Lady Patriots cruise to tournament victory at HLB

Ellender Memorial took a 25-19 lead into the half but stepped up its offense to close the game and preserve a commanding 61-41 win over Hahnville in the championship of the Casey Kozminiski Tournament, which was held Wednesday through Saturday at H.L. Bourgeois High School in Gray.

The Lady Patriots forced seven turnovers in the fourth quarter and closed the game with a 21-9 run.

Deanna Allen led Ellender with a game-high 29 points.

The Lady Patriots were 12-2 through Monday.

Houma Christian 67, Grand Isle 26

The Lady Warriors jumped out to a dominating 16-2 first-quarter lead and led 36-7 at the half. From there it was smooth sailing to an emphatic win Thursday.

Houma Christian’s offense was fueled by Natalie Voisin (19 points), Leah Washington (17), Brittany Spotts (16) and Sarah Day (10).

The Lady Warriors were 7-5 through Monday.

Boys

Christian Life 71, HLB 59

The Crusaders exploded to a 27-10 first-quarter lead and never looked back against H.L. Bourgeois in the finals of the Casey Kozminiski Tournament, which was held Wednesday through Saturday at H.L. Bourgeois High School in Gray.

Stevie Howard paced the Braves with 15 points, but it was the hot shooting of Christian Life’s Stuart Pirri that ultimately stole the show.

Pirri finished with 22 points and sparked the Crusaders hot start by sinking four 3-pointers early in the game.

Christian Life had defeated Terrebonne 49-38 on Thursday to advance to the championship game.

H.L. Bourgeois played Patterson Monday, but the results were unavailable by press time.

Ellender Memorial 69, East St. John 49

Chris Duthu scored 24 points to lead the Patriots past East St. John in the consolation finals of the Casey Kozminiski Tournament.

Jamal Nixon pumped in 12 points and Travon Lewis added 10 for Ellender (10-2 through Monday), which will host the MidSouth Bank Classic today (Wednesday) through Saturday.

Grand Isle 62, Houma Christian 46

Brandon Crane netted 14 points and Nat Frye added 13, but the Warriors (5-7) fell short against Grand Isle Thursday.

It was Houma Christian’s third loss to the Trojans this season.

Photo by CHRIS SCARNATI

• Tri-Parish Times Latika Smith and the Lady Patriots made short work of Hahnville in the championship of the Casey Kozminiski Tournament, winning 61-41.