Rebels rampage into Sunkist tourney final

Published 12:00 am Friday, December 31, 2010

By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

For the first time since he began taking his teams to the Sunkist tournament in Lafayette, Riverside coach Timmy Byrd has taken his squad to the finals of the competition.

Riverside went through Vandebilt Catholic, Rummel and St. Thomas Aquinas to reach the final game, which was scheduled to be played Thursday night (against St. Louis) after press time.

Prior to facing Riverside (11-4), the teams boasted a combined record of 33-2. Rummel and Vandebilt entered as the second ranked teams in terms of power points within 5A and 4A respectively.

“Coming back from Florida, this has just been a different team,” said Byrd. “It’s a lot more confident. It’s got experience playing against some of the best in America. So they’ve got a different mindset and it’s showing in their play.”

The Rebels began play with an 88-66 win over then undefeated Vandebilt Catholic (9-1).

Riverside was paced by Donald Thomas, who scored a season-high 27 points. Ricardo Gathers scored 16 and Trevon Woods scored 12.

“(Thomas) missed the first six games with a broken hand, but now he’s really rounding into game shape. He was the missing piece between being a good team and a very, very good team,” said Byrd. “His shooting stretches the defense, and he handles and passes so well. He makes it very tough to double team Rico.”

The Rebels toppled Rummel by 10, 64-54, behind Gathers’ 20 points and 17 rebounds. Louis Dabney scored 13 and Zelvyn Smith added 12.

Riverside avenged a 2009 loss to St. Thomas Aquinas with a 68-52 semifinal victory. Dabney scored 14. Thomas and Smith each scored 12. Gathers scored 10 and collected 15 rebounds.

Byrd credited Smith with stepping up his play in the tournament and also nodded to his bench, which he said has come a long way.

“Zelvyn’s been productive at both ends and when he’s going well, he adds a whole other dimension,” said Byrd.

“He gave us three rock solid games. When you look at he, the Woods twins (Trevon and Trevin) … we have a lot of depth and weapons to hurt teams with.”

Next week, Riverside will be tested at Washington-Marion Tuesday.

Then it turns its attention to the All-State Sugar Bowl National Prep Classic, which will take place at the Pontchartrain Center from Thursday to Saturday.

The Rebels and East St. John will represent the River Region at the tourney.