SHS gives up big second half, drops at home to Kaplan

By News Staff on Thursday, December 22, 2022
  • Hayden Deshotel (2) moves the basketball down the court against Mamou in a game played during the parish tournament earlier this season. (Gazette photo by Rhett Manuel)
    Hayden Deshotel (2) moves the basketball down the court against Mamou in a game played during the parish tournament earlier this season. (Gazette photo by Rhett Manuel)
    By: RHETT MANUEL Sport Editor VILLE PLATTE — Say what you will about Sacred Heart’s 2022 basketball season, but they aren’t shying away from bigger competition by any means. The Trojans welcomed in Kaplan last Wednesday night and lost by a 48-37 margin. The Trojans were well within striking distance at halftime, locked up in a 20-20 game. But, Kaplan rode the wave of a big third quarter on its way to a double-digit win. The Pirates edged the Trojans in the opening quarter, out scoring them by an 11-9 margin to take the early lead. Sacred Heart’s opening quarter success came behind Hayden Deshotel and Gabe Fontenot, who combined for seven of the team’s points in the first period. Fontenot hit a three-pointer in the frame. Deshotel poured in five more points in the second quarter to lead Sacred Heart as it flipped the scorebook and edged Kaplan by an 11-9 margin to tie the game at 20 heading into the locker room. Deshotel got significant help from Karson Vidrine in the frame, as the big man added four points of his own in the period. Vidrine was once again Sacred Heart’s primary offensive force throughout the contest, finishing with a team-high 10 points to lead the way in a balanced offensive display. Unfortunately, Sacred Heart couldn’t carry over the momentum of its strong second quarter showing in the second half. Kaplan, as a result, blew by the Trojans in a difference-making third quarter that saw them out score Sacred Heart by a 14-2 margin to take a 34-22 lead leading into the fourth period. Sacred Heart’s only offensive success in the third came from a two-point basket by Sawyer Skelton. Kaplan’s Ja’varien Landry exploded in the third quarter to lead the Pirates. He scored nine of his game-high 17 points in the third quarter alone. Sacred Heart recovered its offensive stroke in the final frame and out scored Kaplan by a 15-14 margin, but ultimately couldn’t find the juice to overcome a back-breaking third quarter. Fontenot, Cole Tate and Vidrine supplied all but one of Sacred Heart’s points in the fourth quarter. Three-pointers by Fontenot and Tate provided key baskets. All but three of Sacred Heart’s 37 points in the game came from the foursome of Fontenot, Deshotel, Tate and Vidrine. Deshotel added nine points, Fontenot had eight points and Tate added seven. Sacred Heart had a game Tuesday night, Dec. 20, against Pine Prairie. Results weren’t available as of press time. After a Christmas break, Sacred Heart is back in action at Teurlings’ post-Christmas tournament next week.