By RYAN ARENA
Sports Editor

Twice, Reserve Christian fell into first quarter deficits last week. Twice, the Eagles were able to rally for victory.

RCS toppled Crescent City last Thursday for a 43-26 win, and captured its second District 10-C win of the season over First Baptist-Slidell last Tuesday, 46-45.

Raven Campbell’s jumper with no time left clinched the win for the Eagles over First Baptist (3-3), after the Eagles inbounded the ball with two seconds left in the game.

Reserve (6-14, 2-0) trailed 20-8 after the first quarter, but pulled within one at halftime, 24-23. From there, the teams traded the lead back and forth.

“We came out flat,” said Reserve Coach Richard Englander. “But we stepped up our defensive pressure. That’s where our offense came from. First Baptist is a good team, though, and the second half was very competitive. A few breaks just fell in our favor.

Daysha Blount scored 18 to lead Reserve. Jamie Bolden added 10.

It was the second victory of the season over First Baptist for the Eagles, sealing a season sweep.

Two days later, the Eagles had a similar sluggish start, but added a more powerful finishing kick.

Crescent City (1-11) jumped on Reserve 12-5 in the first quarter, putting RCS in comeback mode again.

But this time, the Eagles would blow away their opposition from there. RCS outscored Crescent City 15-0 in the second quarter and 23-14 in the second half to collect a 17-point non-district victory.

Blount again led Reserve, this time with 12. Campbell scored seven. Bolden added six.

The two wins help make the team’s current stretch perhaps its most encouraging run this season. Reserve has won three of its last five games, with the two losses coming in close games to St. Charles Catholic and Academy of Our Lady.

Englander says it’s a positive sign.

“It’s rewarding to see as a coach,” he says. “To see them improve from the start of the season to now…you can see that they understand the game more now. They’ve stepped up their work ethic.”