By Joseph W. Gex II/Sports Writer

Gulfport – The Saint Stanislaus Rock-A-Chaws improved to 13-1 overall on the season with an impressive 68-62 take-down of perennial Class 7A playoff contender Madison Central (8-7) in the first round of the Gulfport Holiday Classic Monday afternoon here at Bert Jenkins Gymnasium. 

The Rocks used deft shooting as they shot 62% from the field as a team and held the Jaguars to just 38% from the field.

SSC jumped out to a 19-12 lead on the Jaguars during the first period of action behind the hot hands of Max Baria and David Belle as both tallied eight points in the period. 

In the second period, the Rocks went on an 8-3 run that pushed the SSC lead to 15 points 32-17, when Baria converted on an old-fashioned three-point play with 2:50 left before intermission. The Jaguars answered with a 5-0 spurt of their own as Ethan Hood sank a three-pointer followed by a layup from Jeff Flanagan that cut the score to 32-22. However, Belle rounded out the first half with a three-pointer with ten seconds left to make the halftime score 35-22.

In the third period, the Rocks were outscored by the Jaguars 21-14 as Flanagan tallied 11 points and Maddox Singletary collected five points. The Rocks were paced by Rafael Cohen with six points in the period. 

Throughout the majority of the second half, the Rocks struggled at the line and were just 50% at the stripe for the game making 11-for-22 shots while also committing 18 turnovers; however, their shots from the field helped propel them to the victory.

The final period saw Madison Central cut the lead to a basket as Flanagan made one of two charity shots to make the score 52-50 with 5:49 left to play. The Rocks would outscore the Jaguars 16-11 in the final five minutes to make the final score 68-62. Allen Gilliam came up big for the Rocks with eight points in the period including two clutch three-pointers.

SSC head coach Daniel Grieves commented, “It has been nine days since our last game and the layoff showed today. Some of it can be attributed to Gulfport’s gym being a place that we are not accustomed to playing, but Madison Central is a very well-coached team who scouts their opponents extremely well. They were prepared for everything we did which aided in the turnovers committed and our shortcomings at the line. Their coach, Ben Gardner and his staff, had their team very well-prepared. They are a strong 7A program and this will help prepare us for our schedule in the New Year.”

The Rocks were led by Max Baria with 16 points, 5 blocks, and 4 rebounds followed by Rafael Cohen with 15 points and 5 rebounds. Allen Gilliam added 13 points and 7 rebounds while Jason Forte and David Belle each contributed 8 points. The Jaguars were paced by Singletary with 20 points and Flanagan with 18 points.

The Rocks dropped their first game of the season on December 20 when they traveled to #4-ranked Metairie Park-Country Day and fell to the defending Class 3A Louisiana state champion 54-49. Country Day won the title in 2025 and returned all starters to the floor. The Rocks are currently ranked seventh overall in the state.

The Rocks will play Terry at 6 p.m. on Tuesday,