Paige Jones

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BILOXI - Gulfport rode the performances of Bryant Lavender and Rashaud Hamilton to easily win the Sabbatini Relays.

Lavender and Hamilton were the top individual performers on Thursday night at Biloxi Stadium.

Lavender, a South Alabama football signee, was named the top runner, while Hamilton earned the top field honors. Lavender won the 110-meter high hurdles and 300-meter intermediate hurdles. Hamilton, a junior, took the long jump and triple jump crowns.  WILLIAM COLGIN/SUN HERALD James Thomas with Ocean Springs High School participates in the high jump competition at the Sabbatini Relays at Biloxi High on Thursday.

Lavender is using track to prepare playing wide receiver for the Jaguars next season.

"Track helps me with football by separating from the defensive backs," Lavender said. "I can get away when the defensive back jam me at the line of scrimmage."

Gulfport, which scored 137 points, has looked strong since winning the Gaston Hewes Relays last weekend at its track complex. Harrison Central was second with 109 points, followed by Ocean Springs at 100 points.

"We\'re still working hard to keep getting better," Admirals coach Ricky Floyd said.

Other winners for the Admirals were DeKarlos Evers (high jump) and Cortez Hartzog (shot put).

Tino Gonzales of Ocean Springs was the other boys\' double-winner, capturing the 3,200-meter and 1,600-meter runs.

Pass Christian outscored Biloxi 150-119 to win the girls\' title as high school All-American Cory McGee won three events.

The junior captured the 400-meter run, 1,600-meter run and 3,200-meter run to earn top girls runner.

 Paige Jones of Pass Christian won two events: high jump and 200-meter dash.

Gulfport\'s Ashleigh Lewis and C.C. Dunnings of Biloxi shared the top girls\' field performer. Dunnings won the shot put and discus titles, but Lewis piled up points in other events.

Tisa Smith of Biloxi won the 100-meter low hurdles and 100-meter dash before leaving to play for the fast-pitch softball team.