Ellender squashes Comeaux 68-38

The Ellender Lady Patriots did not waste any time in establishing control of their Bi-District playoff game against Comeaux, last Thursday night. The No. 2 team in Class 5A jumped out to a 20-5 lead at the end of the first quarter, and never looked back en route to a 68-38 win.

Two other girl’s teams won their first-round games. South Lafourche beat Sulphur 48-37, and Vandebilt beat Abbeville 43-35.

Thibodaux, Terrebonne and E.D. White all lost in the first round.

Lady Patriots coach Kenneth Dixon said he was impressed with how his team started. “We executed much better in the first half than we did in the second half,” said Dixon. “You know, young kids, I guess they saw the score, they didn’t think they had to be so serious. But I was impressed.”

If the Lady Patriots weren’t being serious, it was tough for anyone to tell. They extended their 15-point first-quarter lead to a 44-23 halftime advantage.

Playing without Deana Allen, due to injury, for much of the game, the Lady Patriots turned to Asia Williams for points. Williams answered, scoring a game-high 28 points. “Asia can do that,” said Dixon. “I just have to read her the riot act, so I read her the riot act. Asia can do that, all she needs to do is calm down and not try so hard. When she calms down and takes her time, she can do that.”

From there, Latika Smith got Ellender off to good start in the third quarter by connecting on a three-pointer, for a 47-23 lead. The Lady Patriots maintained control throughout the quarter, holding Comeaux scoreless for the first 6:02.

“We were outmatched from the tip,” said Comeaux coach Nick Jeffers. “They’ve got a great core of players. Obviously, they’re very well-coached and very well-disciplined. And as I made reference to, they’re not the No.2 team in the state for nothing.”

By the end of the third quarter, the Lady Patriots led 62-25—outscoring Comeaux 18-2.

“We had to sit out Deana for a little while because of an injury,” said Dixon. “We did extremely well without her. I got five other girls that stepped up and played extremely well. I just need for them to be consistent. If we can do that, we’ll be OK, and that’s the key.”

On the other bench, Jeffers said he expects Ellender to reach the Top 28 Tournament in Hammond. “I think they’ve got a good run here going toward Hammond,” said Jeffers. “I think they’ve got a few health issues, but if they could stay healthy and play the way they did tonight, you’ve got to take your hat off to a team like that.”

Ndia Hall led the way for Comeaux with 17 points

For Ellender, Kerry Hampton added 12 points.

In other first-round action …

Lafayette 65, Thibodaux 49

South Lafourche 47, Sulpher 38

New Iberia 58, Terrebonne 47

Vandebilt 43, Abbeville 35

Edna Karr 63, E.D. White 27

Staff photo by MATT LeBLANC • Tri-Parish Times Junior guard Asia Williams goes up for a layup in Ellender’s 68-38 win over Comeaux last week in the opening round of the state playoffs. Williams led all scorers with 28 points.