Spahr’s dishes up fresh area seafood
January 2, 2013
2012 showed the wealth of talent that lives in our area
January 3, 2013
How does one take 365 days worth of sports and narrow it down to a top 10 list?
It’s not an easy task – especially in a year as action-packed as 2012.
This year, we’ve had good stories and we’ve had bad stories.
We’ve had deep playoff pushes and seasons that have fallen flat amidst expectations. We’ve also seen both new coaches come into the area and old coaches show themselves out of the area.
Indeed 2012 was a banner year for sports.
Narrowing the list down to 10 wasn’t easy and proved to be quite the chore.
But with a lot to choose from, the task was accomplished. Here’s the Top 10 sports stories from the 2012 calendar year.
Honorable Mention
Vandebilt Catholic experiences more athletic success, takes home multiple titles
South Lafourche experiences undefeated football run with first-year coach
No. 10 Former Colonels experience professional success
Who says little ‘ol Nicholls State can’t compete with the big boys? In the past year, several former Colonels experienced success on the professional levels – some even being rewarded for their prowess on the playing fields. In April, Colonel alum Anatoly Bose won the Australian National Basketball League’s Rookie of the Year Award after he averaged 15.5 points and 6.7 rebounds per game with the Sydney Kings. Also on the hardwood, Colonel alum and Houma native Sumar Leslie made her professional debut in September with the San German Atleticas in Puerto Rico. Leslie averaged more than 10 points per game during her stint with the team, including two 20-point outings that helped push the team to the playoffs. Once there, the Atleticas won their opening round series. They advanced to the league semifinals where they were beaten by the defending champion. On the baseball diamond, a pair of former Colonels also made their debuts, as lefty relief pitcher Brad Delatte was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the fifth round in the 2012 MLB Draft. Slugger Blake Bergeron did not get drafted, but he also made his pro debut, inking with the Wichita Wingnuts of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball.
No. 9 Nicholls State football struggles, wins one game for second-straight year
This was not a banner year for the Nicholls State football team. The Colonels had a strong set of spring practices and took high expectations into the 2012 season. But those expectations fell flat and the Colonels suffered another sub-par season. Nicholls was supposed to open its season on Sept. 1 against Oregon State in a David vs. Goliath matchup. But Hurricane Isaac washed that game until December. Once on the field, the Colonels struggled and couldn’t revitalize their program. Nicholls lost all seven Southland Conference games in 2012. Only one of those seven losses was decided by fewer than 10 points. When they finally were able to take on the Beavers, the end result was a 77-3 drumming – the final polish on a 1-10 season. Following the season, Colonels head coach Charlie Stubbs dismissed special teams coach Ricky Brumfield and offensive line coach Mario Jeberaeel.
No. 8 Manning Camp returns to Thibodaux
The Manning Passing Academy is always an annual hit throughout the Tri-parishes. This year was no different, as the bright lights of the national media shined on Thibodaux. After missing the 2011-12 NFL season because of a neck injury, Peyton Manning publicly threw passes at the camp, showing interested fans that he had regained zip on his throws – a preview to his current dominant season. An added caveat to this year’s camp was that it took place on the day that New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees signed his contract extension with New Orleans. The news of his signing thrust Thibodaux in the spotlight again, as several of the leading NFL analysts reported the news live from the Colonels’ campus. This year’s camp again featured a who’s who of college quarterbacks – a list that included USC’s Matt Barkley, Georgia’s Aaron Murray and LSU’s Zach Mettenberger.
No. 7 Ellender football breaks long losing streak
The Ellender football team ended its losing ways this year. After posting three-straight winless seasons – a streak of dismay that saw the Patriots lose 33-straight games, Ellender finally scored success in 2012. The Patriots got their first win in the season-opener, dominating Terrebonne in a 26-7 victory. Ellender then won two more in the season’s first month, earning a 3-1 start to the year. The Patriots’ run fell short of the playoffs, as Ellender won just one district game. But the run revitalized a program that was starved for success. Ellender’s lone district win was a thriller against Morgan City that saw the Patriots hold off a late surge by the Tigers to secure a late, last second win. The Patriots also held a second-half lead against rival Vandebilt before stumbling and losing big in the second half. With a huge junior class, many expect the Patriots to emerge as a playoff threat in 2013. Regardless, the message remains the same: football is back for the Ellender Patriots.
No. 6 Justin Williams soars to the top of prep baseball rankings
Arguably the best high school baseball player in America resides in the Tri-parish area. Terrebonne High School standout Justin Williams exploded in the past year, solidifying himself among the best players in the country for the 2013 graduating class. The Terrebonne senior had a dominant summer playing for elite travel team Marucci Elite. Williams also competed in a handful of All-Star games across the country – stops that allowed the local an opportunity to compete in big league parks. For his successes, Williams is now ranked as a consensus Top 5 high school prospect for the 2013 MLB Draft. He has already signed a National Letter of Intent with LSU to extend his playing career to the collegiate level. But with the pros breathing down his neck, the Houma native may be gifted enough to bypass the college game altogether.
No. 5 Galliano man makes Nationwide debut; signs for 2013 season
A Tri-parish native is nearing his dream of becoming a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racer. Galliano-native Hal Martin took the next stop toward his lifelong goal, inking a deal in October with TriStar Motorsports to race an abbreviated NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule. His signing made him the only Louisiana native who currently competes in any NASCAR-sanctioned series. The South Lafourche High School graduate made his Nationwide debut Oct. 20 in a 25th-place finish at Kansas Motor Speedway. He did not finish that race because of a wreck in Lap 182. Martin followed up his 25th-place mark with a pair of 30th-place finishes – one at Texas Motor Speedway on Nov. 3 and another at Homestead on Nov. 17. With the three-race stint under his belt, Martin looks forward to 2013 where he will race a full Nationwide Series schedule. The local said his goal is to become the series’ Rookie of the Year. If that becomes a reality, don’t be surprised to see Martin on the track in the Sprint Cup Series shortly thereafter.
