The Vicksburg Gators have not had a lot of easy nights so far this season, and the challenging grind finally caught up to them.

Tamarion Hoover scored a game-high 20 points, including 15 in the first half, as Yazoo City beat Vicksburg 53-47 on Tuesday to end the Gators’ nine-game winning streak.

Damarion Winston added 10 points for Yazoo City (10-0), which won the MHSAA Class 4A championship last season and is the top-ranked boys’ basketball team in Mississippi according to MaxPreps.com.

It was the third game against a 2023 state finalist — and second defending state champion — that Vicksburg (9-2) has played. It won the first two but couldn’t pull this one out.

Hoover scored nine points in the third quarter as Yazoo City outscored the Gators 19-9. The surge turned a four-point halftime lead for the Indians into a 41-27 advantage and they held off a late push by the Gators to remain undefeated.

Davian Williams led Vicksburg with 16 points. Jaylin Jackson made three 3-pointers and finished with nine points, while Jadarius Henderson and Kameryn Bailey scored seven each.

Vicksburg will go on the road to play McComb Friday at 6 p.m.

Warren Central 81, Wingfield 68
Gaylon Turner had 27 points, Garrett Orgas added 11 points and 11 rebounds, and Warren Central (5-5) routed Wingfield for its fourth consecutive victory.

Warren Central led by as many as 30 points in the second half. Wingfield cut into that once WC coach Keith Williams cleared his bench, but the Falcons never came close to making it a game.

“Right now the guys are having fun and playing well for each other,” Williams said.

Jaylon Winters and Roosevelt Harris both finished with nine points for Warren Central, Teryn Green scored six, and Jonathan Henderson had five. Harris also had six assists and eight steals.

In the girls’ game, Wingfield beat Warren Central 49-46.

Warren Central will go on the road to play Clinton Friday at 6 p.m.

Porter’s Chapel 50, Humphreys Academy 48
Ty Mack finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds, Gavin White scored 11, and Porter’s Chapel Academy (2-0) beat Humphreys Academy for the second time in a week.

Taylor LaBarre added nine points and Noah Porter eight for the Eagles. Porter also had five rebounds and four assists.

Steele Taylor led Humphreys Academy with 13 points and Jonathan Still scored 10, all in the second half.

Girls
Yazoo City 64, Vicksburg 57
E’Kemii Johnson scored a game-high 25 points as Yazoo City (6-4) handed the Vicksburg Missy Gators (1-9) another close loss.

It was Vicksburg’s sixth loss this season by seven points or less. Yazoo City built a 32-21 lead at halftime and held the Missy Gators at bay in the second half.

Kierra James and Cynia Johnson scored 20 points apiece for the Missy Gators, and Rodrianna Hall finished with 10.

Riverfield 56, St. Aloysius 24
Olivia Larsen scored nine points and Maddy McSherry had seven, but the St. Aloysius Lady Flashes lost to Riverfield Academy on Tuesday.

Porter’s Chapel 59, Humphreys Academy 24
Jae’la Smith had a huge game, with 34 points, 11 rebounds and seven steals, to lead Porter’s Chapel Academy (2-0) to a rout of Humphreys Academy.

Marley Bufkin added eight points and four steals for the Lady Eagles, while Lauren Madison had six points and nine rebounds. Sophie Masterson finished with four points and 10 rebounds.

PCA had 16 steals and shot 50 percent (23-for-46) as a team.