By CALEB FREY

Sportswriter

LAFAYETTE — It’s not like it was unexpected.

The Eagles have dominated the basketball landscape in our state for years. As winners of four state titles in the last five years, Reserve Christian is something of a dynasty.

Even as a small school, the Eagles tore up the state competition, and even showed up some national squads in tournaments all over the U.S. this season. So last Saturday in the CajunDome, against a decent but definitely over-matched Marion team, RCS put an exclamation point on their season with a 96-56 win to finish up with a 48-8 record.

Reserve Christian star Demond &#8220Tweety” Carter scored a game-high 38 points in his last outing as a high school player. Kevin &#8220Beau” Branch looked much like an heir apparent as he has for much of the season, posting 24 points of his own and sparking his team with four steals, six rebounds and a handful of soaring dunks.

The championship game was well in hand for the Eagles most of the way throughout as they carried a 30 point lead for much of the game. That started in the very first quarter, one in which RCS outscored their opponents 35-4 thanks in large part to a pressing defense that the Eagles applied right from the opening whistle. Marion did not give up even down big in the fourth quarter as they scrapped for every rebound and desperately tried to subdue the RCS offense but it was a still a losing effort against the two-time defending state champs.

&#8220It’s a good culmination of the season,” said Head Coach Tim Byrd. &#8220I’m really proud of the way we finished it off. Just to have a apecial player like Tweety and the special seniors – it’s just been incredible. We’ve had a great season, maybe our best ever.”

Byrd is confident the future of Eagles basketball is well in hand.

&#8220I’m not at all concerned about where we’re at,” Byrd said. &#8220Tweety has taken us to the top and now we just have to maintain it. We’re gonna be fine.”

Along with Tweety, RCS is set to graduate five other seniors, including Porter, Tino Brozos, Daniel Johnson, Jared Johnson and Oscar Joseph. Returning starters will include Branch along with soon to be juniors Eddren McCain and Ronnie Ray. Also getting playing time this year as an eighth grader, Franklin Francois looks to add some youth and potential to the perenial champions.