By GEORGE MAHL – Sports Editor

The boys and girls prep basketball season here in the River Parishes has ended. There were many great games and outstanding performances in the 2003-2004 season. I thought I would discuss my thoughts on how the boys season went this year. Next week, I will talk about the season the girls had.

Undoubtly, the biggest story this year was the LHSAA ruling that Reserve Christian had to forfeit its victories because of the ineligibility of foreign exchange students. That ruling denied RCS Head Coach Timmy Byrd and his players a shot at a third consecutive Class B championship. However, the Eagles probably played the most difficult schedule of any team in Louisiana.

The defeated the number one team in the nation, the played against the number one high school player in America, Dwight Howard, and they played the number one 2A team in Louisiana, twice, University, who are led by the number one player in Louisiana, Glen Davis. That is one heck of a schedule.

I thought West St. John had another great year. The Rams always get started very late with basketball because of football. They usually don’t get warmed up until January. A 23-6 record for Josh Lumar an company is nothing to be embarrassed about. Speaking of West St. John, it looks to be an uphill battle for head coach Antoine Edwards next year. He is losing the majority of his players and will have to rely on upperclassman to step up.

This could open the door for another team in the River Parishes to make a run near the top of that district. The Riverside Academy Rebels, in my opinion, have what it takes to finish near the top of 10-2A next year. Josh Labiche will be a senior and will once again be one of the premiere players in that district.

St. Charles Catholic was perhaps the best team to finish under .500 this year. That might not sound like much, but head coach Jeff Montz and his players were in every district game, for the most part, this year. They just came up a little short on several occasions.

I am still scratching my head somewhat about how East St. John, who had several talented players, could not finish in the top three of 6-5A. Things quickly went south for Ryan Perrilloux and the rest of his teammates early on in district play.

I tip my hat to Lutcher head coach Mike McNamara and the job he did with his team. Who knew before the season started that freshman Trenton Marshall would have a huge impact on his team.

Destrehan had a forgetful year as well. Head coach Joe Schick and the rest of his players struggled in the majority of their district 6-5A contest during the season. Darryl Pounds was about the lone bright spot for the Wildcats this year.

Their River Parish rival, Hahnville, finished with a mediocre record in what turned out to be a competitve district with numerous teams finishing above .500.

In football, the River Parishes finished 1-2-3 in the district, but in basketball it was the bayou teams finishing 1-2-3. What goes around comes around, I guess.

All in all, let us hope the 2004-2005 season will be just as exciting as this one was.