Prep Roundup: Bulldogs knock off Erath in North Vermilion tourney

LEROY – The Iota Bulldogs surged out to an early lead and had to fend off a late charge by the Erath Bobcats for a 46-41 victory last Thursday in the North Vermilion tournament.
The victory was the second straight for the Bulldogs and it sent them to 9-6 heading into tonight’s home contest against the Crowley Gents at 7 o’clock.
The Bulldogs scored 31 points over the middle frames to erase an early deficit and take a 37-26 lead entering the final stanza.
The Bobcats rallied to start the fourth quarter by going on a 9-3 run early in the frame to trim the lead to five (40-35) with just over four minutes remaining.
Iota’s Kolton Morgan hit a shot in the lane to push the lead back to seven (42-35) but the Bobcats scored six unanswered after that to get within one with just under a minute remaining at 42-41.
Iota’s Conner Daigle hit a driving layup to give the Bulldogs a little breathing room down the stretch and then Andrew Thibodeaux picked up a steal and closed out the game with a dunk just before the buzzer.
Chase Lalonde hit four shots from beyond the arc and led the Bulldogs with 14 points. Morgan also hit double figures with 10 points and Thibodeaux finished with two dunks and eight points.
In addition to the leaders, Daigle, Luke Duhon and Payton DarDar each scored four points and Cole Breaux had two.
Rebels rally past Grand Lake
MIDLAND – The Midland Rebels rallied from a six-point deficit and scored 23 points in the fourth quarter to slip past Grand Lake, 65-60, last Thursday in their final game of 2021.
The Rebels improved to 7-15 with the victory heading into Friday’s home showdown against Fairview.
The Hornets, who are ranked No. 7 in Class 1A, fell to 7-2 overall and the loss snapped a four-game winning streak.
The Hornets took a 32-24 lead at the break, but Midland trimmed the lead to six (48-42) entering the final frame.
J’Stan Keller and Anthony Blunt combined for 10 points in the fourth quarter to spark the hosts. Maddox Hanks and Camron LaPoint each added four points over the final eight minutes and the Rebels outscored the Hornets 23-12 to complete the rally.
The Rebels connected on seven shots from beyond the arc on the night and they went 5-for-7 from the free throw line in the final period.
Kayden Bourque paced the Rebels with 20 points and knocked down four 3-pointers.
Keller also scored in double figures with 16 points and Hanks added nine. Blunt followed with seven points, LaPoint scored six and Gabe Vincent had four. Owen Vincent and Corey Quebodeaux rounded out the offense with two and one point, respectively.