Russell Hedges
Rhedges@bossierpress.com
The Bossier Bearkats advanced to the semifinals of the Class 3A boys basketballstate playoffs Friday night with a 49-48 victory over St. Louis in Lake Charles.
The No. 2 seed Bearkats (26-8) will return to Lake Charlex next Thursday for the Top 28. They will face No. 3 University Lab (24-7) at 6:15 p.m. In Burton Coliseum. University defeated No. 11 Westlake 86-66 in its quarterfinal game.
Friday’s game was Bossier’s third one in the playoffs that went down to the wIre. The Bearkat led by as many as 10 points in the second half. But No. 10 seed St. Louis rallied and took a one-point lead with about two minutes left.
Bossier regained the leand and had a chance to go up by three with 13 seconds left. Kentrell Hardy, who had a big game, made one of two free throws to take a 49-47 lead. St. Louis attempted a 3-pointer as time wound down.
Bossier fouled and St. Louis got three free throws with 0.8 seconds left. They made the first and missed the next two. A final tip-in attempt wouldn’t fall.
