FERRIDAY — The Vidalia Vikings got yet another strong performance from Gary Stewart and held off a game Ferriday Trojans squad on the final night of the Ferriday High School Invitational Basketball Tournament.

Stewart scored 27 points to lead the Vikings to a 56-52 victory Saturday night.

“He had a great night,” Vidalia coach Robert Sanders said. “He was the most valuable player tonight.”

The Vikings took a 26-24 lead into halftime and carried a 41-39 lead into the fourth quarter.

However, Ferriday was not able to make a run to overtake Vidalia and the Vikings held on for the victory.

“It was a very tight game all the way through,” Ferriday coach K.G. Watkins said. “We made too many offensive mistakes. We didn’t protect the ball at all. I’m satisfied with the defensive effort but not with the offense.”

In addition to Stewart’s 27 points, the Vikings (10-2) were led by Terry Dixon with 10 points and Brandon Hawkins with nine.

Ferriday (6-7) was led by Montrell Tennessee with 15 points while Josh Upchurch scored 11 and DeMarco Lewis tallied 10.

Sanders said the difference in the game was the fact that Vidalia was very physical in the paint.

“We were quicker to the ball,” Sanders said. “We drove to the goal and got three’s the old fashioned way because our shots weren’t falling from outside.”

Ferriday girls 56, Vidalia 21

The Ferriday Lady Trojans wasted no time in putting away Vidalia on the final night of the Ferriday Invitational Tournament.

The Lady Trojans (14-3) held a 29-7 lead at halftime and coasted to the victory in the second half.

Jasmine Butler led Ferriday with 15 points while Jasmine Upchurch, Jalessia Davis and T’Keyah Fletcher scored nine.

Rachael Waggoner led Vidalia with six points.