By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

RESERVE – Ricardo Gathers showed off a fresh cut on his arm, courtesy of the contest waged between his Riverside team and East St. John Friday night. A battle scar.

Much like the game between the teams at Riverside a year ago, this one physical and foul-heavy. And much like the game a year ago – and the one at East St. John a month ago between the teams – it ended with the Rebels victorious, 84-69 winners over their crosstown rivals.

“This is always one of the biggest games of the year out here,” said Gathers, noting the packed Rebels’ gymnasium. “Everyone in the whole parish seems like they’re here to see Riverside and East St. John. It looks like it was even bigger than last year.”

The Rebels have now swept ESJ this season, the last meeting a 82-54 Riverside win.

Riverside led 14-6 in the first quarter before four quick points by Chester Victor, Jr. closed the gap to 14-9 entering the second quarter.

Joe Williams kept East St. John (9-12) afloat in similar fashion early in the second period. As Riverside (19-5) led 20-10, Williams had his own personal 5-0 run capped by a putback to make it 20-15.

Gathers made four free throws and had a putback to make it 26-15. Williams answered with a drive at the other end, but Zelvin Smith drew a foul and made two free throws to answer. Emmanuel Victor and Williams each made buckets to cut the RA lead to seven, 28-21, and another Williams bucket kept ESJ in striking distance at 30-23.

But Riverside halted any developing ESJ momentum and took control. Gathers began a personal parade to the foul line, scoring seven consecutive points from the foul line and shooting 7-of-8 in that stretch overall.

“Rico’s really playing the way we want and need him to play inside,” said Riverside coach Timmy Byrd. “I thought he was the big difference.”

Louis Dabney scored to end the half on a 9-0 Riverside run, then he made a 3-pointer 10 seconds into the second half to make it a 12-0 run.

A Chester Victor basket halted the run, but the damage was all but done. Smith and Gathers pushed the lead to 21, 48-27. A Donald Thomas 3 made it 54-31. Gathers would slam home a dunk to make it 56-31. He’d add the likely highlight of the night a few plays later, combining to slam home an alley-oop pass from Smith that made it 60-33.

The Rebels put the game away in the third despite losing point guard Lucas Martin, who fouled out with 6:05 left in the third quarter after picking up his fourth personal foul then a technical.

“Lucas has been playing hurt since that Peabody game in the Sugar Bowl tournament,” said Byrd. “He probably shouldn’t have played in the final … he’s been out since, until today. He probably wasn’t as sharp as usual, but it really shows the kind of depth we have that we could keep things going.”

Gathers led Riverside with 24. Smith scored 22 and Dabney added 17.

For East St. John, Williams led the way with a game-high 29. Chester Victor scored 16 and Emmanuel Victor added eight.

The night started off with a bang for the Rebels. Last season’s Class 2A championship team was honored in a pregame ceremony as each player received their championship rings.

Clearly, Riverside still has a championship gear.

“I’m proud of our guys,” said Byrd. “They were focused both mentally and physically.”