Basketball Recap: Zayveian Johnson's Big Game Can't Quite Lead Rapides over Mamou

Rapides was not able to break out of their rough patch on Monday as the team picked up their fourth straight defeat. They lost to the Mamou Demons on the road by a 67-50 margin. While losing is never fun, the Mustangs can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Louisiana basketball rankings (they are ranked 283rd, while the Demons are ranked 111th).

Rapides lost despite a true team effort on offense, the best among them being Zayveian Johnson, who went 10 for 19 on his way to 24 points in addition to six rebounds and three steals. Johnson's evening made it three games in a row in which he has scored at least ten points. The team also got some help courtesy of Jayden Wilson, who went 6 for 10 on his way to 12 points in addition to six rebounds and four steals.

Even though they lost, Rapides smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with ten offensive boards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least nine offensive boards in three consecutive contests.

Rapides' loss dropped their record down to 3-9. As for Mamou, they are on a roll lately: they've won five of their last six games, which provided a nice bump to their 7-3 record this season.

Both squads will have to hit the road in their upcoming games. Rapides will have a little extra prep time after the defeat as they won't be playing again for a while. They'll take on St. Joseph's - Plaucheville at 7:00 p.m. on January 3, 2025. Mamou also won't see the court for a while: their next matchup is against Kinder at 7:00 p.m. on January 6, 2025.