By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

Each week until the first weekend in March at the overall state tournament in Jackson, SouthMiss6 Sports will be the place to be to keep up with the most complete and comprehensive info about all things prep basketball featuring stories and photos in the “Southern Six” counties of the state of Mississippi.

Each week we will take a look at at least five players and five games to keep an eye on as well as release our weekly “Super 7 in the Southern 6 Poll”.

Starting 5 in the “Southern 6

This week’s “Starting 5 in the Southern 6” players list is comprised of some of the area standouts that came up big for their respective teams so far this season.

1.  Maddox Noblitt, Ocean Springs— The Dandy Dozen senior standout shooting guard poured in a game-high 32 points Saturday to propel the Greyhounds to an exciting 60-58 win over home-standing Theodore (Ala.) in the final game of the annual Theodore Pre-Christmas Tournament.
2. Zaniya Johnson, Biloxi — The super sophomore standout Dandy Dozen center posted back-to-back double-doubles as the Lady Indians moved to a perfect 14-0 with a pair of wins in the Baton Rouge, La., area over the weekend. To wrap up play Saturday morning, Biloxi beat Baton Rouge Madison Prep 41-30 as Johnson posted 22 points and 14 rebounds On Friday night, Biloxi bounced home-standing Zachary, La., 46-20 with Johnson totaling 20 points and 11 boards.
3. Jordyn Ford, Moss Point— The Lady Tigers streak into the holiday break with a 9-6 record after four straight wins, thanks in large part to the play of Ford. The senior swing standout has scored in double digits in all seven games this month for MPHS including 18 points in a win 54-49 win over Alma Bryant which marked the highest offensive output for MPHS this season and started the recent win streak.
4. Morris Robertson, Jr., Gulfport — The junior stalwart post player made sure that he and his Admirals would have a much better Christmas day this year than the last one was, as he helped GHS remain unbeaten at 14-0 with a 56-40 win over visiting D’Iberville in Region 4-7A action at Bert Jenkins Gymnasium late last week. Robertson tallied a game-high 19 points for Gulfport in the win, as the Admirals also moved to 3-0 in league play. In comparison, the Admirals were a paltry 6-7 last season at the same point last season
5. Talana Bond, Hancock — The diminutive dynamo point guard for the Lady Hawks helped Hancock get off to a perfect 13-0 start for the third straight season. She also helped HHS get back on track after its first loss last week by registering a game-high 17 points in a 45-38 win at home over then unbeaten St. Martin Friday night. 

This Week’s Games:

1. Moss Point vs. Oak Grove (boys) — Thursday at 4:30 in the annual Hattiesburg Coca-Cola Christmas Classic.
2. Bayshore Academy (Ala.) vs. Gulfport (boys )— Thursday at 7:30 in the prestigious Admiral Hardwood Club Holiday Classic in Gulfport 6A.
3. Ocean Springs vs. Mobile Davidson (boys) — Thursday at 3:00 in the prestigious Admiral Hardwood Club Holiday Classic in Gulfport 6A..
4. Biloxi vs. Montgomery Park Crossing (girls) — Friday at 6 p.m. in the annual Lady Indian Christmas Classic at Biloxi High.
5. Bay High vs. Picayune (girls) — Saturday at 10:30 a.m. in the annual Bay High Christmas Invitational at the Tigerdome in Bay St. Louis.

South Miss 6 Sports Super 7 Polls

Super 7 in the Southern 6 Prep Hoops Poll!!!!

(Dec. 23rd)

(Our weekly poll is the ONLY one in the state of Mississippi that’s voted solely on by a panel of head basketball coaches)

Boys:

1. Gulfport 14-0
2. Pascagoula 12-1
3. Biloxi 12-2
4. D’iberville 10-4
5. Pass Christian 8-6
6. St. Stanislaus 9-5
7. Ocean Springs 7-6

Girls:

1. Biloxi 14-0
2. Hancock 14-1
3. St Martin 16-1
4. West Harrison 17-1
5. Moss Point 9-6
6. St. Patrick 10-4
7. Harrison Central 9-4