LSU Clinches First Place, 40-31

Three months hard work has paid off for LSU.  It all started after Thanksgiving with practice, then after New Years with our first game.  All ten boys showed up for practices and games and gave it their all.  Tonight they were rewarded.

LSU clinched first place in the Boys 5th-6th grade division with a convincing 40-31 victory over cross-town rival Notre Dame.

The first half was a see-saw battle between the rivals.  Notre Dame focused their energy on LSU point guard Will Howes, who drove the ball to the basket time and time again.  He forced Ethan Vieja into foul trouble in the first half, and more importantly sunk six free throws in the first half.  Using a withering back-court press over the last two minutes of the half, LSU surged to a 20-18 halftime lead.

Then the LSU defense clamped down, holding Notre Dame to 13 points in the second half, only two of which came from star Notre Dame center Andrew Martin.  On offense, Walter Rivas dominated the third quarter with six points and Ryan Lane dominated with six of his own in the final stanza.

Six LSU players scored, with three in double figures.  Walter Rivas and Will Howes scored 11 apiece.  Ryan Lane dropped in ten for his second double-digit game.  Miles Kenny (4), Noah Kleitsch (2) and Nick Liccardi (2) rounded out the scoring.

With a record of nine wins and two losses, LSU has mathematically eliminated all other teams.  Congratulations, men.  Great work!