Late surge lifts Vandebilt past Morgan City

Wed. February 08, 2012 at 12:05 p.m. | By Steve Holley/Sports Correspondent

If you didn't know any better, you might have thought the final score in Tuesday's District 8-4A basketball game between Vandebilt Catholic and Morgan City was that of a football contest.

Vandebilt and Morgan City stifled each other offensively, particularly in the first half, before a late surge by the Terriers gave them a 42-32 victory Tuesday.

Vandebilt (21-6 overall, 7-0 district) led, 7-5, after the first quarter, trailed 16-12 at halftime, and led 27-22 going into the final period.

Elijah McGuire started the game with a 3-pointer from the corner in the first minute, and Morgan City (15-13, 3-4 in district) struggled against Vandebilt's defense early, making just one basket in the first six-plus minutes while the Terriers built a 7-2 lead.

But the Tigers' defense held tough and when Eric Walker cut to the basket and hit a layup as time expired, Morgan City only trailed by a basket after the first quarter.

Jalen Johnson drove the baseline and tied it with a layup off the glass just less than two minutes into the second quarter.

When Jaylen Jones hit a 3-pointer from the corner moments later, it gave the Tigers their first lead, part of an 8-0 run by Morgan City.

Derrick Walker hit a layup to push the run to 10-0 as Vandebilt went the first four-plus minutes of the second quarter without a field goal. Still, they trailed only 14-12 until Tyrin Watts hit a fade-away just under the net for a four-point Tigers lead at halftime.

"The first half we missed a couple of shots we usually make and they slowed us up," Terriers coach Hank Washington said. "At halftime, we knew if we could get some stops, we could score."

The defensive battle continued into the third quarter as both teams had to fight for points.

Morgan City clung to a 20-18 lead midway through the third before Lionheart Leslie tied it at 22-all with 3:40 left on a three-point play (a layup and a foul shot).

Vandebilt then took its first lead of the half after Leslie sank one of two foul shots to make it 23-22 with 3:15 to play. That was part of an 8-0 run by the Terriers that gave Vandebilt its largest lead since the first half at 27-22 going into the fourth quarter.

"We had six turnovers in the first half and 15 in the second half," Morgan City coach Jeremy Whittington said. "We had 10 in the third quarter. That's the difference.

"It shows how quick they are and how fast they are to step on that ball. If it's out there, they're going to take it and they did. They probably took about six of them in for layups or offensive possessions that led to scores."

Vandebilt stretched its lead to eight at 34-26 on a turnover and a layup by McGuire just past the midway point in the fourth, and Morgan City missed several clutch shots down the stretch that could have made it a one-possession game each time.

Jones missed a 3-pointer with 1:57 to play that would have made it a three-point deficit. Moments later, Watts' 3-point attempt rimmed out, which would have made it a two-point contest. The Tigers also had two costly misses at the free throw line that would have made it a one-possession game.

Vandebilt, meanwhile, put the game out of reach at the free throw line in the final minute as Joseph Cantrelle sank two foul shots to make it 39-30 with less than 30 seconds to play, and McGuire capped the Terriers' scoring with a last-second layup.

"We played some defense for a good part of the game with the exception of giving them free throws at the end because we had to foul," Whittington said. "We had a game plan to slow it down and make them come out and guard us, but the key was to take care of the ball. I thought we had a chance to win all the way up until the last minute."

Johnson had 13 points to lead Morgan City, and Watts added seven.

Leslie and McGuire had 15 points apiece to led Vandebilt in scoring.

VANDEBILT CATHOLIC 75, MORGAN CITY 37 (GIRLS)

At Houma, Vandebilt Catholic (25-3, 7-0 in district) jumped out to a 46-8 lead at halftime en route to the victory in district play.

Cassidy Barrios and Sadie Murrell had 14 points for Vandebilt. Jewell Triggs added 13.

Vandebilt led, 23-6, after the first quarter and 63-18 after the third quarter.

Morgan City fell to 11-11 overall and 2-5 in district.

ELLENDER 64, SOUTH TERREBONNE 43 (BOYS)

At Houma, the Patriots improved to 21-7 overall and 6-1 in 8-4A play with a win over South Terrebonne.

Ellender was led by Gibby Talbot (31 points), Cameron Parfait (13 points) and Houston Chatman (12 points).

Andrew Poindexter led South Terrebonne with 14 points, and Chandler Arceneaux added 11 points.

ELLENDER 75, SOUTH TERREBONNE 27 (GIRLS)

At Houma, Netikie Johnson scored a game-high 20 points to lead the Lady Patriots to the District 8-4A win.

Also scoring in double figures for Ellender were Kiara Scott (17), Amari Banks (14) and Kelcie Scott (10).

Ellender (13-8, 6-2 in district) led 21-8 after first quarter, 45-14 at halftime and 65-23 after three quarters.

ASSUMPTION 69, HANSON MEMORIAL 29 (GIRLS)

At Franklin, the Lady Mustangs improved to 20-9 with the nondistrict win. Assumption led 28-4 after the first quarter, 46-16 at halftime and 59-24 at the end of the third quarter.

Dashia Miles (15 points), Jasmin Mills (15 points) and Edrielle Barrow (13 points) led the Lady Mustangs.