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TOP STORY
AGAIN!
Falcons knock off another highly ranked team with 5-2 win over Brother Martin.
HAMMOND, LA—The Saint Thomas Aquinas Falcons were not satisfied with a win over Division II Vandebilt Catholic last week. They stunned Division I 3rd-ranked Brother Martin 5-2 to end the
regular season and improve their record to 16-15 heading into the release of the playoff brackets on Tuesday.
Brother Martin opened up scoring in the second inning scoring one run. However the Falcons evened things up at one in the bottom of the second inninga as one run when Case Reed singled.
The Falcons pulled away for good with two runs in the fourth inning. In the fourth Braeden Bovie drew a walk, scoring one run and Hunter Gambel drew a walk, scoring one run.
Justin Domiano was credited with the victory for Saint Thomas. The pitcher allowed four hits and two runs over seven innings, striking out two.
Falcons pull out their rally caps again!
Saint Thomas rallies from two down to earn a 4-3 win over fifth-ranked Vandebilt Catholic.
HAMMOND, LA—The Saint Thomas Aquinas Falcon Baseball team has been playing below ,500 much of the season, but after winning seven of their last eight games, the Falocns evened their record to 15-15 on the year with a chance of finishing the regular season with a winning record with a home contest against Class 5A Brother Martin on Monday, April 17. The LHSAA will announce the playoff pairings for all Divisions on Tuesday, April 18. Saint Thomas is ranked ninth in the latest Division III select power ratings The Falcons are hoping to have a chance of hosting their first-round playoff opponent on Friday, April 21.
For the second straight game, the Falcons came from behind to pull out a 4-3 victory over the Vandebilt Catholic Terriers.
Vandy led at the end of the first inning when a Falcons throwing error plated a run and then a RBI double to left field made it 2-0. Saint Thomas responded with a pair of runs in the third when Benny Latino and Justin Domiano each drew walks. Later Bryce Simoneaux delivered an RBI single and later Blayne Schooling hit a RBI ground-out to tie the contest at 2-2.
Vandy moved ahead again in the fifth inning on a balk pitch with the bases-loaded plating a run to make it 3-2. The Falcons answered in the bottom of the frame Domiano and Cayden Cuti each had double hits and then Simoneaux followed with a RBI ground-out to give STA its first lead of the game at 4-3.
Vandy could not muster another run in the final two innings. Domiano entered the contest in the seventh inning at pitcher and he forced one Terrier batter to pop out and the next two grounded-out sealing the 4-3 win for the Falcons.
Bryce Simoneaux started on the mound for STA as he worked six innings striking out two, walked one after facing 27 batters at the plate. Each team collected five hits at the plate. Schilling led the way going 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Domiano and Cuti were each 1-for-2. Simoneaux finished going 1-for-3 with two RBIs.
Falcons put on their rally caps to secure Senior Night 7-4 win over Country Day.
Colona works in relief to shut down Cajun bats.
HAMMOND, LA—The Saint Thomas Aquinas Falcon Baseball team rallied from a 4-0 deficit to take a 7-4 victory over Metairie Park Country Day School in a non-district contest.
The win improved Saint Thomas to 14-15 overall record as the Falcons eye playoff positioning. The regular season ends on April 17 and the LHSAA will announce the playoff pairings for all select and non-select divisions on Tuesday, April 18. First-round playoff games will begin on Friday, April 21.
Country Day jumped out to a 1-0 second inning lead on a passed ball and then the visiting Cajuns added three runs in the top of the third on a pair of bases-loaded walks. A RBI ground-out ended the frame to make it 4-0. However, the Falcons bats came alive in the bottom of the frame when Cayden Cuti reached on a double to centerfield and then Bryce Simoneaux followed with a RBI single to centerfield to cut the deficit to 4-1. Saint Thomas erupted for six runs in the fourth inning when Evan Hallmark led off the frame with a base hit and then Austin Davis drew a walk. Justin Dominano followed with a RBI double to left field. Later Schilling hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield to plate Davis. A pair of bases-loaded walks scored two runs and then Hallmark and Davis were each hit-by-a-pitch with the bases-loaded to score three more runs to give the Falcons a 7-4 edge.
Neither team would score in the next three frames preserving the victory for Saint Thomas.
Blaine Colona took the mound win for the Falcons coming in relief of starter Evan Hallmark. Colona struck out four walked two in four innings of work. Hallmark struck out two, walked two in two innings of work. Saint Thomas outhit Country Day 5-2 at the plate. Cayden Cuti led the way going 2-for-3. Justin Domiano was 1-for-3 and Bryce Simoneaux went 1-for-4. Evan hallmark finished going 1-for-2.
