SOUTH MISS 6 SPORTS

December 14, 2024

Prep Basketball: Biloxi Lady Indians thump visiting Ocean Springs 55-14 in Region 4-7A play Friday night

Biloxi’s Aaliyah Davidson glides in for a basket Friday night vs. Ocean Springs. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)

By MAURICE SINGLETON/Sports Writer

BILOXI — The Biloxi Lady Indians overwhelmed the Ocean Springs Lady Greyhounds (4-5, 1-2, Region) with a resounding third-quarter performance, putting up 24 points in the period on their way to a 55-14 win, and improving their record to 11-0 overall (3-0, Region).

The Lady Greyhounds had put up 25 points in the first two quarter combined – 11 points in the first quarter and 14 in the second. But it was clear that they were on a mission when they came out in the second half.

Biloxi’s Zaniya Johnson looks for working room vs. Ocean Springs. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)

Biloxi’s Aubrey Madden drives the ball down court Friday night vs. Ocean Springs. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)

Biloxi’s Zaniya Johnson attempts to make a pass Friday night vs. Ocean Springs as Lady Greyhound Taylor Fairley defends. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)

“Sometimes you have to go into the locker room and throw a fit,” said Lady Indians coach Devin Hill. “We know that OS is a younger team. We’re more experienced than them. They’re young and they’re going to get better as they get older. We to tell our girls we try not to play the opponent but just play our game.

“I don’t think our approach to the game was very good today,” said Hill. “For us, we have championship aspirations. It’s more about coming in and locking in every night, playing the game the way it’s supposed to be played. And I don’t think that we did that with our approach.”

Biloxi set the tone early pressuring the ball on the defensive end of the court, while forcing seven first-quarter turnovers that resulted in seven points and momentum that they would never relinquish.

Biloxi’s Taylor Hannah looks for working room vs. Ocean Springs. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)

Biloxi’s Zaniya Johnson goes up for a shot Friday night vs. Ocean Springs. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)

Biloxi’s Zaniya Johnson looks for working room Friday night vs. Ocean Springs. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)

On the offensive end of the court, particularly in the third period, Lady Indians sophomore Zaniya Johnson was dominant around the basket as she scored 10 of her game high 22 points in the period.

“She’s supposed to be dominant,” said Hill. “To me she’s the best player in the state when she wants to be. We talk to her about wanting to dominate every opponent, whether it’s a double team or a triple team. We expect her to dominate whether she does it or not.”

The Lady Indians gave up only 5 points to the Lady Greyhounds in each of the first two quarters. Then in the third quarter their defense once again forced seven turnovers, but they were successful attacking the basket with Johnson as well as Aubrey Hill who scored on a layup and went two for two at the free throw line in the period.

Biloxi’s Na’kenya Terry defends against Lady Greyhound Layla Daley Friday night vs. Ocean Springs. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)

Starr Jackson of Ocean Springs drives past a defender Friday night vs. Biloxi. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)

Layla Daley of Ocean Springs looks for working room Friday night vs. Biloxi. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)

Towards the end of the third quarter, the game went to a running clock. The Lady Indians held the visitors to a total of four points in the second half.

In addition to Johnson’s 22 points, Na’Kenya Terry scored 11 points, including three 3-pointers. Taylor Hannah finished with 6 points and Hill scored 5 points.

The Lady Indians resume play on Tuesday in Biloxi as they take on undefeated Hancock High (13-0). Ocean Springs has a home game against Pass Christian on Tuesday.