Port Allen defeats Amite to complete three-peat in Class 2A

LAKE CHARLES – Seeking the school’s first LHSAA basketball title since 1985, Amite head coach Diontae Cannon had already helped his program turn the corner in just his second year on the job heading into Saturday’s Class 2A championship game.

However, powerful Port Allen was waiting in the wings, looking to win their third straight 2A title. DeMario Jackson is in his first year as Pelicans head coach but worked as an assistant under Derrick Jones.

Experience won out over an emerging contender.

Port Allen soared to a 67-49 victory Saturday night at the Burton Complex.

Amite (29-6) jumped out to a hot start when Javae Gilmore scored a pair of layups before Braylen Jackson knocked down a three-pointer giving the Warriors an early 13-6 lead.

Port Allen (24-10) fought back quickly and never looked back. Jordan Brooks knocked down a three and both McQuillan and Aries Lewis scored at the rim as part of a 17-0 run that made it 23-15.

The Warriors came back strong with a three-pointer by Jackson cutting the Pelicans lead to 25-22 at the half.

The Pelicans turned the heat up at the start of the second half. Isaiah Howard scored on a reverse layup. Brooks and McQuillan continued to rain down three-pointers. Port Allen outscored Amite 18-11 in the third quarter, extending the lead to 43-33.

Port Allen put the game out of reach as Brooks, Lewis and McQuillan all scored layups. The Pelicans took a commanding 57-42 lead.

The Pelicans had three players scoring in double figures. McQuillan was the Most Outstanding Player with 25 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and two steals. Brooks finished with 15 points and seven rebounds. Lewis scored 11 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks.

Amite had two players scoring in double figures. Simeon Powell led the Warriors with 16 points and two assists. Ronneal Harold scored 10 points and seven rebounds.