The Falcons will continue to tune-up for postseason play hosting Vandebilt Catholic on Friday, April 14 and then entertain Brother Martin on Monday, April 17.
Falcons finish District play with win.
Saint Thomas brought the bats and scored a 9-2 win over French Settlement.
HAMMOND, LA—The Saint Thomas Aquinas Falcons completed District play in impressive fashion collecting 12 hits to defeat the French Settlement Lions 9-2. With the win the Falcons
finished second in league play behind Pope John Paul II. The Falcons will host Country Day for Senior Night Thursday.
The Falcons got things started in the first inning. Bryce Simoneaux grounded out, scoring one run and then followed up scoring at least one run in the first five innings.
Justin Domiano and Simoneaux sparked a three-run fourth inning driving in all the runs.
Brayden Gillies got the start for Saint Thomas working four innings, allowing zero runs on zero hits and striking out four.
Falcons remain undefeated in District play at 3-0! ... Saint Helena next on the slate.
Saint Thomas brings the bats to crush Northlake 17-3. Domiano paces the offense with four hits and five RBIs.
HAMMOND, LA—The Saint Thomas Aquinas Falcons brought their bats to work Monday and pounded out a dozen hits. Justin Domiano led the way with four hits and five RBIs. He was one short of hitting for the
cycle smacking a double in the first, triple in the second, single in the third, and double in the fourth. He did not get a dinger but led the Falcons to their third straight District win as the STA boys
remain unbeaten in league play.
The Falcons grabbed the lead early scoring on a groundout by Bryce Simoneaux and a walk by Blayne Schilling in the first inning. After Northlake cut the Falcoon margin to 5-3 in the top of
the third, Saint Thomas responded with back-to-back six run innings.
Blaine Colona was on the mound for Saint Thomas The righthander lasted four innings, allowing five hits and three runs while striking out three and walking one.
Drew Sweeney worked the final inning forcing a pair of fly ball outs and one grounder out.
Bryce Simoneaux collected one hit and three RBIs, while Cace Reed and Hunter Gambel each had two hits and two RBIs and Ben Latino had one hit and two RBIs.
The Falcons will hit the road for their next league again playing Saint Helena on Wednesday. They will return home next Monday to host Pope John Paul II in a likely a showdown for the
District Championship.
Green Wave and Falcons get it on for a good cause.
Saint Thomas fights off Ponchatoula rally to get the 11-9 win.
HAMMOND, LA—Despite a late rally by the Green Wave, the Saint Thomas Aquinas Falcons captured their eighth win of the season under first-year coach Brandon Efferson after defeating the Ponchatoula Green Wave 11-9 in the final tune-up for both teams before beginning their respective district schedules this week. The contest was the annual St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital fundraiser where proceeds from concession and entry gate fees went to aid Cancer research.
Saint Thomas built a 8-1 lead only to see the Green Wave cut the deficit to 8-7 going into the sixth inning. The Falcons scored three insurance runs in the seventh while Ponchatoula could only chalk-up just two runs in the bottom of the frame to secure the STA 11-9 victory.
Neither team could score in the first two innings of play. The Falcons erupted for five runs in the third when Justin Domiano belted a RBI single to right field. Bryce Simoneaux followed with a base hit to left field and then Blayne Schilling followed with a two-run RBI single to centerfield.
Follow by Hunter Gambel delivering a two-run RBI single to left field. Ponchatoula could only muster up one run in the bottom of the frame on a RBI single to centerfield by Landon Raiford to trail 5-1
The Falcons extended its lead in the fifth with three runs when Cayden Cuti stroked a RBI ground-out and then Gambel smacked a two-run RBI double to left field to make it 8-1.
Ponchatoula answered in the bottom of the frame with six runs when Trystian Bradley hit a RBI double to right field. Later Grayson Boudreaux delivered a RBI single to left field. Gavin Corbin reached on a bunt single and a throwing error by the Falcons plated a run. Raiford followed with a two-run RBI single to centerfield and then Tribble hit a sacrifice fly to right field plating a run to cut the deficit to 8-7.
STA maintained its lead going into the seventh when a Ponchatoula throwing error plated a run and then Blaine Colona smacked a two-run RBI double to right field to make it 11-7.
