Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

MONTEREY — After playing three LHSAA Class 4A opponents to start the season, the Vidalia High School Vikings finally played competition closer to its level late last week at the 2023 Monterey High School Basketball Tournament.

And the Vikings turned some heads last Thursday night as they upset the then-undefeated Doyline High School Panthers, the No. 11 team in the Non-Select Division V power rankings, 62-49.

Trailing 29-25 at halftime, Vidalia turned to its defense to turn the momentum in its favor. The Vikings outscored Doyline (7-1) 24-8 to take a 49-37 lead into the fourth quarter. They then put the Panthers away with a 13-12 advantage in the final quarter.

“We played good defense. Defense is right where it should be,” Vidalia head coach Damus Smith said.

Before this tournament, Vidalia faced off with three teams from Class 3A last month — Buckeye High School, Franklin Parish High School, and McKinley High School. And two of those were on the road. Even then, Smith said his team played good defense against those opponents.

“We played nothing but 4A school. In power points rankings, we’re No. 1 in the state in (Non-Select) Division III,” Smith said.

Kabari Davis led Vidalia with 19 points and Marc Perkins added 16 points as they Vikings picked up back-to-back wins following their 0-3 start.

Then last Friday night, the Vidalia Vikings took care of yet another Class 4A team in the Grant High School Cougars 72-48.

Elmari Lewis led Vidalia with a game-high 18 points while Davis and Perkins added 17 points apiece. Smith said in addition to Lewis and Davis, Perkins stepped up for the Vikings by scoring in double figures in both games.

As for how he felt his team played overall in the tournament, Smith said, “They did well. They did very well.”

Vidalia (2-3) made a short trip to Ferriday to take on Delta Charter School with tip-off at 6:30 p.m.