Freshman earns her way into starting lineup

A year ago, Danielle Douglas was sporting the purple and gold of the Hahnville Tigers as the starting point guard for the Boutte school.

There, she helped lead the team to the semifinals of the Class 5A state playoffs.

This season, she is the starting point guard for the Nicholls State Colonels.

At age 18, it has been a learning experience. As one of the Lady Colonels’ youngest players, Douglas has had to mature fast. By game seven of this season, she was tapped as a starter.

“It’s been a learning experience because every day we get a good opportunity to get better,” she said. “I have a good chance to really prove something here at Nicholls. I feel like I improve every time I step onto the court.”

Douglas has started 11 of the Lady Colonels’ 18 games so far this season. She averages 3.9 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. Her career-high scoring game came against Texas-San Antonio on Jan. 14, and Douglas grabbed her single best six rebounds against Alcorn State in December 2008.

“It’s so different on this level. Things are much more disciplined,” she said. “Everybody is here because they can play basketball well, so the competition is tougher and the athletes are much better.”

Lady Colonel’s head coach DoBee Plaisance said she’s enjoyed coaching Douglas and looks forward to seeing her develop into a sound player. The coach cited the guard’s attitude as the reason for her success.

“She doesn’t quit,” Plaisance said. “She’s one who’ll continue to fight on the court. She has an outstanding attitude. She works hard every day and she’ll do whatever it is we ask her to do.”

Under Plaisance’s leadership, Douglas said she is learning more about the game. Despite the team’s winless record, the freshman said Plaisance keeps everyone positive.

“She tells us to always have confidence and, if you believe in the Lord, anything is possible,” Douglas said. “We just have to keep believing and we will get that first win.”

Douglas first played basketball at age five, joining biddy teams before working her way up through the ranks. By the time she reached high school, the athletic training major had developed her skills, but still never expected to get the opportunity to play college ball.

When Nicholls came calling, Douglas took the offer. It was a chance to continue the game she loved since she was a child, and ensured her parents, Daniel Jr. and Trina Douglas, would see her play college ball.

Her parents have been regulars at every home and road game this season, sitting in their same courtside seats, offering words of encouragement.

“I love it because they have always been supportive of me my whole life,” Douglas said. “They get into the game, and I look to them for advice. It’s great being a short drive away, and they can come watch me play every week.”

With the added fan support, Douglas and her teammates are mindful of a bigger prize: making a run at a conference championship – something no Lady Colonels’ basketball team has accomplished.

“I hope I’m part of a team that will make runs at conference championships,” she said. “It’s not about me, it’s about the team. If we continue to work hard and give it our all, anything is possible.”

Her coach believes that if Douglas can maintain that attitude, she will be a big part of turning around the basketball program.

“Danielle is doing so well right now because she is a total team player,” Plaisance said. “She’s been a great asset to this program, and I am very fortunate to have an opportunity to be able to coach her.”

Freshman Danielle Douglas has impressed first year Nicholls State Lady Colonels’ head coach DoBee Plaisance so much that she has earned the starting nod in 11 of the Lady Colonels 18 games. * Photo courtesy of NSU

Misty McElroy