by Joseph W. Gex II, Contributing Writer

BAY ST. LOUIS (GG) — The Saint Stanislaus Rock-A-Chaws used stifling defense and an array of shooters for a 70-31 rout of Presbyterian Christian in the Division 8-3A finals last Friday. The victory and title marked the first time since the 2002-03 seasons where the Rocks have won consecutive district titles.

The Rocks opened the game with a three-pointer from Rafael Cohen and surged to a 11-2 lead by the 2:46 mark of the opening period.  Eli Walton and Stringer Smith sank consecutive three-pointers to pull the Bobcats to within a basket at 11-8 with 1:15 left in the opening period.

The Rocks employed a stingy defense that allowed an offense that surged for a 28-6 run for the remainder of the first half. SSC enjoyed a 42-14 lead at intermission with Jason Forte scoring 14 points on the run.

In the third period, Cohen sank a basket with 5:06 left that started the running clock. From then on, it was a matter of time before the Rocks won the title.

SSC head coach Daniel Grieves stated, “We were glad to see the team put together four periods of play. When we are able to do that special things can happen. We have talked all season long about postseason play and how we need to enter it. We have placed organized stress on the team throughout the season to get them ready for this. We look forward to playing Hazlehurst in the first round.”

The Rocks had Tre Schwandt, Raymond Ellis, Alan Gilliam, Waring Kane, David Belle, Rafael Cohen, Jason Forte, and Max Baria were all selected to the Division 8-3A team. Cohen was named Offensive Player of the Year, Forte was selected as Defensive Player of the Year, and Baria was named Most Valuable Player. Daniel Grieves was also named Coach of the Year.

In the district finals, SSC was led by Forte with 20 points followed by Belle with 13, and Cohen had 12 points.

In the first round matchup with Hazlehurst on Tuesday evening, the Rocks needed some additional time to get things moving against an athletic Indians squad.  The Rocks jumped out to an 18-9 lead at the end of the first period. Both teams traded baskets in the second period as SSC led 35-23.

In the third period, Cohen paced the Rocks with eight points in the period. SSC led 49-36 going into the final frame. The Rocks (27-4) put the game out of reach outscoring Hazelhurst 20-9 in the final period.

Grieves added, “Hazlehurst is a classic 3A team being athletic and fast. They are a very disruptive squad that caused some problems for us. We needed to see some adversity in the first round where so many games are lopsided. Now, we advance to the second round against another very good team in St. Andrew’s Episcopal. We need to be prepared for a solid team that is well coached and prepared to cause problems.”

Against Hazelhurst, SSC was paced by Cohen with 18 points followed by Gilliam and Forte with 14 points each, and Baria with 12 points. Hazelhurst was paced by Josiah Freeman with 17 points and Dennis Williams added 10 points.

Additionally, senior Max Baria on being selected to compete in the 2026 Alabama/Mississippi All-Star Game. This prestigious event showcases the top senior basketball players from both states, bringing together elite talent for a high-level, cross-state matchup each year.

Junior Rafael Cohen has also earned recognition as a 2026 South Mississippi All-Star, highlighting his outstanding performance this season among the best players in the region. The Rocks will host St. Andrew’s Episcopal on Saturday at the Brother Peter Memorial Gymnasium with tipoff set for 6 p.m.

Photo submitted by Saint Stanislaus College Prep