Eagles outlast Panthers

For the second time in as many games the Vermilion Catholic Eagles basketball game has come down to the last second.

Just like the game against Highland Baptist on Tuesday night, the VC Eagles were able to win in the waning seconds of the game, by the final score of 49-46, over the Delcambre Panthers.

“All I can say is I’m really, really proud of the kids,” Eagles Head Coach Roch Charpentier said. “We haven’t had a great season and they continue to not give up. They continue to play hard, no matter how much we are down. They just kept
battling, and I’m very proud of that.”

The first half of the game saw both of these teams deadlocked at 23 points apiece.

It was the third quarter that really turned the game around.

The Panthers were able to score 14 points in the third quarter, thanks to Brayton Trahan and Alex Barras, who combined to score 10 points in the third quarter.

Along with the offense stepping up for the Panthers, the defense stepped up as well.

The defense for the Panthers was able to hold the Eagles to only three points in the quarter.

When the fourth quarter started, the Panthers held a 37-26 lead over the Eagles.

The Eagles would find their rhythm and step their game up in the fourth quarter.

The beginning of the final quarter saw the Eagles try to play a little tough defense and it started leading to a few Panthers turnovers.

Despite how well the defense had tightened up, the offense was still not able to close the gap.

The Panthers still held a six point advantage with two minutes left, when the Eagles missed four straight free throws.

After the fourth rebound was missed, the Eagles got the rebound and Chris Campbell was able to make a lay up to close the gap to with in four for the Eagles.

On the ensuing possession by the Panthers, the Eagles were able to force a turnover and Campbell hit a three pointer to close the gap to only a single point with only a minute left of the clock.

The Panthers then proceeded to take a little time off of the clock, but a missed shot gave the ball back to the Eagles.

When VC got the ball back they raced down the court and Brennan Gallet was able to hit a three pointer to give the Eagles their first lead of the game at 45-43, with only 30 seconds left in the game.

After a couple of free throws by the Eagles the score was 47-43, when Brayton Trahan hit three pointer for the Panthers to close the gap to 47-46, with only one second left on the clock.

The Panthers would steal the in-bounding pass and call a time out with only .5 seconds left on the clock.

Unfortunately for the Panthers they had no time-outs left resulting in a technical foul.

Gallet would make both free throws to close the game out at the 49-46.

“When you make turnovers, and they make a run, you can’t win that way,” Panthers Head Coach Johnny Trangmar said. “We tried to slow it down in the fourth quarter and we just made too many mistakes. That’s it.”

Scoring for the Delcambre Panthers was: Brayton Trahan 10, Chris Borel 9, Chevaun Walters 7, Alex Barras 7, Zachary Trahan 5, Reese LeBlanc 5, Seth Esponge 3.

Scoring for the VC Eagles: Chris Campbell 17, Drake Broussard 13, Brennan Gallet 10, Shay LaPorte 4, Ethan Menard 2, Connor Menard 2.

Andy Bullard
Sports Editor