Louisiana boys basketball 'Marsh Madness' Day 1 recap: University Lab gets its revenge on Dunham

Top-seed Avoyelles Public Charter prevails; Anacoco, Zwolle to meet for Division V non-select title

LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA - No. 3 seeded University Lab and No. 2 seed Dunham went at it again for the third time this season. 

This time, a berth to the Division III select state championship game was on the line. Dunham won both regular season matchups. But University came up with a big defensive stop making this third time a charm in a 44-41 victory Monday at The Burton Complex.

University (27-8) made 4-of-6 free throws in the final minute of the game. They made the critical stops when it was needed.

Dunham player Mason Lavergne's attempted 3-pointer for the tie was blocked by Trushaad Bush with 1.2 seconds remaining. Elijah Haven got possession but could not get the shot off, giving the Cubs the victory.

“When we are in man defense, we like to get in people,” said Bush. “We knew they was in scramble mode. If we get in them, they would probably make a mistake and they did.”

Both teams went back and forth starting the game. Braylen Rabalais and Athan Olivier set the tone for Dunham (27-7) with consecutive baskets to take a 5-0 lead. University answered with consecutive baskets by Jerome Watkins and Patrick Patton, cutting the lead to 5-4.

JS Clark's intense defense too much for Episcopal of Acadiana in Division V select semifinals 

The Tigers answered with a 3-pointer by Haven extending the lead to 8-4. Bush and Ethan Kimmie stepped up, knocking down consecutive 3-pointers, giving University a 14-13 lead.

Haven knocked down a 3 to give Dunham a 19-15 lead. Then University took charge with an 11-2 run, ending the first half. Kimmie got things going with an alley-oop dunk.

William Panpania and Cooper Coates knocked down a pair of 3's to take a 28-22 lead at the half.

Bush and Micheal Hilton got things going in the second half for the Cubs with consecutive baskets, extending the lead to 37-30. Haven put the team on his back scoring six straight points starting the fourth quarter; then Olivier scored a driving layup, giving Dunham a 39-38 lead.

Bush led University with 15 points, five rebounds, three steals and two assists. Kimmie finished with eight points, seven rebounds, and two blocks. Coates scored seven points and six rebounds.

“We played in close games all year. We were not going to quit or panic. The guys stick together and they believe in each other,” said University Lab coach Joe Spencer. “I’m just super proud of the effort. We beat a really good team with some really good players.

"To make it back is fantastic. We don’t wanna just be happy that we’re back. We’re coming to try and win a championship.”

Dunham vs. University Lab, Division III select semifinals, March 4, 2024 

Haven led Dunham with 19 points, 13 rebounds and two assists. Olivier finished with seven points, three rebounds, and two assists. Lavergne scored six points, two rebounds, and two assists.

“We didn’t fall into the narrative that it’s hard to beat a team three times. It’s hard to beat a team once,” said Dunham coach Chad Myers. “We had some guys that did not seem themselves (Monday). It just wasn’t our night and we did not have too many of those this year."

University will take on the winner of top-seeded Isidore Newman vs No. 13 seed Episcopal (Baton Rouge) in the Division III select championship game on Friday at 2 p.m. at the Burton Complex.

Division V select semifinals

Avoyelles Public Charter 58, Rapides 46

Top-seeded Avoyelles Public Charter (25-11) pulled away in the second half for a 58-46 victory over No. 4 seeded Rapides.

Avoyelles Public Charter had two players scoring in double figures. Jalen Brown led the Vikings with 16 points and six rebounds. Armonii Benjamin finished with 14 points and seven rebounds. Also, Karlon Williams scored nine points and three rebounds, and Kalleb Barr scored eight points and six rebounds.

Rapides (15-10) had two players scoring in double figures. Christopher Newman led the Mustangs with 17 points, 12 rebounds and three assists. Sheldrick Vall finished with 10 points and six rebounds. Jaydan Wilson scored eight points, four rebounds and two assists.

Avoyelles Public Charter will take on No. 2 seeded JS Clark in the Division V select state championship game on Friday at noon at the Burton Complex.

Division V non-select semifinals

Anacoco 50, Gibsland-Coleman 41

No. 2 seeded Anacoco (26-7) led from beginning to end in a 50-41 victory over six-seeded Gibsland-Coleman (13-10).

Anacoco had two players scoring in double figures. Dustin Welch led the Indians with 30 points and 12 rebounds. Kaleb Goodwin finished with 11 points and five rebounds. Landin Draughn scored nine points, seven rebounds, and seven assists.

De’Avery Dunham led Gibsland-Coleman with 29 points, six rebounds, and five steals.

Division V non-select semifinals

Zwolle 61, Negreet 51

In the other half of the Division V (Non-Select) state semifinals, top-seeded Zwolle (31-3) had a hard time with No. 4 seed Negreet (30-4). The Hawks led 28-27 at the half, but they had a huge second half, outscoring the Indians, 33-24.

Zwolle had two players scoring in double figures. Preston Sanders led the Hawks with 24 points, 11 rebounds, and two assists. Howard Etheridge finished with 20 points and five rebounds, while Alec Williams scored 15 points and grabbed five rebounds.

Zwolle will take on Anacoco in the Division V non-select championship game on Friday at 6 p.m. at the Burton Complex in Lake Charles.

-- Vashon Jones | @SBLiveLA