By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

RESERVE – It became apparent early on during Riverside’s Class 2A regional playoff clash with Port Barre that it would be the Rebels’ style of game, and that the final score would likely reflect it.

That was certainly the case as the top-seeded Rebels put on an alley-ooping, 3-point shooting display to fell the No. 16 seeded Red Devils, 103-68, at Riverside Tuesday night.

The Rebels (32-6) advance to the quarterfinals for the first time in school history and are one win away from qualifying for its first Top 28 Tournament appearance. Riverside was scheduled to travel to face No. 8 Springfield yesterday after press time.

Riverside made nine 3-pointers in the game. Entering the regional round, it has been averaging 15 made 3’s a game over the last three weeks.

“I don’t think anyone can score with us if we’re going to be at 100 points,” said Riverside’s Cedric Jenkins, who led all scorers with 27 points. “If we keep shooting like this, I don’t think anyone can beat us.”

Riverside’s diverse offensive attack was showcased in all facets, hitting triple-digits on the scoreboard for the second straight playoff game.

“They’ve really got it all going right now,” said Riverside coach Timmy Byrd. “This team’s got a little bit of everything. The inside game, the mid-range game, they can shoot it deep, and they’re athletic.

“The biggest thing has been getting to the point where everyone shares the ball. When they’re looking to make that extra pass, we’re very hard to beat.”

Led by Chaz Pickney and Xavier Austin, Port Barre (23-5) was able to trade baskets with the Rebels early on. But after a Pickney bucket cut an eight-point Rebel lead to 16-10, Riverside took off.

Ed Gallina scored, then Ricardo Gathers slammed home an alley-oop. Jenkins made consecutive layups. Franklin Francois, Louis Dabney and Donald Thomas each made shots to cap off a 14-0 Riverside run that made it 30-10.

The Rebels capitalized on a big edge on the offensive glass, creating tons of second chance scoring opportunities.

“Coach always talks about following your shot and crashing the boards. Everyone is doing that for us,” said Gallina, who scored 21, a handful of those coming via second chance points. “Everyone’s doing the little things it takes to win.”

Gallina’s night was a breakout performance of sorts, as the senior has been bothered by a pair of sprained wrists this season that negated his considerable shooting ability.

“I wasn’t really on early in the game, but Ed was, and it took the pressure off,” said Jenkins. “We just got him the ball.”

Said Gallina: “When my threes are falling, I feel like my whole game comes together.”

Jenkins made a 3 to make it 49-24 in the second quarter. Then it was Gathers’ time to shine. He whipped the crowd into a frenzy with a two-handed slam that made it 53-27. He also drew a technical foul for hanging on the rim. But he’d make up for it with a more spectacular alley-oop dunk that he slammed down even harder to make it 57-32.

Riverside would lead by as many as 46 in the second half.

Pickney led Port Barre with 21 points.

Gathers and Thomas each scored 14 for Riverside. Dabney added 12.

His team coming off of a pair of blowout playoff wins, Byrd offered something of an understatement to sum things up.

“We’re playing really well at the right time of year,” he said.