Lake Charles Area Report: Tors fall to Cougars at Cajundome

Sulphur senior guard Matt LeBato scored 17 points

and blocked three shots in the Tors loss to

St. Thomas More in the Cajundome on Tuesday.

By Rodrick Anderson

Southwest Daily News
LAFAYETTE -


The Sulphur Tors started out strong against the St. Thomas More Cougars on Tuesday at the Cajundome in the Road to the Championship Basketball Series. But the road weary Tors fell to the Cougars 64-50 for their second consecutive loss of the season.

It was the sixth consecutive road game for the Tors that included two games in Huntsville, Alabama last week.

Sulphur (5-2) scored first with Chip Armelin hitting a basket 30 seconds into the game.

In his first game of the season after returning from a preseason injury, senior guard Matt LeBato made a three point play a minute and a half into the game after a shot in the lane and free throw after foul by Evan Tatford. A shot by Donovan Williams gave Sulphur their biggest lead of the game, 7-3 with 6:02 left in the first quarter.

But the game started to change after that even though the Tors were keeping the Cougars leading scorer from last year, Xavier Blackburn, in check.

The Tors held Blackburn to just five points in the first half but St. Thomas More countered with senior guard Russ Brown.

Brown scored 12 of his game-high 22 points in the first quarter to lead the Cougars to a 15-13 lead heading into the second quarter.

“Overall we did not do a very good job on defense, that is the bottom line,” Sulphur head coach Clint LeBato said. “We held Blackburn down which is good but we let that other guy score too many points. Blackburn didn't really score a bunch of points until the last quarter when we started to foul.”

Sulphur briefly took the lead again at the beginning of the second quarter on a three-pointer by LeBato but Blackburn hit a three of his own to take back the lead.

The Tors kept pace with the Cougars over the next few minutes as the pulled within one on a three by Tanner Kuykendall and tied the game at 22-22 on a three by Armelin with 4:27 left in the first half.

But the Tors offense hit a dry spell after that and went scoreless the rest of the second quarter while STM went on a 6-0 run to take a 28-22 lead at the break.

A shot at the top of the key by LeBato with 5:58 left in the third quarter brought the Tors within four points, 30-26, but that would be as close as they would get the rest of the game as their shooting troubles continued.

Sulphur made 7-of-23 shots in the second half and shot 43 percent in the game.

The Cougars led by as much as 14 points in the fourth quarter as the Tors were forced to foul.

Blackburn scored 10 points in the fourth quarter to finish with 20.

Armelin led the Tors with 22 points and five rebounds and LeBato finished with 17 points and three blocks in his first game of the year.

The Tors will get a week off to regroup before they return home to take on DeRidder on Tuesday, December 8th.

“With the number of games that we have played we have not had enough practice,” LeBato said. “But now we get a chance to go home and practice so hopefully we can get better.”

Courtesy of Southwest Daily News

Houma Area Report: Morgan City defeats Assumption in OT

MORGAN CITY 88, ASSUMPTION 84, OT (BOYS)


At Morgan City, Shawn Long pumped in 28 points, and three other Morgan City players were in double figures in an overtime win.

Trailing 40-38 at halftime, Assumption took a 56-51 advantage after three quarters. Morgan City rallied to outscored Assumption 27-22 to tie the game at 78 after regulation.

Morgan City won the overtime period 10-6.

Jacobie Brown scored 18, while Jalen Johnson had 15 and Vernon Norwood finished with 13 for Morgan City.

Riverside topples Dallas’ top Private School squad on road trip

By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur


Riverside coach Timmy Byrd says Saturday’s game in Dallas against Arlington Grace Prep-Dallas was the best game he’s seen one of his team’s play in the past two seasons.

The results bared that out.

Riverside trounced what’s considered by many to be the top team in Dallas, 59-34, to move to 4-2 on the young season.

Byrd notes that Arlington Grace Prep boasts five players ranked in the national top 100 collegiate prospects among sophomores and juniors, including the 7-footer Isaiah Austin – he’s regarded one of the top three prospects in the nation in the class of 2012.

