By SAM STAFF/Sports Writer

GAUTIER — The opening day of the Region 4-5A Tournament Monday was an all “Southern Six” affair as eight teams squared off in elimination games.
And half of those squads, the Stone High boys and girls as well as the East Central Lady Hornets and home-standing Gautier Gators, all reserved spots in the upcoming Class 5A South State with wins.
The season came to an end for the four teams that lost.

In the first game of the event, the ECHS girls beat arch-rival Vancleave for the third time this season with a 30-23 decision. Cambree Cumbest tallied a game-high 12 points to pace the Lady Hornets, while Madison Knight chipped in seven points to the winning cause including a pair of 3-pointers.
Hiaven Washington led the Lady Bulldogs with 11 points, while Nadiya Whittle added six points and Harley Lott had five points.
East Central moves on to face Laurel at 7 p.m., Wednesday night in the semifinal round.

In the other girls’ contest on Monday, Stone beat home-standing Gautier 45-36 to advance to the semifinal round as well.
Cristianna Sanders tallied a game-high 14 points for the Lady ‘Cats, while Janiah Hartfield posted 11 points and Brianna Collins added in nine points to the winning effort including a pair of 3-pointers.
Both Dalazyia Mayes and Shalazyia Mayes had nine points apeiece for the Lady Gators.
Stone moves on to face Wayne Couty on Wednesday afternoon.

In the first boys’ game of the day, which was the second contest on the day, Stone beat East Central 60-36.
Ray Dennis tallied a game-high 19 points in the win for the Tomcats, including a trio of treys, while Jakobey Johnson chipped in 17 points to the winning cause and Jabari Moye added 12 points for stone.
Cortavious Myers led the Hornets with 12 points and Brody Howard added 10 points.
The Tomcats move on to face Laurel Wednesday night in the semifinal round.
The last game of the night was by far the most exciting, as home-standing Gautier nipped Vancleave 39-38.
Dominic Bang scored a game-high 12 points to pace the Gators and Tyrek High had seven points in the win.
For the Bulldogs, Walker Lyons had 10 points and Bradyn Woodworth had eight points.
Gautier moves on to face Wayne County in the semifinal round Wednesday night.

As expected going into the season in the newly revamped league after expansion, Laurel and Wayne County dominated the standings in both boy’s and girls’ play and finished as the top two seeds on both sides of the bracket.