Lady Bulldogs open South Division play against Jones

PERKINSTON – Mississippi Gulf Coast kicks off MACJC South Division play Thursday when Jones County visits the Weathers/Wentzell Center at 5:30 p.m.

Jones were Region 23 runners-up last seasons, with Missy Bilderback in her first year as head coach. She replaced longtime coach Sandra Sumrall, who led the school to five MACJC state championships.

That tradition provides a good measuring stick for Gulf Coast Jason Conner's squad in his second season on the bench in Perkinston.

"We have got to win the backboard battle and take care of the basketball," he said said. "We need to execute in the half-court. We're going to have to keep them off balance and not let them get in a groove offensively."

Gulf Coast has four players averaging double figures. Markeisha Watson leads at 15.0 points per game, followed by Jasmine Nettles with 10.8. Ka'Nosha Fairley and Kailin Young each average 10.4 points per game.

Watson and Young average 6.6 rebounds per game each to lead the team.

The Bulldogs (4-1) are riding a three-game winning streak heading into the showdown against a Lady Bobcats team led by Indiana State signee Wendion Bibbins.

"She plays hard. She can score," Conner said. "She's 6-1 or 6-2 and plays bigger than that."

Jones (5-2) has a three-game win streak of its own, with Bibbins averaging 17.3 points while shooting 48.5 percent from the field.  She's averaging a double-double, leading the team with 10.4 rebounds per game

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