“We played with a lot of intensity,” said Byrd. “All five of our starters came to play – they were pumped up before this one.”

Ed Gallina scored 16 points to lead Riverside. Cedric Jenkins added 15 and Ricardo Gathers scored 14.

The Rebels wasted no time jumping out in front, leading 19-8 after the first quarter.

Byrd said that the play of Gallina early in the game helped to set the tempo.

“Ed played a huge first quarter on both ends of the floor” said Byrd. “He was very, very active.

“He hit a 3-pointer off the bat, and Cedric added another. We had some put backs, and it got us going.”

Riverside increased its lead to 39-22 at the half, then slowed the game down in the second half, spreading the floor and drawing Arlington defenders outside.

“We burned a lot of clock and made them come out and guard us,” said Byrd.

Riverside allowed only 11 second half points, including just three in the fourth quarter, on a single field goal and foul shot.

“It was the best team defense we’ve played in two years,” said Byrd. “It was just one of those games where everyone came together.”

Byrd said that he hopes the win serves to generate momentum for the Rebels, especially with a big game coming up in two weeks against another national Texas power – Christian Life-Houston.

“If we play then like we played on Saturday night, we’ll be up to the challenge.”

PROVINE (MS) 74, RIVERSIDE 72 – In a Friday night game in Dallas, the Rebels took their second loss of the season against the top ranked team in Mississippi. Riverside missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer, spoiling a 26-point night for Jenkins. Gathers added 16 for RA. The Rebels trailed by five entering the fourth quarter.

Courtesy of the L'Observateur

South Beauregard squeaks by in Monday home openers

By Josh Troy

Beauregard Daily News

DeRidder, La. -


SOUTH BEAUREGARD—An Irvin Robinson steal just before the half court line, which he followed with a long pass to Jake Chaumont for a 2-pointer with 25.2-seconds to play was enough for the South Beauregard Golden Knights (2-2) to win the closest of games in their home opener Monday night. South Beauregard defeated the Hathaway Hornets (7-8) 64-63.

“I thought Hathaway had an excellent game plan,” Golden Knights head coach Adam Coleman said.

Coleman said Hathaway head coach T.J. Hoffpauir did a good job, the team executed.

“I thought they (Hathaway) did everything they had to do to win the ball game,” Coleman said.

However, Hoffpauir acknowledged the Golden Knights were able to do just a little bit more.

“I thought both teams played extremely hard,” Hoffpauir said. “You’ve got to give credit to Coach Coleman.

“We had a shot to win. It came down to coaching. He was the better coach in the end.”

The game was tied 43-43 going into the fourth quarter. Ivan Robinson came up with 15 fourth quarter points for South Beauregard and Chaumont had the other six fourth quarter points for the Golden Knights. South Beauregard was able to protect its lead on defense twice after it went ahead 64-63. Kain Hungerford stole the ball for the Golden Knights and was fouled with 15.8-seconds to play in the game. Chaumont was fouled in the back court with 13.6-seconds to play in the game, but missed both of his free throws. Ethan Fruge went up the court for Hathaway at the very end of the game, took the final shot for the Hornets, missed it and Hungerford collected the rebound to secure the victory for South Beauregard.

“We kind of had a few things bounce our way at some opportune times,” Coleman said, adding teams make their luck.

Not taking anything away from Hathaway, Coleman said the Golden Knights have to execute better in the future to keep beating good teams like the Hornets.

“Those things will all come with time,” Coleman said, adding South Beauregard has only practiced for a week and a half, but expects to be ready for district play. Coleman said Chaumont took four charges for South Beauregard at turning points of the game and the goal was for the Golden Knights as a team to take four charges.

“That’s just heart and guts right there,” Coleman said. “That’s just wanting to win, sacrificing your body.”

Coleman also said he respected the effort of Grant Thibodeaux for trying to play on a badly sprained ankle. He added the Golden Knights lost a lot of offense without Thibodeaux. South Beauregard opened the game with an 11-2 run, but Hathaway managed to take a 27-24 halftime lead. That came on the strength of two Dylan Augustine second quarter 3-pointers for Hathaway and six Fruge second quarter points. For South Beauregard, Robinson had 32 points, Chaumont had 17 points, Hungerford had 10 points, Thibodeaux had three points and Hunter Fontenot had two points.

