One’s the heart, one’s the soul, one’s the brain. Collectively, they are the leaders of New Iberia Senior High’s newest department — the ministry of defense.

Mike Sam, Mark Gray and Javonte Johnson combined for 33 points as No. 24 seed New Iberia Senior High pulled away late to beat No. 25 seed Byrd High 59-48 Friday night in the regional round of the Class 5A boys’ basketball playoffs.

NISH coach Todd Russ said he believes the win was NISH’s first home playoff victory since 1999, when the Yellow Jackets advanced to the Top 28.

“I’m happy for these guys,” said  Russ. “They deserve all the credit. I’m happy that Javonte Johnson, Mark Gray and the other seniors’ legacy at NISH was that they were able to get into the playoffs and enjoy the fruits of their labor before they graduate.”

Gray had 18 points to lead Yellow Jackets, Mike Sam had a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds and Johnson chipped in 10 points and led NISH’s offense in the final quarter when the team not only needed to score but also run time off the clock.

“This wins feels great,” said Gray. “This hadn’t been done in 14 years and we’re all happy about that.”

NISH’s ministry was on full display Friday night as the Jackets again won with defense. Byrd only held the lead twice in the game, at 10-9 in the first quarter and 42-41 in the fourth quarter. The Jackets held the lead for the rest of the game and limited Byrd to 6 total points in the final quarter. The win sends New Iberia to the quarterfinals, where they will play host to No. 1 seed Scotlandville, a 62-45 winner over No. 16 seed Woodlawn on Friday.

“We’re going to defend,” said Russ. “As long as we commit to defending, we’re going to give ourselves a chance to win. These guys have really bought into the belief that with defense they can stop anybody on any given night.

“If we can take better care of the ball, and we still have room to grow as we advance, then we can continue to enjoy this journey.”

Russ heaped praise on Johnson, Gray and Sam and their efforts in leading NISH to the win and the quarterfinal round.

“Mark is the anchor, Mike Sam is the heart of this team and Javonte Johnson in the head. He makes these guys go,” said Russ. 

“All three were huge at different points of the game.”

Russ said Johnson battled back when Byrd brought pressure defense, Sam was a monster on the boards and when NISH’s offense was able to get the ball to Gray he made good things happen. 

 Sam just enjoyed the game, saying he wasn’t aware he was having a double-double type night.

“The score was too close all night,” said Sam. “We had to do what we do in every game we play, try our hardest and do our best.”

Byrd coach Rusty Johnson didn’t have much to say after  the game, which turned out to be a physical affair between two low seeds.

“It was a lot more physical than I thought it would be,” said Johnson. “They were more physical than we were and they wanted the game.”

Johnson said his team just couldn’t stop Gray in the middle. He also said that once NISH got the momentum in the fourth quarter, the Jackets outplayed Byrd and pulled away for the win.

Quanerick Milton led Byrd with a game-high 22 points and kept the visitors in the game all night with key baskets, including 8 points in the third quarter when NISH threatened to pull away.

Despite holding the lead for the majority of the game, NISH never could put the visitors from Shreveport away.

“It felt like Byrd would not go away,” said Russ. “I knew coming in that they wouldn’t. They kept fighting and kept fighting.”

The Jackets haven’t reached the quarterfinals in more than a decade. But Russ said he knows what his team needs to do to keep moving on in the playoffs.

“Play defense,” said the NISH coach. “We need to take better care of the ball and play defense. Whoever we play, it’s going to be a quality opponent, we just have to keep doing our part.”

Scotlandville visits NISH at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Admission will be $8 per person.