By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

It was a busy weekend for Reserve Christian, which cut down two Class 5A foes as it settles into the stretch run of the season.

The Eagles topped West Monroe at the Many Hall Of Fame tournament on Saturday, 78-74, one night after toppling Rummel at Rummel, 69-56.

West Monroe is currently ranked No. 7 in the LSWA Class 5A poll.

Cedric Jenkins scored 32 points to lead RCS over the highly touted Rebels (17-6), who trailed by as many as 16 in the second half.

“It was the best game we’ve played this year,” said Reserve Christian coach Timmy Byrd. “West Monroe’s got a big, long, athletic team. But we played together. They didn’t hurt us too badly on the boards until the last part of the fourth quarter, when they got some put backs on us.”

Reserve (34-4, 6-0) was able to compete on the glass against a larger front line in spite of the absence of the Eagles’ 6’6 center Ricardo Gathers, who continues to rest a hand injury.

Byrd said everyone continues to pitch in through his absence.

“We have to rebound by committee. We do a pretty good job with it,” said Byrd.

Chris Brown led West Monroe with 20 points.

Reserve led 42-37 at halftime.

Chris Roussell scored 18 for Reserve.

Reserve has now topped three teams currently ranked in the LSWA Class 5A top 10 — St. Thomas

More (No. 2), West Monroe (No. 7), and St. Augustine (No. 8).

“We play that tough schedule for a reason,” said Byrd. “It allows us to keep improving. And we’re clicking pretty good right now.”

Jenkins led Reserve with 22 in its victory at Rummel last week. Louis Dabney scored 14. Roussell added 12. Ed Gallina scored 10.

Rummel (8-15) was led by Darrell Henry, who scored 14.

Reserve scored 28 second quarter points to Rummel’s 16 to pull ahead of the Raiders.

It negated somewhat of a sluggish start for RCS, which fell behind 15-9 after a quarter.

The Eagles slammed the door in the fourth quarter, outscoring Rummel 19-11.

“We created a lot of turnovers,” said Byrd. “We picked up our defense in the second quarter and maintained it. I was pleased.”

RESERVE 80, PHOENIX 24 — Jenkins flirted with a triple double, and the Eagles (32-4, 6-0) had little trouble with District 10-C competitor Phoenix (16-9, 1-1) last Tuesday.

Jenkins scored 15 points to go along with nine assists and eight rebounds. He also had four steals.

Chris Roussell scored 13 with eight rebounds and two blocks. Lucas Gallina led all scorers with 19, and also swiped five steals. Ed Gallina scored 17.