For South Beauregard, Ivan Robinson had 17 points, Hungerford had 12 rebounds and Mike Trahan had six assists. For Hathaway, Augustine scored 24 points, Tyler Mitchell had 10 points, Fruge had 16 points, Jentry Comeaux had eight points, Chip Guillotte had seven points and Trey Herndon scored one point. For Hathaway, Fruge had 11 rebounds, Guillotte had five assists and Comeaux had three steals. South Beauregard is back in action in the South Beauregard Tournament Thursday through Saturday.

Courtesy of the Beauregard Daily News

Today's Basketball Schedule for the Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Houma Area

Today's Schedule:

Houma/New Orleans Area

South Terrebonne at Ellender, 6 p.m.

South Lafourche at Vandebilt Catholic, 6 p.m.
Central Lafourche at Chalmette, 6 p.m.
New Iberia at Thibodaux, 6 p.m.
New Orleans Area:

Country Day at East St. John, 7 p.m.
Salmen at Slidell, 7 p.m.
Covington at Varnado, 7 p.m.
Central Lafourche at Chalmette, 7 p.m.
King at Rummel, 6 p.m.
Cohen at Shaw, 7 p.m.
Belle Chasse at Pearl River, 7 p.m.
Newman at Easton, 7 p.m.
Reed at South Plaquemines, 7 p.m.
Priestley Charter at Algiers Tech, 7 p.m.
Ecole at Fisher, 7 p.m.
Holy Rosary at Thomas Jefferson, 6 p.m.
Lusher at St. Martin's, 7 p.m.
Phoenix at Lutheran, 7 p.m.
Crescent City at Taylor, 7 p.m.

Baton Rouge Area Games:

Episcopal at Bethany Christian, 5 p.m.
Christian Life at Belaire, 5 p.m.
University at Parkview Baptist, 5 p.m.
Family Christian at Ascension Catholic, 5 p.m.
St. John at Livonia, 5 p.m.
St. Helena Central at Clinton, 5:30 p.m.
Jackson at West Feliciana, 5:30 p.m.
Northside at Istrouma, 5:30 p.m.
Runnels at False River Academy, 6 p.m.
Assembly Christian at Louisiana School for the Deaf, 6 p.m.
Baker at Scotlandville, 6 p.m.

Tournament
Livingston Parish Tournament
At Maurepas High

Holden vs. Doyle 4 p.m.
Walker vs. Albany 8:30 p.m.

Basketball big part of Jones family history

By Josh Troy

Beauregard Daily News

DERIDDER—Jodarius Jones, a senior point and shooting guard for the DeRidder Dragons basketball team, comes from a family where playing basketball has been a tradition.


Jones played basketball and football for DeRidder in junior high, he also played Dixie Youth baseball, but now he solely focuses on basketball. His dad Jeffery was a basketball player, his oldest brother Jeff played center for the Dragons and his older brother Justin was a small forward for DeRidder. Jones’ mother is JoEvelyn Jones.

“That’s the best sport,” Jones said. “I’m better at basketball. That’s the family tradition. I’ve got older brothers that came through here.”

Jones said he has played basketball as long as he can remember.

But Jones has had to work hard to earn playing time for the Dragons.

Last year, the team had 10 seniors, so Jones had not seen much action until the current 2009-10 season.

“So far I haven’t really had a lot of highlights,” Jones said.

Learning from older players has been beneficiary to Jones, as he has started to see more action.

“I learned what Coach Greene (Dragons head coach Mike Greene) was looking for,” Jones said.

“It’s all about buying into the system.”

And Jones hopes to be a strong contributor for the already 5-1 Dragons.

“I’m just working hard,” Jones said. “I lift weights. I got a little taller and better decision making skills.”

Jones also hopes to keep the Dragons motivated as the season moves forward.