The Green Wave responded in the bottom of the frame when Tribble hammered a two-run homer to left field with two outs. But Bradley flied out to right field to end the game.
Brock Baudean of the Falcons took the mound win as he struck out one, walked three in four innings of work. He was relieved by Benny Latino in the fifth inning.
Lane Corbin of Ponchatoula was charged with the loss. He had two strikeouts, two walks after facing 15 batters at the plate. Austin DeMars came on in relief in the third inning.
Ponchatoula out hit St. Thomas 12-11 at the plate. Multiple hitters for the Green Wave were Grayson Boudreaux and Gavin Corbin were each 2-for-3. Nolan Tribble was 2-for-4 and Trystian Bradley finished going 2-for-5. Multiple hitters for Saint Thomas included Justin Domiano going 3-for-5. Hunter Gambel, Bryce Simoneaux and Blayne Schilling were each 2-for-4.
The loss dropped the Green Wave to 4-13 on the season. Ponchatoula begins District 6-5A play Monday, March 27 at Covington. The Falcons (8-13) begin District 7-2A play Wednesday, March 29 at Independence.
FALCONS WIN!
Falcon baseball finding their grove with three wins out of the last four games.
HAMMOND, LA—The Saint Thomas Aquinas Falcons baseball team playing one of the toughest pre-district schedules in Division III opened the first part of the season going 4-10 but
has climbed back into standings winning three of the last four games. The victories included quality wins over Parkview Baptist and Ascension Episcopal who boast records of 16-3 and 12-6 respectively.
The task does not get easier as the Falcons will finish out the week with a pair of game with Fonatinebleau and end with a contest with local rival Ponchatoula on Saturday.
GOTTA LOVE IT!!
Falcons defeat U-High 70-61 to advance to the Division III Quarterfinals. Love tosses in 20 points.
HAMMOND, LA—The Saint Thomas Aquinas Falcon Basketball team captured a 70-61 victory over the University High Cubs in the Division III Select regional playoff contest played at the STA gym.
The win advances the No. 6 seeded Falcons to the quarterfinal round where they will travel to play No. 3 Calvary Baptist on Friday. A win over Calvary will and the Falcons will qualify for the semifinal berth to March Madness tournament slated for March 6-11 at the Burton Coliseum on the campus of McNeese State University in Lake Charles, La.
Against U-High, the Falcons and Cubs played a close knit game for three quarters until STA went on a 8-2 run in the fourth period to take a double-digit lead. U-High wasn’t able to answer missing key baskets down the stretch enabling the Falcons to hold onto the lead and the win.
“This was big,” said STA coach Ramone Andrews. “This was our last home game for our senior kids so it was a good way to help them leave the program on their home court. U-High is a really good team, but we weathered the storm and I am proud of my players and now its time to get ready for the next game.”
The contest saw both teams trade baskets that involved each team sharing one or two-point leads in the first half. The game was tied three times in the opening quarter and the period ended in a 15-15 tie.
Saint Thomas took its first lead of the game at 23-21 in the early moments of the second period.on a put-back basket by Darius Vaughn. The Falcon offense moved the around the perimeter waiting for the right matchup to throw the ball into the lane for a high percentage shot. Saint Thomas was successful scoring on shots in the paint against a testy U-High defense. The visiting Cubs scored on a 3-point goal to push their lead to 34-31 and then another 3-pointer made it 37-34 with less than a minute remaining in the half. Saint Thomas answered when Logan Love nailed a baseline jumper to cut the deficit to 37-36 with :14 seconds left. U-High missed on a jump shot and the Falcons rebounded and scored at the buzzer on a put-back basket by Love that gave STA a 38-37 edge at halftime.
U-High erased the one-point Falcon lead with free throws to make it 40-38.in the opening minute of the third quarter. Saint Thomas responded with a fast-break basket on a layup by Kendrell Perry to make it 40-40. The contest would be tied four more times until the Falcons scored on a Dylan McAlister to make it 52-51 heading into the fourth period.
Perry extended the STA lead with a jump shot in the lane to make 54-51 and then he followed that shot with a three-pointer from the wing to give the Falcons their largest lead of the game at 57-51 with 5:12 left to play in the game
U-High could not cut the deficit under six points the rest of the way. Logan Love scored three key basket in the fourth quarter and Najae Williams made four consecutive free throws to keep the Cubs from rallying.
Saint Thomas built their lead to 67-57 with less than a minute remaining. The swarming Falcon defense limited U-High to just one shot in the final minute forcing the Cubs to foul to preserve time on the game clock. Cace Reed made the final Falcon free throw to seal the 70-61 victory..
