Rummel explodes in second half to handle JFK at Allstate Sugar Bowl National Prep Classic

WESTWEGO – If at first, you don’t succeed, try, try again.

Archbishop Rummel failed to succeed early on in its Allstate Sugar Bowl National Prep Classic State Bracket semifinal game against John F. Kennedy Friday night at the Alario Center.

Raiders coach Scott Thompson went to the bench.

The game changed, the starters returned, and the Raiders wore down John F. Kennedy 65-35.

The Cougars opened the game on a roll, scoring the first nine points of the game before the Raiders awakened.

Thompson brought in reserves and Rummel went on a 7-0 run and got the game to even at 15-15 by the end of the first quarter.

Rummel opened the second quarter on a 6-2 run and closed the quarter on a 4-0 run to take a 30-25 halftime lead.

The third quarter proved decisive.

Rummel came out with tremendous energy on the defensive end and it translated into offense as the Raiders opened the quarter on a 16-0 run to put the game away. It was 49-27 by the end of the quarter as Rummel held John F. Kennedy (10-8) to just two points in the quarter.

Despite playing 13 players, the Raiders lengthened their advantage in the fourth quarter to provide the final victory margin.

Sophomore TJ Duhe was outstanding with 16 points, five steals and five assists while senior Chase Marino had 11 points and three rebounds. Kendrick Joseph and Denim Smith each scored eight points for the Raiders.

Kerry McMillians had nine points and four rebounds while Cornelius Brown had eight points, all in the first half, and added six rebounds for the Cougars.

Rummel (13-4) advances to the championship game Saturday at 6:30 p.m. to take on Catholic League rival Jesuit, who edged another District 9-5A rival Holy Cross 50-49. You can watch the game live on CrescentCitySports.com.

FINAL
RUM 17 13 19 16 65
JFK 17 8 2 8 35

Area Prep Basketball Results from Friday, Jan. 6

Boys
Archbishop Hannan 50, Karr 38
Archbishop Rummel 65, John F. Kennedy 35
Archbishop Shaw 48, Northshore 46
Bartlett 48, Newman 39 (OT)
Country Day 66, Mount Bethel (GA) 58
Family Christian 49, Lutcher 33
Jesuit 50, Holy Cross 49
Norland (FL) 67, Tupelo (MS) 57
Olympia (FL) 65, John Curtis Christian 45
Sophie B. Wright 53, McDonogh (35) 52 (OT)
St. Joseph’s (CA) 50, King’s Fork (VA) 40
Western (KY) 70, St. Augustine 52

Others:
Bonnabel 65, Thibodaux 30
Hahnville 70, East St. John 60
Hammond 75, Covington 65
Haynes Academy 52, Lutheran 22
M.L. King Charter 51, Livingston Collegiate 41
Patrick Taylor 62, Fisher 16
Riverdale 90, Abramson 75
Riverside 60, Maurepas 25
Salmen 65, De La Salle 56
St. James 67, International 37
St. Paul’s 56, Episcopal 51
St. Thomas Aquinas 71, Lakeshore 61

Girls
Allstate Sugar Bowl National Prep Classic
Bartlett (TN) 78, Warren Easton 54
John Curtis Christian 73, Parrish Community (FL)63
Kenwood 51 (IL), Lafayette 48
Lafayette Christian 57, LaGrange 31
Northshore 57, St. Mary’s Academy 24
Southern Lab 58, St. Thomas Aquinas 53
Sparkman (AL) 70, Vandebilt Catholic 60

Others:
Albany 65, Denham Springs 43
Archbishop Chapelle 55, Episcopal 48
Christ Episcopal 37, Berwick 18
Doyle 45, Madison Prep 24
Dunham 45, Country Day 39
East St. John 43, Hahnville 39
E.D. White Catholic 43, Haynes Academy 15
French Settlement 49, St. Amant 39
Loranger 69, Lakeshore 54
Mandeville 65, Holden 39
McDonogh (35) 35, Higgins 34
Plaquemine 39, St. Helena 22
Salmen 67, Pearl River 33
St. Scholastica 57, Archbishop Hannan 55
Thomas Jefferson 43, Bunkie 23
Ursuline Academy 48, Collegiate (BR) 24