The Biloxi High School boys basketball team, the defending state champs, defeated Natchez Tuesday night, 64-46, in the Biloxi Sports Arena to advance to this weekend's South State Tournament at Meridian.

The Indians will play Friday night at 7:30 against the Gulfport-Brandon winner, which will be determined this evening at Gulfport.

The winner of the Friday night game will advance to the South State Championship game on Saturday night at 7:30 at Meridian, against either Meridian or Jackson Wingfield HS. Those two teams will play at 6 p.m. Friday in the South State Semifinals.

A victory Friday night would also send the Indians to the State Tournament as both teams in Saturday's Championship game will advance to the State Tournament, which begins Friday, Feb. 26 in Jackson. The 6A games would be played on Wednesday, March 3rd with the Championship game on Saturday, March 6th.

The Indians are the defending Mississippi High School Activities Association 5A champions and will be trying to capture Mississippi's first 6A title.

Powerlifting: Last Saturday the Biloxi High School powerlifting team finished second overall in regional competition. Noteable performances were Jay Haynes, Jarod Blanks, Shane Glasbrenner, Harry Moskowitz, and 1st place lifters Alek Montgomery and James Demoruelle. These six athletes will compete at the South State championship on March 13 at Hattiesburg.