No. 4 Rough LSU football year ends with solid season
This has been an up-and-down year for the LSU football team. The Tigers’ calendar year started in a nightmarish fashion this past January when LSU was battered and bruised in a decisive 21-0 rout at the hands of Alabama in the BCS National Championship Game. After a quiet set of spring practices, the Tigers were dealt another devastating blow when 2011 Heisman Trophy candidate Tyrann Mathieu was dismissed from the program for reportedly failing multiple drug tests. To make matters worse, LSU’s play in the first half of the season was less than phenomenal. The Tigers struggled to beat lowly Auburn on the road in a 12-10 stink fest on Sept. 22. One week later, LSU allowed 22 points and 291 yards to Football Championship Subdivision foe Towson in a 16-point win. Those struggles were a preview of things to come, as LSU fell for the first time the next weekend in a 14-6 defeat at the hands of Florida. But following the loss, LSU found an offensive rhythm and played an inspired second half to the season, defeating South Carolina, Texas A&M, Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Arkansas. The one game that got away was the most costly, as the Tigers squandered a 17-14 lead against Alabama with less than a minute to play, falling in a 21-17 thriller. If the Tigers would have won that game, they likely would be playing in the BCS National Championship Game for a second-straight season. Because they didn’t, LSU earned a spot in last Monday’s Chick-fil-A Bowl against Clemson. The Tigers are also recruiting at a high level and are slated to have one of the top classes in the country. The challenge for the Tigers going forward will be keeping their players in house. LSU has close to a half-dozen juniors who could test the NFL following the season.
No. 3 Vandebilt Catholic makes deep playoff push
Vandebilt Catholic head football coach Brad Villavaso joked in the preseason that his football team would go as far as star quarterback Elijah McGuire’s legs took them in the 2012 season. Villavaso’s joke wasn’t far from reality – McGuire’s legs led the Terriers to the Class 4A State Quarterfinals. The explosive Terrriers’ standout rushed for more than 2,000 yards on the season – a campaign that saw Vandebilt post a sparkling 11-2 record. The Terriers’ losses were bookends for the team’s season. Vandebilt opened the season on a slow note, falling 27-15 to archrival E.D. White on Sept. 1. Following the opening day setback, McGuire and the Terriers’ offense roared for more than two months straight, scoring 40 or more points in six of the next 11 games – a run that sparked an 11-game winning streak. McGuire was the main cog in the success, powering through defenses with his speed, quickness and elusiveness. The dominant quarterback had multiple games where he rushed for 100 yards or more. On two occasions, he also rushed for 300 yards or more – including the season finale against Ellender when he rushed for more than 400 yards. The Terriers defeated Huntington 38-6 in the opening round of the playoffs. They followed up that win by earning a 20-15 thriller against Franklin Parish in the Regional Round. One week later, Vandebilt’s magical ride came to a close in a 51-14 loss to then-unbeaten Neville. The Terriers advanced farther than any local team.
No. 2 Hornets win NBA Draft Lottery; select Anthony Davis
Our local NBA franchise believes it finally has its franchise player. After enduring a woeful 21-45 record in a lockout-shortened 2011-12 season, the Hornets entered the draft lottery with less than 10 percent odds to secure the top pick in the NBA Draft. But lady luck combined with ping pong ball magic to earn the local NBA franchise the top pick in the 2012 NBA Draft – the first draft for the team under new owner Tom Benson, who bought the team at the end of last season. With the top pick, the Hornets selected Kentucky standout forward Anthony Davis. Following Davis’ selection, season ticket numbers soared, as excitement surrounded the franchise for the first time since Chris Paul was traded. With Davis, the Hornets have not been able to score success in the standings. They currently sit in last place in the Western Conference standings for the second-straight season. But the Hornets finally appear to have a glimmer of hope. Soon, they will combine that hope with a new identity. Multiple reports said the Hornets will change their name before the 2013 season. A total of five names have been submitted to the NBA league office. The name Pelicans is currently the leader, according to the reports.
No. 1 Bounty Gate cripples the Saints’ season
The New Orleans Saints’ 2012 season was over before it ever started. In March, the NFL suspended head coach Sean Payton for the entire 2012-13 season for his knowledge of the team’s bounty program. Also suspended were general manager Mickey Loomis (eight games) and assistant coach Joe Vitt (six games). The league also fined the organization $500,000 and seized second round draft picks in 2012 and 2013. Current Saints Will Smith and Jonathan Vilma also had their seasons derailed by penalties, as the NFL suspended Smith for four games, while Vilma received a year-long ban. The turmoil within the franchise only became worse as the season drew near, as star quarterback Drew Brees extended his contract negotiations with the team to the 59th minute, opting out of all offseason workouts and minicamps in protest of being given the Franchise Tag by the team. With Payton gone and Brees unusually rusty, the Saints limped to an 0-4 start. They rebounded late and had an outside shot at the playoffs in the season’s final weeks. But three-straight losses to the Broncos, 49ers and Falcons derailed the team’s plans. The lone good news the Saints received in 2012 came midway through the season when Vilma’s suspension was uplifted and he was allowed to return to action.
Former LSU football player Tyrann Mathieu celebrates a tackle last season. Mathieu and LSU’s struggles were one of the biggest stories of 2012’s sports.
