Eisenhower’s Gavin Lindemuth lays up a shot while being guarded by Youngsville’s Rylan Benton, right, during Tuesday’s Region 3 victory. Times Observer Photo by Steve Younger

YOUNGSVILLE — In a year’s time, they will likely be teammates.

But Tuesday — for one final time — the Youngsville and Eisenhower boys basketball teams went to war in the Backyard Brawl.

Austin Hanson made sure the Knights ended up on the winning end of this one, erupting for 27 points and leading Eisenhower to a 68-38 Region 3 victory in front of a capacity crowd at Youngsville High School.

“It was definitely a unique situation where it is a rivalry game and the last home game ever for the team that is combining with you,” said Eisenhower coach Ryan Mangini. “I think Youngsville played really hard all game despite losing a player due to injury and another playing through an injury. I have been following them all season and have been impressed with this group’s toughness and skill. We are very excited for them to join our program and get started with them this offseason.”

It was an emotional night in the Youngsville High School gym as the Eagles took part in their final boys basketball home game in program history. Many alumni, students, staff and parents — as well as youngsters who had hoped to one day wear the red and white — jammed the stands and made the environment of Youngsville’s last boys home game one to remember.

As far as the result, things just didn’t go the way of the home team.

Playing without starter Braydon Baker and with Ethan Beers playing through an injury, the Eagles stayed with the Knights early as the game started in a 5-5 tie. Soon, however, the Knights put together a 9-0 run that would build a cushion that would never seriously be challenged.

Eisenhower (13-8, 5-4 Region 3) led by 10 after a quarter and Youngsville got within 24-17 with 5:34 left in the first half. However, a three-point play from the Knights’ Will Mandeville pushed the lead back into double digits and it remained there the rest of the game.

With the Knights already up 38-19 at halftime, Hanson took over the game in the third quarter. The scintillating sophomore scored 11 points in the opening three minutes of the third and 17 for the quarter all told as the Knights lead swelled to 60-27.

The Eagles (12-6, 3-5 Region 3) continued fighting until the bitter end and the longtime rivalry didn’t go down without one more chippy moment in the fourth quarter when a technical was called on Eisenhower for an elbow. The supporters from both teams went to hollering, giving a glimpse into the passion that will be sorely missed when these longtime rivals become teammates in late 2025.

Youngsville coach Jesse Benton was proud of his team’s effort despite being disappointed with the loss.

“I hate to see this as the last home game,” said Benton. “These young men worked very hard and were on top of their game until we ran into illness and injuries. We need to focus on recovery and playoffs at this point.”

Hanson led the Knights with 27 points and Casey Seymour added 14 points. Will Mandeville finished with 9 points and Gavin Lindemuth scored 8.

David Manning paced Youngsville’s effort with 17 points with Rylan Benton adding 9 and Ethan Beers 6.

The Knights won the junior varsity contest 36-20. Alexander Russell led the Knights with 10 points while Uriah Gallegos paced the Eagles with nine points.

Youngsville is back in action Wednesday when it visits Erie Prep Academy for a varsity only contest. Eisenhower closes the regular season Friday hosting that same Erie Prep Academy team.

VARSITY

EISENHOWER (68)

Seymour 6 1-1 14, Guiher 2 0-0 6, Lindemuth 4 0-1 8, Hanson 11 1-1 27, Mandeville 4 1-1 9, Chase 1 0-0 2, Gigliotti 1 0-0 2, Reynolds 0 0-0 0, Russell 0 0-0 0, Palmieri 0 0-0 0. Totals 29 3-4 68.

YOUNGSVILLE (38)

Manning 5 2-6 17, Benton 4 0-0 9, Moore 2 0-0 4, Beers 3 0-0 6, Rowland 1 0-0 2, Haight 0 0-0 0, Gallegos 0 0-0 0, Pikna 0 0-0 0, Boozer 0 0-0 0. Totals 15 2-6 38.

3-point goals–Seymour, Guiher 2, Hanson 4, Manning 5, Benton.

Eisenhower 22 16 22 8 — 68

Youngsville 12 7 8 11 — 38

JAYVEE

EISENHOWER (36)

Russell 4 0-0 10, Palmieri 3 0-0 6, Mandeville 4 0-2 8, Reynolds 3 0-0 6, Gigliotti 2 0-0 4, Frank 1 0-0 2, Destro 0 0-0 0, Dunn 0 0-2 0, Wilson 0 0-0 0. Totals 17 0-4 36.

YOUNGSVILLE (20)

Gallegos 4 1-3 9, Rex 2 0-0 5, Haight 0 0-0 0, Gallegos 0 0-0 0, Pikna 2 0-0 4, Boozer 1 0-0 2, Montgomery 0 0-0 0. Totals 9 1-3 20.

3-point goals–Russell 2, Rex.

Eisenhower 7 14 9 6 — 36

Youngsville 5 4 3 8 — 20