Coming off its first win in the last seven tries, Oakdale limped off the court at home Tuesday night against Rapides losing 107-54. The Warriors then lost again two nights later at Many 57-41.
"We played two of the top five teams in the state," head coach Dustin Howard said. "We got to see where we are at and what a top-five team looks like. We were unable to match Rapides' physicality, and they are the type of team that can step on the gas and finish you off early."
Rapides knocked down a three pointer coming out the gate. The teams traded baskets as Rapides went up 5-4. Oakdale called a timeout after Rapides added four points to go up 9-4 at the 5:47 mark of the first quarter. Rapides went on a scoring run to take a 10 point lead.
Derrick Winfield then split a pair of free throws, and Malcolm Pugh also split a pair of free throws before Rapides went up by 13 scoring on back-to-back drives. Raymond Guillory showed off his moves as he scored on a smooth spin move. The first quarter closed out with Oakdale trailing 27-12.
Rapides got another early basket to begin the second quarter. Guillory knocked down both attempts from the charity stripe, then Pugh echoed the performance as Oakdale found itself down 29-16. Guillory was back at the line 5:27 before the half and again scored on both attempts. Rapides then rode its momentum to a 20 point lead and drilled back-to-back three pointers as the dagger went deeper into the Warrior chest. Oakdale at the half was down 54-27.
James Evins got the scoring started in the second half before Rapides added 4 quick points. Rapides then knocked down another pair of three pointers as its collective foot remained firmly planted on the clutch. The third quarter mercifully ended with Rapides leading 91-45. Rapides then broke 100-points with a free throw 5:17 remaining in the game.
Then on Thursday night at Many, Howard saw some things as signs of hope from his young team. "I was really proud of the way we battled ... and especially the way we rebounded in the second half," he said. "We have been getting some great minutes out of a few younger guys, and that speaks well for the future. Miliak Hayward, Garrett Kingan, Jacob Black, and Gabe Rodriguez are really improving and will be an important part of our program very soon."
The regular season comes to a close at Menard, then the Warriors will wait their playoff fate. "We would like to get the win to improve our playoff position," Howard said. "We played well enough early in the season that we have solidified a playoff spot. It was our goal to make the playoffs this year, and now our new goal is to win a playoff game for the first time in a while."
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