MICHAEL KIRAL / L’Observateur / December 6, 1999

RESERVE – The Reserve Christian Eagles have new uniforms and a new name for their home gym this year – “The Nest.” One thing that is not newis the success the team has had.

Reserve Christian, which won its district and advanced to the Top 28 tournament last season in Lafayette, has started the season with 15 victories in its first 16 games through Wednesday. Included in thatstretch are victories in the Northlake Christian, Parkview Baptist and Ascension Catholic tournaments.

The Eagles opened the tournament run by defeating Bishop McManus, 89- 41, and Faith Christian, 77-52, to advance to the finals of Northlake Christian Tournament where they beat the host Wolverines, 80-27, in the last weekend of October.

Matt McGee and Aaron Vogel were selected to the all-tournament team.

McGee averaged 12 points, five rebounds, one dunk and a field goal efficiency of 69 percent over the three games. Vogel averaged 20 points,3.6 assists, 3.3 steals and a field goal efficiency of 64 percent.The Eagles got to play every member but were without all-state guard Eric McClain who was recovering from a severe ankle sprain he suffered against Jehovah-Jireh in the second game of the season.

From there, Reserve Christian played in the Parkview Baptist Tournament Nov. 18-20. The Eagles opened the tournament with a 59-47 victory overFamily Christian in the first game. Reserve Christian got balanced scoringas McClain, Vogel and Larry Smith each had 12 points. McGee and Smitheach had seven rebounds while Vogel had four steals.

In game two, the Eagles pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 57-35 victory over St. Thomas Aquinas. McClain led the way with 17 points andadded six rebounds. Smith had 14 points and a team-high 11 boards andthree steals.

Reserve Christian had struggled offensively in the first two games getting adjusted to the extra 10 feet of court length that Parkview’s new gym provides but turned it on in the finals, defeating University High, 86-43.

The Eagles led the contest 42-16 at the break. Vogel tossed in 18 pointsfor the team high. McClain added 18 points while Smith had 11 and AddisonEllis 10. Smith also 13 rebounds while McGee and Ellis had 10 apiece.Smith was named the MVP of the tournament after averaging 12.3 points,10.3 rebounds, 2.3 blocks, one dunk and a field goal efficiency of 53percent. McClain and Vogel also earned all-tournament honors. McClain had14.6 points, six assists and five rebounds a game while Vogel averaged11.3 points, 2.6 assists and 2.3 steals a contest.Reserve Christian made it three-for-three by winning the Ascension Catholic Tournament played Nov. 22-24. The Eagles defeated St. CharlesCatholic, 86-61, in the tournament opener as McClain had 18 points and Ellis and McGee 14 apiece. McGee also had nine rebounds while Vogel hadsix steals to go with his 11 points.

Reserve Christian rallied from a 32-31 halftime deficit to defeat E.D.White, 72-51, in the second game. McClain lit the nets up for 26 points,hitting 10 of his 11 shots, while Ellis tossed in 17 points and Smith 13.

Smith and Ellis also had seven rebounds apiece.

The Eagles took the tournament title by beating Ascension Catholic in the finals, 83-51. McClain was again hot from the field, hitting 13 of 20 shotsand finishing with 30 points. Vogel contributed 15 points while McGee had13 points and 14 rebounds.

The Eagles shot 56 percent from the field during the tournament and averaged 80 points a game while limiting the opposition to 54 points a contest. McClain was selected as the tournament’s MVP after averaging24.7 points, five assists, 5.7 rebounds, two blocks and two steals a gamewhile shooting 72.1 percent from the field. Ellis recorded 12 points, three assists and 5.7 rebounds a game. He alsocommitted less than one turnover a contest and shot 62 percent from the field in being named to the all-tournament team.

Smith was also selected to the all-tournament team after averaging 11 points, 4.7 rebounds, five blocks and two dunks a game while shooting 70percent from the field. McGee averaged 10.3 points and 9.3 rebounds agame while Vogel averaged 10.7 points and four assists and led the teamwith 11 steals.

The Eagles are playing in the E.D. White Tournament today. ReserveChristian lost to H.L. Bourgeois in the tournament opener Wednesday,snapping their 14-game winning streak.

Reserve Christian returns home Tuesday to host West St. John.

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