Central Lafourche hopes pieces click in 2017-18

Show us your biggest and best!
November 28, 2017
TRMC set to honor Wellness Center’s Anniversary
November 30, 2017
Show us your biggest and best!
November 28, 2017
TRMC set to honor Wellness Center’s Anniversary
November 30, 2017

Jamiree Williams stole a pass and was off to the races – just he and the basket.

He rose through the air inside of the free throw line, extended the ball above his head and threw down a wicked, one-handed slam dunk which sent the crowd into a frenzy.


Not wanting to be outdone, Marvin Robertson got into the act a little later.

He also jumped into the passing lanes and got a steal. Now, on the other end of the floor, he dribbled through the lane, rose up and powered home a two-handed slam, which also sent his teammates into a frenzy.

There’s no question that the Central Lafourche basketball team has all the tools in place to make a deep, prolonged run through the Class 5A State Playoffs. They have size, speed, athleticism and quickness, among many, many other attributes.


But coach Mark Sanders said the last challenge is finding consistent energy and effort and playing through the adversity which is undeniably going to come through the grinds of a long season.

“We like our team,” Sanders said at TGMC’s Tri-Parish Media Day earlier this month. “We have some size. We have some really talented guard play and we think that we have guys who are able to create shots against really good defense. I think for us, our biggest thing is our effort. We have to learn to compete for a full 32 minutes. If we can do that, we really like what we have and where we’re headed.”

The Trojans have some of the best players in the area – guys who are getting collegiate interest.


At guard, Nicholls is led by Williams, Robertson, sophomore Alex Sanders and senior Kelvin Sepulveda – a guys capable of hurting opposing defenses.

Robertson is a human highlight reel. He’s played significant minutes for the Trojans as a freshman, then was sidelined with a serious knee injury for most of last season.

But he’s back now and it doesn’t look like the injury has limited his ability to compete at a high level.


Last week at the Thibodaux High School Tournament, Robertson made several highlight reel plays to help the Trojans go 2-1 on the week, including victories over South Lafourche and Ellender.

The Trojans missed out on a chance to win the tournament because of a loss in the Semifinals to Terrebonne.

“Having him back is a big help,” Sanders said. “We really missed his athleticism last year. He’s worked hard and he’s really done a nice job getting himself back to full strength. He’s been recruited by several schools and he’s gotten some offers. That tells you the type of player that he is.”


Williams is also a matchup problem for opponents.

He isn’t the polished ball handler that Robertson is, but he’s probably a slightly better finisher at the rim.

In open court, Williams flies down the court and can score the ball with viciousness – playing well above the rim.


Several times in the Thibodaux Tournament, those hops were on display. PrepHoops.com called Williams one of the best finishers in Louisiana.

“We have guys who can make plays at the rim,” Sanders said at Media Day. 

But inside is where the Trojans are maybe at their best.


The Trojans have post player David Robinson. He is a Nicholls State University football commitment, but he’s also as skilled as they come on the basketball hardwood.

Robinson is awfully tough to defend.

He has post skills and a soft touch around the basket.


If you sag off him to protect the rim, Robinson has the ability to consistently make an 18-footer, while also being a willing passer. 

Sanders said Robinson is one of the top players in the area and having him gives the Trojans a lot of options – both offensively and defensively.

“He is a good passer for his size, and he can make plays at the rim and outside the paint,” Sanders said. “We like David’s skill set and he’s also a good rebounder who can block shots. He does a lot of things to help us win.”


Now, the challenge is putting it all together and playing elite basketball at the right time of the season.

The Trojans have been annual postseason contenders for each of the past several seasons, but difficult circumstances have stopped their push short of the Top 28.

Three years ago, the Trojans were home in the first round of the postseason, but had a key player get suspended, which aided an opening-round loss.


Two years ago, the Trojans advanced to the State Quarterfinals and led East Ascension by more than 10 points in the fourth quarter before cooling, losing the lead and the game in a heartbreaking defeat.

Last year, the Trojans were supposed to be at home in the first round of the playoffs, but a fight in the last game of the regular season saw the entire varsity team get suspended for the playoff game, which led to a forfeiture.

Sanders said last year’s situation was tough, but he believes the team is now stronger from having to deal with that adversity.


The Trojans also dealt with an adverse situation before the season started with post player Kenneth Poindexter suffered a Torn ACL, which will likely sideline him for most of the season, if not all of it. 

“Our kids are tough,” Sanders said. “They bounce back and keep working.”•

Lafourche Trojans


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