Zion Harvey and Cynia Johnson did not initially plan to go to the same college. It just worked out that way and they rolled with it as smoothly as they run a fast break in the open court.

The Vicksburg High basketball teammates both signed to play next season at Holmes Community College, and celebrated their achievement with a joint signing ceremony Wednesday at VHS.

“Once we both knew we had both got an offer from the same school, we talked about how it would be if we both signed there,” Harvey said. “We would still be able to play with each other and have that connection that we have on the floor and outside of the floor.”

Harvey and Johnson have been the backbone of a Missy Gators team that had an 18-12 record heading into Friday’s game against Olive Branch in the second round of the MHSAA Class 6A tournament.

Harvey, a point guard, is averaging 27 points, six assists and four rebounds per game. Johnson, a post player, is putting up 23 points, 18 rebounds and three blocks per game.

“If you’ve lived in this city and you know Vicksburg Missy Gators basketball, they’ve carried us,” Missy Gators coach Troy Stewart said. “They’re the backbone. They’re exactly what we’ve needed to get ourselves where we are now. Without Cynia and Zion, the season goes totally different.”

Their paths to getting a college offer were a bit different, though.

Johnson grew up in Vicksburg’s basketball program. She’s been a part of it since eighth grade, a contributor for four seasons and a starter for the past two. Harvey transferred from Warren Central in 2023 and was ineligible to play last season because of MHSAA rules.

As much as they’ve done to contribute to the Missy Gators’ success on the court, Stewart said they’ve done more in setting a good example as team leaders.

“Zion came here last year and was not allowed to play. She was in the gym every day, bought in every day, did everything we asked her to do. Cynia’s been great for me since eighth grade,” Stewart said. “The loyalty they’ve showed the program and the amount of work they’ve put in, you know they’re going to be great leaders wherever they go.”

Holmes started recruiting both players last fall, and it didn’t take long for them to reach the same conclusion — it was a place they very much wanted to be.

“At first, not really,” Johnson said when asked if that had been their plan all along. “But we both decided to sit down one day and were like, ‘What school do you want to go to?’ Both of us said Holmes.”

Johnson added that she was sold on the atmosphere at Holmes and their plans for her on the court.

“They made me feel like they wanted me to be a big part of the team and like I could help them next year. I went on a visit and it felt very welcoming,” Johnson said.

Harvey had similar reasons for joining Holmes’ program.

“Being there made me feel like at home. It was a good connection with everybody. Everybody was nice. Everybody was just fun to be around,” Harvey said.

Now both Missy Gators will become Bulldogs as they try to elevate Holmes next season the same way they did Vicksburg in this one.

“It feels good,” Harvey said of the opportunity to play college basketball. “I’m very thankful for everything — my family, my friends, everybody that pushed me to make it this far. They pushed me to be good, they told me what’s right from wrong, they were just there for me.”