“We changed our defense to limit their leading scorer Seth Mays from getting the basketball,” said Andrews. "Darius Vaughn did a great job by not letting Bush not touching the ball. If he doesn’t get it I can live with other players getting shots off. We just decided to put Darius on Bush and he eliminated him from the game. We moved the ball offensively by driving and kicking it out for the next person to get a better shot off with a simple pass. It's just trusting your teammate knowing that you are going to get a better shot and he'll finish for you.”
Love led the Falcons with 20 points, followed by Perry with 19 and Williams and Vaughn each added 10 points apiece. Reed netted nine and McAlister had two points for Saint Thomas.
“We knew they would be tough to beat on their home floor with their crowd,” said U-High coach Joe Spencer, whose team was seeded No. 11 and their season ended with the loss with a 18-16 record. “We knew if the game was physical that would give us trouble because they have a lot of guards that can pressure the ball. We got to the free throw line, but could hit them and we missed too many layups and that's been one of our problems all year.”
The Cubs were outscored 18-10 in the final period which would be the difference in the game. “No. 11 (Darius Vaughn) put the clamps down on our best player and they kind of took him out of the equation in the fourth quarter and we rely so heavily on Seth Mays that we really have problems getting someone else to step up,” Spencer added.
The No. 11 seeded Falcons improved to 18-12 on the year and will play at Calvary Baptist (23-5) on Friday, March 3 in a Division III quarterfinal contest.
Late rally comes up short.
Parkview ends the Lady Falcons’ playoff run.
HAMMOND, LA—The Saint Thomas Aquinas Lady Falcon Basketball team suffered a 49-46 loss to the Parkview Baptist Lady Eagles in a Division III quarterfinal playoff played at the STA gym.
The No. 5 seeded Parkview advances to the semifinals to be played at the SLU campus beginning next week. Saint Thomas entered the postseason as the No. 4 seed.
The loss ended the playing careers of five seniors at Saint Thomas which included Abry Layrisson, Michaela Harper, Sophia Geisler, Katy Potrament and Olivia Richardson.
Saint Thomas never led in the first half and trailed by double-digits going into the third quarter. However, the Lady Falcons rallied back and took the lead momentarily. But the Lady Eagles regained their composure and were able to hold on for the three-point win only after a 3-point shot was taken by Saint Thomas that was missed at the final buzzer.
Parkview began the game with a 9-1 lead with 4:31 left to play in the first quarter. STA cut into the deficit as Potrament nailed a pair of 3-point goals to make it 11-7.
The Lady Eagles made a trio of baskets off STA turnovers on layup shots that extended the lead to 22-9 with 4:09 left to play in the first half. Saint Thomas answered with a layup shot by Catherine Lamonte and then a pair of mid-range jump shots by Devasia Williams and Potrament cut the Parkview lead to 31-20 at the half.
he Lady Falcons began the third quarter on fire going on a 12-2 run cutting the Lady Eagle lead to 33-32 with 4:10 remaining in the period. Sparking the surge for STA were Geisler who scored on a pair of layup shots and Williams on a put-back basket. Lamonte scored on a layup off a stolen pass and Layrisson delivered a pair of free throws for the Lady Falcons. STA took the lead on a layup shot by Sydney Gill to make it 32-31. Parkview scored a 3-point basket in the closing seconds finishing the quarter on a 5-0 run to make it 36-32 heading into the fourth quarter.
Both teams traded baskets in the fourth period as Parkview maintained its lead. The Lady Falcons kept within striking distance trailing by one possession basket. STA got to within 47-46 on a put-back basket by Williams with 1:25 left to play. However, Parkview made clutch free throws down the stretch to keep a three-point lead in the final seconds. The Lady Falcons had one final chance with :02 seconds left to play trailing 49-46 with a shot taken by Potrament that hit the goal and bounced over the backboard sealing the victory for the Lady Eagles.
Geisler and Lamonte each led STA in scoring with nine points apiece. Potrament, Layrisson and Williams followed with eight apiece and Gill added four points.
Saint Thomas ends its season with a 24-11 record.
Falcons welcome new head football coach Shane Mulhem.
Saint Thomas begins new chapter.
