Beau Chene squeaks by Wolves in first round of playoffs

Despite holding a 10-point lead at the halftime break, the No. 8-ranked Rayne High Wolves could not get past the first round of the 2019-2020 LHSAA Boys’ Basketball Playoffs on Friday as they hosted Beau Chene High School.
The No. 25-ranked Beau Chene Gators collected a strong second half and squeaked by the 4-4A District Champions with a 69-66 bi-district win.
“We came out working our game well in the beginning,” stated Rayne High Head Coach Darrell Ceasar on Friday’s loss. “But, when you have the mistakes we made tonight late in the game, in addition to missed free throws there at the end, you can’t get away with that at this time in the season.”
The Wolves got off to a slim 18-14 lead in the first quarter before turning in a 20-point second quarter for a 38-28 halftime lead.
But, the Gators needed a locker-room pep talk to outscore Rayne High 41-28 in second half scoring.
The second half saw the Wolves and Gators exchange leads, but Rayne High fell short at the free-throw line and in the turnover department and the Gators began hitting treys and fast breaks seeing Rayne’s lead dwindled for the eventual loss.
Leading the Rayne scoring was Leon Smith with 25 points, followed by Lance Smith with 12 and Kaleb Colomb with 11.
Completing Rayne scoring were Tony Cormier with eight, four by Taushaun Colomb, a trey by Don Charles, a bucket by Tyrus Cole and free throw by Desmond Mouton.
“We have some good players and they improved throughout the season,” stated Ceasar of his 4-4A District Champions. “But, that’s why you play the game, to see who will win that day. And today was not our day.”
In the regional round of the playoffs, the Gators were scheduled to meet No. 9-ranked Eleanor McMain in the regional round. They defeated No. 24-ranked Westgate in bi-district play.