The Bossier Bearkats dominated the first half en route to a 61-50 victory over the Airline Vikings Tuesday night at Bossier.
The Bearkats (5-2) led 15-10 after the first quarter and then took control in the second with an 19-7 run.
Bossier led by as many as 19 points in the third quarter. Airline (2-4) looked like it might make a run a couple of times in the second half, but Bossier’s lead never dropped into single digits.
Both teams have returning All-Bossier Parish players, but neither played Tuesday.
Airline guard Hayden Hildebrand, a three-time first-team All-District 1-5A selection, had knee surgery a week ago and is still on crutches.
Bossier’s Tevin Robertson, a 6-foot-4 senior post player, has been suspended indefinitely for disciplinary reasons. But coach Jeremiah Williams said he could return soon.
Meanwhile, sophomore guard Kentrell Hardy led the Bearkats with 16 points. Guard Deorvion Robinson scored eight of his 14 points in the decisive second quarter.
Andrew Latson led the Vikings (2-4) with 23 points, including four 3-pointers. Demetrius Early added 16.
“We played well,” Williams said. “We thought we had a good defensive first half. We were disappointed in the second half. We allowed 33 points. We had a 17-point first half, so I was proud of that.
“I was a little disappointed in the shot selection down the stretch. I thought we should’ve been smarter. But for the most part it’s a win and we’ll take it.”
The Bearkats have the bulk of the team back from last season’s Class 3A state runner-up team.
Bossier’s losses were to Class 5A Ouachita and Class 4A St. Thomas More, teams generally considered among the best in their respective classes.
“I think we’ve been all right,” Williams said. “On offense, we’re trying to find our identity. We haven’t been shooting the ball exceptionally well. But we’re practicing, and we know it’s eventually going to start falling. We want our guys to have confidence to shoot.
“Our defense has been consistent. We’ve been holding people to 50 or below for the most part. We’re just waiting for our offense to catch up.”
Bossier returns to action against Shreveport rival Huntington at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Huntington.
Elsewhere Tuesday, host Louisiana New Tech at Plain Dealing edged Parkway 57-55, and Benton rallied in the fourth quarter for a 50-46 victory over host Lakeside. Haughton fell to West Ouachita 89-87 in overtime in West Monroe.
Tray Harris converted a three-point with about 25 seconds left to give New Tech (1-4) the lead.
Deaumante Johnson led the Lions with 19 points and Cardarrious Ray had 14.
Brodrick Jefferson led Parkway (1-3) with 18 points. Rob Harper added 12.
Benton scored as many points in the first quarter — 25 — as it did in the first three combined as the Tigers (2-3) rallied from an 11-point deficit.
D.J. Bratten scored 13 of his team-high 15 points in the quarter.
Coach Tim Cram said LeeAaron Alexander and Jordan Shaffer also contributed to the comeback.
Shaffer, who is also a quarterback and pitcher for the Tigers, is playing basketball for the first time since th seventh grade, Cram said.They finished with seven points each. Jeff Stephens and Kordavion Stewart scored six apiece.
Benton is playing in the Cedar Creek tournament in Ruston this week.
Nakia Devereaux scored 25 points to lead Haughton against West Monroe. Ryan Hatchett added 18 and James Almond had 12.
The Bucs (3-4) are playing in the Doyline tournament the rest of this week. The tournament has been moved to Lakeside because of the on-going situation involving the removal of explosive powder at Camp Minden. Parkway is playing in the Calvary tournament.
