By GEORGE MAHL Sports Editor

(Note: This is a five part series on how well prep sports in St. John Parish did in 2003. First up will be Riverside Academy)

RESERVE – For the most part, sports in 2003 at Riverside Academy fared well. This past February, girls basketball star Crystal Rome scored her 3,000 point of her career against Fisher. She led the Lady Rebels to a second place finish in district behind Newman, which has moved up to a 3A classification.

Unfortunatly for Rome, her career ended with a difficult bi-district playoff loss against Ascension Catholic at the end of the month. She did manage to sign a college scholarship with a school in Texas. Rome’s last year would also be Girls Head Basketball Coach Jenny Zeringue’s only year at her alma-matter.

Over on the boys side, Tommy Monier, Riverside Head Basketball Coach, made the most out of the young team he put on the floor this year. Led by sophomore Josh Labiche, the Rebels finished with a fourth place finish and nearly made the playoffs. Labiche scored a season high 38 points in an overtime victory against Buras.

Two of the more lopsided losses for the Rebels were against West St. John, who ended up winning the 10-2A district title.

The Rebels finished with a 5-7 district record (11-18 overall) during the 2002-2003 season.

In terms of baseball and softball, both teams played well and saw post season action.

In baseball, Jordan Remondet, Scott Poirrier and others led the Rebels to an undefeated district record and a birth in the post season. After posting impressive victories over Westminster and Episcopal in the playoffs, the Rebels fell to Vidalia 3-2 in the quarterfinals. After the playoffs, head coach Davey Clement resigned and is now an assistant at Lutcher. On the other hand, new coach Steve Stropolo will lead the Rebels onto the field in 2004.

The Lady Rebels softball team played well and even made it to the state tournament in Sulphur.

Toni Abadie, Bridget Delauneville, Megan Warner and others won the 10-2A district title. Warner, a senior this year, was one of the top pitchers in the River Parishes during the 2003 season and had at times an ERA of under 2.00. The Lady Rebels knocked off Livonia and Episcopal of Baton Rouge before bowing out of the state playoffs against Vidalia in Sulphur. Warner pitched fantastic, but Vidalia’s pitching was just a little better to get the 1-0 victory. In addition, Vidalia went on to win the state title.

For the first time in several years, the Riverside football team missed out on the playoffs. With a difficult schedule and several young players, Riverside Head Football Coach Mickey Roussel experienced several road bumps during the 2003 season.

However, their record was not because of a lack of effort. Outside of a 42-0 blowout loss against Destrehan in week one and a week 10 thumping against West St. John, the 2003 2A state champion, the Rebels played in competitive games that were not decided until late in the game.

Finally, in volleyball the Lady Rebels, while playing all of their games away, made their first appearence to the Pontchartrain Center, but got beat by St. Martin’s in the quarterfinals.

Individual achievements for Riverside were from Allison Zeringue and Jesse LeBlanc. Zeringue won the state championship in the high jump competition and Leblanc excelled in track and field.

For the first time in several years, the Riverside football team missed out on the playoffs. With a difficult schedule and several young players, Riverside Head Football Coach Mickey Roussel experienced several road bumps during the 2003 season.

However, their record was not because of a lack of effort. Outside of a 42-0 blowout loss against Destrehan in week one and a week 10 thumping against West St. John, the 2003 2A state champion, the Rebels played in competitive games that were not decided until late in the game.

Finally, in volleyball the Lady Rebels, while playing all of their games away, made their first appearence to the Pontchartrain Center, but got beat by St. Martin’s in the quarterfinals.

Individual achievements for Riverside were from Allison Zeringue and Jesse LeBlanc. Zeringue won the state championship in the high jump competition and Leblanc excelled in track and field.