HAMMOND, LA—The Saint Thomas Aquinas Football Program begin a new chapter this week as new head coach Shane Mulhem was introduced to the Media. Mulhem, the former defensive coordinator at Saint Stanislaus Prep in Mississippi, is a Philadelphia native. He brings extensive experience having coaches at widener University and KIngs College. As a player Mulhem was the MVP and All-League Linebacker at Strath HIgh School and played college ball at Bloomsburg and Wildner Universities.
Principal Will Johnson had high praise for the Falcons new head coach. “He (Mulhem) is stepping into a program that has a tradition of great leadership,” said Johnson. “We have been blessed to have
coaches with high character and Shane will continue this tradition.”
Mulhem comes to the Falcons having served as defensive coordinator at Saint Stanislaus Prep where he helped guide them to a 7-5 record and 2022 and their first playoff win in five years. Mulhem
wants players to not only have a positive experience but to learn to love the game. “My message is this is s new relationship and a new opportunity and I have the opportunity to lay a foundation with these young men.”
Mulhem has been on campus for a week already at work overseeing weight training. He plans to have spring football and he will be teaching in the classroom this fall.
Falcons blank Warriors 8-0.
Saint Thomas advances to second wound of the Division IV playoffs.
HAMMOND, LA—The Saint Thomas Aquinas Falcons scored early and often building a quick 6-0 first half lead and added two more goals after intermission to finish off the visiting Warriors of Houma Christian 8-0 for a Division IV first round win. The Falcons will play the winner of the Saint Martins Episcopal and International of New Orleans.
Logan Leyrer put the Falcons on the board three minutes into the match and then Jonathan BIckford went on a scoring spree kicking in three goals in the next ten minutes to give Saint Thomas a quick 4-0 advantage. Cody Bates teamed up with Ross Whittaker for the Falcons fifth goal as Whittaker delivered a pass right across the net for Bates to kick in for the score. Andrew Allain closed out the first half scoring to put the Falcons ahead 6-0.
In the second half, the Warriors collected a couple of solid shots on goal by defense and a big save by Brodie Crouch secured the shutout. Leyrer added his second goal a dozens minutes in the half and Timothy Lacoste kicked in the mercy rule goal to end the match.
Lady Falcons make quick work of Lady Lions!
Saint Thomas defeats French Settlement 55-41.
HAMMOND, LA—With just a week left in the regular season for Girls' Basketball, the District 7-2A race is as tight as ever with three teams vying to win the league race. The Saint Thomas Aquinas Lady Falcons upset previously unbeaten French Settlement 55-41 to give the Lady Lions (3-1) their first District loss. Saint Thomas improved to 3-1 league play with their lone loss coming to Springfield, who entered this week with a 3-1 mark. All three teams are expected to make the state playoffs that begin on Feb. 14.
“"It was a really big District win for us,” said STA coach Courtney Silewicz. “French Settlement is a really good team. This game our girls really worked together and played under control.”
Against French Settlement, the Lady Falcons used their pressure full-court trapping defense that forced the visiting Lady Lions into numerous turnovers. Saint Thomas took advantage and began the game with an 11-4 run scoring off transition baskets. Senior guard Sophia Geisler led the Lady Falcon scoring surge pouring in eight of her 13 points in the opening period
Saint Thomas ended the first quarter outscoring French settlement 22-8. The Lady Falcons went on a 6-4 run to begin the second period to make it 30-16 with 2:16 left to play in the first half. French Settlement cut into the deficit going on a 6-2 run to trail 32-23 at the half. The Lady Lions outscored STA by a 15-10 margin.
Saint Thomas maintained its lead throughout the second half. The Lady Falcons outscored French Settlement 16-10 to take a 48-33 lead going into the fourth quarter. Geisler nailed a 3-point goal at the buzzer to end the period. French Settlement could get no closer than nine points the rest of the way. The Lady Falcons worked the clock on offense holding the ball and waiting for the high percentage shot.
A three-point play by Devasia Williams made it 55-37 to give the Lady Falcons their largest lead of the game. The Lady Lions scored the final three points with less than a minute left to play to make the final score 55-41
“The girls listened really well in the last quarter,” Silewicz said. “They ran five minutes off the game clock by playing very smartly, throwing good passes and then we tried to work the ball inside and forcing them foul us. I was pleased on how physical we played against French Settlement.”
Catherine Lamonte led Lady Falcon scoring attack with 16 points, followed by Williams with 15 and Geisler added 13 points. Katy Potrament netted six points and Abry Layrisson finished with three points. Sydney Gill had two points for Saint Thomas.
