GONZALES To say Tuesday night's Class 5A nonselect matchup between No. 1 seed East Ascension and No. 16 Slidell was unusual would be a major understatement.

Two quick and athletic teams, on the floor with an officiating crew that let the players play, could only score 72 points. They shot a combined 15 of 38 from the free-throw line and had 37 turnovers between them.

In the end, the visiting Tigers held off EA in the final 36 seconds, and their supporters stormed the floor to celebrate a 37-35 regional-round victory.

Were just a bunch of young guys trying to get better, Slidell coach Dale Chimento said. Theyre very coachable, and the thing I think theyve learned the most is to work together. We didnt really expect (a low-scoring game) after we looked at some of their scores and watched some film on them. We didnt quit, and I think we got better late. I hope thats something we can continue to do."

Slidell sophomore Tyler Harris saved his best for last, scoring seven fourth-quarter points: a key 3-pointer and four clutch free throws. He said his team wasnt intimidated by playing the No. 1 seed on the road.

One is just a number, he said. We just played our hardest, and I had to come through for my team.

Harris led the Tigers (25-7) with 12 points off the bench, all in the second half. Senior guard Travis Harrington had six points, all after EA turnovers, and provided floor leadership and defense.

We couldnt get comfortable with anything on offense tonight, EA coach Barry Whittington said. But give (Slidell) credit for that. We made 8 out of 21 free throws and didnt get anything out of our inside game. (Senior guard LeAaron Cain) almost took over the game almost. But we just never could get over the hump.

Cain had eight points in the fourth quarter and finished with 16. Post players Cameron Wire and Justin Harris each had four rebounds and Wire had two blocks, but the two could manage only four points.

Wires last basket came with 4.2 seconds left to make it 36-35, but Cains half-court heave at the buzzer came up short.

It was a good news/bad news night from the beginning for East Ascension (26-7). The bad news was that it could do nothing right offensively in the first half, missing at least five open shots in the paint and shooting 3 of 8 from the free-throw line. The good news was that its scrambling full-court defense forced the visitors into 14 first-half turnovers.

Its first glimmer of good news came with 2:20 left in the first half, when Cain drilled a long 3-pointer and followed that with a strip and drive that put EA ahead 16-15. Slidell answered with a basket, though, and led 17-16 at halftime.

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Boys basketball playoffs: Slidell stuns No. 1 seed East Ascension 37-35 - The Advocate