Avoiding the plunder

Ville Platte pulls away from Avoyelles Charter for win
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VILLE PLATTE – Ville Platte High took advantage of a combination of athleticism and some timely shooting to pull away from Avoyelles Charter for a 70-55 win this past Friday night, avoiding the Vikings’ chance of plundering the non-district win away from the Bulldogs.
With the win, Ville Platte improved to 11-5 on the year. The Bulldogs are scheduled to be back in action tomorrow night as they travel to Lake Charles to battle the Chargin’ Indians of Washington-Marion.
In Friday’s game, Avoyelles Charter took the early lead with two buckets in the first 2:30 of the contest. Ville Platte countered with a three-point basket by Ernest Roberts just 30 seconds later. However, the Vikings responded right back with a made basket from beyond the arc.
Tauj Roy gave the Bulldogs the temporary lead, sinking a couple of baskets and a free throw. Avoyelles tied the game up 10 seconds later on a jump shot by Talik Williams.
With 1:04 to go in the quarter, Ville Platte’s Tye’Wuan Byers knocked down a three-pointer to put the Bulldogs up by three, 12-9. The Vikings retaliated with a two-point basket, but Ville Platte was not done, as Roberts stroked the net with another shot from downtown to give the Bulldogs 14-11 edge as the period came to a close.
A Byers’ three-point shot and a Roberts bucket pushed the Bulldog advantage to eight within the first minute of the second quarter. Avoyelles countered with two three-point baskets and a two-point bucket of their own to tie the game back up at 19-19.
Undaunted, Ville Platte went on a seven point run over the next 1:10 to move out to a 26-19 lead. The Vikings returned the favor with four points over a nine second period. The Bulldogs turned the heat back up on the offensive and defensive sides of the floor, closing out the half on an 8-0 run to own a 10 point lead heading into the locker room.
Behind the shooting of Byers, Roberts and RJ Williams, Ville Platte opened the third quarter of play on a 10-2 run to extend their lead to 44-26. That lead dwindled down to 12 over the next 1:30, as Avoyelles tried to climb back into the game.
The Bulldogs tied the knot on the bleeding long enough to bring their lead back to 15 points with 46 seconds left into the period. The Vikings hit on two free throws with 12 seconds showing on the clock to bring the score to 54-41, where it remained until the horn sounded.
Over the first four minutes of the final quarter, Ville Platte continued to keep Avoyelles at bay as the Bulldogs stayed on top by double digits the entire time. With the game firmly in their grasp, the Bulldogs emptied their bench the rest of the game and finished off the contest with the 15 point win.
Roberts led all scorers with 21 points, while Byers chipped in 14 points. Tauj Roy added 10 points in the win.