WCHS rolls to big win
Bulldogs finish district undefeated
ST. GABRIEL — East Iberville High wanted to make a statement and win a share of the District 9-1A title.
Instead, third-ranked White Castle High dictated just about everything from the opening tip to the final buzzer, notching an 89-65 victory over East Iberville in the boys basketball game played Friday night at EIHS.
“After we lost to them the first time in district, we were determined to be prepared,” East Iberville coach Doug Schultz said. “We worked on a lot of things and thought we had a good plan.
“We didn’t shoot well and rebounding killed us. We didn’t have any answer for anything they did tonight.”
With the victory, defending Class 1A state champion White Castle (22-7, 10-0) completed a perfect district season for the first time since 2004. Randy Foster led a quartet of double figures scorers with a game-high 23 points.
Isaac O’Bear (19), Jerrain Jenkins (17) and Terrance Fair (15) were the other leaders for the Bulldogs.
“Defense, I thought, was the key,” White Castle coach Ronald Johnson said. “We came out and put some pressure on them early and got out in front.
“And I thought we shot well. It was a total team effort. They were passing the ball and looking to execute.”
Darryl Ingram led East Iberville (14-11, 8-2) with 20 points, including two 3-pointers. Byron Clark finished with 13 points and three 3-pointers.
White Castle raced out to an 8-0 lead, quickly negating any emotion East Iberville generated on its home court.
O’Bear made a 3-pointer to help fuel the run that included three baskets from close range by DeAndre Bellock.
East Iberville got within
two, at 10-8, when Braylen Dailey made a layup and an ensuing free throw at the 4:06
mark.
But the Tigers made just 3-of-12 first-quarter shots from the floor in the first quarter and scored only once more in the first period..
The Bulldogs scored nine of the final 11 points, including a jumper in the lane by O’Bear at the 1:26 mark that sent White Castle into the second quarter with a 19-10 lead.
Once the second quarter began, WCHS flexed its muscles even more on the boards, outrebounding EIHS 9-5, including a series of offensive rebounds that led to easy putbacks under the goal.
Foster scored 10 second-quarter points, mostly in and around the goal as WCHS built its lead to as much as 20 points. The Bulldogs led 43-25 at halftime.
Ingram helped jump start the East Iberville offense with a quick 3-pointer to open the second half.
Jayden Redditt also had a 3-pointer, helping the Tigers get within 13 points.
But East Iberville got no closer. White Castle stretched its lead to as much as 19 points and led 64-50 when the fourth quarter began.
The Tigers scored just once during the first 3:30 of the final period. During that time White Castle extended its lead again, this time to 27 points as the final minutes ticked off the clock.
“We have to learn from this and move on,” Schultz said. “I wish White Castle all the best. And good luck to whoever has to play them in the playoffs, too.”