LAFAYETTE — Prior to the Class C state semifinal game between Reserve Christian and Pleasant Hill at the Boys Top 28 Tournament on Wednesday, the Pleasant Hill fans hung a sign from the upper deck of the Cajundome that read: “With a sling and a stone, David defeated the Giant.”

But the two-time defending champions had one thing that Goliath lacked – a defense.

This story had a different ending, but a familiar one nonetheless. Reserve is headed back to the Class C championship game after notching a 100-79 victory over Pleasant Hill.

The Eagles (39-9) will face No. 4 seeded Athens (30-8) in the championship game at noon today. Athens defeated No. 1 seed Atlanta on Wednesday, 69-64, in the other semifinal game to advance.

While Reserve did not have their usual perimeter game working – the team shot only 5-26 from 3-point range – their relentless pressure defense set the tone for the game. Reserve forced 25 turnovers, converting them into 40 points.

Reserve Coach Timmy Byrd said that experience was a major factor for a team attempting to win its third straight Class C title, and fourth straight state title overall.

“The first game is always the hardest when you haven’t been here,” Byrd said. “A lot of teams tend to get stage fright, so we wanted to impose our will on them from the beginning. I felt that we did that, for the most part.”

Pleasant Hill Coach Rusty Johnson concurred.

“Pleasant Hill (35-4) hasn’t been to the Top 28 in 13 years. Reserve’s a regular, so that probably had something to do with it,” Johnson said.

But not all of the Eagles had been there before. Chris Roussell scored 19 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in his first trip to the Top 28 – this is his first season with Reserve.

“I had some jitters for the first two or three minutes,” he said.

    Eddren McCain led Reserve with 27 points, while adding nine assists, 12 rebounds and six steals.

    Cedric Jenkins scored 23, to go with nine rebounds and six assists. and Kyle McClue scored 13.

    Matthew Scott led Pleasant Hill with 17 points. Tyler Johnson scored 12. Three others scored in double figures.

    Jumpers by Scott and Horton gave Pleasant Hill leads of 2-0 and 4-2. But then the wheels came flying off, and Reserve took over. Two jumpers by Jenkins ignited a 22-3 run that put Reserve ahead 24-7.

    Reserve wouldn’t look back. Reserve would extend its lead to 20 early in the second quarter, and to 32 by the end of the first half, after Reserve ended the second quarter on a 12-2 run that included baskets by Roussell, Jenkins and McCain.

    Reserve led 81-52 after three quarters. Pleasant Hill staged something of a late rally and pulled within 18 late, but would get no closer.

    It was the only fault Byrd could find in an otherwise flawless afternoon for the Eagles.

    “We relaxed a little bit, and you just can’t do that here,” said Byrd. “We’re pleased, but not satisfied without having 32 minutes of focus.”

    Reserve dominated inside, scoring 72 points in the paint and grabbing 54 rebounds.