By Kyle Roberts
NATCHITOCHES, La. — A stingy defense from H.L. Bourgeios (1-2) in the fourth quarter helped the Braves get a 49-45 win over the Ruston High Bearcats (0-2) on the second night of the City of Lights Classic hosted by Natchitoches Central.
The Bearcats had a 37-31 lead heading into the fourth quarter before Bourgeios poured on 18 points to get to the final 49-45 score. Sophomore Keshun Malcolm, who scored 23 points the night before, picked up two quick fouls in the final few minutes of the ball game. Ruston led by as many as 12 points in the stanza before Bourgeios made its rally.
“I thought we had the game won,” Ruston High assistant coach Corey Deans said. “I thought about taking Malcolm out of the game for a minute or two, but he only had three fouls. He picked up two in a minute — two tough fouls on box-outs that usually don’t get called in a game that was physical like this one.
“We played well overall. They trapped us early and we found ways to break the press. Our defense was solid until we got into foul trouble — we had to switch to zone. I thought we had done enough to win the game.”
Malcolm put up another impressive offensive performance Tuesday, scoring 17 points for the Bearcats with six field goals while going 4-of-6 from the free throw line. Ruston High senior C.J. Malone added 10 points for the ‘Cats, as well.
“Malone has been really shooting the ball well early in this season,” Deans said. “He’s been a good senior for us trying to lead us a little bit and talking. He mixes it up and does what we need him to do.”
Ruston will be on the road to take on the Richwood Rams tonight at 7:30 p.m. for the third game in three nights. Last season, Richwood made it to the semifinals of the LHSAA Boys’ Marsh Madness in Division III, Non-Select. Deans said that playing a tough opponent for a third night in a row is by design to get the team battle-tested early this season before some of the remaining varsity members join after football season.
“Coach (Marcus) Jackson, myself and the rest of the staff — we’ve never been ones to wait on the football guys to start playing,” Deans said. “These guys we have now need some experience. The more we play these tough teams, the better off we’ll be.”
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