DOYLINE – The Minden Crimson Tide are on a roll.
Minden defeated Red River, 58-51, in the finals of the annual Doyline Tournament to claim the tournament title after a weekend of suffocating defense, attacking offense and poise under pressure.
Four Crimson Tiders scored in double figures in the championship game against Red River.
L’Jarius Sneed led the way with 15 points, while Jordan Becnel, Zi’Kerrion Baker and Sakari Batton all scored 10 for Minden.
“I thought the key for us this weekend was our defense,” Minden head coach Alan Shaw said.
“We played well on defense all weekend, but I thought Saturday night we really clamped Red River down.
Our offense was probably the best it’s been in terms of handling pressure; they pressed the whole ball game.”
In the semi-finals, Minden beat a talented North DeSoto team, 71-62.
The Tide got a superb effort from Davian Moore who finished with 28 points and five made 3-pointers.
“It was a big game because they’re a district opponent of course,” Shaw said. “We shot the ball well, especially Davian Moore, and our free throw shooting and defense was as good as it’s been all year. Hopefully this gives us some good momentum heading into our tournament.”
Girl’s Bracket
After dismantling parish opponents North Webster and Doyline, the Minden Lady Tiders fell to district foe Bossier, 57-53, in the championship game of the girl’s bracket of the Doyline Tournament.
“It was one of the best games I’ve been a part of,” Lady Tider head coach Jacob Brown said.
“Bossier has players who can spread you out and hurt you, but also attack the paint really well.
Before the game even started I thought this would be a game of runs. As a coach you don’t want to see the other team make a run, but good teams do.”
The Lady Tiders led 30-24 at halftime thanks to an 13-2 run that started in the first quarter and ended in the second.
The two teams battled back and forth with Minden holding on to a four-point lead in the final minutes. Bossier stormed back to take the lead as the Lady Tiders turned the ball over three times in the waining moments of the game.
“In close games like this, everything is magnified,” Brown said. “From free-throw shooting to turnovers and taking care of the ball; we have to understand situations.”
The Lady Tiders had several chances to tie or win the game in the final 30 seconds of play, but couldn’t get one to fall. Bossier iced the game at the free-throw line and celebrated the title, but the Lady Tiders go into the Minden Holiday Classic a confident team.
“I’m very proud of my girls and how they competed,” Brown said. “It was one of those games between two good teams that could have gone either way, but there’s a lot to learn and grow from. Down the road this type of game will make our team better.”
Sha’Terra Batton led the Lady Tiders with 19 points and seven rebounds, followed by Bre Rogers with nine points and six rebounds. Marlena Hill and Tiaga Pugh each scored eight points.