Patterson High helps opponents overcome twister

PATTERSON — While a Class 3A high school basketball first-round playoff game between Patterson and Lutcher was the main event Friday night, the Patterson community did its part to help members of the Lutcher student body who were affected by a tornado that struck Convent Tuesday.
Patterson’s student body collected $533, while two basketball players — Jordan Butler and Nykese Murphy — and their families assembled goody bags for the Bulldog basketball team members.
A donation of non-perishable food items and toiletries also was collected.
The donations were presented to Lutcher High School before Friday night’s basketball game.
“I am extremely touched that Patterson High School held a jeans day and collected donations of cleaning supplies and non-perishable food items for our students, whose houses were damaged or destroyed in the tornado that went through Convent this past week,” Lutcher High School Principal Molly Stadalis said.
“After being a teacher at Patterson Junior High School for three years and the principal for a decade, it felt like I was coming home while driving into Patterson for the playoff game.
“The donations presented to Lutcher High School on behalf of our displaced families were an indication of what I have always known — the Patterson community has always taken care of those in times of need, and this time of crisis for the Lutcher High School family is no exception,” she said. “We thank the Lumberjacks for their assistance.”
Patterson High School Principal Rachael Sanders said, “We just wanted to reach out to folks from Lutcher, because we were blessed and out of harm’s way this time.”
No. 5 Patterson held off an upset bid by No. 28 Lutcher, 59-56, with a last-second basket by Nehemiah Augustus.
“The playoff game was an excellent display of sportsmanship with the score being so close throughout the entire game,” Stadalis said. “There were moments where the score was so tight that everyone in the gym was holding their breath in anticipation.
“The Patterson coaches and athletes are to be commended on the win. While I am saddened that our Bulldogs walked away from the playoff game with a loss, I am happy for the Lumberjacks as they move on to the next round of playoffs. We wish them luck.”