LAKE CHARLES — Three-peat.

Riverside Academy overcame heavy foul trouble and the loss of one of its top scorers of the fourth quarter to earn an 85-60 victory today over Lakeview, outscoring the Gators 26-12 in the final quarter of the Class 2A state championship game, the Rebels earning a third straight championship crown and their fifth in the past six seasons.

Jordan Andrews earned title game MVP honors for Riverside (30-6) after scoring a game-high 19 points, including sinking 3 of his 5 3-point attempts on the day.

Herb McGee and Von Julien each scored 17 points, while Malik Crowfield and Jared Butler each added 10.

There was drama in the third quarter, when Crowfield fouled out of the game with 1:40 left to go in the period. RA led 55-45 at the time, and a number of other Rebels were also dealing with foul issues.

But two Julien scores to end the third gave RA a 12-point lead entering the final frame, and early in the fourth quarter an Andrews slam dunk and then his drawn charge ignited a dominant Riverside final quarter.

It was an emotional game and a tightly called one as well. RA made 29 of 41 free throw attempts. Lakeview made 29 of 36.

Tay Hardy led Lakeview (27-5) with 18 points.

For full coverage on the Rebels championship victory, see Wednesday’s edition of L’OBSERVATEUR.