Vidalia upsets Marksville
by Joey Martin - posted Thursday, January 24th, 2013 @ 9:52 am

On paper it was a mismatch.

The much taller Marksville High boys basketball team came into Vidalia's gym posting a 16-4 record and 4-0 record in District 3-3A.

The Vikings sported a 5-15 record.

But the Vikings had won four of their last six games and had given up an average of 40 points over their last three games.

And it was that defense that kept the taller Tigers off the boards and harassed Marksville into several turnovers on their way to a 57-38 win.

"That was one of our most complete games," said Vidalia coach Robert Sanders. "Our guys did a good job of hitting the boards, even the guards. Hopefully we can build on this."

Vidalia forced early turnovers and jumped out to a 14-8 lead, maintaining that six point lead at the end of the first period.

The Vikings increased their lead to 20-10 with 6:43 remaining in the second period as Isiah Thompson hit two straight baskets.

Marksville scored the next four baskets to cut the Viking lead to 20-18 with 2:34 remaining in the first half and outscored the Vikings 8-4 the rest of the quarter to take a two-point lead at halftime.

The Vikings outscored the Tigers 15-10 in the third period and dominated the final stanza, outscoring Marksvville 18-2.

Thompson led Vidalia with 22 points, while Julius Wilson added 19.

Ricky Gibson ( 6'2", 185), who plays safety in football and is rated as the No. 25 best player in the state for 2013 by Dandydon. led Marksville with nine points.

In the girls contest, the Lady Tigers jumped out to an 18-9 first quarter lead and cruised to a 69-42 win.

Fran Duson led Vidalia with 10 points.

Vidalia plays at Caldwell Friday.