LITTLE CYPRESS – The host Little Cypress-Mauriceville Bears got off to a nice start in their own LC-M International Paper Tournament Monday by downing the Cleveland Indians 65-53 at the Grove.

Also, the Bridge City Cardinals toppled the Orangefield Bobcats 59-45 in the other big game of the day Monday.

The Bears trailed 26-22 at intermission but exploded in the third quarter to dart past the Indians.

Sparked by a huge game by Jesse Doucette, the Bears outscored Cleveland 27-10 in the third quarter to take control of the contest.

Doucette fired in a game-high 32 points, 22 of them coming in the second half. He sparked the third quarter run with 10 points in the period and scored 12 more in the decisive fourth quarter. Doucette finished with six three-pointers and also added five rebounds.

Bear post Julius Stevens scored eight points for the Bears while freshman guard Da’Marion Morris had six points and a game-high nine rebounds.

Cleveland was sparked by the effort of Jevarick Butler, who filtered in a team-high 25 points and he hit three three-pointers.

Alex Martinez had 10 points and five rebounds for the Indians while Trumarcus Williams had seven points and Devonte Robertson had six points and eight rebounds.

The Bears finished with a 29-24 rebounding edge. LC-M was 4-of-7 from the free-throw line while the Indians were also 4-of-7.

LC-M outscored the Indians 43-27 after intermission. The two teams were tied 14-14 at the end of the first quarter.

In Bridge City’s win over Orangefield, the Cardinals outscored the Bobcats 21-13 in the second quarter to go up 29-19 by intermission and expanded their cushion to 48-34 by the end of the third quarter.

Austin Richardson powered the Cardnal arsenal with 14 points and connected on four three-pointers. He helped lead the second quarter surge with eight points, including two three-pointers.

Grant Boudreaux had nine points for the Cardinals. Ray Epperley, Ethan Oceguera and Gabe Castillo each scored seven points for Bridge City. Castillo and Trenton Roccaforte led the Cardinals with five rebounds apiece.

Guard Clayson Choate paced the Bobcats with 10 points. Tyler Greenwood tallied eight points and grabbed five boards while Peyton Wrinkle had six points.

The Cardinals finished with a 28-24 rebounding edge.

Bridge City was 4-of-5 from the free-throw line while Orangefield was 6-of-11.

 

Bridge City fell to Iowa (La.) 56-40 in its first game Monday.

Curtis Deville led Iowa with 14 points while Devonte Wright and Quinton Collins added 10 points apiece.

Grant Boudreaux paced the Cardinals with 11 points while Ray Epperley had eight points and Ethan Oceguera and Austin Richardson added seven points apiece.

Orangefield dropped a 67-52 decision to Port Neches-Groves in their first game Monday.

Despite the loss, Orangefield guard Coy Bryant dropped 25 points on the Indians and drained seven three-point bombs.

Khristian Curtis scored a game-high 26 points for the Indians while Noah Marchak scored 13 and Kenneth Muller 10.

Games at the Grove on Tuesday, Dec. 31 includes Orangefield vs. Lufkin Hudson (9 a.m.); Bridge City vs. Cleveland (10:30 a.m.); Sulphur vs. PN-G (noon); LC-M vs. Palestine Westwood (1:30 p.m.); Lufkin Hudson vs. Bridge City (3 p.m.); PN-G vs. Huffman (4:30 p.m.); and LC-M vs. Legacy (6 p.m.).

Games at the Bear Cave Tuesday, Dec. 31 includes LC-M 9^th vs. PA Memorial 9^th (9 a.m.); LC-M JV vs. PA Memorial JV (10:30 a.m.); Huffman vs. C.E. King (noon); Legacy vs. Vidor (1:30 p.m.); Cleveland vs. Orangefield (3 p.m.); C.E. King vs. Sulphur (4:30 p.m.); and Vidor vs. Palestine Westwood (6 p.m.).