By Kyle Roberts
Ruston High head coach Ryan Bond knows the importance of his team making a back-to-back appearance at the postseason’s final four matchup, known as Marsh Madness down at Burton Coliseum in Lake Charles, La.
But he also knows that the job’s not done without his No. 8 Bearcats (21-9) bringing home the hardware.
“It’s great for the program,” Bond said of the second straight trip to the state championship tournament, “but we’re not satisfied. We want two more wins, and that’s what our mindset is.”
Ruston High will be facing an old district foe and a squad that has a rich basketball history, itself: the No. 5 Natchitoches Central Chiefs, a team that upset No. 4 Denham Springs on the road with a 72-58 victory on the same night Ruston upset No. 1 overall Zachary at home 62-55.
“We’ve been looking (at Natchitoches Central) since Friday night,” Bond said. “One thing that stands out about them is their physicality. They are very physical and very strong, and they’re well-coached. They execute their offense well, and they’re clicking at the right time.”
Ruston’s win over Zachary came after leading by as many as 18 points in the fourth quarter before the Broncos pulled back to within five points. It was an Aidan Anding steal and dunk that sealed the deal for the Bearcats in the final seconds to propel them to the semifinals.
Natchitoches Central finished the regular season with a 25-7 regular season record and has advanced to the final four in Division I (Non-Select) despite only beating No. 28 Fontainbleau 49-47 in the opening round at home.
“They get after you on the defensive end,” Bond said. “They make nothing easy; they’re always in your face.”
With the Bearcats making their second straight trip down to Burton Coliseum, Bond said that last year’s experience should help prepare this year’s team for tonight.
He added, however, that he has no plans to do anything outside of normal preparation for his team.
“It’s business as usual for us,” Bond said. “We’re practicing here. I’m not putting in a bunch of new offensive sets and changing things up. The guys are prepared– the bulk of our guys are football guys, and so they gained a lot of experience dealing with pressure situations and with high stakes. They know what to do.”
Ruston’s matchup will be broadcast on 99.3 FM with tipoff set for 6:15 with Nick Brown on the call.
