Terriers win 3rd-straight state title
May 4, 2016
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May 6, 2016
If the past couple months are any indication, the athletic future appears to be pretty bright at South Terrebonne High School.
The Gators’ freshman softball and volleyball teams each scored parish championships this athletic year – both doing so with mostly unblemished records for their respective seasons.
For players, the achievement is a long time coming – dating back to when the ladies started playing together in youth sports many years ago.
For Tammy Martin, the head coach of both undefeated squads, she said it’s a sign that bright times are ahead for both the school and community.
She said that these kids are winners and will find ways to set the bar high at anything they aim to conquer.
Six student-athletes played on both undefeated teams. They are Kellsie Clement, Maddie Boquet, Lexi Cadiere, Madison Bourg, Ellen Perrodin and Madilyn LeBlanc.
“I am very confident that these freshman girls will rise to the occasion both on and off the court or field of play and continue to bring success to the volleyball and softball programs here…,” Martin said. “This class will surely make a name for themselves and continue to promote excellence on and off the court or field at South Terrebonne High School.”
On the volleyball hardwood, Martin said it was the team’s balance that gave opponents fits throughout the year.
The Lady Gators didn’t always dominate. In fact, they were behind in a lot of matches and had to rally to snatch victory.
But Martin said the team had intangibles and chemistry, which allowed them to find ways to win.
“Working together was one of the main strengths for us on the court in volleyball,” the coach said. “We were behind, but we never focused on defeat. These girls knew what it took to bring themselves back up and maintain composure on the court to get the job done.”
Clement agreed with her coach. She said the reason this group of young ladies is able to stick together in times of adversity is because they’re battle tested – dating back almost a decade to when they started cutting their teeth playing sports at the youth levels.
Those experiences, Clement said, have allowed the team to stay strong.
“Most of us have been playing together for a very long time,” she said. “This year, we had a few exceptions and new additions, but we gelled well and became accustomed to how everyone played pretty quickly.”
On the softball diamond, South Terrebonne was dominant, rolling through the season undefeated. From there, the Lady Gators made short work of the competition at the Parish Championship Tournament, scoring four-straight mercy-rule victories to earn the title.
South Terrebonne didn’t allow a single run in the tournament, outscoring its opponents by a 42-0 margin.
Pitcher Mikenzi Authement had a huge hand in that dominance, posting more than 20 strikeouts in the 13 innings she pitched in the tournament.
Martin said she couldn’t help but smile at how well her team played in the big tournament when all of the chips were on the table.
“Having not one team score a run against you in any game we played in parish has to say a lot to the continuous, unending effort that those kids displayed,” she said. “As a softball coach, I think that was the best show of competitive play from a team that I have seen in a parish tournament.”
But while the titles and accolades are nice, those who were part of both teams said that the little things are what will last forever.
Cadiere said she’ll miss the teamwork involved in the title runs, as well as the camaraderie.
“We’ll always remember this season,” she said. “For me, singing and cheering in the dugout is a favorite. That’s something we all loved to do.”
For Boquet, she said the best times were after games – spending them with teammates and enjoying the fruits of their labors.
“The fun times were the bus rides and after the games,” she said. “We had so many exciting wins and we all realize just how much hard work pays off.”
But don’t think these ladies are done.
Every player questioned said that they are looking to turn their freshman success into junior varsity success and then the ultimate goal – thriving at the varsity level of play.
“(The titles) gives us a boost of confidence, not just in ourselves, but in our teammates, as well,” Clement said. “We’re all looking forward to our future and seeing what it has in store for us.”
