GONZALES The District 5-5A basketball showdown between McKinley and East Ascension was everything that was expected of the top two teams. <\/p>\n
After a close first half, the teams traded runs in the final two quarters before East Ascension held on for a 46-44 win at the Spartans gym. <\/p>\n
East Ascension (25-6, 9-0) had already wrapped up the district title but still has its eye on earning a top-four playoff seeding. McKinley (19-12, 5-4) can wrap up sole possession of second place with a win over Catholic High in its final district contest. <\/p>\n
East Ascension coach Barry Whittington complimented his teams poise after the Spartans fell behind 38-30 to start the fourth quarter. <\/p>\n
These kids have seen a lot, Whittington said. We had some close games we didnt win last year and we had some this year. Its helped us to not panic. <\/p>\n
We managed the clock well at the end and that helped us a lot. <\/p>\n
Cameron Wire led the Spartans with 15 points with support from LeAaron Cain (13) and Jimel London (10). McKinley also had a trio in double figures with Patrick Collier (12), Tyrese Radford (11) and Marcus Coleman (10). <\/p>\n
McKinleys Josh Gofdeon scored the first basket of the fourth quarter giving the Panthers a 38-30 lead. EA responded with a 13-0 run over the next four minutes. <\/p>\n
Cain scored six points and London added four during the run. The Spartans, who benefited from five McKinley turnovers during the run, led 43-38 after Londons driving basket with two minutes left. <\/p>\n
McKinley got as close as 43-42 after Colemans 3-pointer and a free throw by Radford. Justin Harris then fed Wire for an inside basket to put EA up 45-42 with 30 second to go. <\/p>\n
Gordon scored again to cut the Panthers deficit to one. London hit a free throw before Frederick Carrs attempt at atying basket was off the mark as time ran out. <\/p>\n
A big thing was the 50-50 balls, McKinley coach Harold Boudreaux said. Youve got to get them. Another big part of the game was key turnovers. It was just a tough game. <\/p>\n
East Ascension took a 24-23 halftime lead, but McKinley made five of its first six shots to start the third quarter. A.J. Lee and Radford each scored four points as McKinley took a 33-27 lead. <\/p>\n
The Panthers lead grew to 36-27 with 1:20 left in the quarter. EAs Marques Anderson hit a free throw and Cole Hatcher beat the buzzer with an inside bucket as McKinleys lead was trimmed to 36-30 after three quarters. <\/p>\n
The third quarter has been one of our better quarters, and we werent knocking down shots, Whittington said. We didnt have good body language or chemistry. We switched over to a full-court press and got some turnovers. <\/p>\n
Boudreaux gave East Ascension credit for playing well all season. <\/p>\n
Lets give it to East Ascension, he said. They were prepared tonight. Theyve got some good seniors and this is their year. <\/p>\n
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East Ascension holds off upset-minded McKilney 46-44 | High ... - The Advocate<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" GONZALES The District 5-5A basketball showdown between McKinley and East Ascension was everything that was expected of the top two teams. After a close first half, the teams traded runs in the final two quarters before East Ascension held on for a 46-44 win at the Spartans gym Continue reading