Prep Roundup: Midland, Notre Dame record home victories

MIDLAND – The Midland Rebels erupted for 47 points over the middle frames and cruised past Bell City Tuesday, 78-55, in the District 7-B opener for both teams at John Clyde Briley Gym.
The Rebels, who improved to 8-16 overall and 1-0 in league play, had four players score in double figures and seven contribute points overall.
“We have a lot of guys that can score the basketball and the good thing about this group is that they all understand and accept their roles,” said MHS coach Matt Myers. “Our motto is “Do your job” and everyone did that tonight.”
After a tight first quarter that saw the Rebels jump out to a 20-14 advantage, it was Anthony Blunt that gave the hosts a huge spark in the second frame with 14 points.
The Bruins took a 22-21 advantage with five minutes remaining in the half before the Rebels went on a 21-3 run to take a 41-25 lead at the break.
Blunt scored 13 points in just over two minutes at the end of the frame.
“Anthony is one of our best defensive players on the court whenever he’s working and that just goes to show you how versatile he is,” said Myers. “He works hard for us and he really gave us a spark there in the second quarter.”
The Rebels continued their offensive onslaught in the third quarter by draining five 3-pointers.
Zach Baker came in off the bench and knocked down three shots from beyond the arc. Kayden Bourque and Gabe Vincent each added a long ball as well.
When the dust settled, the Rebels’ lead ballooned to 67-43.
“Zach is definitely the character of the team and he can shoot it,” said Myers, who entered in place of Maddox Hanks when Hanks went down for a brief time with an injury. “He came in and hit some big shots for us.”
Guard J’Stan Keller also played a big role in the outburst with eight points. He finished the night with a team-high 19 points.
J’stan was an excellent guard for us tonight,” said Myers. “Just pushing the ball like we asked him to do, we couldn’t ask much more of him. He took the ball to the goal, shot the ball well from the outside, just overall a great game.”
The pace slowed in the final frame with each team sending in their reserves midway through the period.
The Bruins outscored the Rebels 12-11 over the final eight minutes.
Keller was joined in double figures by Blunt with 15 points, Bourque with 14 and Hanks with 10.
Baker followed with nine points, Vincent added seven and Camron LaPoint finished with two. LaPoint also logged a handful of rebounds.
“I have to really give it to Maddox Hanks,” said Myers. “He didn’t force anything and he was a great leader on the court for us.
“And same thing with Camron. I know it doesn’t always show up on the stats, but he’s so consistent for us. He and Maddox have been great senior leaders and they have really stepped up for us”
Pios upend Eagles
CROWLEY – Teddy Menard and Zach Lamm combined for 22 points Tuesday to help lead the Notre Dame Pios to a 44-33 victory over the Vermilion Catholic Eagles at A.B. Dore Gym.
The victory sent the Pios to 8-1 overall heading into Friday’s road contest at Kaplan.
The Eagles got two 3-pointers from Dylan Wiggins in the opening frame and bolted out to a 13-8 lead.
But the Pios rallied in the second quarter with a 16-point outburst to take a 24-17 lead at the break. Grady Faulk scored five points and Menard had four in the frame.
Lamm dropped in a pair of long balls and Parker Faust hit one in the third quarter to help the hosts maintain their lead at 34-27.
The Pios closed out the game by outscoring the Eagles 10-6 in the final frame.
Menard paced the Pios with 12 points, seven rebounds and two steals and Lamm had 11 points, five rebounds, six assists and four steals.
Nick Swacker added 10 points, seven rebounds and five assists and Faulk had six points and four rebounds. Faust rounded out the offense with five points to go along with three rebounds and four assists.
Cougars too much for Gents
LAFAYETTE – The Crowley Gents saw their three-game winning streak halted Tuesday with a 58-22 setback to Class 4A powerhouse St. Thomas More.
The Gents fell to 5-12 overall heading into Friday’s home contest against the Rayne Wolves.
The Cougars (18-4) limited the Gents to just two baskets in the first half en route to a 35-4 lead at the break.
The Gents were outscored 23-18 in the second half.
Zuri Poullard and Floyd Flugence each scored six points for the Gents and James Collins had four. Omar Butler, Trevonta Ben and Chris George each added two points.
Other Action
In other action involving area teams, the Iota Bulldogs fell to Class 5A Lafayette High, 79-38.
There were also two games canceled due to COVID issues: The Crowley Ladies picked up a forfeit victory over Erath and the Northside Chrisitan Warriors received a forfeit from Hackberry.