By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

RESERVE – Arguably the deadliest inside-outside combination in the state, Riverside teammates Ricardo Gathers and Cedric Jenkins led the Rebels to the first state basketball championship in school history. Now, the postseason honors are rolling in.

Each was named to the Louisiana Sports Writers Association Class 2A All-State team this week, and Gathers, a 6-foot-7 sophomore center, was named the classification’s Outstanding Player.

Gathers averaged 19.9 points, 15 rebounds, three blocks and two steals a game this past season, dominating the interior on both ends of the floor.

“I honestly didn’t think I’d be the pick,” said Gathers of the award. “But I just thank God first and foremost, and of course my teammates. It’s a great accomplishment.”

Riverside rolled to a 34-6 record and dominated throughout the Class 2A postseason — its closest victory margin was 20 points.

“We looked at this season as if we were on a mission to prove that we were the best,” said Gathers. “Everyone was on board, we battled to the top and finished it off.”

Riverside coach Timmy Byrd said his big man’s passion for the game routinely rubbed off on teammates.

“He plays with such great emotion, it becomes contagious,” said Byrd.

“He’s a dominant inside presence all year. Then at the end of the season, he showed that he could step out on the perimeter and make things happen, and that really makes him a nightmare for the opposition.”

Jenkins, meanwhile, finds himself in truly rarified air, as this All-State berth is his fourth.

“It’s elite company,” said Byrd. “(Former Reserve Christian guard) Tweety Carter is the only other one I’ve known to do that. It’s just an incredible accomplishment for Cedric.”

A 6-foot-2 senior guard, Jenkins averaged 19 points, eight rebounds, six assists and a block per game.

Best known for a sweet perimeter shot, he made numerous back-breaking 3-pointers in the 2009-10 season.

“Really, both Rico and Cedric were deserving of being the player of the year,” said Byrd. “Both guys were critical components. It’s just really nice to have two guys that can put up big numbers on any given night.”

Rebel sophomore Louis Dabney was selected All-State honorable mention.

West St. John senior Kyla Morris was selected honorable mention on the Class 1A squad after leading her team to the first district championship and playoff victory in school history.