Boys Basketball Playoffs: Carver dedicates season to Mitchum, defeats Easton

It was a sobering occurrence Friday night when Tulane University police Corporal Martinus Mitchum was tragically murdered just outside of the Carver Gymnasium as the Class 4A opening round playoff game between Carver and Warren Easton was underway.

The game was correctly stopped, at that point, with the Rams leading 22-2 as the first quarter came to a close.

The contest resumed Sunday at Sophie B. Wright and Carver completed its victory with a 77-45 victory to advance to the regional round.

The Rams continued to be in total control, taking a 40-13 lead by halftime and led 59-20 going to the fourth quarter.

Carver had great balance, with four players scoring in double figures.

Dorian Finister led the way with 19 points while Willie Anderson had 14 points. Ronald Johnson had 11 points and Solomon Washington finished with 10 points.

Carver coach Nathaniel Roche said emotions ran wild Sunday.

“It was difficult to get back on the floor but it was something that we really needed with everything that transpired on Friday for kids not knowing how their season would be affected by that,” Roche said. “We all got in the gym and tried to act like it was a normal day to prepare for a game and play it.”

Roche addressed his players about the tragedy and about moving forward prior to the resumption of the game and it was beneficial.

“We had a conversation and talked about some of the things that go on in the world and things that are out of control and how people can come in and try to ruin a good thing,” Roche said. “We had a good warmup and started a little slow but once we got going, we had the same energy we always have. Our defense led to offense. It felt good to be in the moment. It made you feel like everything was going to be okay.”

The death of Mitchum hit home in personal fashion for the coach.

“I grew up around Martinus,” Roche said. “He’s been around in the community for years. Mitch watched me grow up as I was at Landry and he was working at O. Perry Walker. Martinus has been at Carver since I have been the head coach and he has always been protecting us at home games. He was such a supporter to everyone around him, to the kids and everyone in the school system as a passionate, caring man.”

Since falling short in the 4A semifinals last season, Carver has been on a mission to finish in 2021 and win a state title. Now, the Rams have a dual mission.

“We will always be appreciative of Martinus,” Roche said. “It is so unfortunate that he had to lose his life trying to help, trying to his job. We are focused now on trying to win a state championship and dedicate it for him as a team. We will play hard, tough, with energy and try to do it right as he did things right.

We will never take anything for granted and treat others well. That is what we teach. We always talk about leaving a place better than the way we found it. This should open our eyes to never assume anything is guaranteed. We are dedicating the rest of the season to Mitch.”

Carver (26-1) will host No. 16 Cecilia Tuesday in the regional round. Cecilia (14-13) defeated No. 17 Eunice 74-53 to earn its spot in the round of 16. Easton ended its season 8-16.

In Class 1A today, top seed and 2-time defending state champion North Central (19-4) entertains No. 16 Sicily Island (4-9) at 7 p.m. in regional round action.

Also in 1A tonight, No. 6 Delhi (12-10) plays host to No. 11 Merryville (13-10) at 6 p.m. while No. 7 Northwood-Lena (14-9) welcomes No. 10 Homer (10-11) at 6 p.m.

In the Division I regional round, No. 5 Jesuit (18-9) hosts District 9-5A rival and No. 12 Archbishop Rummel (3-21) at 6 p.m. The Blue Jays swept the Raiders 65-44 and 62-30 in the regular season.

The Raiders, who struggled mightily this season, close the regular season with consecutive wins over Vandebilt Catholic and St. Charles Catholic.

The Blue Jay varsity squad has not played since Feb. 9 when they last defeated Rummel, having been shut down due to COVID-19 protocols.

In Division II, No. 11 Thomas Jefferson (12-4) travels to Lake Charles to face No. 6 St. Louis Catholic (14-10) at Washington-Marion at 6 p.m.

In Division V, St. Joseph’s of Plaucheville (13-1) plays host to No. 5 Grace Christian (13-10) at 6:30 p.m.