Who are the best hoops teams on the coast? Harrison Central and Biloxi lead the pack
Basketball on the gulf coast is beginning to heat up as district battles begin trickling in, and several teams have already established themselves among the best across the area.
With most schools now at double-digit games played, the Sun Herald has put together the first set of power rankings for girls and boys basketball teams in the coastal region.
Team records are as up to date as available. Please send records, results and stats to sports@sunherald.com.
Boys
1. Biloxi 12-1
The Indians earned wins over two top-10 teams this week, getting a convincing 49-27 victory over Hancock and taking down D’Iberville on Friday night.
2. Vancleave 11-2
The Bulldogs are putting together a big year behind senior Oscar Hampton. The forward poured in 27 points on Friday night in a home win over Satsuma.
3. St. Patrick 10-1
The Fighting Irish have rebounded well from a surprising season-opening loss to Bay High. St. Patrick has won 10 in a row since then.
4. Hancock 9-3
Hancock opened the season with eight straight wins behind an experienced core group of players. After three straight losses, the Hawks found the win column again Friday night over Pear River Central.
5. Harrison Central 7-2
Another team that got off to a hot start, the Red Rebels have lost two in a row. One of those losses a road upset at the hands of Pascagoula.
6. Ocean Springs 8-2
The Greyhounds have won seven games in a row since Nov. 6. Elijah Isom and Maddox Noblitt combined for 33 in a Friday night win over North Pike. The Greyhounds continue their Alabama-heavy schedule this week against Vigor, Saraland and Bryant.
7. Pearl River Central 8-3
The Blue Devils have lost two of their last three games but two of their three losses on the season have come to top five teams Hancock and St. Patrick.
8. Pascagoula 7-4
The Panthers have garnered big wins over Harrison Central and Gulfport recently, positioning the Panthers to rise up the list soon.
9. Gulfport 7-5
The Admirals have been streaky this year and are coming off a 62-59 loss to Madison-Ridgeland Academy. Gulfport has a key game coming up against a Pass Christian team that sits just outside the top 10.
10. D’Iberville 8-5
Rounding out the list is a Warriors team that is finding their way. D’Iberville has had to play Biloxi in each of its last two games, coming up short against the coast’s best both times.
Just outside
- Christian Collegiate Aca. 9-0
- Gautier 8-5
- Pass Christian 7-5
Girls
1. Harrison Central 10-0
Nancy Ladner’s team is off to a white hot start to the year. The Red Rebels have won nine of their 10 games by at least double digits. Laila Walker had 14 points and 13 rebounds in a recent win over Doyle, La.
2. Biloxi 10-2
The Biloxi basketball program is looking like the best on the coast this season with the girls playing at an elite level. The Indians got a big win over top Hancock this past week. Biloxi and HCHS are on a collision course toward a big game on Jan. 6.
3. Gulfport 8-3
The Lady Admirals haven’t played a very regional schedule so far, but do have a win over No. 7 Pascagoula this season. All three losses have come to central Mississippi teams.
4. Hancock 8-4
A traditionally strong Hancock team stumbled after a 6-0 start and lost four of its next five games. The Hawks rebounded this week with a win over Pear River Central.
5. Pass Christian 7-2
The Lady Pirates are on a tear right now, ripping through their last three opponents by a combined score of 151-36. Two big games against Gulfport are still left on the December docket.
6. Moss Point 7-4
Moss Point secured a key overtime win over Pascagoula on Friday night to earn consecutive win number three. Michaela Payton is leading the team with 13 points and 8.5 rebounds per game.
7. Pascagoula 6-4
The Panthers have lost three of the last four and four of the last six. It doesn’t get any easier with Biloxi and Pass Christian on the horizon.
8. Bay High 8-5
Bay is having an up-and-down season but has an opportunity to build on a 45-15 win over Cottage Hill Christian Academy.
9. Gautier 8-6
The Lady Gators are currently on a remarkable run. After an 0-6 start, Gautier has rattled off eight wins in a row, one of the longest active win streaks on the coast.
10. Vancleave 7-5
The Bulldogs have had a tough time stringing together wins and are looking for consistency in the back half of the year. A 49-37 win over Cottage Hill followed by a 42-23 loss to the same team a month later sums up the season to date for Vancleave.
