Tom Dodge
North Central proved its District 5-1A dominance with a double header sweep over St. Edmund.
The Lady Hurricanes (15-6, 2-0) cruised for an 81-30 win over the Lady Jays (9-11, 0-1) in a key district contest.
The Lady Jays kept the game close early trailing 8-6 after a jumper by Tanzy Miller, two free throws from Kinsley Marcantel and a bucket by Rebecca Benoit.
The Lady Hurricanes answered with an 11-0 run before Greta Miller hit two free throws and Savannah DeVillier added another to close the first quarter gap to 19-9.
North Central began the second period with a 13-3 run as Benoit’s free throw and a put back bucket closed the margin to 32-12.
Mary Beth Lafleur hit a free throw and then nailed a trey for the Lady Jays, but North Central closed the half with a 10-0 run to grab a 46-16 lead at the break.
The Lady Canes extended their advantage with an 18-6 surge in the third period, sparked by a strong performance from Ya’Jaia Goudeau and Frandreka Keller.
Miller hit a jumper to start the quarter for the Lady Jays, but North Central responded with a 12-0 run.
St. Ed’s Anna Belle Fontenot and Lady Cane’s Diamond Nevills exchanged two buckets each to end the third quarter.
Even with a 64-22 advantage heading into the final period, the Lady Hurricane starters pushed its margin to 81-30 in the final eight minutes.
Fontenot scored three times in the period and Mary Helen Miller added a jumper for the Lady Jays’ points in the period.
Keller led North Central with 25 points, Goudeau chipped in 22 points and Nevills added 20 points.
Fontenot led St. Edmund with 10 points.
The Lady Jays travel to Sacred Heart of Ville Platte (11-12, 3-0) today as district action continues.
NCHS 79, St. Ed’s 39
North Central exploded for 24 points in the second period as the Hurricanes rolled for a 79-39 win over the Blue Jays.
The defending Class 1-A champions began the game with a 6-0 run, but the Jays responded with two buckets by Easten Coleman.
St. Edmund continued to battle with a drive in the lane by Luke Trahan and a baseline jumper from Kieran Davis to close the margin to 14-10.
Alex Dupre scored twice in the final second for the Jays before Jaylen Wilson drilled a trey at the buzzer to give the Canes a 19-14 lead.
North Central began the second frame with an 11-0 run before Davis scored a bucket for the Jays.
North Central then added a 9-0 run to its lead before Henry Brown pushed in two free throws for the Jays.
Derrick Tezeno slammed a dunk for the Canes, but Coleman scored on a put-back at the buzzer to close the gap to 43-20 at intermission.
Coleman scored in the lane early for the Jays, North Central continued its control of the game with a 10-0 run to open the third period
Davis scored in the lane to slow the Cane’s run, but North Central then responded with a 9-0 surge.
Dupre hit two free throws and Coleman hit a jumper as St. Edmund closed the margin to 62-28 as the game moved to the final period.
St. Edmund continued to battle in the fourth quarter as the Jays went on a 7-5 run, sparked by five points from Coleman and a drive by Davis.
North Central answered with an 8-0 surge as Tezeno dominated in the lane.
Davis scored twice late in the game and finished with 14 points to lead the St. Edmund offense.
North Central was led by Tezeno’s 22 points, while Reginald Stoner added 18 points and Lionel Harrison chipped in 16 points.
St. Edmund (7-9, 0-1) travels to rival Sacred Heart of Ville Platte (5-19, 0-2) today as district action continues.