Coach Luke: Lady Terriers’ hopes high for next season

Although Vandebilt Catholic’s first trip to the Ladies’ Top 28 since 1988 did not go as it hoped, losing to Glen Oaks 58-31, the Lady Terriers have reason for optimism in upcoming seasons — the Lady Terriers did not have any seniors on this year’s roster.

While that inexperience may have cost Vandebilt an opportunity to beat Glen Oaks this year, the experience gained from earning a spot in the semi-finals could pay off for next season.

“We had three freshman on the floor,” said Luke of last week’s game against Glen Oaks. “I think we were a little nervous out there, and hopefully in the next couple of years we can make it back and have the opportunity to showcase some of the talent that we have on this team.”

Vandebilt’s key returner will be point guard Sumar Leslie. Leslie, a junior this year, led the Lady Terriers in scoring, despite missing six weeks of the season due to injury.

Luke said Leslie’s injury may have a been a blessing in disguise for her young team. “Something happened during the year that really was a God-send,” said Luke. “Sumar got hurt. She missed six weeks, and we basically had a jayvee team on the floor. Those kids had to grow up quick. I think her being out, and the other ones having to step up, when she came back, we were that much better.”

Despite Leslie’s injury, the Lady Terriers finished the season 25-8 overall (6-0 district). Luke said that Leslie’s injury was an example of a team overcoming adversity. “Sometimes when obstacles are thrown in front of you, they actually can help you instead of hurting you. If she wouldn’t have gotten hurt, no telling how we would have progressed. But those kids actually did get better during that time period, and grew up a lot.”

Just like Luke hopes they will grow up this off-season, after losing by 27 points to Glen Oaks. “Over the years they say I learn things the hard way,” said Luke. “And this is a tough way to learn. We’ve been trying to come here for 19 years, and we’re sent home wondering, ‘Wow, why’d we want to come here so bad. We just got it handed to us.’ We’ll be back and when we come back we’ll be more experienced.”

Leslie echoed those sentiments, saying the experience to take part in this year’s event was valuable. “I was happy to be here,” she said. “This was my first year being at the Top 28, and it’s a blessing from God.”

While there weren’t a lot of expectations for the Lady Terriers coming into this season, next year will be different. “Coming into the year, a lot of people didn’t think we would do very much at all,” said Luke. “I never did feel that way. I knew Sumar could carry us through a lot of ball games; I just needed the other kids to understand their roles and maybe play a little over their heads. But we’ve got some young talent.”

Next year, that talent will not be young, anymore. And if things go right for the Lady Terriers, they will not be waiting 19 years for a return trip to the semi-finals — they will only wait one year.