MICHAEL KIRAL

PHOTO: RIVERSIDE’S CRAIG TEARNEY, putting up a shot against West St. John, scored his 1,000 career point during the 2000-01 season. (File Photo) RESERVE – Riverside’s Craig Tearney has been a part of a number of historical games for the Rebels during the last four years. Against Buras Jan. 3, the senior made some history himself. With his first basket against the Wildcats in the District 9-2A opener, Tearney reached the 1,000-point mark in his career, becoming the third Rebel boys’ basketball player to reach that mark. He recently completed his career with 1,121 points. Tearney didn’t realize he had reached that milestone until he read a story about St. Bernard’s Drionne Major getting his 1,000 point. Tearney figured he had to be getting close so he had his dad and Riverside head coach John White look into it. Sure enough, they found out he had done it against Buras. Tearney started playing basketball at age 11 after following another athlete who has reached a number of milestones. He has started at point guard since his freshman year at Riverside. “He’s the quarterback on the basketball team,” White said. “He runs our offense and sets the tempo of the offense. He’s the most important person on the court and has run the offense for four years.” It was during his sophomore year that Tearney was first a part of history. The Rebels finished in a tie for third place in District 9-2A with cross-parish rival St. Charles Catholic, setting up a playoff game at Reserve Christian. The Rebels defeated the Comets, 82-75, snapping a nine-game losing streak to St. Charles Catholic and sending them to the Louisiana High School Athletic Association playoffs for the first time. “They were our big district rivals,” Tearney, who scored 16 points in the game said. The whole day was just that game. It was a great feeling.” Tearney went on to score 13 points in the Rebels’ bi-district playoff loss to Patterson. He finished the season averaging 10 points per game. Tearney enjoyed a solid junior year, earning first team all-District 9-2A and all-River Parishes honors after averaging 16 points per game, including a career-high 32-point performance against Ridgewood. He was also named the team’s MVP. But he said the season was kind of a disappointment because the Rebels failed to return to the playoffs. Riverside started the 2000-01 season on a roll before hitting a slump before district opened. A 76-30 victory over Buras in the district opener improved the Rebels to 9-7. Tearney finished that milestone day with 19 points. The Rebels were 11-8 and 2-1 in district play when defending Class 2A state champion West St. John came to town nine days later. Playing in front of a packed house on “Pack the Gym Night,” the Rebels came away with a 58-57 victory, their first over West St. John in regular season play. That win helped propel Riverside to a 16-14 record, a third-place district finish and a berth in the playoffs. The Rebels again made history as the postseason began, defeating North Vermilion, 43-37, for the team’s first ever playoff win in the LHSAA. “All I thought about was playing in Lafayette,” Tearney, who scored 10 points in the game, said. “Seeing the look on Coach White’s face and everybody jumping around. We had a lot of fans follow us up there. I was nervous watching the time tick down, waiting for them to come back. I didn’t want that to happen.” Riverside’s magical run continued through the first two quarters of its regional game at home against Christian Life as the Rebels took a 25-24 lead at halftime. But the Crusaders came back with a 15-2 run on their way to a 78-56 victory. Tearney finished the his senior season averaging in again earning all-District 9-2A and all-River Parishes honors. “This was my best all-around season,” Tearney said. “I worked on my defense a lot better in everything – rebounds, assists and steals.” White said Tearney could have put up even better numbers if he had to chose to shoot more. “He is very unselfish,” White said. “He was always looking for the better shot for somebody else. He is a great person and I enjoyed coaching him for four years.” Tearney is looking to continue his career at the next level. This past weekend, he attended a tryout camp at Milsaps College in Jackson, Miss., for unsigned seniors. He is also planning to play this summer. “I really want to,” Tearney said of playing in college. I know I could play. It’s been my dream since I was little. I think I could play somewhere. I know that would be great.”