By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

METAIRIE — Riverside entered this week’s Country Day Classic as the tournament’s top seed, and took little time in proving itself worthy.

The Rebels dominated an 11-2 East Jefferson team, 77-47, to advance to the tourney semifinals. RA was scheduled to face Salmen on Tuesday night, after press time.

Cedric Jenkins hit six of the Rebels 12 3-point baskets and led all scorers with 27 points.

“Cedric was kind of unconscious,” said Riverside coach Timmy Byrd. “He shot a really good percentage. He’s been very consistent for us all season.”

Ed Gallina added 13 and Ricardo Gathers scored 10 for Riverside.

The Rebels (12-2) led 18-12 after a quarter, but its defense applied a vice grip upon the Warriors in the second quarter, allowing only five points and propelling Riverside to a 35-17 halftime lead.

“The one thing we’re doing really well right now is playing defense,” said Byrd. “I think it’s gone to another level with the success we’ve had recently against strong competition.”

Things truly got out of hand in the third, when RA outscored EJHS 27-13 to push the lead to 32.

Byrd said that while the defense was top notch, he doesn’t think the offense has quite reached its potential yet.

“The kinda scary thing is that I didn’t feel we had a great night offensively. We had some turnovers, and East Jefferson didn’t let us get our transition game going. We haven’t found our offensive rhythm just yet.”