By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

GULFPORT— Perhaps the biggest boy’s basketball battle in the “Southern Six” so far this season is set for Friday night here at Bert Jenkins Gym.

The long-running rivalry between traditional state hoops powers Gulfport and Biloxi will be renewed when the Indians hit the road to face the home-standing Admirals. Both teams currently share the top spot in Region 4-7A at 4-0 in the league standings, while Gulfport sits at 19-1 overall and Biloxi is 15-2.

“It’s a big game for both teams, a rivalry game.” Veteran Biloxi head coach Seber Windham said Thursday afternoon. “Gulfport has a really good team and is well coached, and Biloxi is trying to improve daily. Excited to be a part of this old rivalry once again.”

The Indians are coming off an impressive performance in a 63-36 home win over St. Martin in league action Tuesday night.

Biloxi had to overcome a slow start to pick up the win, however, as St. Martin senior point guard Jaxson Walker scored six points in the opening stanza incuding a 3-pointer and teammate Kai Viera nailed a trey as well and the Yellow Jackets jumped out to a 16-9 lead entering the second quarter,

But that second stanza would be when Biloxi turned the tide in its favor, as Alan Ayala dropped in a 3-pointer and scored half of the Indians 14 points in the period while both Reggie Magee and Kentrell Beasley each added four points apiece as Biloxi out-scored SMHS 14-4 headed into halftime to grab a 23-20 lead at intermission.

The Indians broke the game open as the second half unfolded, as Beasley dropped in seven points in the third frame incluing a trey and BHS out-scored St. Martin 14-6 to take its first double-digit lead at 37-26 entering the fourth period.

Beasley added seven more points in the final period, while Alejandro Montalvo and Sevuan George each hit a 3-pointer apiece to keep St. Martin at bay and secure the comfortable win for the Indians.

Beasley poured in a game-high 20 points to lead BHS to the win, while Ayala added eight points.

Walker had 10 points for the Yellow Jackets, while Elias Duncan added eight points all coming in the fourth period.

Gulfport started the season off at 16-0 under new head coach Brian Butler who will be getting his first taste of this long-standing annual affair.

The Admirals have won three straight since having that win streak snapped in the championship game of their annual “Admiral Hardwood Club Holiday Classic” including their latest region win over Ocean Springs Tuesday night.

Denzel Jackson, Markell Simmons and Travor Frost combined to make up a solid triumvirate combination for Butler’s crew, as Jackson guided Gulfport to the win with 15 points while Simmons added 14 points and Frost chipped in 13 points to the winning effort.