Riverside Academy Holiday Classic championship game scheduled for this Thursday afternoon

By JOHNNY PEPPO

Sports Editor

RESERVE– The Rebels Riverside Academy Holiday Classic kicked off this week with a handful of boys team action including St. Charles and West St. John among some other metro-area high schools.

The tournament has a Rebels squad playing host, who have had a tough time on the court so far this season, dropping nine of their first 11 games. Led by sophomores Jarid Caesar and Timmy Teague, as well as junior David Serven, Riverside’s boys hope to change their luck as they get home-court advantage. Last week, they nearly completed a last second victory in dramatic fashion against Ecole Classique, but fell just short after some missed free throws in the final seconds of regulation.

West St. John is coming into the tournament following a win over the Bulldogs, and is trying to improve on their record after falling to Reserve Christian, St. James and Thibodaux earlier this season.

St. Charles is also in the process of trying to right itself after a slow start with some convincing wins over Lutcher and West Jefferson. But they took a step back last week with a disappointing loss to East St. John. The Comets will likely rely on statistical leader Andrew Coleman to come up big for the tourney.

Also competing in the Riverside tourney, is Ridgewood Prepatory from Jefferson City near Metairie. The Golden Eagles’ school is still trying to get on their feet after some damage to the campus during the hurricane, and have gotten somewhat of a late start to the season, having only played a handful of games thus far into their schedule.

The tournament is scheduled to run through Thursday, and culminate in the championship game in the afternoon. Riverside’s boys squad will take a break following the conclusion, and is scheduled to return to action after the New Year when they host St. Martin’s Episcopal from Metairie.