“We just turned the ball over too much and they (STA) took advantage of it,” said French Settlement coach Daniel Martin. “They (STA) attack the basket well and we were unable to cut that off. We just got to do a better job on both ends of the floor taking care of the basketball. We’ve done well against pressing defenses all year, but we didn’t execute like we should have. We had a lot of good looks at the basket that we did not make tonight, so we got to come back and get ready for the next one.”
The Lady Falcons, now 21-10 overall on the season, will play at St. Helena on Friday Feb. 10 to conclude regular season play.
Lady Falcons shutout Lafayette Christian 10-0!
Sophie LaCroix kicks in four goals.
AMITE, LA—The Saint Thomas Aquinas Lady Falcons back in the playoffs after a seven year absence made the most of their first round playoff match shutting out the visiting Lafayette Christian Lady Knights 10-0 in a contest played at Oak Forest due to poor field conditions at the Falcon’s field.
Sophie LaCroix using some nice passes from her teammates all but put the match away early as she score four goals in a span of twenty minutes. Julie Bouffard go the scoring started for the Lady Falcons kicking in a goal with 37:37 still showing in the first half clock. Ava Mistretta followed up at the 17:21 mark for the Falcons sixth goal and the Bouffard added her second goal to make it 7-0.
Bronwyn Doan took over for goals eight and nine and senior Ashley Graziano finished off the Lady Falcons scoring show with the final goal giving Saint Thomas a commanding 10-0 lead. The Lady Knights would threaten twice late getting a pair of corner kicks by the Lady Falcons shut the door to secure the shutout.
Falcons smack Saint Charles 6-1!
Bickford delivers a hat trick plus one!!
HAMMOND, LA—The Saint Thomas Aquinas Falcons delghted fans and stunned the 4th-ranked Saint Charles Comets as Jonathan Bickford using some solid assists kicked in three goals within seven minutes in the first half to spark a 4-1 lead at intermission. Logan Leyrer added the fourth goal before Saint Charles got a late goal just before halftime.
Bickford and the Falcons were not finished scoring as they added two more goals in the second half with Brody Doan kicking in number five and Bickford adding his fourth to finish off Saint Charles
6-1. This victory moved the Falcons up to number seven in the power point rankings as they will await the playoff brackets to be released next week.
Falcons romp over Bulldogs 73-39!
Lady Falcons fall 44-35 and JV Ladies get the win.
SPRINGFIELD, LA—The Saint Thomas Aquinas Falcons opened District play on the road against Springfield and earned a split as the Lady Bulldogs defeated the Lady Falcons 44-35 while the Falcons dominated Springfield in the boys game winning 73-39. In the JV contest the STA Ladies scored a 21-11 win.
The Falcons jumped put to a 33-18 lead at intermission and cruised to a 34-point win as they added 40 second half points. Najae Williams lead all scorers with 18 points while Logan Love had 14, Kendrell Perry 12, and Caden Haidet 10. The victory improved the Falcons mark to 12-8 and 1-0 league play. Saint Thomas will host Pope John Paul II next Tuesday for their second District contest.
Falcons outlast Wolves!
Saint Thomas takes down parish rival Loranger 63-57.
HAMMOND, LA—In front of a standing-room-only jammed pack St. Thomas Aquinas gymnasium, the Falcon Basketball team registered a 63-57 victory the Loranger Wolves in a non-district contest.
The win snapped Loranger's six-game winning streak as the Wolves entered the game being the No. 1 team in Tangipahoa Parish with a 15-3 record. Each team had several scoring runs, but it would be St. Thomas rallying from a one-point deficit at halftime outgunning Loranger in the third and fourth quarters to seal their ninth win of the year.
“It's a big win for us," said STA coach Ramone Andrews. “You could see that both teams really wanted to win this one. Both of the communities came together and it was a great game. Great atmosphere tonight. I’m proud of our student body for coming out and supporting these guys. We fed off their energy and it felt like a playoff game.”
Both teams kept it close in the opening quarter. The Wolves led 7-5 after a transition basket and free throw by Tywan LaSalle. St. Thomas answered with a 3-pointer and a layup shot by Logan Love. A steal by Cace Reed led to a mid-range jump shot and then Kendrell Perry followed with a layup to make it 13-9 at the end of the first period.
The Falcons went on a 12-2 run to extend its lead to 21-9 as Najae Williams sank a pair of free throws and scored a layup off transition to lead the scoring surge. Loranger responded by going on a 15-4 run to take a 24-23 advantage after a put-back basket by Jaylen Bonds with less than a minute remaining to play in the first half. A 3-point bucket by Jocchaeus Bond put the Wolves ahead at 27-26 at the half. Loranger outscored the Falcons by a 18-13 margin in the second quarter.
