Bulldogs nip Panthers in league tilt

The Ville Platte Bulldogs started their version of the District 5-3A schedule in boy’s basketball last week.
The Bulldogs dropped one contest to Port Barre to open the season, but then rebounded against the Panthers of Pine Prairie in a repeat of the Evangeline Parish Basketball Finals.
The Bulldogs got by Pine Prairie 68-57. Coming off of their loss to the Port Barre Red Devils, the Bulldogs came out strong in front of their home crowd at VPHS.
VPHS went up 16-8 in the opening frame. Kendall Ardoin used his height and rebound power to pick up three straight buckets. Alex Gooden helped the VPHS cause with two free throws and a pair of jump shots. Ernest also pitched in with a three-of-four performance at the free-throw line. He went on to score 12 points in the game.
The Panthers started a bit slow but battled back admirably. Josh Freeman drained a three-point shot and Douglas Fontenot popped the net with a bucket as well.
The second period was a flip flop of the first period. The Panthers out-scored the VPHS Bulldogs 18-9 and managed to knot the game at 26-26 before the half. Freeman snapped the net twice from long distance for six points and Fontenot simply went off. He hit eight points in the period en route to a night of 14 points. In the frame, Fontenot hit a three pointer and added a pair of jump shots. Allen Myles also began to get his big night going. He sank a pair of free throws and a jump shot. He ended the night with a 15 points.
Mitchell Seraille kept the home team in the game with six points in the period. Ville Platte was stunned as the intermission came on.
In the third block, the Bulldogs got the momentum back and out-scored the PPHS boys 21-14. Ernest Ardoin slapped a pair of three pointers and Seraille added nine points as well. He mixed things up with a trio of free throws and lay ups.
Pine Prairie answered back with a pair of jump shots from Douglas Fontenot and five more points from Myles. As the period came to a close, Freeman drained a pair of free throws and a basket.
The score was 47-40 going into the final period. The Bulldogs scored 21 points, while the Panthers retaliated with 17 points. Dustin Ardoin hit a three-point shot and Myles followed with five of is own. Freeman sank four points, including two free throws. The Panthers used a surge of momentum to try and catch the Bulldogs, but it was not enough. Freeman led the PPHS boys with 17 points overall.
Seraille led the Bulldogs’ charge. The youngster ripped off 10 points in the period. He snapped off a three-point shot and sank three free throws. Ernest Ardoin hit a three-point shot from long distance and Alex Gooden hit four free throws. Gooden ended the night with 12 points and Kendall Ardoin was good for 10 digits. Seraille led the VPHS charge with 25 points overall.
Ville Platte fell to Port Barre 81-49 in their first district game. The game took place in Port Barre in front of a very hostile Red Devil fan base.
The Red Devils went up big time in the first period. They stunned the local boys with a 25-12 offensive performance. Ernest Ardoin drilled a three point shot and added a jump shot later in the frame. He was good for 13 points in the game. Port Barre’s Tony Lamb led the charge for the home team. He scored 17 points in the first period alone and went on to score 23 digits overall.
Port Barre continued to be strong in the second period. They out scored the VPHS boys 21-15 and managed to take a 46-27 lead into the locker room at halftime. Ville Platte’s Alex Gooden drained a pair of three point bombs, helping VPHS stay in the game. He led the Bulldogs overall with 14 points.
Port Barre did not let up in the third period. The Red Devils out scored VPHS again. This time it was 20-8 with Markell Broussard leading the way.
The Bulldogs got a three point shot from Shanicole Holland early in the period. Later in the frame, Seraille and Ernest Ardoin each put a basket in for the Bulldogs.
In the final period Ville Platte was not just going to go away. With the score 66-35, the Bulldogs were a little overwhelmed but not out of the ball game. Ernest Ardoin scored five points and drilled a three-point bomb. Alex Gooden sank back to back lay ups in an effort to get VPHS going. When it was all said and done, the local boys simply could not catch the Red Devils.
Ville Platte will travel Church Point Tuesday before hosting Northwest Friday night.
Pine Prairie will host Livonia Tuesday night and then travel to Port Barre on Friday night.