By JOHNNY PEPPO

Sports Editor

Usually, it’s the Eagles that perch atop the branch. But in this case, it’s Branch landing with the Eagles.

Kevin Branch, a 6-4, 185 lb. senior from LaPlace, committed to play basketball with the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles right up the road in Hattiesburg. The signing marks a return to an Eagle uniform as Branch was a member of Reserve Christian’s state championship squads of 2006 and 2005.

&#8220I’m just excited to get out there,” said Branch. &#8220I’m glad it worked out the way it has and ready to get going.”

Better known as &#8220Beau” Branch to many people while playing ball at RCS, his offensive fireworks and high-flying dunks were unanimous crowd pleasers. Branch transferred to Washington-Marion in Lake Charles for the 2006-07 season where he helped the Charging Indians to a 26-3 record and the state runner-up finish in the Class 4A state tournament. There, Branch averaged 14.8 points and nearly nine rebounds per game and was named an all-Southwest performer on a team ranked third in the state. He also earned all-state honorable mention in Class 4A.

Branch will be joining a Southern Miss team led by head basketball coach Larry Eustachy. Last season, Eustachy guided his squad to a 20-11 record while finishing with a loss in the quarter-finals of the Conference-USA tournament to Houston.

&#8220We are getting another athletic perimeter player in Kevin who can score, rebound the ball and is a tremendous defensive player,” said Eustachy. &#8220We are excited about getting a player of his quality this late (in the signing process).”