Perry nailed a baseline jumper at the beginning of the third period. The basket set the tone for the Falcons to begin the second half. Darius Vaughn followed with a jump shot and layup to extend the Falcon lead to 34-29. Later Perry scoring on an old-fashion 3-point play and then nailed a 3-point bucket to give STA its largest lead of the game at 49-39. St. Thomas outgunned Loranger by a 21-11 margin in the third period.
The Wolves cut the deficit to 49-43 on a basket by Ashton Brunies prompting a STA time-out with 3:27 left to play. The Falcons answered with a pair of jump shots by Vaughn and Caden Haidet to make it 56-49. Loranger responded with a pair of 3-point goals by Bond and Brunies with less than a minute left to play. Key free throw shooting by St. Thomas Perry kept the Wolves at bay sealing the 63-57 victory.
“We didn’t play like we wanted to,” said Andrews. “After battling against Parish teams in Hammond and Amite, we wanted to finish the week off the right way and the guys did that tonight.”
Kendrell Perry led all scores with 23 points, including two 3-point goals. Logan Love follow with 14 and Najae Williams added 13 points. Darius Vaughn netted nine points and Cace Reed finished with four points.
Jaylen Bonds led the Wolves with 17 points, followed by Jocchaeus Bonds with 15 and Ashton Brunies added 10 points. Tywan LaSalle netted six points and Jeremiah Little and Jeremiah Grady each had four points apiece for Loranger.
Falcons defeat rival Hammond 62-56!
Perry tosses in 21 points ...
HAMMOND, LA—The Saint Thomas Aquinas Falcons made it two big wins in a row Monday. After taking down Lakeshore last week the Falcons went on the road and knocked Hammond, a team that boasted a 13-4 mark
coming into the contest.
The cross-town basketball rivalry between the Saint Thomas Aquinas Falcons and the Hammond High Tornadoes was much was it last year. Another close knit game that went back-and-forth and it would come down to clutch free throw shooting by Saint Thomas to escape with a 62-56 victory in a nondistrict contest played at the Hammond High Gymnasium.
It marked the second straight win for the Falcons over the Tors after winning by a three-point margin last season at the STA gym. The Falcons evened its record to 8-8 on the season while Hammond saw its five-game win streak snapped dropping to 13-5 on the year.
Both coaches felt that this type of game will help prepare them for their respective District races as league play begins next week. “We had a tough early schedule and we had guys hurt, but we have a roster with juniors and seniors so now we are starting to find our stride right in the middle of the season,” said STA coach Raymone Andrews. “We’re maturing and doing the little things right so that helped us tonight to get the win.”
“It was a tough pill to swallow with this loss,” said Hammond coach Onochie Ochie. “I felt like our kids fought to the end after being down by eleven with five minutes left. I’m proud of my kids for their effort. Saint Thomas is a great team with a great coach. I tell my kids that this is either a lesson or a blessing. If we lose we’ll get better from it.”
The Falcons began the contest with a right-wing 3-pointer by junior forward Kendrell Perry and then followed that shot with a back-door layup shot to give St. Thomas a 5-2 lead. Moments later Hammond responded with a pair of 3-point goals by Lamar Tobias to give the Tors a 11-10 advantage. Senior Logan Love scored a put-back basket that gave STA the lead back, but Hammond answered with a alley-oop dunk shot by Christian Myers to tie it at 14-14. A Najae jump shot off of transition gave the Falcons a 16-14 lead at the end of the first quarter.
St. Thomas extended its lead in the early minutes of the second period as Perry made a pair of layups off of steals from their pressure defense to make it 24-18. Hammond had plenty of fight getting a dunk by Mashua Miller on a fast-break and that would follow with a 3-point play by Charles Armstrong. A put-back basket by Zach Staten put the Tornadoes ahead at 29-26 with :44 seconds left in the first half. STA answered with a layup shot by junior guard Brady Mendez. Senior Cadon Haidet scored on a jump shot that saw the Hammond lead cut to 32-31 at the half. The Tornadoes outgunned STA by a 18-15 margin at the break.
Perry put STA back in front with a 3-point goal which was followed by a 3-pointer by senior Darius Vaughn to make it 37-32. The Falcons maintained its lead to the end of the third quarter when senior Luke Carballo drained a 3-pointer to give STA a 49-43 advantage heading into the final period. STA outgunned Hammond by 18-11 margin in the third quarter.
