Here are the teams on top and making strides in the latest Coast hoops power rankings
The Biloxi High boys and Harrison Central girls hold the top spots but the Hancock girls and Gulfport boys made strides in the latest prep basketball power rankings this week.
Region play is in full swing and the top teams on the Coast are playing the most important high school basketball games of the year.
Some of the best teams in the area took rare losses in the past couple of weeks but are hanging on to their top spots in the rankings, for now.
Boys Teams
1. Biloxi (14-2, 1-1)
The top boys team lost its first game against a Coast team of the season in a 76-67 defeat at the hands of Harrison Central this past week. The Indians remain No. 1 in the power rankings for now but already have some catching up to do in Region 8-6A.
2. Vancleave (16-3, 1-0)
The Bulldogs lost their third game of the year since the last update but star power and a 1-0 start to region play keep Vancleave at No. 2. Oscar Hampton continues to dominate and added a 27-point outing in a 74-38 win over George County.
3. St. Patrick (18-1, 2-0)
The Fighting Irish are up to 18 wins in a row and off to a hot start in regional play. Star guard Nick Krass is averaging right at 23 points per game.
4. Ocean Springs (16-2, 2-0)
The next hottest team in South Mississippi are the Greyhounds and their 15-game win streak. Ocean Springs dispatched St. Martin this week behind an 18-point, 12-rebound performance by Maddox Noblitt.
5. Harrison Central (12-5, 2-0)
The Red Rebels exploded out of the Gulfport Holiday Classic with two huge road wins over Biloxi and Hancock to take a commanding early lead in Region 8-6A. Demarius Coleman scored 16 in the win over the Indians while Reggie Conner added 15 points, six rebounds and five assists.
6. Hancock (13-5, 0-2)
After a long break, the Hawks couldn’t knock off the rust against Harrison Central, losing 54-41. Hancock drops to third in Region 8-6A with Gulfport on the horizon.
7. Gulfport (12-7, 0-0)
The Admirals are entering region play coming off their second win over Kedrick Osby and Moss Point in two weeks. Zay Gill had 17 for Gulfport in the win while Kamari Mitchell added 14.
8. D’Iberville (10-7, 1-1)
D’Iberville is back in the top 10 with an impressive showing in the Gulfport Holiday Classic and followed up with a key regional win against Ocean Springs.
9. Pearl River Central (11-7, 0-1)
The Blue Devils let out some frustrations from a three-game skid in a recent 60-36 win over Greene County. A tight region race with Picayune began with the Maroon Tide beating Pearl River Central 57-45, though.
10. Pascagoula (11-8, 0-1)
The Panthers split the week with a win over the Quitman Panthers and a loss to D’Iberville. Against Quitman, Dorian McMillian had 18 points, four rebounds, four assists and five steals.
Just outside
- Christian Collegiate Academy (14-2, 1-0)
- Grace Baptist Academy (18-6)
- Picayune (10-7, 1-0)
- Moss Point (10-10, 2-0)
Girls Teams
1. Harrison Central (20-1, 1-1)
The Red Rebels tasted defeat for the first time in its region opener against Hancock but rebounded well in a 47-34 regional win against Biloxi.
2. Hancock (14-5,1-1)
Hancock rockets up the rankings after taking down Harrison Central. Maddy Ladner had 21 points and 12 rebounds in the win.
3. Moss Point (14-6, 2-0)
The Tigers crushed Stone 45-8 to win its second region game and followed that up with a close win over Brandon. Michaela Payton and Ar’Yonna Miller continue to carry this team with both averaging over 12 points per game.
4. Pascagoula (13-5, 2-0)
The Panthers have won seven of their last eight games and enter five straight regional matchups with momentum on their side.
5. Gulfport (11-5, 0-0)
It will have been over two weeks since the Admirals touched the floor when they face Biloxi in a regional bout this week. Gulfport took down West Harrison 62-27 last time out.
6. Biloxi (12-7, 1-1)
The Indians have dropped four games in a row, including a 47-34 loss to Harrison Central.
7. Pass Christian (11-5, 1-0) (13-7, 0-1)
A three team race between Pass Christian, Bay and Moss Point in Region 8-4A is just getting underway. The Pirates have an early lead on Bay with a 34-17 win over the Tigers.
8. Bay (13-7, 0-1)
The Tigers had wins over West Harrison and Gautier before falling to Pass Christian. Bay has a chance to notch a win in region play on Jan. 14 against Stone.
9. St. Patrick (10-6, 1-1)
St. Patrick girls makes their debut in the power rankings this week. A forfeit led to a win over Jefferson Davis County in region play, keeping the Fighting Irish in play at 1-1.
10. Gautier (10-9, 1-0)
The Gators opened region play by taking down East Central 44-13. A key road match with Vancleave is set for Jan. 14.
Team records are as up to date as available. Please send records, results and stats to sports@sunherald.com.
This story was originally published January 10, 2022 at 10:34 AM.
