Terrebonne thumps New Iberia

Fri. February 10, 2012 at 9:38 a.m. | By Perry Pitre/Sports Correspondent

New Iberia's seven-game win streak started with a win over Terrebonne, so it seemed fitting that the Tigers end it as well.

And end it the Tigers did, emphatically, laying a 64-43 thumping on the visiting Yellow Jackets in District 7-5A action Thursday.

"Thumping" may be a kind word. Terrebonne (15-14 overall, 6-6 in district), on a five game win streak that saw it go from 1-6 in district play to an even 6-6, never trailed. The game was tied at 0-0 and 6-6. New Iberia won the first contest between the teams, 56-46, on Jan. 17.

Terrebonne's Charles Williams (16 points) put back a missed shot to make it 8-6, starting an 8-0 Tiger run that led to a 17-10 first quarter lead.

The Yellow Jackets (15-11, 6-5) came back, hitting the first five points of the second quarter before Williams and DeShaun Diggs, who led all scorers with 17, combined for three free throws to take the lead back to five. The teams traded baskets for the rest of the quarter, putting Terrebonne ahead 28-22 going into the locker room.

"We drew up some stuff at halftime, and got on them about doing things right," Terrebonne coach Derek Szush said. "Playing defense the right way, rebounding. We drew up some stuff on offense so we wouldn't be so stagnant. And they went out an executed, and when we do that, we're a pretty good basketball team."

The "pretty good basketball team" came roaring out for the second half, opening on an 18-0 run that was marred by a bench clearing shouting match between the two teams. After a technical foul on New Iberia, Williams hit a jumper to make it 46-22.

New Iberia scored its first points of the second half with 2:11 left in the third quarter, leading to a 52-30 score after three.

"Terrebonne came out and their playoff lives were on the line, and they played like it," New Iberia coach Todd Russ said. "We're a young team that's still learning how to win and handle adversity."

The adversity continued into the fourth quarter as Terrebonne ran up their largest lead at 60-33 before Szush brought out the subs.

"We're peaking at an awesome time," Szush said. "The kids have been playing with a sense of urgency since we lost to Westgate (81-64 on Jan. 24), but that woke us up. We've been playing much better and haven't lost yet."

Davante Ross had 12 for the Tigers, while James Ray chipped in 10.

NEW IBERIA 60,

TERREBONNE 48 (GIRLS)

At Houma, the Lady Jackets completed the season sweep of the Lady Tigers, taking a 12-point win.

Terrebonne's two district losses both came at the hands of New Iberia.

"New Iberia just matches up real well with us," Terrebonne coach Gus Brown said. "They outscored us in every quarter. They played hard. They hit their buckets. They rebounded. We fought hard. We played hard. But for some strange reason, New Iberia just has our number this year."

The game was close early, with New Iberia taking an 11-7 first quarter lead. The Lady Tigers opened the second quarter with a 6-0 run to take a 13-11 lead, but New Iberia blew the game open with a 15-0 run. Terrebonne came back with six unanswered leading to a 29-19 halftime deficit.

"It's crazy. I don't know how we can beat a team like this, but struggle against the likes of H.L. Bourgeois and Westgate," New Iberia coach Robert Pinckney said. "If we have a chance at the playoffs, we had to have this win, and the girls were focused (Thursday)."

New Iberia led 41-29 at the end of three. Terrebonne pulled to within five, but could not get closer, as the Lady Jackets hit their foul shots down the stretch.

Kierra Anthony led New Iberia and all scorers with a 32 point performance. Raina Diggs and Darian Dees each had 12 for the Tigers.