Mount Carmel fends off Newman to open Allstate Sugar Bowl National Prep Classic

WESTWEGO – What looked like a relatively easy win Wednesday evening turned into a nail-biter for Mount Carmel Academy in the opening round of the Girls Gold bracket of the Allstate Sugar Bowl Prep Classic at the Alario Center.

The Cubs built a huge third quarter lead before Newman stormed back with a shot to force overtime. Talia Parnes narrowly missed a 3-point attempt from the right corner as time expired and Mount Carmel held on for a 41-38 victory.

That came after the Cubs had built a commanding 22-point third quarter lead but struggled against the full court pressure of Newman and with the ability to successfully inbound the ball.

Fortunately for Mount Carmel, they had built up a big enough lead to hold on for the win.

Mount Carmel shot the ball very well in the first quarter, sinking four 3-pointers, including a pair by Reagan Gulmino, to take a 16-8 lead.

The second quarter started slowly for both teams with Newman cutting the deficit to 18-13 but the Cubs closed the quarter on a 10-0 run to take a solid 28-13 lead at halftime behind 11 points from Jordyn Hanley.

Mount Carmel went on a 7-0 run in the third quarter to open up a 37-15 lead before Newman closed the quarter on a 7-0 run and it was 37-22 going to the fourth quarter.

The Cubs then went cold as the Newman defense heated up.

Mount Carmel did not score for eight minutes and 47 seconds before finally getting a basket with 3:14 to play in the game. Newman forced eight turnovers by the Cubs in the fourth quarter and Mount Carmel scored just four points in the final 12:01 of the game but held on to win despite committing 21 turnovers.

Jordan Hanley led Mount Carmel with 16 points and five steals while Reagan Gulmino had nine points, all on 3-pointers.

Anaya Yunusah led Newman with 16 points and nine rebounds while Sanaa Bean finished with 12 points and nine rebounds.

Mount Carmel (12-6) advances to face Zachary Thursday at 5 p.m. in the quarterfinals.

FINAL
MCA 16 12 9 4 — 41
NEW 8 5 9 16 — 38

Area Prep Basketball Results from Wednesday, Jan. 4

Boys
Chalmette 61, Kenner Discovery 25
Vandebilt Catholic 58, St. James 40

Girls
Academy of Sacred Heart (NO) 50, Academy of Our Lady 1
Amite 61, West Jefferson 25
Ascension Catholic 62, Lutcher 27
Ben Franklin 52, Northshore 44
Bonnabel 58, West St. John 29
Carver 61, New Orleans Science & Math 18
Country Day 41, Haynes Academy 19
Covington 56, South Plaquemines 26
Dutchtown 62, St. Charles Catholic 15
Mount Carmel Academy 41, Newman 38
St. Scholastica 52, Phoenix 39