By: RHETT MANUEL
Sports Editor
LAKE CHARLES – The Ville Platte Bulldogs got the chance to see what it might be like on the playoff stage in more than one way last Saturday night.
In one of its final tuneup games before district play begins next week, the Bulldogs took a road trip to Lake Charles and defeated Hamilton Christian, a traditionally strong basketball program, 48-45 at Burton Coliseum.
Montavis Seraille and Sage Papillion combined for 29 points and were the only Bulldogs in double-figures and held off a Warriors team that never gave them much breathing room.
Hamilton edged Ville Platte in the opening period by a 10-9 margin and held Ville Platte’s offense in check outside of a pair of Troas Murray buckets to lead the Bulldogs.
Ville Platte spread the wealth a little better in the second quarter in outsourcing Hamilton 14-9 and take a slim 23-21 lead into the locker room.
Sage Papillion led the Bulldogs with four points in that frame and Jakahalen Slaughter added a three-pointer.
Hamilton Christian came out of the locker room firing and outscored Ville Platte 15-14 in the third quarter. But, the Bulldogs showed signs of being alive with Seraille scoring six of his 13 points in the frame.
Clinging to a one-point lead, Ville Platte outlasted Hamilton in the final quarter.
It was when Papillion finally came alive, scoring seven of his team’s 11 final period points on his way to his team-high 16 points.
Ville Platte’s neutral site win was a big one, as it gave the Bulldogs a taste of playing in the venue where the state’s Marsh Madness basketball tournament is held.
That, coupled with playing a strong win like Hamilton, should prep the Bulldogs for a district run as well as a potentially deep playoff run.
June 19, 2026
