The Vicksburg Missy Gators conquered a postseason nemesis to get a step closer to a region championship.

Zion Harvey scored 16 points, and Cynia Johnson had a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds as the Missy Gators defeated Neshoba Central 53-46 in the MHSAA Region 2-6A girls basketball tournament semifinals on Thursday.

Neshoba Central (14-14) had beaten Vicksburg three times in the state tournament since 2018, as well as in the Region 2-6A tournament semifinals in 2024. That snapped a run of four consecutive region tournament championships for the Missy Gators and was part of Neshoba Central’s march to a third state championship in seven seasons.

Vicksburg won two of their three meetings this season, including the one that mattered most.

Jada Erwin made four 3-pointers to finish with 12 points, and five players contributed three points each. Harvey had four assists and seven steals to go with her 16 points.

The Missy Gators trailed at the end of the first quarter, but took the lead by halftime and entered the fourth quarter with a commanding 46-32 advantage. Johnson and Jamia Grace both had key baskets in the last two minutes, and Harvey made two free throws to help seal it.

The Missy Gators advanced to the championship game Friday at 7 p.m. against Callaway (25-3). The defending Class 6A champs crushed Columbus, 52-18, in the other semifinal game Thursday. The tournament is being played at Neshoba Central.

Callaway is ranked No. 2 in Class 6A this season. It won both regular-season meetings against Vicksburg (17-11), including a 58-46 decision in the regular-season finale on Feb. 1.

MHSAA Region 2-6A tournament
At Neshoba Central
Girls
Feb. 4
Vicksburg 62, Warren Central 46
Columbus 33, Ridgeland 32
Feb. 6
Callaway 52, Columbus 18
Vicksburg 53, Neshoba Central 46
Feb. 7
Columbus vs. Neshoba Central, 4 p.m.
Vicksburg vs. Callaway, 7 p.m.