Top-seeded New Iberia never led in regulation. But once the Yellow Jackets took the lead on two free throws by Wayne Randall with 1:10 remaining in overtime, they were in control.
Randall scored a game-high 16 points and pulled down 10 rebounds as New Iberia edged No. 4 Walker 47-43 in a Division I nonselect semifinal game that concluded semifinal action at the LHSAA boys state basketball tournament Thursday night.
NISH (30-3), making its first tourney appearance since 1999, advances to play No. 3 Ponchatoula (28-7) in the title game set for 8 p.m. Saturday at Burton Coliseum.
Austin Delahoussaye added 11 points for the Yellow Jackets, who rallied from a seven-point deficit in the fourth quarter to send the game to overtime. Randall also made the two free throws with 3:08 left in regulation to tie the score at 38-38, while Delahoussaye made four free throws in overtime.
Warren Young Jr. led Walker with 14 points. Kenric Brown added 10 points for the Wildcats (29-6) who made their sixth straight tourney appearance.
Walker bolted out to a fast start. The Wildcats scored the first seven points. A 3-pointer from the top of the key by Young made it 7-0 with 6:01 remaining in the first quarter.
New Iberia broke the ice with a 3-pointer by the right wing by Delahoussaye 30 seconds later. The Wildcats scored seven the next nine points and led 14-5 at the 3:30 mark.
The Yellow Jackets scored the final five points. Christian Walker’s jumper in the lane got NISH within four at 14-10 going into the second quarter.
Things followed much the same script in the second quarter. Walker scored the first five points and led 19-10, thanks to a 3-pointer by Brandon Bardales 90 seconds into the period.
New Iberia closed the half with a 10-2 run. Two free throws by Delahoussaye with 12.4 seconds left got the Yellow Jackets within one point at 21-20.
Walker held onto a slim lead until late in the third quarter. An old-fashioned three-point play – a layup and free throw by Wayne Randall – tied the game at 27-27 with 2:26 to go.
But the Yellow Jackets were never able to take the lead. Walker scored three times in the final minute and took a 33-29 lead into the final quarter.
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