3 for the boys; 3 for the girls

Look, I love football as much as the next guy.

But basketball is where the bread is buttered for me – my truest passion.

So for all of those reasons, I was super stoked this past week because high school teams got the all-clear to start practice in preparation for the 2017-18 season.

Games still won’t begin for another few weeks, but just talking to coaches and seeing teams get ready is enough to get my juices flowing.

Of course, the bar is set pretty high. Last year, we had a state champion and two state runners-up, while also having several others who contended deep into the playoffs.

In the new year, there are several unanswered questions, so here are six – three for the boys and three for the girls.

3 FOR THE BOYS

1. Can Ellender replace Tay? – The Patriots were within the blink of an eye away from the Class 4A State Championship last year – losing to Washington Marion in one of the most entertaining prep basketball games I’ve ever witnessed in my 30 years as a sports fan. But the Patriots lost some star power – namely DaVontavean Martin, who is currently at Washington State University making plays as a wide receiver. Tay missed a couple district games last winter while making official visits to schools around the country. Without him, Ellender was still good, but they were far from dominant. Someone has to step up. I expect Marquie Mosely to be that guy.

2. How high can the Tigers fly? – Terrebonne had a great year last year, making it to the second round of the Class 5A State Playoffs. But it’s a different world right now for the Tigers – literally. Gone is longtime coach Derek Szush, who accepted the same position at Assumption. Also gone is superstar guard Deedy Gauno (graduation) and several underclassmen who transferred out of the program. That will make life difficult for new coach DeMetrius Price Sr. With a difficult 7-5A schedule, Mr. Price will have a tough task in year one.

3. Any unsung heroes to speak of? – Last year, both Vandebilt and South Terrebonne struggled mightily in District 7-4A. But both teams have just about their full cupboards back in 2017-18, which has me thinking that both may be in line for a reversal of fortunes in the new year. Heck, both teams have star power. For as good as Andrew Robison is at football, he’s an equally good point guard for the Terriers. One reason why the team struggled so mightily last year is because he missed almost the whole year with an injury. The Gators have a major piece, too, in standout Connor Brunet. Both players can get 20 points or more on a given night and with both back, I don’t think the Terriers and Gators will struggle for wins this season.

And now … for the girls!

1. Can anyone mess with Ellender? – The Lady Patriots are the defending Class 4A State Champions and many people around the program tell me that they’ll be better this year than last year, thanks to returning players like Oreion James (the defending Most Outstanding Player in Class 4A) and Trastasia Hester, Kira Coleman, Morghan Frierson and others. But it surely won’t be easy. I attended the Top 28 last spring in Hammond and guess what? Every, single team there in Class 4A was super young with just a couple seniors each. Also, we can’t forget about South Lafourche. The Lady Tarpons return the best player in the area in Traya Bruce and the return of post player Victorianna Nelson can’t go overlooked. That’s going to be an awfully fun race to track to the finish line.

2. Back in Houma for Coach Kathy Luke – Hall of Fame coach Kathy Luke has been at Riverside and St. Charles Catholic since being let go at Vandebilt, but let’s be real here – her heart has always been in Houma. The well-known coach will make her return to the area this season with a Lady Warriors team that made it to the Division IV State Finals last spring, but which lost the majority of that team to graduation. It won’t be an easy task to keep the program humming along, but if anyone can do it, Coach Luke can. She’s one of the best to ever do it in Louisiana.

3. Nick Cenac’s encore act – There is almost no way that coach Nick Cenac can make a bigger wave in year two than he did in year one at South Terrebonne. In his inaugural season with the team, Cenac took the Lady Gators out of the doldrums and into contention, pushing the team to the second round of the Class 4A playoffs in a 20-plus-win season. But now, the Lady Gators have to shift from the role of the hunter to the hunted. South Terrebonne snuck up on a few teams last winter, but that won’t be the case this year. We’re curious to see how they’ll adjust to life in their new role. We think they can handle it. They surely have enough talent in the locker room to make a significant push forward – even with South Lafourche and Ellender both in their district.

Ellender girls’ basketball

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