Rummel, John Curtis, St. Paul’s among first-round winners in boys basketball playoffs

BOYS’ BASKETBALL BRACKETS

When you have an energetic, enthusiastic coach whom his team feeds off, you always have a chance, regardless of the score.

At Archbishop Rummel on Friday night, the 14th-seeded Raiders were down much of the night but not out.

Rummel kept fighting and the fight paid off by going where the Raiders went all night for the winning basket, feeding the post.

Sophomore center Ja’Mard Jones delivered, scoring a layup off an inbound pass with four seconds remaining as Rummel rallied past No. 19 Warren Easton 47-45 in the opening round of the Select Division I playoffs Friday night. Jones finished with 23 points and seven rebounds.

Sophomore T.J. Duhe stole the ensuing inbound pass and dribbled out the clock to secure the postseason win.

The Raiders overcame poor free throw shooting, missing 12 of 23 from the charity stripe.

The victory was significant for many reasons, not the least of which is that it is the first playoff win for Rummel since 2013, when the Raiders reached the state quarterfinals. The Raiders also overcame the loss of talented guard Darrius Davis, who left the game early with a knee injury.

Kentrell Fulton led Warren Easton (18-11) with 17 points while Dunston Weaver added 10 points.

Rummel led 11-9 after one quarter before Warren Easton took a 28-22 halftime lead.

The Eagles led 37-33 going to the fourth quarter and the Eagles increased the lead to eight points but the Eagles went cold as Rummel defended well down the stretch.

Duhe finished with 10 points for the Raiders, a young team with just one senior.

“Our team just would not quit,” Rummel coach Scott Thompson said. We put forth a tremendous defensive effort. It was colossal, even more than usual. They had length and we won the rebound battle. Ja’Mard was a force and the kids kept feeding him. It continues to get better for us with team defense, team rebounding, character and resolve.”

Rummel (21-11) advances to the regional round to play at No. 3 seed Catholic of Baton Rouge.

In another outstanding game, No. 12 John Curtis Christian fought off No. 21 Bonnabel 57-51 at Archbishop Chapelle.

In a close game throughout, John Curtis led 13-9 after one quarter as Midnight Martin drilled a 3-pointer from the corner at the buzzer.

The lead was 28-25 at halftime and maintained a 41-37 lead after three quarters.

The Bruins pulled within 50-49 with 1:09 to play in the game but the Patriots did not crack, outscoring Bonnabel 7-2 in the final minute.

Freshman Autrail Manning led John Curtis with 21 points, including 17 in the first half while Michael Turner finished with 13 points. The Patriots were clutch at the free throw line, sinking 8 of 9 free throw attempts in the fourth quarter.

Jeremiah Lucas led the Bruins (19-14) with 25 points.

John Curtis (25-7) will travel to Shreveport to face No. 5 Southwood in the regional round.

No. 10 St. Paul’s advanced with a solid 51-35 win over No 23 Lafayette.

The Wolves dominated early, clamping down on the Lions defensively, taking a 14-4 lead after one quarter. The lead grew to 27-13 by halftime and to 36-16 heading to the fourth quarter.

Reece Seicsnaydre led a balanced attack for the Wolves with 11 points, Brady Rabalais had nine points while Michael Sarver finished with eight points.

Romero Joseph led Lafayette (14-13) with 16 points while Caylen Alford finished with eight points.

St. Paul’s (20-8) advances to play at No. Pineville in the regional round.