Bossier boys basketball coach Jeremiah Williams likes to use the Bossier Invitational to gauge the progress his team has made during the season.
He definitely liked what he saw in the 73rd version of the tournament.
The Bearkats routed Natchitoches Central 45-24 Saturday night to repeat as champions. Bossier has won the tournament four of the last five years and 18 times overall.
Bossier also defeated Parkway 72-29 Friday in the quarterfinals and Captain Shreve 62-53 in the semifinals earlier Saturday.
“The Bossier Invitational is usually our gauge for the year,” Williams said. “We kind of get going around this time. I think from what we saw, we can see a lot of positive progression. We’re going to continue to try to get better. We’re thankful that we played well and had an opportunity to win it.”
Bossier rolled to a 15-0 lead and Natchitoches Central (15-6) never got within double digits after that.
“Natchitoches Central is a good ball club traditionally,” Williams said. “They’re disciplined, and Micah Coleman is a good coach. We knew we wanted to come out and have a good defensive effort and we did a good job defending. I’m proud of our guys and the effort they put forth.”
Tevin Robertston, Bossier’s 6-foot-4 All-Parish poster player, led the Bearkats with 13 points. He was also a force on defense underneath the basket. For his efforts, Robertson was named the tournament’s MVP.
Rashard Owens scored 11 points and was named to the all-tournament team. Breon Morris, who scored a team-high 24 against Captain Shreve, also made the all-tournament team.
Keyth Johnson led Natchitoches Central with 11 points.
The Chiefs knocked off Byrd 69-56 in the semifinals. Byrd rallied from a late 5-point deficit to defeat Captain Shreve 70-67 in overtime in the third-place game.
Deorvion Robinson scored 12 points in Bossier’s victory over Shreve, and All-Parish guard Devonte Hall had nine.
Robertson scored 19 points in the victory over Parkway Friday. Morris had 13 and Owens added 12.
Hall did not play in the second half against Natchitoches Central because of a minor leg injury.
Williams said the injury is not a major concern.
“He just needs a little rest,” Williams said.
Brodrick Jefferson led the Panthers with 25 points.
In another quarterfinal game Friday, Airline rallied from a double-digit deficit against Captain Shreve and took a brief 1-point lead in the fourth quarter before falling 48-43.
The Vikings couldn’t overcome a 13-of-26 performance from the free throw line, including 3 of 10 in the second half.
Andrew Latson led the Vikings with 13 points. Demetrius Early and Austin Brannon combined for 17.
