By RYAN ARENA
Sports Editor

Reserve Christian lost a tough opening round game at the Sunkist Shootout held at St. Thomas More high school in Lafayette, but the Eagles recovered to win its final three tournament games in the consolation bracket.

RCS fell to O. Perry Walker 74-69 before notching wins over Carencro, Ellender, and Teurlings Catholic.

Host St. Thomas More won the tournament, taking a 57-52 win over St. Thomas Aquinas.

The Eagles (26-4) competed in the tournament without the services of center Ricardo Gathers, who missed the game with a leg injury.

Reserve led Walker (13-3) 41-33 at halftime, but Wanto Joseph’s game high 38-point effort led the Chargers back to victory. Five Walker players scored in double figures.

Chris Roussell led RCS with 30 points of his own. Cedric Jenkins scored 21.

The Eagles were able to muster some payback in the next round though as it defeated Carencro (13-7) 85-82. The Bears were the team that knocked Reserve out of its own tournament in the first round earlier this month.

Jenkins scored 30 points while Roussell and Ed Gallina each added 20. Louis Dabney scored 14.

Javonnas Dominque scored 32 to lead Carencro. Ricky Johnson scored 28.

Reserve led 46-39 at the half.

After topping Ellender (10-8) 88-75 (player stats were not available), Reserve moved on to the consolation bracket’s final game to face Teurlings Catholic (14-7). The Eagles trailed 35-31 at the half, but came out soaring in the second half, outscoring Teurlings 45-23 to take a 76-58 victory.

Jenkins scored 29, while Gallina dropped in 25.

Jenkins and Gallina made the Shootout’s “All-Tournament Team” based on their performance over the four games.