By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

Reserve Christian captured perhaps its most impressive victory of the young season on Monday night, defeating 2007’s Class 5A state runner-up H.L. Bourgeois 85-80 at H.L. Bourgeois.

Cedric Jenkins scored 28 points and Chris Roussell added 19 to lift the Eagles (16-1) in a game where the Braves hit 13 3-poniters and three RCS players fouled out.

“It’s a great character win for the team,” said Reserve Coach Timmy Byrd. “They fought through the odds and didn’t get distracted. I felt like the kids showed a lot of maturity, and I’m very proud of the leadership Cedric and Chris showed.”

Three other Eagles scored in double figures. Ricardo Gathers scored 12, Ed Gallina added 11, and Louis Dabney chipped in 10.

Phil Jackson led the Braves (4-4) with 29 points. Dylan Anderson added 16.

The game was tightly contested the entire way. Only in the second quarter did either squad outscore the other by more than a single point — the second, where RCS outscored Bourgeois 25-20.

The Braves, along with Christian Life — the Class 1A champions which handed RCS its only loss three weeks ago — are highlights on the Eagle schedule so far as powerful teams coming off of great playoff success a year ago.

At least one member of Byrd’s staff thinks Bourgeois is the best team the Eagles have faced.

“My dad (RCS assistant coach Ronnie Byrd) certainly thinks so,” said Byrd. “Because of their ability to score the basketball, to shoot from deep…they’ve got a lot of weapons to beat you with.”

6’6 Eagles center Ricardo Gathers was having a strong game inside until he fouled out early in the third quarter. From there, Jenkins and Roussell took over.

“They drove to the goal, and each time they were either fouled or they finished,” Byrd said.

Jenkins and Roussell combined to hit 11-of-12 free throws in the second half, helping to close Bourgeois out.