SOUTH MISS 6 SPORTS

December 16, 2023

Prep Hoops: Biloxi and D’Iberville pick up Region 4-7A wins Friday night

By CURTIS ROCKWELL

Biloxi’s Zaniya Johnson controls the opening tip off vs. Ocean Springs Friday night. (Photo by Kerry Bass)

OCEAN SPRINGS — The Biloxi Lady Indians continued to roll through the opposition Friday night with a 56-21 thumping on the road over Ocean Springs Friday night.
The win moved Biloxi to an impressive 13-1 on the season, but more importantly, kept the Lady Indians perfect in Region 4-7A play at 3-0 while OSHS dropped to 0-3 and 2-9 overall.

Ocean Springs’ Starr Jackson makes a move past Biloxi’s Amari Meredith Friday night. (Photo by Kerry Bass)

Taylor Fairley of Ocean Springs moves the ball down court Friday night. (Photo by Kerry Bass)

Ocean Springs’ Bella Sanchez and Biloxi’s Jayla Johnson struggle for the ball Friday night. (Photo by Kerry Bass)

The home team was no match for the visitors in this one, as Biloxi jumped out to a quick and commanding 16-3 lead after the first quarter and never looked back.
The win also proved how balanced of an offensive attack that the Lady Indians, under head coach Devin Hill, actually possess as Amari Meredith scored a game-high 12 points with all of those coming on four 3-pointers. Meanwhile, 6-foot- freshman center Zaniya Johnson chipped in 11 points, eight rebounds and four blocked shots as a force inside, while Aaliyah Davidson directed it all with eight points, eight assists and six steals in the winning effort.
Starr Jackson, a veteran presence for OSHS, led the Lady Greyhounds with seven points.

Biloxi’s Zaniya Johnson puts up a shot as a trio of Ocean Springs defenders surround her Friday night. (Photo by Kerry Bass)

Bella Sanchez of Ocean Springs tries to get a handle on the ball Friday night. (Photo by Kerry Bass)

Biloxi’s Jayla Johnson glide in for a lay-up Friday night. (Photo by Kerry Bass)

Biloxi hosts Blount High from just outside Mobile, Ala., on Monday. The only loss of the season so far for the Lady Indians came against yet another team from South Alabama when Theodore nipped BHS 21-17 a little over two weeks ago.
Ocean Springs was without head coach Shonda Smith Friday night who missed the game with an illness.
Elsewhere in Region 4-7A girls’ play Friday night, home standing D’Iberville knocked off Gulfport 52-37.
The win moved the Lady Warriors to 2-1 in league play, and DHS stands in a three-way tie for second place in the region race with Harrison Central and St. Martin. Both Gulfport and Ocean Springs are still looking for their first league win.

Biloxi’s Jada Washington puts up a shot as Friday night. (Photo by Kerry Bass)

Biloxi’s Aaliyh Davidson fires a jumper up vs. Ocean Springs Friday night. (Photo by Kerry Bass)

Biloxi Aaliyah Davidosn works her way around Ocean Springs’ Ka’Marrah Johnson Friday night. (Photo by Kerry Bass)

D’Iberville senior standout Teeale Wells produced an impressive performance in the win, as she poured in a game-high 26 points. Wells scored half of her total in the fourth quarter, when the Lady Warriors outscored the Lady Admirals 26-11 to take the win after the game was knotted up at 26-26 entering the final frame.
Amiyah Simpkins chipped in 10 points to the winning cause for D’Iberville, including converting five out of six free throws in the fourth quarter to seal the win.

D’Iberville senior standout Teeale Wells poured in a game-high 26 points against Gulfport Friday night. (Photo by Misty Ellington)

Niya James led Gulfport with 13 points, while Sky Bush added nine points.
Friday’s action was the last in region play for all four teams for about three weeks. That’s also the case as well for Harrison Central and St. Martin, after HCHS beat SMHS Thursday night.