February is the shortest month of the year, but for a long time it’s been the most difficult for the Vicksburg Missy Gators to get through.

Since 2007, they have a 4-30 record during the month and have only advanced beyond the division tournament round of the MHSAA playoffs twice. Each time they made it to the state tournament, they lost their first game.

Each season brings a new hope, however, and the Missy Gators will get another shot this week. They’ll open the Division 4-5A tournament at Jackson’s Lanier High School Monday night at 6 when they play Ridgeland (23-3) in the first round.

Vicksburg (11-15) will once again have to exorcise its February demons by shaking off a slump. It has lost three of its four games this month, and nine of 12 since New Year’s. Its players are still confident, however, that they can turn things around.

“I feel confident. I feel like we’re starting to step up and we’re going to get out of district,” senior guard Keiyana Gaskin said. “We had some problems in the team, but I think we solved those and we’re coming together. Our confidence is better than it has been. If we show up and have some energy, we can win.”

The Missy Gators have the talent to have a puncher’s chance against anyone.

Senior forward Karry Callahan is one of the best players in Mississippi, averaging 15.7 points and 16.9 rebounds per game along with 4.3 steals and 3.9 blocks. Gaskin (10.7 ppg, 6.5 rpg) is a strong second option, and other role players like Micha Williams, Pleasure King and Monique Jones are capable of providing valuable contributions through rebounding or 3-point shooting.

Williams scored 23 points and 12 points in losses to Greenville and Brandon, respectively, last week and hit eight 3-pointers.

The problem has been putting all of that together for more than a single game.

Before her recent hot streak, for example, Williams was held scoreless in a loss to Lanier and had three points or less in four out of six games. Gaskin has scored in double figures once in the last five games.

“It depends on how everybody comes,” senior forward Karry Callahan said. “It depends on whose day it is. If everybody shows up, we can do good.”

The Missy Gators are the No. 4 seed in the tournament and picked up a tough draw in facing top-seeded Ridgeland. The Lady Titans’ only loss in the division was by two points in overtime, on the road against Neshoba Central. They beat Vicksburg by 22 points on Jan. 8 and by 17 on Jan. 26.

Callahan said a big factor in those games was Ridgeland center Kayla Simmons, and stopping her needs to be a priority.

“I think if can counter the big girl, we’ve got a chance,” Callahan said.

Win or lose on Monday, the Missy Gators will play again. The top three teams in each division advance to the Class 5A state tournament, so Monday’s losers will play for the right to move on in a consolation game on Friday afternoon. The winners play for the championship on Friday night.

Gaskin said the goal is simply to make it to next week and get to the state tournament.

“It’s another go-round. We prefer to win, but as long as we do our best I don’t care what anybody says,” Gaskin said. “If we touch the court at the Coliseum, I’ll be happy. I think we have a chance to make it.”

Division 4-5A Tournament

At Lanier High School

Girls

Monday

Vicksburg vs. Ridgeland, 6 p.m.

Tuesday

Neshoba Central vs. Lanier, 6 p.m.

Friday

Consolation game, 4 p.m.

Championship game, 7 p.m.

Boys

Monday

Lanier vs. Neshoba Central, 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday

Vicksburg vs. Ridgeland, 7:30 p.m.

Friday

Consolation game, 5:30 p.m.

Championship game, 8:30 p.m.