BILOXI – Host Biloxi swept a pair of wins over Brandon in non-division basketball action Friday.
The Biloxi Lady Indians have gotten off to a tremendous start on the hardwood, thanks to a freshman sensation.
Freshman 6-foot-4 center Zaniya Johnson poured in a game-high 23 points to lead the Lady Indians to a 49-29 win over the Lady Bulldogs.
Biloxi reeled off eight straight wins to start the season before dropping a 3-point loss to Theodore, Ala., Thursday. But the Lady Indians (9-1) rebounded Friday with a resounding 20-point win over the Lady Bulldogs.
Coach Devin Hill is very pleased with the start his team has gotten off to.
“I am pleased with our fight,” Hill said. “We take pride in our defensive tenacity, and that has been a staple of who we are since I’ve been here. We just kind of take what we get offensively. We will get better there, but yes, I am pleased with where we are at this point in the season.”
He’s also pleased with the performance so far from his freshman standout.
“She is a coach’s dream, extremely coachable,” said Hill. “She tries to do exactly what is asked of her. She has a huge load of responsibility on her as a freshman and she is handling it as good as I’ve ever seen.
“She has her moments, but we are going to ride with her until the wheels fall off.”
\Photo by: Carlos Hurtado-228 Sports\
Johnson, who is averaging more than 17 points and nearly 10 rebounds per game, helped Biloxi build a 15-2 first-quarter lead the Lady Indians didn’t relinquish.
“I am glad she is on our team and we don’t have to play against her,” said Hill.
Biloxi pushed their lead to 23-12 at the half and outscored Brandon 17-10 in the third quarter to lead 40-22 going into the final period.
Amari Meredith was also in double digits with 10 points for Biloxi.
Brandon was led by Karissa Baker with 13 points and Kelsie Mangum with 10.
Biloxi will return to action Tuesday at Bay High before beginning Region 4-7A action Friday at home against D’Iberville.
“We have a young team who will do a lot of growing up through the season,” said Hill.
In the boys’ game, Biloxi took a 58-52 win over Brandon.
The Indians (4-3) jumped out to a 15-10 first-quarter lead and were up 29-20 at the half. The game remained close in the third quarter with Biloxi outscoring Brandon 19-16 to take a 48-36 lead going into the final period.
Brandon outscored Biloxi 16-10 in the fourth quarter, but it wasn’t enough to pull out the win.
Reggie Conner drained four 3-pointers on the way to a 21-point performance to lead the Indians to victory. Dayshawn McGee added 12 points, while Dominic Henry chipped in 9 points.
Brandon was paced by Nate White with 14 points, while Ottis Harrison and Braylon Barnes both added 11 points.
The Biloxi boys will also play at Bay High Tuesday and then host D’Iberville Dec. 8.
