Lady Vikings reach milestone by Joey Martin - posted Wednesday, December 12th, 2012 @ 3:09 pm  E-mail Story |  Print Story  Wins have been hard to come by for the Vidalia Lady Viking basketball team over the past several years. Wins over a Lisa Abron-coached Ferriday team have been non-existent — until Friday at Ferriday High. The Lady Vikings defeated the Lady Trojans for the first time in year, posting an exciting 53-50 win over Ferriday. "I'm excited for the kids," said Lady Viking coach Fred Marsalis. "We've been improving. It was good to get the win." "We're playing not to lose," said Abron, the former Lady Viking who is in her 15th year at Ferriday. "But it was a fun game and a great crowd for the rivalry. We started getting the momentum at the end, but couldn't hit our shots." Ferriday led 18-10 after one period, but Vidalia cut that lead to 32-27 at halftime. The Lady Vikings outscored Ferriday 16-11 in the third period to tie the game at 43-43. Vidalia maintained the three-point lead for most of the final stanza. Leading 49-46 with three minutes remaining, Tierra Bell forced a steal and Miranda Gonzales grabbed the ball and went in for a short jumper to put Vidalia up by five. Ferriday cut the lead to 51-48 with just over two minutes remaining. Taylor Tennessee of Vidalia hit two free throws to put Vidalia back up by five. Ferriday once again cut the lead to three points on a basket by Jada Griggs with just under a minute remaining. The Lady Trojans missed on two 3-point attempts down the stretch and Vidalia held on for the win. Fran Duson led Vidalia with 14 points, hitting 8-of-10 free throws, while Tennessee added 13. Griggs paced Ferriday with 17 points. Ferriday High's boys held off the Vikings for a 64-56 win. The Vikings, playing without leading scorer Isiah Thompson who was on the bench wearing wraparound temporary shades after being poked in the eye during practice Thursday night, kept the game close with their defense. Ferriday led 18-16 after one period of play as Vidalia's Julius Wilson dribbled the length of the court and hit a shot at the buzzer to pull the Vikings to within a basket at the end of the first quarter. Brandon Scott kept Ferriday in the lead with driving shots to the basket, as the Trojans led 36-29 at halftime. Both teams scored 13 points in the third period. Scott led Ferriday with 17 points. Shannon Morales added 12 points for Ferriday, while Quavion Ellis and Marlon Jackson added 10 points each. Wilson led Vidalia with 15 points, while Deion Brown added 14. The Vikings were also without Michael Whitley, who injured his knee in football. Both are expected back by district play. "I thought the guys played well considering we were missing Isiah and Michael," said Vidalia coach Robert Sanders. "It's giving other guys opportunities. We made a few little mistakes which cost us a chance of winning the game. But we're working hard at getting better and will have some good competition this weekend." Ferriday hosts New Living Word of Ruston Thursday. The New Living Word boys basketball team is coached by former Ferriday football coach Jerry Baldwin. Vidalia is hosting the Miss-Lou Shootout Friday and Saturday. The tournament tips off Friday at 4 p.m. as Ferriday's girls meet Natchez High. At 5:45 p.m., Ferriday's boys take on Natchez. Vidalia's girls meet Jefferson County at 7:30 p.m. The Viking boys take on Jefferson County in the nightcap. On Saturday, December 15,Ferriday's girls take on Jefferson County at 4 p.m. Ferriday's boys play Jefferson County at 5:45 p.m. Vidalia and Natchez's girls face off at 7:30 p.m., followed by Vidalia against Natchez.