Parity surrounds area 5A, 4A hoops

Local prep basketball was quiet this past week as teams slowed down their schedules because of the Christmas holiday.

But out of the break, things are set to speed up and non-stop, unpredictable action is forecast for 2017.

The area is loaded with playoff-bound basketball teams, which will make district play as unpredictable as ever in the Houma-Thibodaux area.

In our area’s Class 5A and Class 4A districts, the only thing certain right now is that every game will have an uncertain outcome – a parity that isn’t seen in many other places in Louisiana.

“Every time you take the floor, someone can beat you,” H.L. Bourgeois coach Andrew Caillouet said earlier this season when asked to look ahead to district. “Every game is a grind, and it makes attention to detail a huge factor, because these games are almost all decided in the final minutes.”

DISTRICT 7-5A BOYS

In District 7-5A, literally all bets are off.

Powerhouses live up and down the district, and five of the district’s teams would be in the playoffs if postseason started today.

On paper, the top teams are H.L. Bourgeois, Central Lafourche and Terrebonne – local teams who all have significant wins on their resumes early in the season.

But others like Thibodaux, East St. John, Hahnville and Destrehan can beat anyone on any given day.

The Braves entered the holiday break at 12-5, including victories over Helen Cox, North Caddo, Chalmette, Terrebonne, Slidell and New Iberia.

Guard play is key for H.L. Bourgeois. The Braves don’t have a traditional post player, but they do utilize several guards who can push the ball up the floor throughout the game, including Rayshawn Mart, Anthony Rainey, I’Savier Allridge and Chance Gasery.

“We have to play fast and take advantage of our opportunities, because we really don’t have much size,” Caillouet said. “We have talented guards, and we use them – almost all on the floor at the same time.”

For Terrebonne, the story is the same.

The Tigers aren’t the biggest team in Louisiana, but they make hay, because of the offensive explosions produced by guards Deedy Gauno, Keshawn James and Anthony Ruffin, among others.

The Trojans utilize post players in their attack, but have top-flight guards who cause chaos, as well.

Central Lafourche has beaten both the Braves and Tigers this year, while also owning a victory over Ellender.

DISTRICT 7-5A GIRLS

For all the parity expected in local basketball, the District 7-5A girls race doesn’t figure to be overly close.

Destrehan rules the yard in the district, owning an unblemished 12-0 record that solidifies their position as one of the top programs in Louisiana.

The Lady Wildcats are led by senior guard and four-star recruit Cara Ursin – a slashing guard who scores 20 points per game at will for Destrehan, if not more.

The Lady Wildcats are widely considered the favorites to win the District 7-5A crown. Trailing closely behind are East St. John, Thibodaux and H.L. Bourgeois – teams with 10-plus wins already this year.

DISTRICT 7-4A GIRLS

In the District 7-4A girls’ chase, a two-team chase was expected in the preseason with 2016-17 Co-Champions Ellender and South Lafourche widely expected to push one another throughout the season.

That still stands, as the Lady Patriots and Lady Tarpons are among the best teams in the state.

But now, they have some company.

District 7-4A is no longer a two-horse race, as South Terrebonne and even Assumption and Morgan City have proven capable of getting wins.

The Lady Gators are the big story. They’re currently 13-3 on the season – a huge improvement off the losing season the team posted a year ago.

First-year coach Nick Cenac said he brought new energy to the Lady Gators locker room – a surge that’s powered the team to several late-game wins.

“The kids have been great,” Cenac said. “There’s been some growing pains here and there, but they’ve really believed in what we’re doing from day one.”

Assumption and Morgan City are also at or above .500 at the break.

The Lady Mustangs were 7-6 and the Lady Tigers were 5-5.

DISTRICT 7-4A BOYS

On the boys’ side, Ellender is favored to repeat as District 7-4A Champion, but it’s not going to be easy.

The Patriots are expected to be challenged by Morgan City, South Lafourche and Assumption – all teams pushing for playoff spots in Class 4A.

The Tigers are 9-4 under first-year coach J.P. Piper. The Tarpons and Mustangs both have five wins, including triumphs over quality opponents.

The fly in the ointment is Vandebilt – a team that is currently winless in nine games, but could give teams fits later in the year.

The Terriers are currently without All-District point guard Andrew Robison, who is out with a shoulder injury. Robison is one of the top players in the area.

If he returns late in the season, the Terriers will be a completely different team. •

Traya Bruce

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