By RYAN ARENA
L’Observateur
NEW ORLEANS — In the wake of its championship victory at the Allstate Sugar Bowl National Prep Classic, it was back to taking care of district business for Riverside. The Rebels were up to the task.
They downed host Sophie B. Wright 96-52 Tuesday night, moving to 3-0 in District 9-2A play and extending their winning streak to six in a row.
“We improved our effort coming out of halftime,” said Riverside coach Timmy Byrd. “We went into a bit of a slump and got into some foul trouble in the second quarter. But we picked up the intensity and got some separation coming out of the break.”
Von Julien followed up his Sugar Bowl MVP performance by leading the Rebels (14-3, 3-0) in scoring with 19 points. Jordan Andrews scored 18. Herb McGee and Malik Crowfield each scored 16 and Cory Costanza added 15.
Anthony Oates scores 23 to lead Wright. Trevin Tatum added 15.
Riverside ran out to a 23-4 lead after a quarter of play before a Wright rally made it a 14-point game at halftime, 43-29.
The Rebels answered with a third quarter effort that nearly matched the first, outscoring Wright 22-9 and all but putting things away even before a 31-point Riverside explosion in the fourth quarter.
RA scored at least 20 in every frame.
“I was happy with how we played for most of the game,” said Byrd. “We picked up where we left off in the tournament. I was worried about a letdown, but we executed.”
Byrd said that his young team’s confidence level has noticeably spiked since the Sugar Bowl tournament, where Riverside defeated St. Augustine, Bishop Veron (FL) and Sheldon (CA) on its way to the tourney crown.
“No doubt, it’s been a boost of confidence to them,” said Byrd. “They’re much more relaxed and in a good mood, joking around with one another. At the same time, though, they’re working hard. They’re attentive. We talked about what winning (the Sugar Bowl tournament) means. It puts a target on their backs, and they have to keep working to move forward. I think this group can handle it.”