LSU retains ‘Boot’ in close win at Arkansas
November 28, 2012
Marathon week is here in Houma
November 28, 2012
The Ellender girls’ basketball team surely passes the eye test – they definitely are playing better than they have in years past.
Now, it’s time to see if the Lady Patriots can pass the results test and push farther in the playoffs.
After losing in the first round of the Class 4A State Playoffs for the past four seasons, Ellender has one mission in 2012-13: to win in the playoffs.
Early results show the team may be capable of making that wish a reality, possessing a mix of talented guards and post players within a fast-paced offense capable of scoring lots of points.
“We’re playing a lot better this year,” Ellender junior guard Kiara Scott said. “We work really hard in practice and we do a great job with one another – we have a lot of chemistry.”
“We’re ready to compete,” Lady Patriots junior guard Amari Banks agreed. “We’re just ready to focus on the task at hand this year and that’s being better and winning more games.”
Ellender’s path to success will come within its up-tempo, fast-paced offense.
The Lady Patriots get up and down the floor and play more possessions than most local teams.
Players said that the high-octane system is engrained into the team’s DNA by coach Kenneth Dixon, who stresses daily the importance of the team’s quick tempo.
“This is what we’re used to,” Scott said. “Running, going hard and trying to get as many points as we possibly can – that’s all that we work on in practice – running drills, fast breaks and just stuff like that.”
“Run, run, run,” Banks added with a laugh. “All that we do is run.”
So far, the running has resulted in points and success.
In a season-opening tilt with Donaldsonville in Ellender’s home tournament, the Lady Patriots forced more than 30 turnovers and won an easy 62-14 game.
The next game, a 56-36 loss to West St. John, the Patriots were beaten, but got good looks and couldn’t make shots.
“These are just our first games, so we have a lot of improving to do,” Dixon said. “But so far, we’re showing that we’re pretty good and have a chance to get a lot better.”
But tempo and pace means very little without talent – Dixon said he believes he has quality bunch of players.
Banks and Scott are two of the team’s top offensive players.
They also receive valuable contributions from senior Shakira Bingham and freshmen Taima Danos and Sky Jasper.
“We have three really good ball handlers,” Dixon said. “If we can learn to understand that we can be quick without rushing, we’d be that much better.”
While Ellender runs up and down the floor and remains a guard-heavy lineup, the Lady Patriots also have the ability to get post offense this year.
Danos is a post player capable of earning scrappy buckets and rebounds throughout the game.
The Lady Patriots will also receive contributions from senior post Brianna Butler, who transferred to the program from Terrebonne.
Dixon said the added size is a luxury.
“Now, we can throw the ball inside a little bit,” Dixon said. “We don’t have to always be so perimeter-oriented. That’s a big plus for us.”
The players said they enjoy the balance and agreed that having post players was a key for the team making a step forward.
“It’s great – it’s really great,” Banks said. “We never really knew what that felt like because we never had it here since I’ve been here. But having that dynamic makes us much better.”
With the pieces seemingly in place, Dixon said it is his job to push the team forward despite inexperience.
The Patriots have just two seniors on its roster. Most of the team’s contributors are underclassmen.
On the good nights, the team plays solid basketball, like it did against Donaldsonville.
But Dixon said he said he knows that on other nights, small errors will prevent the Lady Patriots from having success – like against West. St. John.
He said he hopes to remedy those issues in non-district play so that the team can make a push.
“We definitely improved a lot – we just have to get used to the system,” Dixon said. “I’m kind of organized and maybe my ways are kind of old, but I run a system and sometimes the girls don’t stick to it right now. The more I’m consistent with it, I know they’ll believe in it and stick to it and it’ll fall into place.”
Scott and Banks believe it’s a mission within the team’s reach.
High expectations are always present within the prestigious Lady Patriots program.
“We have to work to fix some of the little things that are wrong,” Scott said looking up to the banners hanging in the team’s gymnasium. “But in the end, we know we’re expected to do good things.
“Of course, when you look up and see that, you feel a lot of pressure, but I think we can live up to it and make our own name for ourselves – that’s our goal.”
Ellender guard Amari Banks attempts a shot during a game this week. The Lady Patriots have a young roster, but they believe they can have a successful season because of their explosive ability to score points.
