By Maurice Singleton/Sports Writer

GULFPORT – The Gulfport Admirals (23-1, 9-1, district) rallied in the closing minutes against Biloxi (15-6, 7-3, district) on Tuesday with a smothering defense and four attacking layups in traffic to pull away for a 45-37 win, and securing the number one seed in the district tournament in two weeks.

The top seed also comes with an opening round bye in the upcoming region tourney and assures the Admirals of a top four finish in the loop and a berth in the upcoming Class 7A South State playoffs.

The teams were tied up at 34-34 with just over three minutes to play. Gulfport’s Samuel Stewart broke the tie with a three-pointer, and Biloxi’s Carnellous Lenard answered right away with a three-pointer for the Indians to tie the game again at 37-37.

But that was the last basket the Indians would score. Gulfport’s Denzel Jackson would respond with a body-twisting layup in traffic to give the Admirals the lead and a spark what seemed to rally the Admirals the rest of the way.

Jackson would score again on a layup the next time down to extend the lead to 41-37. But Biloxi would turn the ball over on their next time down, and Gulfport would capitalize as Morris Robertson would answer with an attacking layup to grow the lead to 43-37 with 1:30 left on the game clock.

“He didn’t get the looks he wanted; their defense was really good,” said Gulfport coach Brian Butler of Jackson’s attacking layups that started the Admirals’ rally. “Toward the end of the game they kind of tired out a little bit, and he was able to attack it full speed.”

The win marks the second of the season against the Indians as the Admirals won on the road at Biloxi in December 62-60.

“One of the big things that we discussed as far as the district season is do our work early, win those early games to put ourself in position to where a game like right now can clinch for us. We can be a playoff team without having to struggle to get there,” said Butler. “The seeding for the district tournament is crucial.”

The Indians appeared to have answer to every run that Gulfport made for the first three and a half quarters, and they outscored the Admirals in the second and third quarters. But the game came down to the last three minutes, and the Indians failed to score down the stretch.

“They really tightened up their defense, and they played really well down the stretch,” said Biloxi’s veteran head coach Seber Windham. “They made some big buckets. They showed their toughness tonight. They showed why they are the number two team in the state. They play well at home. They’re a very good basketball team.”

Biloxi was led by Kentrell Beasley with 14 points. Lenard added 12 points.

Travor Frost led the Admirals with 17 points, followed by Jackson with 10 points. Morris Robertson added nine points for GHS.

Biloxi has a home game against Ocean Springs on Friday. They play three games next week: Harrison Central at home on Monday, at Hancock on Thursday, and at home on Friday against Long Beach.

Gulfport plays at St. Martin on Tuesday, and they close out the season at home against West Harrison next Friday.