Bastrop 62, West Ouachita 55
CADEVILLE — Denterrius McHenry netted 10 of his 21 points in the final quarter as Bastrop subdued West Ouachita 62-55 Friday night.
Bastrop's win combined with Franklin Parish's victory over Neville enabled the Rams (15-8, 4-0) to open up a two-game lead in the District 2-4A standings. Franklin and Neville are tied for second with 2-2 conference marks.
Down 46-42 early in the fourth quarter, the Rams needed a strong finish against West Ouachita (12-15, 0-4). With McHenry taking over in the paint, Bastrop outscored the Chiefs 20-11 in the final frame to pull away.
"West Ouachita played a great game," Bastrop coach Theabury Odom said. "It was their Senior Night, so they had a packed house and a loud crowd. It was a playoff atmosphere. But I have to say this about the Bastrop Rams, we played extremely well and made the plays we had to make down the stretch."
In the first-round matchup, Bastrop bolted out to a 41-16 halftime lead and held on for a 63-51 victory at Sam's Place. There would be nothing easy about Friday's second-round game.
"We have been building a lead and having a letdown," Odom said. "Tonight, we closed the game out with a strong fourth quarter. Defensively, we boxed out and limited them to one shot. Offensively, we started feeding the paint in the fourth quarter, and Denterrius responded."
Bastrop led 15-13 after the first period and took a slim 30-29 advantage into halftime before entering the final quarter trailing 44-42.
West Ouachita reigned in 11 3-pointers — four each by Lee'Montrae Boatner and Cain Burdeaux, and three by Cameron Harris — in a game that was close throughout.
"We played man the whole game," Odom said. "They drove the ball and kicked in out. Everybody did what they were supposed to do defensively. West Ouachita just shot the ball extremely well. They took contested 3s and made them."
McHenry scored 15 of his 21 points in the second half on 7-of-9 free throw shooting. Also reaching double digits were SirQuan Hawkins with 17 — nine in the second half — and Danny Hill with 11. Cortlen Newsome pitched in five, Garrett Guirlando four and Keyshawn Scott and Jordan Rabun two apiece.
Derrick Strong was high point man for the Chiefs with 14, followed by Boatner and Burdeaux with 12, Harris with nine, Shae Henderson with four, and Cole Moore and Reid Guirlando with two.
Bastrop is at home against Vision Academy on Tuesday night before visiting Neville on Friday.