 6 p.m.

• Vicksburg vs. Lawrence County,Saturday, 9:30 a.m., at Pearl (girls only)