by Malcolm Butler
No. 2 seed Ruston looked rusty early.
But once the Bearcats (21-3) warmed up, they rolled.
Ahmad Hudson scored 27 points and grabbed 14 rebounds to lead Ruston to a 74-38 win over Barbe Tuesday night at RHS Gymnasium in a Non-Select School Division I second round playoff game.
“It was a good win,” said Ruston head coach Marcus Jackson. “We came out slow which was to be expected. We didn’t have a game in the (first round). … We kind of got it going at the end of the first (quarter).
“Collectively, I think we played good as a group on defense, which led to offense later on.”
Neither team could find an offensive rhythm early as Ruston held a slim 6-3 advantage five minutes into the first quarter. However, Jasen Morgan drilled a corner three and Darren Ford hit back-to-back buckets, including a slam dunk to ignite a 13-4 run to end the stanza. Ruston led 19-7.
Hudson got rolling in the second quarter, scoring 15 of his game-high 27 in the frame. The 6-foot-8 power forward, who is almost unstoppable when his motor is running at full tilt, started the frame with a reverse layup and then made back-to-back buckets, including a traditional three-point play with 5:30 to play in the quarter to up the lead to 29-7.
“He is a big asset for us,” said Jackson. “He is someone (the opponent) has to play close attention to. He can pull you out and beat you back to the basket. He can back you down. If you double him, other guys making shots is important. Ahmad is key for us.”
Hudson wasn’t the only Bearcat scoring in the second as Keshun Malcolm netted seven of his 13 points in the frame as well.
While the Bearcats were rolling offensively, Ruston’s defense was smothering Barbe (22-13). The Bucs had trouble getting clean looks as the Ruston perimeter defenders applied relentless pressure while Hudson protected the lane.
“Barbe runs a lot of action,” said Jackson. “They run a lot of motion; good flare screens and good picks. We went over it all week. My coaches and I watched a lot of film. There was a lack of sleep this week trying to figure out how to disrupt them. (Braylon Carter and Chris Rideau) are pretty good guards.
“They are really good guards. I think we did a good job being locked into the game plan.”
After leading 44-21 at halftime, Ruston used a 13-0 run over a two and a half minute period early in the third quarter to build a 59-23 advantage, forcing a running clock. The highlight of the run was a Hudson windmill dunk with 5:00 to play that ignited the crowd.
“We talked to Ahmad every day about pushing himself,” said Jackson. “That’s our job, to push him to find another level. When he plays like that it makes a lot of guys job easier. Hopefully in the playoffs, we can get him consistently playing like that.”
Leading 64-28 at the end of the third quarter, Jackson rested his starters for the fourth quarter although the Bearcats didn’t let up. Chase Harding and Cooper Goodwin combined for 10 points in the frame, including a three-pointer by each.
Carter led Barbe with 17 points.
With the victory, Ruston will now host No. 23 seed Parkway, which pulled a 63-57 overtime upset win over No. 7 seed Sulphur. Tipoff will be Friday at 6:30 p.m.
