By CURTIS ROCKWELL

GULFPORT — Visiting St. Martin won its second straight Region 4-7A game to open league play at 2-0 with a resounding 69-27 win over Gulfport Tuesday night.
The Lady Yellow Jackets and Biloxi are both 2-0 so far after region play started late last week and are currently tied for the top spot in the region race. St. Martin is coming off a season last year under second-year head coach Jason Kennedy that didn’t manage a league win last season.
“It takes a little time to get a system into place as a staff, however, I’m pleased with how quickly the girls have bought into the hard work and effort ideals,” Kennedy said. “We know that hard work doesn’t always equal success but without it you don’t stand a chance.”

St. Martin wasted no time in racing out to a commanding lead, as four different players scored at least six points in the first half as the Lady Yellow Jackets cruised to a 20-9 lead after the first frame and put the game away by outscoring Gulfport 29-6 in the second stanza and in the process took a commanding 49-15 advantage at halftime.
Jamyira Robinson scored six points in the first quarter to get the Lady Yellow Jackets off and running.
“Yes, big first half. It all starts with our pressure we feed off of that,” Kennedy added. “When the ball starts going through the hoop early it can make for a fun night. “I’m Loving the energy and passion these young ladies bring every day. This group is locked into the process they are playing for one another.”

La’dymein Lafayette tallied a game-high 13 points for St. Martin, while both Kylah Jenkins and Vette Nathan chipped in 10 points apiece to the winning cause.
“I feel like our region is one of the best in the state in 7A,” Kennedy said. “Obviously you have the giants at the top Biloxi and Harrison Central, but D’Iberville is very good team as well. Gulfport can really shoot the ball. I know they are young, but on nights where they are making shots they can make things tough on anyone. We’re just honesty trying to get better every game in order to position ourselves for a good playoff run.”
Trinity Moore scored 12 points to lead Gulfport, including a trio of 3-pointers.
St. Martin will host Harrison Central on Thursday night in what will be the third straight region game for both teams but last for about three weeks.

Harrison Central is coming off its first loss of the season after a 9-1 start, dropping to 9-1 overall and 1-1 in league play after a 46-27 home loss to Biloxi Tuesday night.
The Lady Indians were led by 6-foot freshman center Zaniya Johnson who scored a game-high 17 points and pulled down a game high 13 rebounds as well in recording another doubel-double and she also blocked six shots in an outstanding performance while Aaliyah Davison chipped in 11 points to the winning effort and Amari Meridith added nine points and Aubrey Hill had four assists for Biloxi. The Carriere sisters paced HCHS, as Jayla Carriere scored 10 points and Anaisha Carriere nine points.
Also, Tuesday night, D’Iberville moved to 1-1 in Region 4-7A play with a 60-32 win over visiting D’Iberville.
Amiyah Simpkins poured in a game-high 20 points for the Lady Warriors, including fir 3-pointers, while Teeale Wells added 10 points and Akeelah Cain had nine points in the winning effort. Starr Jackson paced the Lady Greyhounds with 14 points.
D’Iberville hosts Gulfport Friday in region play, while Ocean Springs hosts Biloxi on the same night.