Lighthouse Christian dominates John Paul

ABBEVILLE - The Lighthouse Christian Preparatory School Soaring Eagles dominated the John Paul the Great Crusaders 75-33 at the Abbeville High School gym Monday night.

The Eagles are perhaps the best unknown basketball team in Vermilion Parish.

They’ve competed in the ACEL since 2006, but do not have enough students in grades 9-12 to meet the LHSAA admission standards.

Since they are not LHSAA, they are not invited to compete in the parish tournament and mostly play only other ACEL schools.

Last season LCPS lost in the ACEL state championship game.

Three seniors graduated off that team, but the Eagles have simply reloaded.

They are led by junior point guard Dre’vian Evans, who will accept nothing less than a state championship this year.

“After losing in the state title game last year, we are on a mission,” said Evans. “We have to win it this year. It would be the first time in school history, and I believe we have the team to do it.”

The Eagles improved to 6-0 on the season with the lopsided victory over JPG.

Evans and his brother, Ja’Myri Evans led a balanced scoring attack with 14 points each.

Lighthouse had 11 players log points in the game.

Leading only 10-6 with 3:00 to play in the opening quarter, Lighthouse closed on an 11-4 run to claim a 21-10 lead after one.

Over the first 5:16 on the second quarter, the Eagles outscored JPG 16-0, taking a 37-10 lead.

The Crusaders only managed six points in the quarter as the Eagles claimed a 46-16 halftime lead.

After the break, Lighthouse called off the dogs, starting their second unit.

JPG outscored the Eagles 13-11 in the third period, but still trailed 57-29.

“Once we get ahead, we only allow so many fast breaks per quarter,” said LCPS head coach Morgan Spraggins. “We focus on running our offense through to the fourth or fifth option. We want to work on our continuity. It’s
important because in a close game, we must follow the rules until the defense gives us something.”

“Our motto is to take what the defense gives us,” he continued. “Like water, we want to take the path of least resistance. In a competitive game, we must be able to run the entire offense effectively to find that path.”

In the fourth period, the Eagles returned to dominance, outscoring JPG 18-4 to provide the final score.

“We made our free throws and shot the ball much better tonight,” said LCPS assistant coach Aiden Broussard. “We showed big improvement over last game. We also showed good sportsmanship. The playoffs begin in a
few weeks. We are definitely looking to take home a trophy.”

After the Evans duo, Trevail Bolden led with 12 points.

Zebulon Green pitched in eight points, while Tirone Montgomery and Aaron Ballard added seven apiece.

Erron Jenkins scored five, while Javen Bolden and Trevonn Johnson added three each. Jovi Au had two points to complete the Eagles scoring.

In order to return to the championship game and come away victorious this year, Spraggins believes mental toughness is the key.

“We have to play with our heads on straight,” he explained. “We have to be able to play focused basketball to be successful in the playoffs.”

Rosco Harrington
Sports Correspondent