By Joseph W. Gex II/Sports Writer

BAY ST. LOUIS — The Saint Stanislaus Rock-A-Chaws needed a little time to get things going in the Brother Philip Memorial Gymnasium on Tuesday in the Rocks’ first round Class 3A state playoff game.

But once the wheels started to roll, it was all downhill.

The Rocks used a stifling defense to separate from Hazelhurst in the second half as they cruised to a 69-45 victory and advance to the second round against St. Andrew’s Episcopal on Saturday.

Senior Max Baria was honored before the game for having achieved 1,0000 points, 500 rebounds, and 200 blocks in his career. The Clarion Ledger Dandy Dozen selection has over 100 blocks alone this year.

Baria opened the game with a basket down low followed by Jason Forte’s steal and bucket to push to a quick 4-0 lead. 

The Rocks (27-4) went up 18-9 at the end of the first period. 

Hazelhurst pulled to within three points 24-21 on Josiah Pittman’s basket with 2:36 left in the half but an 11-2 run over the final two minutes by the Rocks squashed any hope of a comeback as SSC enjoyed a 35-23 lead at intermission. 

The two squads went basket for basket in the third period as the Rocks maintained a 49-36 advantage.

In the fourth period, SSC closed the game with a 20-9 run to make the final score.

SSC head coach Daniel Grieves commented, “Hazelhurst is a classic 3A team with size and athleticism. They do a tremendous job of disrupting what you are trying to do. They are fast and they can jump which alters your look. It was an adjustment of what we played against most recently. We are out of school for the Mardi Garas break and anytime when a team’s normal day is disrupted there is slippage. Our concentration was broken somewhat today. However, we needed to see adversity in the first round when so many matchups are lopsided. Now, we face St. Andrew’s in Saturday. They are a very good program with a great head coach. They have 20 wins this season. It will be a tough ball game at home.”

The Rocks have a 25-game home win streak heading into the second round game.

Against Hazelhurst, SSC was led by Rafael Cohen with 17 points followed Alan Gilliam and Jason Forte with 14 points each. Max Baria added 12 points. 

Hazelhurst was paced by Josiah Pittman with 17 points and Dennis Williams with 10 points. 

The Rocks will host St. Andrew’s for a second round matchup on Saturday with tipoff set for 6 p.m.