MGCCC basketball sweeps Hinds on Sophomore Night

MGCCC’S Malaney Nickey (12) goes in for a layup against Hinds Feb. 21.

PERKINSTON---Sophomore Night for Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College was special as both teams took care of Hinds and solidified spots in next week’s MACJC Tournament hosted by Pearl River.

The Bulldogs (16-7, 7-5) whipped Hinds 76-65 to clinch the No. 4 seed from the South Division in a win or go home scenario. Gulf Coast took control of the game with 4:00 left in the first half and built a 10-point halftime lead.

“We just got better and better as the game went on,” said Gulf Coast head coach Wendell Weathers, who’s team is in position to defend back-to-back MACJC Championships. “We played hard and played a complete ball game.”

Darius Forest scored 24 points, including 3 three-pointers. Forest, a sophomore from Jackson, has scored 20 or more points in his last three games. JaMichael Hawkins had 15 points while Chris Bilbo added 13 and Giancarlo Santiago chipped in with 12. The Bulldogs will face North Division champion East Miss (17-6) Tuesday at 3pm in Poplarville.

The Lady Bulldogs (17-6, 8-4) crushed Hinds 73-45 to clinch the No. 2 seed from the South and set up an MACJC Tournament game with North No. 3 seed Northeast (12-10) Monday at 1pm in Poplarville. Gulf Coast jumped out to an 11-0 lead to start the game and never looked back.

“The girls came out strong and kept the pressure up throughout the whole game,” said Lady Bulldogs’ head coach Melanie Stone. “We emphasized starting fast, and that’s what we did.”

Sophomore Presley Owens led Gulf Coast with 21 points while fellow sophomores Yasmine Nelson and Markia Nix each had 13.