Basketball: McMain’s thrilling win over Scotlandville highlights MLK Classic, Ben Franklin girls win

The MLK Classic has become an instant classic among outstanding basketball tournaments in the New Orleans area and in south Louisiana quickly.

The latest version of the event certainly featured terrific teams and CrescentCitySports.com was blessed to partner with InspireNola Schools to highlight a pair of the feature games with four great teams.

McKinley opened the event with a 49-36 victory over host McDonogh 35 and Lafayette Christian fought off Booker T. Washington 64-57.

Sophie B. Wright downed Warren Easton 54-51.

Jeremiah Simon led the Warriors with 12 points.

In the thriller of the tournament, defending Class 4A state champion McMain edged perennial power Scotlandville 55-52 on a 3-pointer by Malik Rhinehart from the left elbow with 10 seconds left.

AN INSTANT CLASSIC! GAME 4 FINAL: @McmainEleanor 55, @smhs_hornets 52! #InspireNOLA pic.twitter.com/8sSb5rqzCp

— InspireNOLA Schools (@InspireNOLA) January 17, 2022

Corey Chest led the Mustangs with 16 points and Donte Briggs finished with 12 points for McMain. Dorian Booker scored 18 points and Rayvon Smith had 11 points for the Hornets.

Madison Prep routed St. Augustine 80-39.

Jayce Depron and Dez Perkins each scored 17 points for the Chargers while Jalen Williams added 12 points. Biggie Caliste finished with nine points for the Purple Knights.

Defending Class 5A state champion Zachary may be the best team in the state in any class.

Already with a narrow win over McMain among its outstanding victories, the Broncos pulled away from a very good Newman squad late, winning 62-44 in a game aired live at CrescentCitySports.com.

Brandon Hardy led the way with 22 points while Jalen Bolden added 14 points. Canin Jefferson scored 14 points and Chris Lockett had 12 points for the Greenies.

Carver downed Karr 50-40 in the nightcap in a game also aired live at CrescentCitySports.com.

Laurence Nathan led a balanced Rams attack with 12 points, Dorian Finisher scored 11 points and Willie Anderson added 10 points. Leland Smith topped the Cougars with 18 points while Keith Jones finished with 10 points.

In girls action, Ben Franklin won at McMain 42-28 in District 11-4A for its third straight win.

Junior Petra Trumbach posted a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds while junior Cydney Gauff had nine points and two assists.

The Falcons (17-8, 2-0) return to action today, hosting Haynes Academy at 5 p.m. while the Mustangs (11-6, 0-1) will host Carver at 5:30 p.m.

Area Prep Basketball Results from Monday, Jan. 18

Boys

Inspire Nola MLK Classic at McDonogh 35:

McKinley 49, McDonogh 35 36

Sophie B. Wright 54, Warren Easton 51

Lafayette Christian 64, Booker T. Washington (NO) 57

McMain 55, Scotlandville 52

Madison Prep 80, St. Augustine 39

Zachary 62, Newman 44

Carver 50, Karr 42

Others:

Beau Chene 64, Donaldsonville 60

Christ Episcopal 55, Pearl River 23

St. Charles Catholic 65, Kenner Discovery 50

Girls

Ben Franklin 42, McMain 28

False River 37, Christ Episcopal 19

Karr 49, Loranger 39

St. Charles Catholic 55, Kenner Discovery 49