The Jena Giants did something that’s been done only one other time since 2003 and that is play in a second round playoff game. The only other time that a Jena Giants boys’ basketball team has made it to the second round of the playoffs was in 2020 when the Giants lost at home to Sophie B. Wright.
The Jena Giants did something that’s been done only one other time since 2003 and that is play in a second round playoff game. The only other time that a Jena Giants boys’ basketball team has made it to the second round of the playoffs was in 2020 when the Giants lost at home to Sophie B. Wright.
The #14 Jena Giants defeated #19 Rosepine 78-76 in the first round of the playoffs to advance to play the #3 Winnfield Tigers who had a bye in the first round of the playoffs.
Winnfield has been one of the better teams in the state the last few years as two years ago they lost to Port Allen in the semifinals and last year they lost to Port Allen in the state championship game.
It would be a rocking atmosphere at Winnfield as they had a DJ on the sideline and the stands filled with Winnfield and Jena fans who made the trip.
Winnfield would jump out to a big lead in the first quarter and wouldn’t look back as they outscored the Giants 34-12 in the first quarter. Winnfield would outscore the Giants in every quarter of the game to advance with an 81-46 win.
In the game for the Giants, Zy Hunter had 16 points, Demariyon Hammock had 15 points, Zac Brown had 8 points, Zadrien Cooper had 4 points and Xavier Brown had 3 points.
Even though the season did not end the way that the Giants wanted they have nothing to hang their heads about. The Giants finished the season with 14 wins and won a playoff game which not many Jena Giants basketball players can say.
The job that Head Coach Matt Whitman has done in only his second year leading the program has been remarkable as he has led the Giants from the bottom of the district to a team that made it to the second round of the playoffs.
We will definitely miss seniors Zy Hunter and Demariyon Hammock as they have given us some great performances over the past four years and their hard work this season will be a building block for the program in the future.
The future is bright for the Giants as they have a large sophomore class that will return next season as they look to lead and make their mark on the program. Congratulations guys on a great season.
Photos from the game:
