By Lisa Soileaux

Assistant Editor

Rayne High’s run for another state basketball title was halted Friday evening by Carroll High during the regional round of the 2013 state basketball playoffs, 70-50.

“They’re a very athletic team, I have to give them that,” stated Rayne Coach Louis Handy of their regional round opponent. “But, we did not play to win -- I feel we played to compete. And, at this level, you just can’t do that.”

Handy continued, “Sure, the distractions didn’t help and the officiating wasn’t the best. But, you have to overcome those things and play ball. We just didn’t play like the team we are and like I know our guys are capable of playing.”

Rayne lit up the scoreboard for a short-lived lead as Michael Henry hit a long-ball. But, Carroll answered with a bucket and three-pointer of their own, taking over the lead permanently, ending a 15-7 first quarter lead.

Rayne softened Carroll’s lead in the second quarter of action scoring 15 compared to 14, but still trailed 29-22 at the halftime break.

The halftime break seemed to energize Carroll’s defense as they limited the Wolves to only four points in the third quarter of play. Carroll pulled away with a 52-26 lead with the start of the final quarter of action, doubling their lead and putting the game out of Rayne’s reach.

Rayne answered with 24 points in the final quarter, but it was too little, too late with Carroll taking the 70-50 regional win.

Leading Rayne scores were Drakkar Broussard and Michael Papillion with 11 and 10 points, respectively. Dannie Harmon had six on the night, along with Michael Henry scoring six, Robert Butler with four, a trey by Charles Jones and a bucket for Peyton Larry.

The game’s high scorer was Carroll’s D. Johnson with 16 points.