Basketball: Newman hammers Ellender to open Sunkist Shootout, Riverdale beats Ben Franklin

Area Prep Basketball Report for Wednesday, Dec. 28

In the opening round of the Sunkist Shootout in Lafayette, defending Division III state champion Newman rolled over Ellender, 75-56.

The Greenies took a 13-10 lead after one quarter and Newman led 33-28 at halftime. Newman broke it open in the third quarter, outscoring the Patriots 31-17 to take a 64-45 lead going to the final quarter.

Todd Jones had 16 points and nine rebounds while Chris Leman had 16 points and six rebounds. Chris Lockett scored 14 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and four steals.

The Greenies won the battle of the boards by a 30-23 margin.

Richard Hampton topped Ellender (5-7) with 15 points, Tamaj Vergin had 12 points and Royal Williams finished with 11 points.

Newman (13-2) will play Teurlings Catholic in the winner’s bracket Wednesday at 4:30 p.m.

Riverdale edged Ben Franklin 68-65 on the Lakefront.

In a close game throughout, Riverdale led 21-15 after one quarter and maintained a 33-29 lead by halftime. It was 52-49 going to the final quarter.

Junior Roland Bullard led the Rebels with 25 points on 10 of 16 shooting from the field, including sinking all four of his 3-point attempts. Bullard added 11 rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block. Senior Monroe Gardner had 21 points on 8 of 15 shooting and sank a trio of 3-pointers. Gardner added six rebounds, seven assists and three steals.

Riverdale (7-7) made 10 shots from 3-point range.

Area Prep Basketball Results from Tuesday, Dec. 27
Archbishop Hannan 59, Destrehan 49
Archbishop Rummel 56, A.C. Reynolds (NC) 33
Brother Martin 73, Cookeville (TN) 57
Chalmette 67, Covington 54
East Jefferson 54, Franklin 50
French Settlement 45, Lake Arthur 28
John Ehret 80, Pearl River 49
Northshore 65, St. Petersburg (FL) 62
Northshore 69, Thibodaux 59
Pearl River 58, Kenner Discovery 34
Prep Student Academy Training Academy (TX) 71, Landry 43
Riverdale 68, Ben Franklin 65
Sophie B. Wright 60, South Plaquemines 38
St. Charles Catholic 31, Notre Dame 20
St. Thomas Catholic (TX) 52, St. Augustine 40
St. Thomas More 61, St. Thomas Aquinas 56
William Blount (TN) 83, Lakeshore 68

Sunkist Shootout
Newman 75, Ellender 56 (full box score below)
St. Thomas More 61, St. Thomas Aquinas 56

Girls
Catholic (PC) 59, Cohen 18
South Plaquemines 34, Haynes Academy 32
Springfield 54, Lake Arthur 40
St. James 48, Riverside Academy 35