By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director
WIGGINS — Rivals Gautier and Vancleave met for the third and final time this season on the hardwood in girl’s prep basketball action in the opening round of the Region 4-5A Tournament Tuesday night.
And in the most important meeting of the trio of games, it was the Lady Gators that came out on top.
Gautier slipped past Vancleave 32-26 in an elimination contest, as the Lady Gators kept their season alive for at least three more games. Gautier moves on to take on Wayne County Thursday night in the semifinal round at 7 p.m.

Not only did the win keep the season alive for the Lady Gators, it also clinched a berth in the upcoming Class 5A South State playoffs as well.
Vancleave led 22-17 entering the fourth quarter on Tuesday, but Gautier produced a furious fourth quarter comeback out-scoring the Lady Bulldogs 15-4 down the stretch to pull out the come from behind win.
Madison Parker led the charge for GHS in that decisive final frame as she drained a pair of 3-pointers. She finished up with a team-high 12 points on four treys in the winning effort.

Brea Gibson added five points for the Lady Gators in the fourth period as well.
Kylar. Joseph scored seven first half points for Gautier, including a 3-pointer, to keep the Lady Gators within striking distance.
Heaven Washington tallied a game-high 13 points to lead the Lady Bulldogs, including converting nine-of-12 free throws in the second half. McKenzie Wharton chipped in eight points for Vancleave, as its season came to an end.