Basketball Report: Carver outlasts Crescent City Christian in overtime, 70-66

Area Prep Basketball Report for Wednesday, Feb. 19

For the last three seasons, Crescent City Christian has played in state championship games, all in Division IV. The Crescents won the state title in 2017 over Jehovah-Jireh in an overtime thriller before falling in the title game to the Warriors in the championship game the last two seasons.

Despite moving up to Division IV this season, the Crescents are poised for another run at a state title.

Carver won the Class 4A state championship in 2003 and went to a state championship game in 1989. The Rams are poised for a deep run in the playoffs this season.

The two potent teams met in the regular season finale for both teams Tuesday night in Metairie in a non-district contest and Carver avenged an earlier season loss to Crescent City with a thrilling 70-66 victory in overtime at The Cabin.

Youth was served as a pair of sophomores led the way for Carver. Dorian Finisher had 22 points and nine rebounds while Solomon Washington was a force with 19 points, 17 rebounds and five blocked shots. Senior Michael Pajeaud added 13 points and eight rebounds.

“We had to lock in on defense, we had to stay focused on our offense and we just had to execute,” Washington said. “At practice, we stress trying to get the ball inside and if covered, I get it out to the shooters.”

Carver coach Nathaniel Roche was pleased with his team’s effort.

“I think my guys came out and played really hard from the start,” Roche said. “We executed our defensive plan. I wish we could have made more free throws tonight. Other than that, I’m proud of my guys”

Roche was particularly pleased with the play of his two talented sophomores.

“Solomon is a talented guy,” Roche said. “We’ve been working with him all year trying to get him to finish around the basket. He came out tonight and did just that. Dorian is a big kid who is always positive and works hard. I’m really proud of him and the way he took over in the second half.”

The first quarter saw very physical play as 13 fouls were committed. There were five lead changes and Crescent City Christian took a 13-12 lead by the end of the quarter as Jordin Farrell hit a pair of free throws at the end of the quarter to give the Crescents the lead. Farrell had seven points in the quarter.

Carver went on an 8-0 run in the second quarter to take a 20-15 lead but Crescent City Christian closed the gap to 27-25 by halftime. Byron Joshua hit a long 3-pointer which would have given the Pios the lead but it was ruled just after the buzzer had sounded.

Joshua led Crescent City Christian with 11 points in the half while Washington had 11 points and five rebounds for the Rams.

There were 27 fouls whistled in the first half, including 15 on Crescent City Christian.

The third quarter saw four lead changes before the teams ended up tied 44-44 by the end of the frame. Joshua had 12 points in the quarter for the Pios while Finister had seven in the quarter for the Rams.

The fourth quarter was frenetic, with six lead changes before the two teams ended up tied 56-56, forcing the overtime period.

In overtime, Finisher scored four points while Fredwood Evans III had three points as the Rams prevailed, outscoring the Pios 14-10 in the extra period.

On Senior night, senior Joshua was outstanding for the Pios, scoring 32 points, pulling down eight rebounds and coming up with four steals while Farrell, also a senior, had 16 points and eight rebounds.

Despite the loss, Pios coach Shaun Dumas was pleased with the intensity his team played with against a bigger, talented opponent.

“It’s a good game, especially going into the playoffs,” Dumas said. “Hats off to them. They dug deep, a little bit more and they came out with the victory. I think both teams played hard and I think it was a good game for both teams going into the playoffs. Both teams won. They won and we got the look going into the playoffs.”

The game was called tightly, with 63 fouls whistled, including 38 on Crescent City Christian. Four players fouled out for the Pios.

Crescent City Christian won the first matchup in a 64-63 thriller at the Sophie B. Wright tournament on Dec. 5.

Carver was sixth in the most recent LHSAA Class 4A power rating while Crescent City Christian will be the top seed in the Division IV playoffs when the pairings are announced.

“We have a good chance in the playoffs of going far and winning it,” Washington said. “I feel like we’ve got a lot of talent on this team and we can go far.”

Despite the loss, Crescent City Christian will be the top seed in the Division IV state playoffs.

“We pride ourselves at Crescent City Christian school of playing the toughest schedule in the state and that gets us ready for the postseason,” Dumas said.

Final
CCC 13 12 19 12 10 — 66
Carver 12 15 17 12 14 — 70

Scoring:
CCC—Byron Joshua 32, Jordan Farrell 16, Kurt LaBeaud 9, John Kelly 5, Keane Smith 2, Derek Burditt Jr. 2

Carver—Dorian Finisher 22, Solomon Washington 19, Michael Pajeaud 13, Fredwood Evans III 8, Ray Walker 6, J’sean Banks 2

Area Prep Basketball Results from Tuesday, Feb. 18

Boys

Bonnabel 60, Chalmette 35

Brother Martin 73, Holy Cross 59

Brusly 60, Amite 45

Carver 70, Crescent City Christian 66 (OT)

Central Lafourche 63, Destrehan 51

De La Salle 79, Patrick Taylor 44

East Jefferson 61, Higgins 52

East St. John 68, Terrebonne 57

Thomas Jefferson 50, Haynes Academy 33

Jehovah-Jireh 78, Doyle 62

Jesuit 59, Archbishop Rummel 40

Lakeshore 66, Independence 55

Lusher Charter 50, Ben Franklin 29

Lutcher 52, E.D. White Catholic 41

Mandeville 64, Hammond 55

McMain 70, M.L. King Charter 56

Newman 83, Kenner Discovery 32

Northlake Christian 60, Archbishop Hannan 42

Northshore 48, Covington 45

Ponchatoula 56, St. Paul’s 53

Pope John Paul II 53, Catholic (PC) 46

Riverdale 77, West Jefferson 71

St. Augustine 66, John Curtis Christian 53

West Feliciana 65, Springfield 40

Slidell 98, Fontainebleau 49

Sophie B. Wright 60, Salmen 58

Area Prep Basketball Schedule for Wednesday, Feb. 19

Boys

New Orleans Military & Maritime at Phoenix, 5 p.m.