Leslie happy, eager for Australian opportunity
December 13, 2016
Prep Roundup – Week 4 Basketball Season
December 13, 2016
H.L. Bourgeois didn’t win their own tournament this weekend – an honor that instead was earned by the Ellender Patriots.
But that doesn’t mean the Braves don’t expect to be in the final game of the 2016-17 season when all of the chips are on the table in Lake Charles at the LHSAA Top 28.
Expectations are high this season around the H.L. Bourgeois boys’ basketball locker room, and why wouldn’t they be?
The Braves are 9-2 on the season and are unquestionably among the favorites in Class 5A – a team that returns just about everyone from a squad that made the state quarterfinals a year ago.
H.L. Bourgeois coach Andrew Caillouet said his current group isn’t always perfect, but added they’re a joy to coach.
He said these Braves are a battle-tested bunch that expects to win every, single time they take the floor – a luxury the coach thinks will carry his team later in the season.
“Our guys really never get nervous and we never really doubt ourselves,” Caillouet said. “We’ve been in so many situations together, the general feeling with our team is always to just keep battling, to keep fighting and everyone always agrees that if we work together, we’re going to end up finding a way.
“And more often than not, that’s how it’s worked out for us so far.”
The key to the Braves dominance is the team’s balance, which Caillouet said is sparked by an unselfish mentality around the team’s locker room.
The Braves have players – there’s no question about it.
They’re led by a dominant trio – a three-headed monster led by guards A.J. Rainey and Rayshawn Mart, as well as forward Chance Gasery.
Also contributing heavily to the team’s cause are role players like Divine Martin, I’Savier Allridge and Dominic Robinson, among others.
“Those three guys really head our team,” Caillouet said. “A lot of our offense runs through them, and it’s those guys’ jobs to set up things for themselves and for their teammates.”
It’s a job that Rainey, Mart and Gasery accept with open arms, according to Caillouet.
The longtime Braves coach said this year’s Braves team is one of the most selfless groups he’s ever coached in his veteran career – a trait that’s allowed the team to have as much success as it’s had.
On any given night, anyone on the Braves team can either lead the team in scoring or only have a handful of points.
That diversity makes the Braves awfully tough to guard throughout the duration of a 32-minute game.
“We have a team that really doesn’t care where the credit is going,” Caillouet said. “That’s sometimes rare, but that’s a trait that our team has. Our kids pass the ball. Our kids are happy when their teammates are having success. It’s always a great thing when you’re able to be united and not concerned about who’s getting the spotlight or the glory, and right now, we’re doing that.”
They’re also being challenged by some of the best teams in Louisiana.
Caillouet said he made the Braves schedule brutally tough this year by design.
“We don’t back away from playing anyone,” Caillouet said. “That’s something we’ve always believed in – that hard, challenging schedule.”
By playing quality opponents, the Braves are generating power points, which will help them get premier placement in the Class 5A bracket.
But more important than that, the tough games are a measuring stick that Caillouet can use to gauge his team’s readiness for district, then postseason play.
Caillouet said the games are useful early-season tests which will allow the Braves to be ready for any obstacle they’ll see later in the season.
So far, so good.
The Braves started the season 9-1 with victories over Chalmette, Helen Cox, North Caddo and Westgate – all programs expected to make a push late into the season.
In the 11th game, the Braves lost to Ellender in a close, hard-fought thriller – the final game of their home tournament.
Caillouet said with the challenging schedule, he knows there will be some losses and some growing pains, but he’s not concerned.
The coach said this year’s group of Braves are special, and they have the ability to battle back from anything thrown their way.
“Our kids don’t ever give up,” Caillouet said. “We always fight and believe we can get it done.” •
No. 8 Area Basketball Takes Off
The Houma-Thibodaux area is becoming somewhat of a haven for quality prep basketball.
Three local boys’ teams made the Elite 8 of the 2015-16 prep basketball playoffs, while others bowed out before that round.
H.L. Bourgeois made the Elite 8 in Class 5A, losing to Natchitoches Central. Central Lafourche also made it, losing to East Ascension in a thriller.
The toughest loss was Ellender, who were defeated on a last-second shot at Bossier – a basket that probably shouldn’t have counted because of a clock malfunction.
On the girls’ side, South Lafourche, Ellender and Houma Christian all made runs, and are expected to again in 2017, as well.
Follow Casey on Twitter for more.
https://twitter.com/casey_gisclair