“I see myself something like a leader to the team,” Jones said. “I’ve got to keep the team motivated because I’m a point guard and everything.”

That could translate into positive things for DeRidder as a team.

“I want to go as far as I can,” Jones said.

Jones enjoys being part of the Dragon tradition.

“My brothers came through and everything,” Jones said. “They were good basketball players. I kept the tradition going. It feels good to be a DeRidder Dragon.”

Jones’ favorite basketball team is the Denver Nuggets and his favorite player is Milwaukee Bucks rookie point guard Brandon Jennings.

However, the person who helped Jones with basketball in many ways was Adrian Davis, who was a 2009 DeRidder High School graduate and point guard for the Dragons.

“I grew up with him (Davis),” Jones said. “I knew him all my life and we pretty much taught each other how to play basketball.”

Jones is a member of the Interact Club and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He used to be in the Black Heritage Club. His favorite subject is chemistry.

No matter how much extracurricular activities Jones takes part in, he always finds time to focus on academics.

“I just go with the flow I guess,” Jones said.

In college, Jones hopes to major in either Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering.

In Jones’ spare time, he liked to play video games with other people, which include NBA2K9 and NBA2k10. He also enjoys the myspace Web site on the Internet.

Courtesy of Beauregard Daily News

Crusaders’ coach challenges team to stay hungry

By ROBIN FAMBROUGH

Advocate sportswriter

In past seasons, the word “transition” referred only to how the Christian Life Academy boys basketball team executed a fast break.


That all started to change last spring when the Crusaders’ string of three straight Class 1A state titles ended with a loss to eventual champion Metairie Park Country Day in the semifinals.

Then, over the summer, coach Todd Foster opted to leave CLA to build a new junior college program at Baton Rouge Community College.

The changes, including the addition of coach Carlo Maggio, meant the Crusaders entered the 2009-10 season a couple of weeks ago with some questions to answer.

Going into tonight’s nondistrict game at Class 4A Belaire, it is fair to say CLA has had all the right answers so far, compiling a 6-0 record. Varsity game time is approximately 7:15 p.m.

“This is a senior-oriented group that experienced a lot of success at a young age,” Maggio said. “So I’ve challenged them to stay hungry. They can’t take anything for granted.”

The highlight for the Crusaders so far was winning the Ballin’ on the Red tournament held in the Shreveport area prior to Thanksgiving.

Maggio came to CLA from Central Louisiana-based Plainview High. The 30-year-old self-professed gym rat is a Vinton native and has known Foster, the former CLA coach and a Lake Charles native, for years.

The fact that senior standouts Langston Galloway and Patrick Robinson both played on Maggio’s AAU team over the summer also helped make the coaching transition seamless.

“Coach Foster and I have known each other for years and we share a lot of the same philosophies,” Maggio said. “So basically, we didn’t change a lot of things the team did.

“The seniors, like Langston and Pat, have been great leaders. They’ve done everything I’ve asked and they’ve worked hard.”

Both Galloway and Robinson secured their college futures as the season began.

The 6-foot-3 Galloway, who is currently averaging 24 points per game, signed with St. Joseph’s of Philadelphia earlier this month.

Robinson (6-6) adds 17 points per game.

Both players were instrumental in the Shreveport area tourney as Christian Life ousted Class 5A Airline, Bossier, last year’s 4A runner-up, and Riverside Academy, a team made up of players who previously starred for Class C power Reserve Christian.

Kaleb Knight (6-6), Corey Self (5-10) and Avery Prince (5-10) complete the CLA lineup that begins a crucial part of its schedule this week.

After tonight’s game at Belaire, the Crusaders close out the week with a local tournament, the Zachary Invitational.

“I’ve challenged them to play to their capabilities in every game,” Maggio said. “We don’t know a lot about Belaire. But we expect every game to be a challenge.”

Courtesy of Baton Rouge Advocate

St. Amant's Gold Dome Classic kicks off Wednesday

ST. AMANT – The annual Ralph Sellers Gold Dome Classic has attracted teams from north and south Louisiana as well as the local area for boys’ basketball action scheduled to begin Wednesday.


