By RYAN ARENA
L’Observateur

 LAPLACE — Riverside hung tough at third-seeded Doyle in Monday night’s Class 2A regional round playoff game, but ultimately the 14th seeded Rebels saw their season come to an end, falling 48-45. 

Toni Hebert scored 13 to lead the Rebels. Jakeyra Gautreaux added 10 and Channan Simmons eight. Taylin Underwood, a Southeastern commitment, scored a team-high 15 for Doyle (25-5). 

After Riverside (19-13) took an early lead, Doyle rallied to take a 15-7 lead after the first quarter. 

The Rebels kept Doyle within striking distance, but could never again get over the hump. 

“We were leading, then they hit some shots and kind of distanced themselves,” said Riverside coach Kathy Luke. “We got into a little foul trouble early and we gave them too many second chance points, at least in the first half.” 

Center Jaimaya Bolden and forward Monet Moses each had two fouls in the first quarter, leaving the Rebels thin on the front line for much of the first half. 

The Rebels had a chance to turn the tide when Underwood earned her fourth foul in the third quarter, but Doyle was able to hold Riverside at bay. 

“They left her in and I actually thought we’d drawn her fifth, and I think (Doyle) did as well, since they took her out right after,” said Luke. 

“But when she sat, we didn’t take control of the game.” 

Both teams struggled at the foul line. Doyle shot 20 for 35 at the stripe, while Riverside hit 10 of 18. 

“I thought we played well defensively. We missed some block outs … those and missing those free throws, you look back at a close game and it hurts.” 

Luke said regardless of the loss, she could find no fault with the effort shown by her players, who she felt “left it all on the floor.” 

“They gave everything they had,” said Luke. “They hurt after the loss. I think they learned a lot about basketball this year and about themselves.’ “

I’ve never been big on moral victories or anything like that. But we’re trying to set down some building blocks for a program that can reach the Top 28 and compete for championships. I know we’ll build on this.”