Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Central Louisiana Area Report: Jay Beavers scores 37, 26 as Minden Wins twice at City of Lights

Written by Gregg Parks

Tuesday, 24 November 2009

NATCHITOCHES — The Minden High basketball team took part in first-round action of the City of Lights Tournament in Natchitoches on Monday.
The Tide beat Captain Shreve, 64-47 in their first game, and then came back later to beat Northwood, 81-60.

“I thought we played well,” Tide head coach Alan Shaw said. “The Captain Shreve game was close for three quarters. They are a very aggressive defensive team and they really like to push the ball up and down the floor defensively.”

The Tide allowed the Gators too much freedom in the first half, but turned up the defense in the second half.

“I thought we let them push the ball too easy in the first half,” Shaw said. “But we came back in the third quarter and put a little more pressure on their guards in the backcourt to slow them down.”

Jay Beavers exploded for 37 points to lead the Tide and A.J. Shine added 12. T.J. Stanley scored eight points and D.J. Wallace scored five. DeMonde Harvey added two.

“Jay played well,” Shaw said. “We were able to get him the ball down low. Our guards and A.J. did a real good job getting him the ball and he made some good plays to drive it to the whole. I thought we played really well.”

Despite being fatigued, the Tide beat Northwood in their second game.

“I think we struggled a little in this game,” Shaw said. “Northwood plays a little slower pace, and they try to pound the ball inside. We played flat and I think that was because we were exhausted. It was our fourth game in three games, including a emotional game with Lakeside on Saturday.”

Beavers led Minden with 26 points and Harvey had a big game with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Shine dropped in 14 points and D.J. Wallace scored eight points. Stanley added five, Jarome Walton two and Rodarrion Rogers had one.

“Our bench played extremely well for us,” Shaw said. “DeMonde Harvey came off the bench and played a tremendous ball game. He really gave us a spark when we need it.”

The Tide will play Natchitoches-Central toady at 6 p.m. in the semi-finals. If they win, they will lay in the Finals Wednesday at 7 p.m. If they lose, they will play in the third place game Wednesday at 4:30 p.m.

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