REPLAY: Carver gains revenge with 50-40 win over Karr in MLK Classic

NEW ORLEANS – George Washington Carver and Edna Karr were the No. 2 and No. 3 teams in the Class 4A Power Rankings respectively going into Monday’s big finale of the 2022 MLK Classic presented by Inspire NOLA Charter Schools.

Both teams played earlier this season in the Isidore Newman Invitational where Karr took a 52-48 victory on Dec. 11.

Carver avenged that defeat Monday evening, making big stops and turning defense into instant offense in a 50-40 victory at McDonogh 35.

The game was the nightcap of a day-long boys basketball event and the nightcap of a doubleheader broadcast by Crescent City Sports at the MLK Classic presented by InspireNola Schools.

Karr (19-4) scored the first five points to start the fourth quarter cutting the Rams lead to 37-35. From that point, Carver put their foot on the gas and stepped on it. Solomon Washington scored a driving layup and then took a long pass before dishing it to Willie Anderson for a slam dunk.

The Rams also made 9-of-11 free throws and outscored the Cougars 13-5 to close out the game.

“Carver started with a little more energy and we dug ourselves a little hole,” said Edna Karr Head Coach Taurus Howard. “It’s tough to defend their athleticism. You defended one play but you got to come back and defend it again. That’s tough to defend for one game. If you want to have a chance to beat them, you have to do that.”

Carver (17-5) bolted out to a 11-2 lead to start the game. Lawrence Nathan knocked down a three-pointer. Washington climbed the ladder twice for a rebound and a put back layup.

Karr bounced back with a 7-0 run to make it 11-9. Keith Jones converted a layup, and Leland Smith stepped up with a driving layup as well as a three-pointer.

Nathan came out poised and ready for the Rams. He hit another three-pointer and scored a driving layup. Carver outscored Karr 11-3 to close out the first quarter, extending the lead to 22-12.

Anderson sets the tone for the Rams in the second quarter with a two-handed jam and a layup. Carver had their biggest lead of the game, 29-14, with 4:15 remaining before halftime.

Yet again, the Cougars got off the mat and started to fight back. Devin Lewis contributed with a jumper and a layup as Karr outscored the Rams 8-3 to draw within 29-20 heading to the locker room.

The Rams held the Cougars at arms length in the third quarter before repelling the final Karr push in the final stanza.

Carver had three players scoring in double figures. Nathan led the Rams with 12 points. Finister finished with 12 including 10 for 10 on the free throw line. Anderson added 10 points.

Smith led Edna Karr with 18 points.

Playing four games in six days this week, Karr will host Country Day on Wednesday night.

Carver is playing three games in six days this week. The Rams will visit Eleanor McMain for a Class 4A state title game rematch on Thursday night.