John Curtis holds off LCA in battle of champions at Allstate Sugar Bowl National Prep Classic

With a bevy of very young players surrounding her, including a pair of eighth-graders, Tulane signee Jerkaila Jordan is a marked woman for John Curtis Christian.

While Lafayette Christian marked her from start to finish, Jordan made her mark in definitive fashion when on the floor.

The Lady Patriots held off the Lady Knights 44-39 in a battle of three-time defending state champions in the opening round of the girls’ Platinum bracket of the 10th annual Allstate Sugar Bowl Classic Thursday evening at the Alario Center.

Jordan pumped in 24 points, pulled down 13 rebounds, had seven steals and a key fourth quarter assist before fouling out of the game with 28.9 seconds left and her team leading by five points.

Curtis was able to withstand a few shots by LCA down the stretch and Jane Wright finished it with a pair of free throws with 2.3 seconds left.

Both teams struggled offensively in the first quarter as John Curtis took a 5-3 lead. Tulane signee Jerkaila Jordan scored all five points in the quarter for the Patriots and had five steals. The two teams combined for 13 turnovers, including eight by the Knights.

Lafayette Christian went on an 8-0 run in the second quarter to grab an 11-7 lead but the Patriots closed the half on an 8-2 run to take a 15-13 lead at the break. Jordan finished the half with 11 points, seven rebounds and five steals while Tamara Johnson had six points and six rebounds for the Knights. LCA had 12 turnovers while Curtis finished with 11 in the half.

Curtis had runs of 5-0 and 6-0 in the third quarter and the Patriots took a 28-22 lead into the fourth quarter. Jordan had six points in the quarter.

In the final quarter, LCA pulled within two points at 36-34 and within three points at 42-39 but could not catch Curtis.

Wright added eight points and four rebounds for the Lady Patriots (10-1).

Tamera Johnson finished with 18 points, 13 rebounds, four blocks and an assist for the Lady Knights (14-2). Autumn Chaisson had 11 points and Ajayah Simpson finished with four points and 11 rebounds.

John Curtis advances to take on Sulphur in the quarterfinals Friday at 3:30 p.m. The Golden Tors dismissed McArthur, TX 41-28.

FINAL
JC 5 10 13 16 — 44
LCA 3 10 9 17 — 39

Scoring:
JC—Jerkaila Jordan 24, Jane Wright 8, Jordan Barfield 4, Alexis Lavarine 4, Jania Holmes 2, Heaven Jordan 2

LCA—Tamera Johnson 18, Autumn Chaisson 11, Ajayah Simpson 4, Melia Sylvester 3, Zoe Wiltz 3