Gulf Coast faces East Mississippi in Region 23 opener

Mississippi Gulf Coast heads to Mississippi College on Thursday trying to take the first of two steps to the NJCAA Tournament.

The second-seeded Bulldogs (19-6) take on seventh-seeded East Mississippi (18-7) in the first round of the Region 23 Tournament in Clinton. Tipoff is at 6 p.m. at the A.E. Wood Coliseum.

Gulf Coast hasn't played East Mississippi this year, but they'll be familiar with the playing style.

"East Mississippi looks a lot like us," Gulf Coast coach Wendell Weathers said. "They do a lot of things similar to what we try to do. They're quick up and down the floor. They've got kids who can make shots. They're aggressive on the boards."

Both teams fell in the MACJC semifinals last week. Gulf Coast lost 95-93 in double overtime to Jones County, and the Lions lost 61-59 to Southwest, the eventual state champs.

East Mississippi has four players averaging double digits, led by Daniel Simmons (15.0 points) and Jahyde Gardiner (14.4). Gardiner averages 7.1 rebounds per game.

Gulf Coast has three players averaging double digits. Davion Cole-Johnson leads the team with 18.2 points per game, and Anfernee Hampton is at 15.4 points. Cole-Johnson is averaging 5.6 rebounds.

Teams at the region tournament need two wins to advance to the national tournament in Hutchinson, Kansas. The Gulf Coast-East Mississippi will play the winner of Thursday's 8 p.m. game between Pearl River and Southern-Shreveport.

"It's the easiest opportunity we've had since I've been here to get to the national tournament," Weathers said. "In the 28 years I've been here, you had to win the championship to get to Hutch. This year, you've just got to get to the finals."

Region 23 Men's Basketball Tournament schedule

Thursday, March 3

No. 1 Holmes vs. No. 8 Northeast, 2 p.m.

No. 4 Jones vs. No. 5 Northwest, noon

No. 2 Gulf Coast vs. No. 7 East Mississippi, 6 p.m.

No. 3 Southern-Shreveport vs. No. 6 Pearl River, 8 p.m.

Friday, March 4

Semifinal 1, 6 p.m.

Semifinal 2, 8 p.m.

Saturday, March 5

Finals, 8 p.m.