Big 10 Classic: Port Allen vs. Hahnville

Coach Dimario Jackson brought his players to the sideline, leading by almost 20 points well into the second half, and challenged them to be more physical and aggressive on defense and the boards.   Port Allen has developed into one of Louisiana's elite programs with three straight Class 2A state championships.   And the Pelicans said, even in December, that matchups with strong opponents such as Class 5A Hahnville provide opportunities to fine-tune details and strive for greatness and bragging rights as not only a title contender, but as the state's top team at any level.   And Jackson's squad appeared clicking on all cylinders Friday en route to the 65-50 defeat of the Tigers in the Big 10 Classic event hosted at Scotlandville as part of the HoopFests Tour.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-embed-handler wp-block-embed-embed-handler wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/embed/Es-Vjyr1UKY </div></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1273359' first='Elliot' last='McQuillan'] (6'3" | 2023)   The veteran guard absolutely stuffed the stat sheet with an efficient and patient game that racked up team-highs of 22 points and 18 rebounds, plus four assists. McQuillan showed the ability to score from all three levels with a pair of 3-pointers, silky-smooth midrange pull-ups off the dribble and drives to the goal and wrapped up the victory with 6-for-8 foul-shooting down the stretch. And in addition to his length and athleticism being helpful tools for the huge rebounding afternoon, "E.J." also seemed to just have a knack for positioning himself well to corral defensive boards and kick off ensuing transition opportunities.   [player_tooltip player_id='1218215' first='Aries' last='Lewis'] (6'6" | 2024)   The versatile forward was nonstop active on both ends of the court and back-and-forth in transition in between. Lewis scored eight of his 10 points, including an emphatic dunk up ahead of a fast break, as a major spark in the first half, and tallied eight rebounds and at least three blocks as a tall, athletic presence in the paint. But he also possesses a solid handle for a front-court player to provide the Pelicans another threat on the perimeter and dribble-drive on top of the talented guards.   Isaiah Howard (6'3" | 2023)   "Zay" was the early catalyst for Port Allen with eight of his 12 points in the first quarter, as well as two or three of his game-high five assists. The senior guard handles the ball likes it's on a string and the corresponding confidence and creativity to attempt and complete plays other players wouldn't — or shouldn't — even consider, such as a behind-the-back rifle of a pass from beyond the 3-point line through some lane traffic right to a teammate near the goal. The long, athletic guard and tenacious on-ball defender also grabbed four rebounds and a steal and blocked at least one shot strongly contesting many more.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-embed-handler wp-block-embed-embed-handler wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/embed/AJf7pBprwD4 </div></figure>   Frank Samuel (5'9" | 2023)   Another senior guard, Frank Samuel, caught fire from deep during the second and third quarters with a pair of 3-pointers in each to join his teammates in double figures with 16 points in all. He also grabbed five rebounds and dished out an assist.   [player_tooltip player_id='1213605' first='Cameron' last='Lumar'] (6'0" | 2023)   The senior guard is a certified bucket-getter whose three-level scoring, en route to a game-high 24 points, kept his Tigers competitive with their elite opponent. Lumar got hot from the perimeter in the second quarter with three 3-pointers, which tied for the game-high. But he did even more of his damage from the elbow in with his mid-range touch, impressive toughness and physicality for his size and quick elevation. Lumar made a handful of two-point field goals and a pair of free throws, grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds and rounded out the stat sheet with three steals, two assists and a blocked shot.   [player_tooltip player_id='1560453' first='Cobe' last='Landry'] (6'3" | 2025)   The sophomore forward helped provide an early offensive spark as Hahnville as it tried to weather the Pelicans' early storm. Landry was confident elevating off-dribble or catching-and-shooting with his quick release for eight points in the opening quarter and 11 for the game, including three shots from beyond the arc. He added seven rebounds and a steal.

Coach Dimario Jackson brought his players to the sideline, leading by almost 20 points well into the second half, and challenged them to be more physical and aggressive on defense and the boards.