The 12-team field features newcomers Dunham and Chalmette as well as Terrebonne, Hammond, Lutcher, Ponchatoula, Airline, Donaldsonville, Dutchtown, East Ascension and host St. Amant.

Action tips off at 4 p.m. Wednesday with Dutchtown meeting Woodlawn. Lutcher and Dunham follow at 5:30 p.m.

Donaldsonville and St. Amant square off at 7 p.m. with Hammond and East Ascension concluding the night’s action at 8 p.m.

The winner of Lutcher and Dunham will play Chalmette at 4 p.m. Thursday in the Gold Dome, while Terrebonne will take on the winner of Hammond and East Ascension at 5:30 p.m.

Ponchatoula faces the winner of Donaldsonville and St. Amant at 7 p.m. and Airline takes on the winner of Woodlawn and Dutchtown at 8:30 p.m.

Consolation play resumes at 4 p.m. Friday. The semifinals are scheduled for 7 and 8:30 p.m. Friday with the championship game Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The third-place game will be at 5:30 p.m. Saturday and the consolation bracket finals are scheduled for 3 and 4:30 p.m. Saturday.

Courtesy of the Weekly Citizen

Baton Rouge Area Box Scores from Monday Night

Boys Basketball


Dutchtown 50,
McKinley 46

Dutchtown 15 6 12 19—50
McKinley 4 14 14 14—46

SCORING: DUTCHTOWN: S. Burgess 23, J. Biagas 11, T. Cushenberry 10, J. Spriggs 2, D. McCall 2, D. Ester 2; MCKINLEY: J. Bond 14, D. Milburn 11, D. Patterson 6, J. Kelly 5, C. Isaac 2, C. Bailey 2, C. Kelly 2, R. Smith 2.

3-POINT GOALS: Dutchtown 3 (Burgess 3); McKinley 3 (Milburn 2, J. Kelly)

RECORDS: McKinley 3-5

JUNIOR VARSITY: Dutchtown 31, McKinley 30

East Ascension 50, Broadmoor 47

Broadmoor 8 12 10 17—47
East Ascension 13 10 14 13—50

SCORING: BROADMOOR: Co. Barnes 14, M. Smothers 10, D. Ventress 10, Cu. Barnes 6, R. Williams 4, C. Waddis 2, J. Fealing 1; EAST ASCENSION: K. Fleming 25, C. Watts 12, D. LeBlanc 6, B. Madere 3, C. Williams 2, D. Fisher 2.

3-POINT GOALS: Broadmoor 2 (Cu. Barnes, Smothers); East Ascension 0

RECORDS: Broadmoor 1-5; East Ascension 4-2

JUNIOR VARSITY: East Ascension 42, Broadmoor 39

Hosanna Christian 66, French Settlement 34

Hosanna Christian 7 17 26 16—66
French Settlement 5 13 8 8—34

SCORING: HOSANNA: D. McGuire 22, J. Matthews 21, E. Lindsay 15, R. Thompson 5, Z. Townley 2, W. Brown 1; FRENCH SETTLEMENT: R. Keller 11, B. Noto 8, B. Verlies 5, T. Austin 4, E. Cadley 2, B. Harris 2, J. McMorris 2.

3-POINT GOALS: Hosanna 4 (Matthews 2, McGuire, Thompson); French Settlement 7 (Keller 3, Noto 2, Verlies, Austin)

RECORDS: Hosanna 12-4

JUNIOR VARSITY: Hosanna 46, FSHS 37

Live Oak 62, CHSPC 46

Live Oak 20 14 18 10—62
Catholic-Pointe Coupee 12 8 17 9—46

SCORING: LIVE OAK: L. Danos 25, A. Wilson 10, M. Rayburn 6, E. Crain 6, A. Switzer 5, D. Bell 4, R. Patcsy 4, B. Berry 2; CHSPC: S. Hillyard 19, C. Littleton 12, D. Lorio 9, C. Fabre 5, K. Banks 1.

