A sluggish start didn’t thwart the St. Martinville Senior High boys basketball team in its District 5-3A opener against visiting Abbeville on Tuesday.

The Tigers, who trailed by eight points with less than four minutes left in the first half, evened the score at halftime and outscored the Wildcats by 11 in the third quarter on the way to a 60-51 win. 

“Our defensive intensity,” SMSH coach Ihmaru Jones said of the primary factor in the victory. “We played our defense well, and we made some shots. We hit a couple of 3s. Last game, we were 0-for-14.”

Tyren Syon, who led the Tigers with 14 points, nailed a double-pump 3-pointer at the end of the second quarter, his first bucket, to tie it at 27-27. Kervin Fontenette’s basket to open the third quarter was the beginning of a 7-0 run.

“That’s the most points Tyren has scored all season,” Jones said. “We’ve been up and down. I knew with the teams we’ve played, there would be tight games. I hoped more would go in our favor. Tonight, it went in our favor.”

SMSH (6-13, 1-0) got a 3-pointer from Kristian Batiste, his first field goal, for a 42-34 advantage. Skylar Felix’s triple in the fourth quarter and a Ray Narcisse shot stretched it to 57-40. 

“That was Skylar’s first 3 of the season,” Jones said. “He came in, got some buckets and took some charges. We put him in the middle where he played it like it’s supposed to be played. Makharee (Narcisse) hit a big 3 from the corner, and Lyle Potier had one.”

Syon added four rebounds and four assists. Fontenette scored 11 points. Ray Narcisse was in double figures (10 points). Felix contributed nine points, five rebounds, two assists and a steal. Makharee Narcisse chipped in nine points, six rebounds, three steals, two assists and a block. 

“I feel great about it,” Jones said of the win. “Abbeville has been having a good season. They were lower than us in the power ratings. They shot up into the teens after some big victories.”

The Wildcats (11-12, 0-1) lost at Loreauville on Thursday. SMSH travels to Breaux Bridge for a non-district tilt Friday.

Abbeville girls 42, St. Martinville 32

The Lady Tigers let a small lead at intermission dissipate in their game. 

SMSH (10-4, 0-1) cut a seven-point deficit to three in the third quarter on four free throws by Alivia Joseph and Caneriya Marshall, but the Lady Tigers struggled shooting the ball in the second half.

The Tigers got one basket in each of the final two quarters. Point guard Kamryn Gedward, who has been one of the leading offensive performers, finished with three points. 

“She’s the quarterback of the team,” SMSH coach Erv Mitchell said. “As she goes, we go. We need her to lead and facilitate. If she’s not having her best game or at least her ‘B’ game, we’re in trouble.”

Joseph (13 points) scored six of her team’s eight points in the first quarter. Roneshia Allen, who tossed in consecutive 3-pointers for a 21-16 SMSH lead just before halftime, added 10. 

Marshall, a freshman forward who scored four points, played well coming off the bench. 

“She’s young but not afraid and is up for the challenge,” Mitchell said. 

The Lady Tigers host New Iberia (13-6) in a non-district clash on Jan. 18. Abbeville, which improved to 11-4 overall, is No. 6 in the Division II nonselect power ratings. SMSH is 10th.