Ville Platte drops quarterfinal game to Madison High

VILLE PLATTE -- A 19-0 run in the final 4:47 of the game allowed the Madison High Jaguars to push past the Ville Platte High Bulldogs and take a 51-40 win in a Class 3A quarterfinal game here Friday night.
Up until that point, Ville Platte looked like they were in control of the game. But, the pressure of the Madison High half-court trap proved to be the downfall of the Bulldogs as it created a number of fast break opportunities off of turnovers.
“We just could not make the plays when we needed,” stated Ville Platte head coach Tommy Jones after the game. “The loss is very disappointing, but we still had a tremendous season. I thought the players gave everything they had out on the floor. We just came up short in the end.”
The first quarter showed just how evenly matched the two teams were, as Ville Platte came in as the No. 4 seed, while Madison held the No. 5 seed. The two squads traded baskets throughout the period. When the horn sounded to end the quarter the score was tied at 13-13.
The pace of the game slowed down quite a bit in the second quarter. The Jaguars hit on a three-point bucket and two free throws, while Ville Platte knocked down two baskets, accounting for the only points in the first four minutes of the period.
The Bulldogs turned things up in the final four minutes, going on an 8-0 run to close out the half and take a 25-18 lead into the locker room.
Filled with a crazy amount of confidence, the Bulldogs came out in the third quarter and immediately went to work going on a 7-0 run to start the period.
Madison High answered with a 7-0 run of their own to make the score 32-25 at the 2:35 mark. By the end of the quarter, the Jaguars had closed the gap to six, 35-29.
Then came the final period. After pushing the score to 40-32, Ville Platte just could not break loose from the Madison High pressure. That is when the Jaguars took control of the game and ended the Bulldogs’ season.
“I just want to say that we will miss our seniors,” said Jones. “They showed true leadership all year long. They will be missed.”
Ville Platte finishes the year at 24-8.