There was little magic for boys basketball in 2014

I believe the coaches of the six high school basketball teams in District 9-5A would be among the first to admit that this past season has been less than stellar for the Catholic League.

Interesting, yes, through parity among most of its teams; but stellar, no.

Of the four members to qualify for the state playoffs, just district champion St. Augustine had enough power points to play a first-round game at home.

As a matter of fact and because it remained the higher seed through three playoff rounds, the Purple Knights had the luxury of hosting bi-district, regional and quarterfinal round games, all of which they won.

But perhaps the quarterfinal round victory over Higgins in their final home game was an omen of what was to come for the five-time state champion Knights. The 57-43 win over the Hurricanes was a clerical blowout, but had Higgins not missed more than a dozen free throws, the game might have had a much different outcome.

Facing No. 1 seed Scotlandville at Lake Charles’ Burton Coliseum was an opportunity head coach Mitchell Johnson had wanted, but in the finals, not the semis. His Knights had split with the Hornets during the regular season. And there was little, talent-wise, separating the two.

St. Augustine had its chances to win the rubber match and face Natchitoches Central for the 5A championship.

Johnson’s boys had a one-point lead, compliments of forward Marlon Watts’ steal and slam dunk with 57 seconds remaining in a closely contested game. And with two fouls to give, they could have denied the Hornets two chances to get off a shot.

Following those two carte blanche fouls, Scotlandville had the ball with just nine seconds remaining when the Purple Knights committed the unthinkable – a third (and shooting) foul.

Hornets coach Carlos Sample was surprised and excited
that his team received this gift. The foul sent his best free throw shooter to the line.

Ezekiel Brown calmly sank the two freebies.

There was still time when St. Aug’s senior guard, Blake Jones, dribbled into trouble, then tried to reverse the ball behind his back. At that point he lost the ball and an opportunity for a 10th trip to the championship game.

Still a champion
Despite the disappointment for the “Purple Nation,” the fall and winter have been productive seasons for St. Augustine. The school has district titles in football and basketball.

The disappointment of “Marsh” Madness in Lake Charles may linger awhile, but there isn’t much joy around the district for the other five teams either.

Three teams that tied for third place with 5-5 district records were all low seeds and eliminated in the first round.

Brother Martin (19-10 overall) was a No. 20 seed and bowed to Mandeville.

Jesuit (14-11) was the No. 21 seed and lost at Ruston.

And Holy Cross (17-11) drew the No. 29 seed and fell to St. Augustine for the fourth time in the opening round.

Second-place Archbishop Rummel (16-15, 6-4) didn’t have enough quality wins to make a 1-32 power rating, and Archbishop Shaw (5-22, 0-10)
also ended its season without a playoff berth.

And that’s the way things went for the other local Catholic schools.

St. Paul’s placed fifth in District 6-5A. Its 15-14 record was not among the top 32 in Class 5A.

De La Salle had a productive season under coach Paul Kelly and his staff, winning 20 of 29 games. But the Cavaliers could only muster a No. 31 seed and lost in the first round to No. 2 Bossier in the Class 3A playoffs.

Pope John Paul (11-15) was a No. 27 seed and was quickly ousted by No. 6 Episcopal of Baton Rouge.

St. Charles Catholic (10-17) and Archbishop Hannan (3-23) also missed the big show.

All that can be said for 2014 is bring on the spring sports!

Ron Brocato can be reached at [email protected].