Bonnabel falls just short against Alexandria in Class 5A final

LAKE CHARLES – Bonnabel had a great start and nearly produced a great finish, but it wasn’t quite enough to bring home the school’s first state basketball title.

Instead, it was Alexandria Senior High hoisting the gold hardware following a 38-37 defensive slugfest in the final game of the Friday Marsh Madness tripleheader at an empty Burton Coliseum.

The LHSAA announced about an hour before the first tipoff of the day that no fans, bands or cheerleaders would be admitted after Gov. John Bel Edwards announced earlier in the afternoon that large gatherings of more than 250 people would not be allowed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Bruins came out fast, scoring the game’s first nine points and holding ASH scoreless for the first 5:53 of the game. The Trojans rallied to take a 21-18 lead at halftime and the lead grew to as many as six points in the second half at 36-30.

Bonnabel scored the next five points, four of them by Will Allen, to pull within a point with 2:03 remaining.

After a pair of Trojan free throws, Tyron Williams, who could not duplicate his semifinal performance against Walker, knocked down a pair of free throws with 23 seconds left to pull the Bruins within one again.

Theo Johnson got a steal out of the Bruins’ press and Bonnabel coach Glenn Dyer called timeout with 8.2 seconds left.

While trying to run a final play, the ball was knocked away briefly and Dyer used his final timeout with 0.7 seconds to salvage a final attempt.

A lob pass to Allen was knocked away and the Trojans celebrated their first title.

Despite first-half foul trouble, Allen led all scorers with 11 points. Latrell Holly, named the game’s outstanding player, led Alexandria with nine points and eight rebounds.

LHSAA Prep Basketball Championship Basketball Report for Saturday, Mar. 14

LHSAA Prep Basketball Championship Results from Friday, Mar. 13

Class C–#4 Pleasant Hill 71, #2 Hicks 58

2A–#1 Port Allen 78, #2 Rayville 74 (OT)

5A–#6 Alexandria 38, #6 Bonnabel 37

Select School Championships

Division II–#1 St. Thomas More 57, #2 University Lab 56

Division III–#1 Dunham 48, #3 Episcopal 47

Division IV–#1 Jehovah-Jireh 64, #2 Runnels 45

LHSAA Prep Basketball Championship Schedule for Saturday, Mar. 14

Non-Select at Burton Coliseum in Lake Charles

3A–#1 Bossier vs. #2 Wossman, 2 p.m.

Class B–#1 Simsboro vs. #2 Doyline, 4 p.m.

1A–#1 North Central vs. #3 Lincoln Prep, 6 p.m.

4A–#1 Peabody vs. #2 Breaux Bridge, 8 p.m.

Select Championships

Division I—No. 2 St. Augustine at No. 1 Scotlandville, 4 p.m.

Division IV—No. 6 Calvary Baptist vs. No. 2 Crescent City Christian, 6 p.m. at Lee Magnet