By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

RESERVE – For senior Riverside guard Cedric Jenkins, it didn’t matter that he’d faced East St. John time and time again. There were always nerves to get out before he and his team played cross-town rival East St. John, and Thursday night was no different.

Rebels’ sophomore center Ricardo Gathers, meanwhile, was getting the chance to face the Wildcats for the first time after missing time with injury a year ago.

Both made their presence known.

Gathers scored 17 and Jenkins scored 14 as the inside-outside combo helped lift the Rebels to a decisive 73-47 victory at a packed East St. John gymnasium.

“It’s our biggest rivalry game of the year,” Jenkins said. “We play them twice, and it’s almost like it’s for ‘King of the parish’.”

Said Gathers: “My heart was pumping, man. I was real jittery.”

Jenkins hit three of his four 3-point baskets in the first half to help Riverside build a 15-point halftime advantage.

Gathers, meanwhile, provided a steady inside presence throughout the game, but left fans with a distinct memory when he scored on consecutive possessions on one-handed slam dunks in the first quarter, inciting a roar and a buzz from the capacity crowd.

“Cedric and I talked before the game, and he was saying how we need to open up with a bang and set the tone,” said Gathers. “I know I was hyped for this one.”

But Riverside (10-2) was perhaps a little too hyped early on, according to Rebels coach Timmy Byrd. While Riverside forced turnovers and got out into its transition game early, the Rebels had difficulty finishing around the basket.

“We weren’t into a rhythm,” said Byrd. “We played to the hype and to the atmosphere.”

East St. John (5-7) was game for a slugfest early on. D’haquille Williams scored eight quick points as ESJ took a 15-11 lead.

But Gathers slammed home back to back baskets that tied the game and swung the momentum squarely back into Riverside’s corner.

“The difference was when Rico started running the floor and we got some easy looks and dunks. It changed the complexion of the game,” said Byrd.

A Donald Thomas 3-pointer gave RA a 20-15 lead at the end of the first quarter. Back-to-back Jenkins 3-pointers from the wing extended a 5-point Rebel lead to 11 with 5:55 left in the half.

“They were hitting from the outside. We weren’t,” said East St. John assistant coach Ronnie Smith. “That and their second chance opportunities did us in.”

Not helping matters for the Wildcats was an injury sustained by Williams late in the first quarter. He wouldn’t return.

ESJ made a push early in the second half. LeBaron Sylvester hit a 3-pointer, then Kaylon Placide scored on consecutive baskets to cap a 7-0 ESJ run that cut the RA lead to 39-31.

But after the teams trading baskets, a Gathers putback made it a 10-point lead. A Thomas 3-pointer would make it 48-33.

Riverside led 53-39 entering the fourth quarter.

An 11-5 fourth quarter run for RA pushed things out of reach for ESJ.

Louis Dabney scored 17 for Riverside to tie Gathers for the team lead.

Placide scored 16 to lead ESJ, while Jalen Kenner added 13.

Byrd said that while it wasn’t the smoothest shooting night for the Rebels, he couldn’t help but be pleased by the work his team put in.

“I’m so proud of the fight in my kids,” said Byrd. This was a very physical game, and they were up to the challenge. When you aren’t shooting well, and can win this way, it says a lot about your guys.”