East St. John wins tourney as Harris reaches 1,000 points, Mandeville girls best Salmen

Area Prep Basketball Report for Thursday, Dec. 30

In boys action, East St. John captured the First Response Electric Bronco Classic championship at Sam Houston High School with a 62-57 overtime victory over Anacoco on Wednesday night.

The Wildcats took a 20-17 lead after one quarter but the Indiana rallied to take a 33-32 halftime lead. East St. John bounced back and grabbed a 46-41 lead going to the final quarter before Anacoco outscored the Wildcats 13-8 to tie the game and force overtime.

In the overtime period, East St. John outscored the Indiana 8-3 for the win.

Kylon Harris was the story, reaching the 1,000-point mark for his career. He was named the tournament Most Valuable Player as he led East St. John with 26 points. Amir Rios finished with 18 points and Jabari Bolden scored 15 points.

Dustin Welch led Anacoco with 19 points while Emanuel Luzardo and Chase Taylor each had 12 points and Brayden Prichard finished with 10 points.

East St. John (16-3), which was ninth in the most recent LHSAA Class 5A power rankings, will open District 7-5A play against Thibodaux in Reserve at 7:30 p.m. next Tuesday night. Anacoco (16-8) returns to action Monday night at Hicks.

In girls action, Mandeville downed Salmen 47-41 at home.

Sophomore Saleigh Berry led the Lady Skippers with 15 points, three rebounds and three assists, senior Sarah Arnett had 14 points and 14 rebounds and sophomore Hannah Benoit finished with 11 points, four rebounds, three steals and two assists.

Mandeville (11-8) opens District 6-5A play next Tuesday at Northshore. Salmen (8-6) has lost three straight and the Lady Spartans will host West Jefferson next Tuesday night.

Area Prep Basketball Results from Wednesday, Dec. 29

Boys

Amite 63, Loranger 56

Baker 80, Slidell 64

Cactus (AZ) 53, Country Day 52

Cardinal Newman (FL) 77, Jesuit 54

Cullman (AL) 41, St. Paul’s 39

Donaldsonville 70, Covington 66

East St. John 62, Anacoco 57

John F. Kennedy 63, Grace King 46

Karr 44, Breaux Bridge 35

Lutcher 69, Houma Christian 41

Northshore 70, Mandeville 49

St. James 57, Thibodaux 55

St. Thomas Aquinas 53, Opelousas 50

St. Charles Catholic 45, Pine Prairie 39

West Jefferson 43, South Terrebonne 41

Girls

Athens Academy (GA) 42, Archbishop Chapelle 39

Ben Franklin 50, Haynes Academy 47

Dominican 64, Episcopal 34

John F. Kennedy 38, Booker T. Washington (NO) 21

Live Oak 40, Hammond 36

Mandeville 47, Salmen 41

Ponchatoula 78, West Monroe 53

St. Charles Catholic 51, Covington 37

Vandebilt Catholic 52, Newman 41