Tigers make history, win Class 5A State Title

Thibodaux soars to Finals in thrilling win
March 8, 2019
Chopper down in Lafourche
March 11, 2019
Thibodaux soars to Finals in thrilling win
March 8, 2019
Chopper down in Lafourche
March 11, 2019

LAKE CHARLES: It all happened in the fourth quarter.


All the hard work – the blood, the sweat, the tears, the summer workouts, the tough, hard-fought games, the run for the state title, the chance to make history.

It all fell into place in the fourth quarter.

Thibodaux trailed Walker 46-40 going into the final quarter – a three-quarter run for the Wildcats that had the Tigers on their heels with their season on the line.


But that’s when these Tigers are at their best.

Thibodaux surged in the final frame with relentless scoring and dominant defense. They won the final frame in a knockout, rallying back and even winning by double-digits in a 70-60 win.

For the Tigers, the final seconds were a blur with a full gym of purple and gold hollering in celebration of a team that’s taken all of Lafourche Parish by storm in recent weeks.


But after the dancing, crying, fist pumps and celebrations were over, it was Thibodaux’s turn to hoist the trophy – the first time they’ve ever done so in school history.

“It’s a great feeling. It feels amazing,” Thibodaux coach Tony Clark said. “I couldn’t be prouder of these kids. I love them. They’ve worked so hard. They deserve this moment.”

It was a moment that Walker made them earn.


Thibodaux trailed 16-10 at the end of the first quarter and 37-30 at halftime because of relentless play from the Wildcats who were working to defend the Class 5A crown they’d won last season.

Brian Thomas Jr. scored 20 points in the first half and was 4-of-4 from the 3-point line. One of his buckets was a rim-rocking slam dunk that send the sea of green behind him into a frenzy.

“(Thomas) did things we didn’t expect him to do,” Clark said. “He was making three pointers and things. He was great.”


But when the biggest chips were on the table, the Tigers’ depth and balance prevailed.

Oh yeah – and Thibodaux had Kobi Johnson, too, which helps.

The relentless senior guard did everything for Thibodaux in the win.


On defense, he guarded Jaden Cook, Walker’s superstar guard who averages 29 points per game.

With Johnson stalking him like a hawk on every inch of the floor, Cook was just 6-of-18 with 19 points in the game.

“I wanted it bad,” Johnson said of the assignment to guard Cook. “On Friday, all I did was watch film of this kid. I knew what he was going to do and I was prepared. All I heard was, ‘Jaden Cook, Jaden Cook, Jaden Cook.’ I wanted to stop that.”


With Thibodaux getting stops, they swarmed in the fourth quarter.

Johnson had 18 points with 9 rebounds and 4 assists. He earned the Most Valuable Player Award after the win.

Rashod Robinson also was big with 15 points, while Rashad Winslow pitched in 11 points with 14 boards.


Perhaps the biggest spark of the night for the Tigers came from Marvin Robertson, who scored 12 fourth-quarter points after being straddled with fouls in the early reaches of the game.

“They were all terrific tonight,” Clark said, smiling at his team in the postgame interview.

And late, it was time to celebrate.


As Walker missed big shots, Thibodaux rebounded and added to the lead.

With the game all-but over in the final minute, Clark finally caved and gave a smile.

His players jumped up and down and rejoiced on the bench until the buzzer when they stormed the floor to celebrate their accomplishment.


Behind them was a sea of purple and gold – a community of basketball fans who have adopted this team throughout the season.

In the audience was a full-blown celebration with some shedding a tear to show love for their team.

“We did it,” one fan shouted – his eyes in a full sob of jubilation.


“Oh, I can’t wait to get back home,” Johnson said with a smile.

In the media room, Thibodaux’s players hadn’t yet realized what happened, though reality was sinking in fast.

Robinson said he wanted to sleep with the championship trophy, calmly holding it in his lap during interviews.


Winslow was asked if he ever imagined being a champion.

His answer was quick.

“Yes. Every day I dreamed it,” Winslow said. “This is what we played for. This is what we wanted to do.”


Johnson agreed, adding that he and his classmates now have a title no one can ever take from them: champions.

“We wanted to make our mark as the best team in school history,” he said. “And now, we have this trophy. They can’t take it away from us because we have this trophy.”

Thibodaux titleCASEY GISCLAIR | THE TIMES


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