Wildcats eye first place finish

Published 12:01 am Wednesday, February 10, 2016

LAPLACE — The 2016 boys basketball season is quickly drawing to a close. For some teams, that means wins and losses are crucial.

The East St. John Wildcats are trying to hold on to first place in the District 7-5A race with only two games remaining — both on the road. East St. John will travel to Terrebonne Friday and to Central Lafourche on Feb. 19.

The Wildcats took crucial victories last week against Thibodaux, 58-42, and Destrehan, 57-40, completing sweeps of both teams.

Against Thibodaux on Feb. 2, the Wildcats had four players reach double figures. Raekwon McKnight led with 15 points, Troy Green scored 14, Allen Williams scored 11 and JaVon Antonio scored 10.

Against Destrehan, McKnight scored 20 points, Green scored 16 and Williams and Antonio both scored 9.

Riverside Academy

The Rebels completed their sweep of St. Charles Catholic on Feb. 2, taking an 88-35 victory in the Comets’ gym. Herb McGee led the Rebels with 20 points. Malik Crowfield scored 13, and Jared Butler scored 12.

Nine other Rebels players contributed to the scoring column.

As they did in the first meeting, Riverside took control early, jumping to a 19-4 lead in the first quarter. The Rebels also hit 10 3-pointers in the game.

Jordan Arceneaux was the lone Comets player to reach double figures, finishing with 10 points.

The Rebels defeated Newman Friday, 74-49.

Riverside (17-5) will close out its District 12-2A schedule with a home game against West St. John on Friday, then a road game at Sophie B. Wright on Tuesday.

The Rebels close out the regular season scheduled with a non-district game against University on Feb. 18.

St. Charles Catholic

It’s been a rough few weeks for the Comets, who dropped four games in a row before this week. Besides the loss to Riverside on Feb. 2, St. Charles lost a 77-51 decision to Sophie B. Wright on Thursday. Areceneaux led with 24 points and Jobe Kelly scored 19 points.

The Comets (11-13) play Newman Friday and Country Day on Tuesday.

West St. John

West St. John lost a close one to Sophie B. Wright on Feb. 2, 75-69. Trevon Borne scored 33 and Amere Oubre scored 21.

On Friday, the Rams lost to Country Day 94-42. Borne scored 15 points, and Oubre finished with eight.

The Rams (2-17) will host Ascension Catholic in a non-district game tonight. They will host Newman Tuesday before closing the season on the road Feb. 19 at Sophie B. Wright.