By LAMAR GAFFORD
Same opponent, same outcome.
Just 364 days from clinching its first trip to the LHSAA girls state tournament, Menard won its rematch against No. 11 seed Glen Oaks, 64-58, to return to Hammond.
“We’re excited to go back and to have this opportunity again,” Lady Eagles coach Jessica Sanders said. “It doesn’t feel old, I can tell you that. Winning feels good.”
The Lady Eagles were able to ward off a pesky Lady Panther squad that upset No. 6 seed St. Mary’s of New Orleans and had been battle-tested all season with key free throws from its backcourt of Abigail Atherton, Ellie Juneau and Jamie Sue Bordelon.
Atherton led Menard with 17 points, while sophomore Carly Meynard had a double-double of 16 points and 12 rebounds before fouling out late in the third quarter – causing Lauren Smith to shoulder all the post duties for the rest of the game.
Smith responded well with a double-double of her own with 16 points and 13 rebounds.
“I’ve never been without Carly before, so I got really nervous,” Smith said. “But I knew in my head that as a senior, I just had to step up and that’s what I did.”
Menard (22-11) was tied at 18-18 after one quarter of play, but quickly went on a 13-1 run to start the second and held at 36-28 advantage at the half.
However, with Meynard in foul trouble, Glen Oaks started chipping away at the lead – eventually cutting the deficit down to 54-54 with 3:52 to play.
But Meynard’s hole opened opportunities for Juneau and Bordelon, who had 10 and five, respectively.
Bordelon also recorded a pair of steals as the Lady Panthers never seized the lead.
“I was thinking that this was the most points I’ve ever scored and that I have to make these,” Bordelon said of making a late free throw to put the game out of reach.
Glen Oaks (16-21) was led by junior Taylor Jordan, who had 27 points.
The Lady Eagles will face defending Division III select champion Parkview Baptist in the semifinals.
NORTHWOOD 61, HIGHLAND BAPTIST 27: The Lady Gators are once again heading to Hammond for the fourth straight year after defeating Highland Baptist in the Division IV select quarters. Led by senior point guard Rhianna Battles play on both ends of the court, Northwood is now looking to be the first Rapides Parish girls basketball team to win three straight titles.
OAK HILL 80, ST. JOSEPH’S-PLAUCHVILLE 14: The two-week layoff did not seem to affect Oak Hill in the least bit as it breezed its way back to the state tournament. Even without senior forward Alexis Dyer, Oak Hill jumped out to a 34-0 lead in the first quarter and led 48-4 at halftime. Oak Hill junior Jodie Jowers had a flawless performance with 21 points, six assists and going 10-for-12 from the field.
PLAINVIEW 53, CLAIBORNE CHRISTIAN 49: Death, taxes and Lady Hornets girls basketball going to the state tournament. For the 14th time in the last 15 seasons, Plainview clinched a spot to state after going on the road and upsetting one-loss Claiborne Christian. Lady Crusader star Allie Wainwright scored 27 points but fouled out in the fourth quarter to allow Plainview to take advantage. The Lady Hornets face in-parish rival Oak Hill in the Division V select semifinals.