Shunna Richard leads DHS with 18 points

By JOHNNY PEPPO

Sports Editor

HAMMOND–Destrehan’s Lady Wildcat basketball squad ended their run through the post-season at Southeastern Louisiana University Thursday night with a 53-42 loss to Southwood.

The elimination gives DHS a 24-8 record for this season. Southwood is going for their second consecutive state title this year after winning the 5A championship last year. The match-up was a re-match of last years semi-final round between the two teams and DHS found themselves in much the same position.

In the game, Destrehan came out strong early, going blow for blow with the Southwood team on both sides of the floor. Despite going into halftime down by seven, a third quarter run had Destrehan with the momentum and just a one point deficit after a Shunna Richard 3-pointer. But going into the final period, Southwood started to press on defense and the Lady Wildcats began to find the points hard to come by. DHS did manage to cut it to eight in the final thirty seconds of play, but couldn’t come down with rebounds to get possession of the ball.

To open the game, Tawonna Lee got Destrehan’s first basket and Shanna Richard took a steal all the way to take a lead. Following a spurt by Southwood, twin sister Shunna Richard regained it with a lay-up for two of her game high 22 points.

The second quarter found Destrehan with their third lead of the game when Lee sank a jumper, but a rotating defense kept the Lady Wildcats at bay and Southwood sat atop their lead going into halftime.

The Richard sisters looked to be sparking a run when each hit a three-pointer mid-way through the period. Southwood didn’t help themselves with a slew of offensive fouls, but Destrehan couldn’t convert those possessions into points.

Once they found themselves behind by about 11 points late in the final period, DHS began sending the opponents to the foul line to save time. They did look to have a sliver of hope with :34 left to play after Shunna Richard popped another 3-pointer, but a turnover on their next possession allowed Southwood to run the clock. A free throw finished off scoring at 53-42.