Scotlandville shows mettle to win Sugar Bowl National bracket tourney title

Facing the task of playing a second game in one day, Scotlandville found itself in deep foul trouble in the first half against Tampa Catholic in the Boys’ National Bracket championship game of the 10th Annual Sugar Bowl Prep Classic Saturday night at the Alario Center.

The three-time defending Division I state champion Hornets fought Tampa Catholic toe to toe into the fourth quarter.

That is when the champions showed their mettle.

The Hornets broke open a close game by closing the contest on a 15-4 run to win 70-56. The title is the second in three seasons in the top bracket of the event.

Tampa Catholic jumped out to a six-point first quarter lead before Scotlandville closed the gap to 21-20 by the end of the frame. Johni Broom of the Crusaders was dominant with 15 points.

The second quarter saw five lead changes and Rayvon Smith hit a corner 3-pointer as time expired to give the Hornets a 33-30 halftime lead. Tai’Reon Joseph had 12 points in the half for the Hornets.

Scotlandville maintained the lead in the third quarter to lead 45-41 going to the final frame.

That is when the Hornets exploded in the final four minutes to pull away as Joseph scored nine points in the final quarter.

Tai’Reon Joseph led the way with 25 points, six rebounds and four assists for Scotlandville (19-2). Carvell Teasett had 18 points, four rebounds and three assists and Virginia signee Reece Beekman had 10 points, six rebounds and three assists and was named the Tournament Most Valuable Player.

Broome led all scorers with 30 points with seven rebounds and added a pair of blocks and a steal for Tampa Catholic while Marcellus Crutchfield had nine points for the Crusaders.

FINAL
SM 20 13 12 29 — 70
TC 21 9 11 15 — 56

Scoring:
SMHS: Tai’Reon Joseph 25, Carvell Teasett 18, Reece Beekman 10, Jonathan Horton 8, Rayvon Smith 5, Zaheem Jackson 4

TC: Johni Broome 30, Marcellus Crutchfield 9, Kobi Knox 7, Alijah Harison 4, Isaiah Elmore 3, Jayan Reid 3, Derrick Mitchell 2

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David Michel Jr. Scholarship Award winners

Note: Each receives $1,500 in scholarship money, in honor of the late David F. Michel, Jr, Jefferson Parish Detective.

Kayla Henning
Evanston Township, IL

Madison Gill
Ponchatoula

Eugene Brown III
Southwest DeKalb HS, GA

Kentrell Garnett
Catholic, Baton Rouge

Nadir Barron
Math, Civics, and Sciences HS, PA