Boys Basketball: Hahnville keeps poise, uses big finish to overcome HLB

HAHNVILLE – It is not how you start, it is how you finish.

Never was that more true than Tuesday night at Hahnville.

Hahnville closed three of four quarters in dramatic fashion, with decisive edges, as the Tigers fought past determined H.L. Bourgeois 80-74 in a battle of District 7-5A unbeatens.

The win was the sixth straight for Hahnville and coach Yussef Jasmine and snapped a four-game win streak for H.L. Bourgeois.

“We played tough competition early in the season and that helped make us tougher in close games like this one,” Jasmine said. “Our kids stayed under control when we needed them to.”

After H.L. Bourgeois had taken a 74-73 lead with just over two minutes remaining, Hahnville kept its poise and closed the game on a 7-0 run to emerge victorious.

Dylan Lorio gave the Tigers the lead for good at 75-74 on a driving layup with 1:55 to go. Kaden Pierre then split a pair of free throws to make it 76-74 before Lorio calmly nailed a pair of free throws to make it 78-74 with 31.2 seconds left. Off of an H.L. Bourgeois turnover, Claudell Harris finished it off with a layup with 11 seconds remaining.

“Lorio has been a varsity player since he was a freshman,” Jasmine said. “I took him off the ball because I think he is our best playmaker. Late in the game, he can get the ball and make plays. He’s pretty good at that. Tonight was more about getting stops when we needed to and making key free throws which we missed earlier.”

The first quarter saw seven lead changes and two ties with Hahnville taking a 20-19 lead on a rare 4-point play by Tyren Lebouf at the buzzer as he connected on a 3-pointer and was fouled and converted the free throw.

Hahnville opened up a 33-23 lead in the second quarter before H.L. Bourgeois stormed back to take a 38-37 lead. At the buzzer, Lorio sank a half-court shot to give the Tigers a 40-38 lead at the break. Lorio had 11 points, all in the second quarter. Deondre Buggage topped H.L. Bourgeois with 13 points, including 11-of-12 from the free throw line.

The Tigers maintained the lead in the third quarter, taking a 64-59 lead to the final frame.

In the hectic final quarter, Buggage put on a show, making five consecutive 3-pointers from long distance, the last of which gave H.L. Bourgeois a 74-73 lead, setting the stage for the clutch close by the Tigers.

Buggage was brilliant for the Braves with 31 points, including six 3-pointers. Demarcus Singleton had 14 points while Damon Watkins finished with 12 for H.L. Bourgeois (17-6, 4-1).

“For the past couple of years, H.L. has always had one kid who can really score the ball and give other teams problems,” Jasmine said. “Buggage is really good. We got a stop when we needed to and pulled it off. He made five straight from NBA range. He can really score the ball. He struggled to shoot in the first half but he made 11 free throws. You know a shooter is going to eventually find the range.”

Lorio led Hahnville (16-8, 5-0) with 22 points, six rebounds and four assists, Tokourin Grows overcame early foul trouble to score 16 points and Pierre had 11 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks. Harris added 11 points, five rebounds and three assists.

Hahnville travels to Destrehan next Tuesday while H.L. Bourgeois will host Thibodaux Friday.

Hahnville will travel to Gray to face H.L. Bourgeois again on Feb. 13.

“It’s very important to get the first one against them,” Jasmine said. “Going 6-0 in the first round is the goal and we have one more in the first round. With this district, we are going to have competitive games. We have to be ready every game. Thibodaux and Central Lafourche can win games. This league is so competitive, especially at the top. I’m pulling for somebody else to beat them so we can stretch our lead in the district out.”

FINAL
HLB 19 19 21 15 — 74
Hahn 20 20 24 16 — 80

Scoring:
HLB—Deondre’ Buggage 31, Demarcus Singleton 14, Damon Watkins 12, Jamerian Buxton 7, Renard Burdis 5, Jordan Rainey 3, Rontrell Holmes 2

Hahn—Dylan Lorio 22, Tokourin Grows 16, Claudell Harris 11, Kaden Pierre 11, Marcel Byrd 8, Tyren Lebouf 6, Koi Smith 2, Corey Lorio Jr. 2, Daylen Price 2