By Kyle Roberts
RUSTON, La. — There was no doubt about this one after the first quarter.
A stingy defense from No. 6 Ruston (17-5) put any effort by No. 27 Destrehan (16-17) well out of reach after the Wildcats were only able to get three points in the first quarter and only five more by halftime, leading to a Bearcat final score win of 56-20.
And it’s that defense that acting-head coach Corey Deans knows he’ll need to get from this squad if they’re looking to make a playoff push into the month of March.
“The only way we can make a playoff run is if we play defense,” Deans said. “We did a good job of switching defenses and keeping them off-balance. They run a flex offense — it could have been a pretty potent offense, but we kept switching defenses on them and kept them out of their sets.”
Add to that mix a 21-point performance by sophomore Ahmad Hudson and Ruston never had to look back.
Ruston jumped out to a 14-3 lead after the first quarter on three-point baskets by seniors C.J. Malone and Joran Parker and then eight points from Hudson with two made shots and four free throws.
Ruston’s junior Zaterrion Sutton hit a three-pointer in the second quarter, while senior Aidan Anding made his first basket of the night in the stanza. Sophomore Keshun Malcolm hit a three-pointer and four free throws to add seven for Ruston, while Hudson added seven points, as well, on three baskets and a free throw. The Bearcats would take a 33-8 lead into the halftime locker room.
The Bearcats held the Wildcats to eight in the third quarter, while both Anding and senior Fabian Stringfellow would add a three-pointer apiece. Senior Zheric Hill got on the board with a basket and a made free thrown, while Malcolm added a free throw of his own. Hudson would get four more points on a basket and two made free throws, while sophomore Kohl Gray would add his only basket of the night and put Ruston ahead 49-16 heading into the fourth quarter.
Stringfellow added another basket, as did both Stringfellow and Hudson in the fourth quarter to give Ruston the final 56-20 score for the win.
Hudson’s offensive performance was made even better with his terrific free throw shooting after he only missed on from the line all night.
“He’s been getting more shots up in games and in pregame,” Deans said of Hudson. “He’s in better condition right now.”
Ruston will host the winner of No. 11 South Lafourche and No. 22 Hahnville on Tuesday night. Game time has yet to be determined.
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