Naomi B. Jones
March 11, 2008Exhibits
March 13, 2008
It’s been six years since the city of Rayne sent a youth basketball team to the Thibodaux Biddy World Tournament. Its team has pulled within two points of tournament co-host, the South Lafourche Tarpons, with a minute and thirty seconds to play.
“We’re almost there,” yells Vincent Bonnom, whose youngest son Braylon is in the game. “One more stop.”
Rayne super fan Shannon Jones concurs. “Get the ball back and we will win!” she screams.
Since 1997, Thibodaux has hosted this tournament for eight-year boys recreational basketball. Fourteen teams participated this year in single- and double-elimination action. Games are being played at the Warren J. Harang, Jr. Municipal Auditorium (formerly the Thibodaux Civic Center) and Thibodaux High School.
While there is no data to prove it, the economic impact of having 12-player teams, plus their parents staying in the area for nearly a week – March 7 through March 12 – is a boon for the region.
“They [the teams] never have any problems finding accommodations,” said Mickey James, tournament director. “We always have a positive experience.”
While here, some teams take time to soak up the local sights. Not Rayne. The kids are having fun, but they are also serious about winning.
Rayne’s best player is Drekylon “Bull” Gibson, and to watch him consistently penetrate through the lane against South Lafourche, the moniker seems appropriate.
“Put the ball in his hands and let him do his thing.” says Aleke Kanonu, the Recreational Director for Rayne. “He’s usually gonna score or get fouled. They can’t stop him.”
Four teams from outside of Louisiana were invited to this year tournament. Wichita, Kansas, sent its East and West teams; Indiana sent teams from Evansville and Glen Park. Ten Louisiana clubs took part including Rayne, located 20 miles west of Lafayette.
The Biddy World Tournament breaks down into two tournaments with a AA bracket for teams with one or no losses and a bracket for two-loss teams.
There will be a champion for both sides.
Before the tournament starts, the coaches meet to decide how to fill the brackets.
The host team, the Thibodaux Tigers, gets placed in one, while co-host South Lafourche is slotted in the other.
During four six-minutes quarters, these hyperactive eight-year olds shoot at baskets eight-and-a-half feet high. Along with the “swish” sound of a made bucket, the tiny bodies pinball into each other and tangle as they battle for rebounds and loose balls.
The boys’ physical play doesn’t bother Vincent or his wife Shelley. “If he [Braylon] gets knocked down, I tell him to ‘Get yourself up. Can’t be no follower.'”
Game 17 features two of the best players in the tournament. Rayne is playing South Lafourche, led by Dawson Crosby who wears number 23 and shoots like a former Chicago Bulls player who wore the same number.
After being down 20-7 at halftime, Rayne rallies in the second half and trails 29-27 with 90 seconds left. Unfortunately, Gibson commits his fifth foul against Crosby and has to watch the finish from the bench. Crosby sinks two decisive free throws and Rayne does not score again. South Lafourche moves on in the AA bracket.
Crosby leads South Lafourche with 15 points, while Gibson leads Rayne with 13. However, there is no time to rest on their great individual performances. Both teams have another game that night at Thiboduax High School.
“Some of the talent of these kids is just amazing to me,” James, the tournament director says.
“If the parents stay with them, stay on them, they will get to college,” Vincent Bonnom concurs.
Eight-year-old boys from Rayne, La., face South Lafourche Monday in the chase for the Thibodaux Biddy World Tournament title. * Photo by HOWARD J. CASTAY JR.
