By RYAN ARENA
L’Observateur

LAPLACE –In a battle of defending state champions, host Scotlandville handed Riverside its first loss on the basketball court Monday night, capturing a 73-68 victory.
Both teams were undefeated headed into the game, with Scotlandville moving to 14-0. It was only the fourth game of the season for a Riverside team that now finds itself 3-1.
“I thought we looked like an early season team in the first half,” said Riverside coach Timmy Byrd. “We were a bit tentative. In the second half, we attacked and did a good job of that. We made some turnovers that really cost us and they got to the line a lot more than we did.”
Ezekiel Brown led Scotlandville with 24 points, including 12 in the fourth quarter. LaMarcus Lee added 17 points. Garrick Green chipped in 13 points and Jordan Adubutu 12.
Scotlandville got to the foul line 35 times to just 11 for the Rebels.
For the Rebels, Malik Crowfield led the way with 17 points. Von Julien added 15, Jordan Andrews 14 and Herb McGee 13. Deuce Wallace hauled in 14 rebounds.
Scotlandville charged out to a 19-8 lead in the first half and held a 31-24 lead at halftime, but Riverside didn’t go away quietly. McGee scored nine points and Andrews eight in the third quarter to lead RA to within two entering the fourth quarter.
The teams traded blows from there, but a 44-43 third quarter Rebels lead was the only one it would hold. Scotlandville led 69-68 with five seconds left, but a technical foul upon the Rebels for calling a timeout with none remaining all but sealed the win for the Hornets.
“We made some uncharacteristic mistakes,” said Byrd. “At one point in the fourth, we turned it over three times in a row. Malik and Jordan had to each sit for a stretch with foul trouble in the second half. All of those things certainly hurt us against a very good team in Scotlandville.”
Scotlandville was the Class 5A champion last season, while Riverside captured the crown in Class 2A.
RIVERSIDE 63, ST. THOMAS AQUINAS 54 — Malik Crowfield’s 17 points led the way for Riverside as it bested St. Thomas Aquinas in the final game of the Rebels Invitational tournament.
The game was a rematch of the Class 2A championship game of last season.
Von Julien scored 14, Jordan Andrews 12 and Herb McGee nine to round out the Rebel scoring leaders.
STA stayed close all night, with Riverside pulling away in the fourth quarter that saw the Rebels outscore the Rebels 21-16.
It was a physical affair with 54 foul calls in all.
“We never really got into a rhythm, and at the game’s beginning I don’t think we were prepared for the kind of physical game they came to play,” said Byrd. “They made it a dogfight and gave themselves a chance to win. In the second half, our kids responded.”
Riverside is set to travel to Karr tonight to face the Cougars. Then, Friday, the Rebels will be in Kentucky, going out of state to compete in the King of the Bluegrass Holiday tournament.