Coast to coast. That may be the rallying cry for Natchez High in its quest to get back to the Big House.

Natchez High’s boys must beat Gulfport today to advance to the South State 5A&160;Tournament, which will more than likely be held at Harrison Central High in Gulfport.

The Lady Bulldogs face Harrison Central’s girls today with the winner advancing to the South State Tournament.

The top three teams from South State advance to the state tournament at the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson.

Gulfport’s boys lost to Harrison Central in the finals of the Division 8-5A Tournament, while Harrison Central’s girls defeated Gulfport.

Natchez’s boys cruised past Jim Hill to host today’s game, while the Lady Bulldogs fell short against Jackson Provine.

Gulfport’s boys won the division title the last two years, beating Harrison Central out in the finals both years.

Harrison Central is a team on a roll.

The Red Rebels are 27-2, winning their last 24 games. Their only losses were a two-point setback to Biloxi and a loss at John F. Kennedy of New Orleans.

Harrison Central has six seniors, two of which are dandy dozens –&160;guard Timmy Bowers (23 points a game) and forward Dewey Turner (16 points a game).

Considering the competition on the coast, Natchez’s boys and girls better be ready to play their best games of the year tonight, because there is no tomorrow for the losers. It should be an exciting time on the River City and on the Coast.

— The National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame Miss-Lou Chapter banquet is set for Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Eola Radisson.

As usual, you can expect a good time with Louisiana Tech head coach Jack Bicknell speaking and the introduction of area scholar/athletes and special award winners Claude Porter and E.T. James.

One extra special addition this year will be the recognition of The Democrat sports columnist Glenvall Estes for his many years of covering the Miss-Lou.

I know Glenvall will be humbled by the attention and he’ll think it’s all-to-do about nothing, but you can rest assured the recogntion will be well deserved and couldn’t happen to a nicer person who has done so much for not only past and present athletes in the area but anyone who has had the fortune to cross his path.

It’s going to make a special night even more special.

— Good friend George Hogan dropped me a note about the passing of Leon &uot;Sully&uot; Zordan, who began helping out the Adams County Boxing Club in 1970 up until his death last month.

Hogan said Zordan would never take any money for working with area youngsters, he would just say he was giving back for the help he got as a youngster.

&uot;I never got tired of hearing Sully tell of his experience during action in World War II,&uot;&160;Hogan said. &uot;His most hazard experience was the Battle of the Bulge. He let you know he almost got it several times. He lost his two purple hearts many years ago.&uot;

Zordan lived in the North until marrying his wife Mattie of Natchez.

&uot;He met many of the world title holders such as Cassius Clay, Joe Louis and Willie Pep,&uot; Hogan said. &uot;He even trained a few of the pro fighters until his wife got homesick and they moved back to Natchez. Two of his pro fighters fought in Madison Square Garden. My hat is off to a little man who turned out to be one of the greatest and kindest persons in the sport of boxing.&uot;

Joey Martin is sports editor of The Democrat. He can be reached at 445-3632 or at joey.martin@natchezdemocrat.com.