Barbe led from wire-to-wire in a 75-44 win over Lafayette to open District 3-5A play Thursday night.

The Bucs (15-7, 1-0) closed the first quarter with a 9-1 run to build a double-digit lead. Jabbari Barry scored 11 points in the second quarter as the Bucs stretched their lead to 20 points at halftime.

“In the first half we came out and hit some jump shots, hit some good, open shots and were able to get out in transition on them,” Bucs head coach Carl Klein said. “Fortunately we were able to play pretty solid defensively. We were able to hold them to one shot per possession, for the most part, and were able to get out and run to extend the lead before halftime.”

Barry’s barrage started with a trio of 3-pointers and allowed the Bucs to take control with a 30-12 lead midway through the second quarter.

“He has been our leader, the guy that has got us going,” Klein said of Barry. “He is the engine to our team and also got the other guys involved. He made great passes, shared the ball and kept everyone involved. As he goes well, we go well.”

The Bucs led 19-8 after the first quarter. Ben Golla opened the game with a 3-pointer and Ethan Marque made two shots from long range in the quarter.

Barry finished with 23 points to lead Barbe. JaQuise Richmond added 15, Marque 10 and Golla 15.

“I’m ecstatic we were able to get four guys into double figures,” Klein said. “That’s a tribute to our guys sharing the ball and playing as a team. Hopefully that will carry over into the next few games.”

Kobe Jones led Lafayette (11-8, 0-1) with 13 points.

The win was the ninth in the last 12 games for the Bucs. The 75 points were the most allowed by Lafayette this season. Only three opponents had scored more than 60 against the Lions.

Girls

Barbe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Lafayette. . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Areil Williams made a free throw with 9 seconds left to complete a Bucs comeback.

Barbe (20-4, 1-1) trailed by 12 points late in the third quarter but stormed back with a 14-2 run to start the fourth quarter. Williams scored 10 points in the run, which gave Barbe a 46-43 lead.

The score was tied five times the rest of the way with the Lions (18-6, 1-1) briefly going ahead 52-50 on a steal and basket by Kira Johnson.

Barbe scored the next four points on free throws by Mikaylah Manley. Lafayette tied the score with 23 seconds left on free throws by Taylan Arceneaux.

Manley finished with 27 points. Williams added 26. Johnson led Lafayette with 23 points. Chrysta Narcisse added 17.