By SAM STAFF/Sports Writer

GULFPORT — A pair of the most successful prep basketball squads in the first part of the season open the 2025 portion of their respective schedules Thursday.
However, both the Gulfport boys and the Hancock girls are coming off of losses to close 2024.
The Lady Hawks enter Thursday’s night game against the Lady Admirals after splitting a pair of games in the inaugural “Jungle Balls Classic” at Madison Central High School over the weekend.

Hancock opened play in the opening game of the event on Friday afternoon with an impressive 62-39 win over Canton. The game turned into a duel between Lady Hawk senior standout Anslee James and Lady Tiger stalwart Shamira Morton.
James turned in a game-high 23 point work sheet while Morton led CHS with 19 points. James was awarded the Most Valuable Player plaque for the contest.
Early on Saturday morning, host Madison Central handed Hancock a close 41-36 loss on day two of the affair.

Alilyiah Morris was named MVP, as she paced the Lady Jaguars with 11 points as MCHS moved to 10-8 on the year.
The Lady Hawks dropped to a still solid 15-2 on the season with the loss. Their only other loss came to unbeaten Biloxi several weeks ago.
Madison Central also knocked off Harrison Central on Friday night 59-39
as Karley Robinson tallied 19 points.
Meanwhile, the Gulfport girls are coming off an even closer loss in their last outing as they come into the game against visitng Hancock Thursday night.

Taylor Bjorgum of Gulf Shores knocked down a game-winning 3-pointer for the Lady Dolphins in the final seconds of play Monday night to slip past Gulfport 46-45 in the final day of play at the annual Gulf Shores Beach Bash.
Gulfport wrapped up the three day affair with two wins, though, as the Lady Admirals knocked off Pell City (Ala.) 51-32 on Friday and clipped New Brockton (Ala.) 47-44 on Saturday. Gulfport is 7-8 overall on the year.
In the nightcap Thursday night at Bert Jenkins Gym, the home-standing Gulfport Admirals will roll into the new year coming off of their first loss of the season under new head coach Brian Butler.

Starkville closed out the 41st annual “Admiral Holiday Club Holiday Classic” on a 20-6 run to blow past the host Admirals on their way to a 65-48 championship win in the finals on Saturday night.
The loss dropped Gulfport to 16-1 on the year. It marked the second ever championship win for the Yellow Jackets in this 41-year old event, as they celebrated the 30th anniversary of their first title in 1994. Ironically enough, Starkville also beat a then unbeaten Harrison County team in that win with a thrilling 75-73 win over Harrison Central.
Gulfport hasn’t won its own holiday tournament in 12 years, since 2012.
Also, the Hancock boys come into the contest at 7-10 overall after splitting a pair of games in the annual Pearl Christmas Tournament over the weekend.
The Hawks opened play Friday with a 68-33 loss to Lake Cormorant, but HHS bounced back to clip Center Hill 45-35 on Saturday.