Abbeville boys beat Lafayette Christian

LAFAYETTE – Experience is a great teacher.
Veteran Abbeville High basketball coach Berwick Hamilton has taught and coached long enough to know that.
And, after losing seven seniors including all five starters off of last year’s Class 3A state playoff squad, Hamilton knew it could be a while before the 2015-16 Wildcats looked cohesive and effective – especially against 4A foes.
At this stage, each positive or negative step can have profound effects on the team. But there’s no better time than the present to gauge progress.
While the Wildcats were defeated 93-50 by host Lafayette Christian in last week’s LCA Showcase, they bounced back with a 60-46 decision over Hamilton Christian on Thursday in an important test of resilience.
“We needed to do a better job of taking care of the basketball,” said Hamilton, whose team was plagued by turnovers against LCA. “And we needed to score a few more points.
“I like playing in tournaments like this against good competition. I like for us to see some variety against good teams, to get that experience. We have four seniors on this year’s team, and none of them started before.
“We want to straighten out some things before district play begins.”
The Wildcats won the Vermilion Parish title earlier this season, stubbed their toes against LCA then beat Hamilton to take a 5-3 record into a Saturday game against Lake Charles College Prep.
“Winning Parish did a lot for us,” Hamilton said. “After winning it, we felt good about ourselves.”
Abbeville may have found its groove against HC, although it took a while to rev the engines. Hamilton Christian held a 17-13 lead with 2:13 to play until halftime, but Javontae Decuir (5 points) and Nadaedrion Mouton (4) fueled a furious rally that closed out the first half – an 11-0 run that turned the game around.
“The way the game was going, it was nip and tuck,” Hamilton said. “But then we got a couple of steals and got some confidence here – especially after that last game we played.”
The Wildcats continued on the attack after halftime, earning their first doubke-digit lead at 35-24 on Jahidi White’s crossing layup midway through the third quarter. But Kenan Fontenot rallied HC, getting hoop-and-harm parlay at the 29-second mark to draw Hamilton within 40-34.
Once again the Wildcats responded as White’s scoop ended the period at 42-34 and AHS tallied the first four baskets of the final period to finish a 10-0 rally and gain control at 50-34.
That, for all intents and purposes, was it.
White led the AHS effort with 14 points, backed by 12 from Nadashdryon Mouton and 11 from Javontier Decuir.
Fontenot shined brightly with a game-best 19 points and hustle best illustrated with a catch-up blocked shot that twarted an AHS breakaway long after the victory was assured,
Berwick Hamilton has seen this process before, so it would surprise no one if his Wildcats emerge sharper with experience as their ally.