By GEORGE MAHL

RESERVE – After a slow start, the Reserve Christian School Eagles stepped it up in the second quarter and cruised to an impressive 106-89 victory over Mount Hermon High School.

Five Eagles scored in double figures in the recent victory. RCS freshman sensation Demond “Tweety” Carter led the way with 34 points (35-8).

“I thought we could have played better defensively,” said RCS head coach Timmy Byrd. “I thought in the third quarter we gave our best effort.”

It was a typical up-anddown game between the two schools. With RCS leading 7-6 with 6:26 remaining in the first quarter, Mount Hermon power forward James Causey hit a three-pointer giving the Yellowjackets a 9-7 lead. Causey finished with a game-high 38 points.

The MHHS standout was all over the floor during the game. If he was not laying the ball in, he was hitting from the outside. Byrd had nothing but praise for his performance.

“We had him (Causey) on our AAU team last summer. I knew he could play even before the season. He is a very athletic player who has good ball movement,” Byrd said.

The first quarter featured a closely contested game with both teams exchanging baskets on several occasions. RCS senior Chris McClain hit a basket from the top of the key giving the Eagles a 13-9 lead with 4:31 left to play in the first.

However, Jacob Gros, on the Yellowjackets’ next possession, banked a shot off the glass, making it 13-11 RCS.

The second period saw the Eagles begin to expand their lead. After Causey sank two free throws to make the score 39-29 RCS, Carter pushed the ball up court and was fouled while attempting a layup. His two foul shots made the score 41-29 RCS.

The Eagles held a 52-43 lead at halftime.

Leading 68-50, Reserve Christian went on a 7-0 run making the score 75-50. The spurt was capped off By Carter’s three-point basket from the corner.

Eagles guard Frankie Francois hit a jumper with nine seconds left in the third to give RCS complete control heading into the final period.

Chris McClain’s three-pointer with 2:33 left in the game put the Eagles at the 100-point mark. McClain finished with 17 points.

One major contributor in the RCS victory was center Matt Jackson. The 6-foot-6 senior altered several Yellowjackets’ shots and he was a force on the boards throughout the contest.

“I thought Matt played hard tonight. He really looked quick on his feet out there,” Byrd said.

Jackson finished with 16 points. In addition to Causey, MHHS guard Drew Milton scored 21 points and Gros added 18 points.

The Eagles return to action Tuesday at St. James. The next game at “The Nest” is scheduled for Feb. 14 against West St. John.