While Jesuit led the entire game and won every quarter except the third, the team’s 22 turnovers leave plenty room for improvement as the Jays face the highly-ranked Catholic Bears (9-1).

After handling their non-conference away game against Mandeville on Tuesday, Dec. 12, the Jesuit basketball team loads the bus again Friday night to face a tougher Catholic High (Baton Rouge) team.

Although the Blue Jays (5-2, 2-1 away) have been solid on the road, their 16-point victory at Mandeville was far from their best effort, according to head coach Chris Jennings ’78. Two positives from the road contest, Jennings clarified, were the bench performance and the traveling experience.

“Our bench played really well Tuesday,” said the longtime Jesuit coach. “Two away games in one week presents a unique challenge. It gets your team ready for the playoffs. You never know where you may have to travel for the postseason. So we’re getting used to loading the bus or van and going anywhere in the state.”

One disadvantage of multiple away games, besides the obvious lack of home court advantage, is a short week of practice. Coach Jennings and assistant coach Jonathan Hernandez ’00 will watch film and encourage players to understand the gravity of upcoming matchups. While the Catholic game is technically classified as a pre-season game, every game moving forward counts for team seeding in the state playoffs. With the Bears (9-1) holding fourth place in the current state power rankings, the third-ranked Blue Jays look to defend their spot in the “Top 5” (see below).

Boys Basketball State Power Rankings (Current Top 5):

1. St. Paul’s
2. Scotlandville
3. Jesuit
4. Catholic (BR)
5. Byrd, C.E.