NATCHITOCHES — The New Iberia Senior High boys’ basketball team’s Class 5A playoff run came to an end Friday night after reaching the Class 5A quarterfinals with a 63-48 loss against Natchitoches Central High School.

“We felt confident. My guys had been working hard. We thought it was a good matchup for us — we have very similar styles. Two teams are gonna sit down, play hard and guard you,” NISH head coach Todd Russ said after the game.

The Yellow Jackets started strong off strong, snagging an early lead with scores from senior Alex Mandeville and the “Russ Tough” defense did its job at holding No. 1 seed NCHS at bay for a 7-3 lead. In the waning minutes of the first quarter, however, NCHS went on a run to end the quarter with a lead 8-7.

During the second quarter the Yellow Jackets opened sloppily with their first touches being plagued by fouls, turnovers and missed opportunities. The lead they had built in the first minutes of the game quickly became a 10-point deficit as they went into halftime trailing 31-21. 

New Iberia’s biggest downfall in the first half was the points allowed on turnovers, allowing nine takeaways and six baskets as a result.

“The end of the first quarter and the second quarter they hit us with one of those runs and pushed the lead up to 10 off of miscues and missed opportunities on our end,” Russ said. “They pressured us with turnovers. I think that ended up being the difference in the game.”

After the collapse in the first half the Yellow Jackets attempted to rally a comeback in the second as Jake Lovette shot his third 3-pointer and had 8 of his 14 points in the third quarter to bring it down to a 6-point deficit.

Natchitoches Central outscored NISH 20-12 to bring the Yellow Jackets’ season to an end.

“I knew what Natchitoches Central would bring to the table, and I thought we were prepared for it, but you’re not as prepared as you think until you step into that fire,” Russ said.

“It didn’t turn out how we wanted it to turn out, but we played as hard and as tough as we can,” Mandeville said. “It’s a taste in my mouth I never want again in my life.”

Mandeville scored 11 points and fellow senior Kenan Touriac scored 4 as their journey in NISH basket came to a close with their final game. 

“The coach that we have, that’s the best coach in the state. I love that guy, I love the whole coaching staff, I love my teammates. I’m going to miss all of them,” Mandeville said.

The Jackets’ remaining points coming from Ralph Johnson (14) and Xavier Smith (5).

“I’d go to bat with those guys in that locker room, I’m not going to second guess myself or my guys,” Russ said.  I’m extremely proud of my team. They fought and didn’t lay down, and hung in there until the end. Those guys played. I don’t think this is the last people hear of New Iberia Senior High basketball.”