Starting the fourth period Hammond went on a 11-4 run that cut the deficit to 54-51 with 3:07 remaining to play. The combination of defense and counterattack was the driving force. STA responded with key free throw shooting down the stretch. The Falcons sank eight-of-11 foul shots as Hammond was forced to foul to preserve time on the game clock. Perry, Wiiliams and junior Cace Reed kept Hammond from getting no closer that three points the rest of the way with their clutch rebound free throw shooting.
“This was good for our kids to come over here in a tough environment and come out with a win,” said Andrews. “We preach all the time, we gotta rebound, get stops, then make free throws and finish.”
Perry led all scorers with 21 points, including two 3-point goals. Williams followed with 13. Carballo netted five and Haidet and Reed each added six points apiece. Logan Love netted four points and Vaughn ended with three points for St. Thomas.
Armstrong led Hammond with 12 points, followed by Myers with 10.
The Falcons will play host to Amite on Wednesday, Jan. 11 and then entertain Loranger on Friday, Jan. 13.
Falcons score a trifecta!
Girls and boyus soccer teams win and boys basketball get the victory.
HAMMOND, LA—Falcon athletics scored a trifecta Friday night with the girls soccer team winning 4-0 over Pearl River, the boys basketball team winning 71-67 over Lakeshore, and the boys soccer team edging Lakeshore 2-1.
Four different Lady Falcons scored goals in the win over the Lady Rebels. Bronwyn Doan got STA started with a goal at the 15:21 mark of the first half followed by a pair of goals in the final six minutes of the half Sophie LaCroix and Chloe Wille kicked in goals. Ava Mistretta scored the final goal midway through the second half as the STA defense pitched a shutout.
The boys basketball team delivered an impressive upset of highly regarded Lakeshore as Najae WIlliams, Kendrell Perry, Logan Love, and Cace Reed all scored in double figures to pace a 71-67 victory.
In boys soccer senior Timothy Lacoste and junior Jonathan Bickford collected goals to give the Falcons a 2-0 lead at the half and the Falcons played solid defense in the second half to hang on for a 2-1 win.
Ladies continue win streak!
Lady Falcons roll past Saint Charles Catholic 7-0!
HAMMOND, LA—The Saint Thomas Aquinas Lady Falcon remained undefeated collecting seven more goals as they shutout the visiting Saint Charles Catholic Lady Comets in action Tuesday.
Julia Bouffard scored a hat trick wioth three goals and Bronwyn Doan kicked in a pair of goals and an assist.
The Lady Falcons got on the board seven minutes into the contest when Bouffard scored off an assist by Doan. Sophie LaCroix put Saint Thomas up 2-0 ten minutes later
and then delivered an assist to Bouffard at the 13:32 mark for a 3-0 lead. Following Bouffard’s third goal, Ava Mistretta added the Lady Falcons fifth goal with 3:01 showing on the clock.
The Lady Comets pitched a shutout for most of the second half before Doan dribbled past the Comets defense twice scoring the Lady Falcons final two goals. The
Saint Thomas Ladies have collected 72 goals so far.
Cold, raining no problem ... ladies win.
Lady Falcons soccer shutout Franklinton 7-0!
HAMMOND, LA—Tough weather conditions did not slow down the Lady Falcons as they handed the visiting Lady Demons of Franklilnton a 7-0 shutout. With the victory, the STA Ladies remained
undefeated with a mark of 7-0-1. Bronwyn Doan delivered a hat trick scoring three goals while the Mistretta twins Ava and Amelia each had obe goal and Sophie LaCroix had one goal.
Not home for the Holidays ...
FALCON HOOPS hits the road.
HAMMOND, LA—The girls and boys basketball teams will not be “home for the holidays” as hoops action heats up. The ladies will play Salmen on December 20 and the
Archbishop Hannan Tournament December 21-23. The boys hit the road for the CD Classic December 20-23 and then after two days off play in the annual Sunkist Shootout December 26-30.
Soccer staying home ...
Girls and Boys Soccer home Christmas week.
HAMMOND, LA—The girls and boys soccer teams will play a match December 20 as the ladies take on Saint Charles Catholic and the boys host Saint Michaels. The Lady Falcons remain
undefeated at 6-0-1 and are sixth in the power ratings. The boys are 6-3-1 and are ninth in the power ranking.
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