Rams run down Bulldogs in first round

Going on the road in the playoffs is never easy, no matter what the situation. If you add in the fact that the Bulldogs were in their first year in Class 3A and they had to go on the road to face the Richwood Rams, and it makes for a dire situation. The Rams, the foruth seed, are a team that many sports analysts and coaches think will challenge John Curtis for the Class 3A Basketball Championship. The Rams defeated VPHS 108-65.
Ville Platte found themselves overwhelmed early. They were down 22-14 after the first period. The size and speed of the Rams seemed intimidating at first, but the Bulldogs rose up to the challenge. Ernest Ardoin hit five points in the first period. He went on to lead the team with 15 points overall.
In the second frame, VPHS blasted back and looked to make a game of it. They matched the home team basket for basket, and at one time were within three points of the Rams’ lead. Richwood took a 49-38 lead into the locker at the half. Jaqualen Doucet dropped nine points in the frame. Doucet ended his night with 14 points.
The third period and the entire second half did not work out so well for the VPHS team. Richwood out-shot the visiting Ville Platte boys 25-11. Doucet hit a three-point shot mid-way through the period, but it was not enough to dent the lead the Rams had built. Richwood began to force turnovers and the Bulldogs could not keep up. Richwood went up 74-49 and did everything but end the game.
In the final period, the Bulldogs did not give up, despite the score. They kept coming at the Rams. The Richwood coaching staff answered by keeping all of the starters in the game until the end of the final period. That was a huge reason for RHS out-scoring the Bulldogs 34-16 in the last frame. Alex Gooden dropped eight points in the frame and finished the game with 14 points.
Ville Platte High had a great season, despite being young and being in their first year in Class 3A. They will be back and ready to make a run next year.