By Kyle Roberts
RUSTON, La. — Baskets were hard to come by for visiting Gibsland-Coleman Tuesday night in the Ruston High Main Gym as the Bearcats (12-6) beat the Bulldogs (13-8) by a final score of 66-48.
And by the middle of the third quarter, the Bearcat starters were pulled and the clock ran for the remainder of the night.
“We for sure were bigger, faster, and stronger tonight,” Ruston High assistant coach Corey Deans said. “I think we’re getting better. We’ve added another defense. Every day, we’re getting a little bit better and adding a little bit more. The guys are just getting more comfortable.”
And Ruston got terrific production from both sophomores Ahmad Hudon and Keshun Malcolm, who finished with 26 points and 14 points, respectively, totaling 40 of Ruston’s 66 points.
“Ahmad has a myth going on– I have some people in Shreveport tell me that they heard that we have a 6-11 kid on our team. And he’s not 6-11, but he sure plays like he is,” Deans said. “He’s striking fear in the state. And when Keshun is making shots, he’s playing a little bit harder. I just have to get him in the mindset of playing hard, regardless of whether or not the shots are going in.”
Following a scoreless first three minutes by both teams, Hudson had a thunderous block to give Ruston the ball back, leading to senior Joran Parker making the first three of the night to put Ruston up 3-0 with 4:45 to play in the first quarter. Ruston extended the lead after another Hudson block and a pair of free throws to lead 5-0 with 4:07 to go in the period.
Malcolm hit his first three of the night with 3:21 to play in the first quarter and added a pair of free throws shortly after to give Ruston a 10-2 lead. Hudson added another bucket shortly after, and following a made free throw by senior Fabian Stringfellow, the Bearcats led 13-2 with 0:24 to go in the first. The Bulldogs tagged in a layup as the buzzer sounded in the first, and Ruston led 13-4 after the first.
Hudson and Malcolm would take over in the second quarter, scoring 12 of Ruston’s first 15 points in the second quarter. Senior Aidan Anding added a three-point basket in the third quarter, as well, putting the Bearcats up 30-13 with 4:27 to go before the half.
Afterward, Hudson would take a foul to the face near the end of the second quarter and had to be checked out on the bench after being poked in the eye on the foul. He would return to score 10 points with multiple thunderous dunks in the third quarter before the starters were pulled.
Once more of the bench players were able to get into the game, Deans added that he was pleased with how senior Zheric Hill played — who came in and knocked down multiple three-pointers to the delight of the students in attendance.
“I’m always impressed with the way he plays, no matter what role we give him,” Deans said. “He was named the Ruston High football team defensive MVP last night, and that’s because he does whatever is asked of him. He was spot on. Anything I give him, he’ll make it happen for me.”
Ruston returns to action Friday, Jan. 31, at home against Ouachita following the Lady Bearcat game.
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