3-POINT GOALS: Live Oak 2 (Rayburn 2); CHSPC 1 (Lorio)

RECORDS: CHSPC 0-4

Plaquemine 43, White Castle 39, OT

White Castle 9 12 5 5 8—39
Plaquemine 7 8 12 4 12—43

SCORING: WHITE CASTLE: R. Martin 24, D. Allen 7, D. Thomas 3, Q. Allen 2, I. O’Bear 2, R. Foster 1; PLAQUEMINE: C. Scott 12, A. Major 11, T. Hawkins 10, J. Jenkins 5, D. Veal 4, D. Jenkins 1.

3-POINT GOALS: White Castle 5 (Martin 4, Allen); Plaquemine 0

RECORDS: White Castle 3-5; Plaquemine 5-1

JUNIOR VARSITY: White Castle 27, Plaquemine 26

NOTES: 200th win for Plaquemine head coach Denny Wright

Silliman 62,
Tensas Academy 51

Tensas Academy 9 18 12 12—51
Silliman Institute 15 13 18 16—62

SCORING: TENSAS ACADEMY: J. James 16, F. Keahey 13, A. Emfinger 11, D. Leake 7, J. Sikes 1; SILLIMAN: C. Donze 16, A. Gayle 16, T. Hornsby 12, J. Austin 8, W. Kelly 7, N. Ohlinger 3.

3-POINT GOALS: Tensas Academy 4 (Keahey 3, James); Silliman 4 (Donze, Gayle, Kelly, Ohlinger)

RECORDS: Silliman 5-3

JUNIOR VARSITY: Silliman 53, Tensas Academy 14

Southern Lab 80,
PC Central 75, OT

Southern Lab 14 11 14 32 9—80
Pointe Coupee Central 14 15 27 14 4—75

SCORING: SOUTHERN LAB: M. Harrell 37, K. Scott 15, C. Burrell 13, A. Wilson 7, H. Thomas 6, E. Alsander 2; PCC: D. Cobb 33, I. Lewis 10, J. Young 10, R. Franklin 7, M. Franklin 5, M. Tolliver 4, D. Braggs 4, D. Bellazin 2.

3-POINT GOALS: Southern Lab 4 (Harrell 3, Wilson); PCC 4 (Cobb 3, M. Franklin)

RECORDS: PCC 5-1

JUNIOR VARSITY: Southern Lab 47, PCC 42

Woodlawn 50, Zachary 46

Zachary 11 9 13 13—46
Woodlawn 12 10 13 15—50

SCORING: ZACHARY: M. Wright 14, T. Mims 11, J. Washington 7, C. Burrell 6, Z. Gibbs 5, R. Bowman 3; WOODLAWN: B. Lazare 23, C. McFerrin 9, T. Crockett 6, N. Johnson 5, J. Alexander 4, E. Vidrine 3.

3-POINT GOALS: Zachary 3 (Wright, Gibbs, Bowman); Woodlawn 2 (Vidrine, Johnson)

RECORDS: Woodlawn 4-2

JUNIOR VARSITY: Woodlawn 47, Zachary 40

New Orleans: Sugar Bowl CYO high school basketball tournament begins Dec. 2

The Allstate Sugar Bowl 2009 CYO Basketball Tournament will run from Dec. 2-5 and will be played at four local high schools: Brother Martin, Jesuit, Rummel and Shaw. This year marks the 56th year of the tournament.


This year’s event will once again feature 16 teams: Country Day, St. Charles, Rummel, Karr, Brother Martin, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Augustine, Holy Cross, Shaw, Ellender, Hahnville, Higgins, Jesuit, St. Paul’s, Slidell and Ehret.

In addition to the basketball action, at halftime of the championship game (Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Jesuit High School), the late Johnny Altobello will be honored. Altobello won the first seven CYO tournaments as the coach at DeLaSalle and St. Aloysius (now Brother Martin). The championship trophy for the CYO Tournament will now bear his name. His family and representatives from DeLaSalle and Brother Martin will be on hand for that half-time presentation.

Last year’s event featured 16 boys’ high school teams playing in 25 games. O. Perry Walker registered a 65-59 win over Edna Karr to win the 2008 Championship.