Charles Paul McCue
January 19, 2010Jan. 21
January 21, 2010
The Vandebilt Catholic women’s basketball team has been a force throughout the season.
The Terriors have used efficient offense and swarming defense to dominate its opponents, while rolling to a 22-1 record.
But the team will face one of its stiffest challenges yet this Friday when they travel to Harvey and take on district foe Helen Cox in what will be a matchup of the No. 1 and No. 6 teams in the state according to the latest LSWA 4A rankings.
“We’ve always played the best competition here at Vandebilt Catholic,” said Vandebilt coach Kathy Luke. “Even when we weren’t No. 1, we always want to play the best opponents we can and we really enjoy those kinds of games.”
The Terriers’ only loss of the season came on Dec. 19 in a road setback against St. Thomas More.
But since that game, Vandebilt has buckled down defensively and has rolled to eight-straight wins.
In one of the team’s most recent games, the Terriers suffocated Belle Chasse’s offense and held them to just six points in a 69-6 win.
The Terriers used their swarming man-to-man defense to record 24 steals and 10 blocks in that game.
“We’ve made a commitment to defense for many years,” Luke said. “We’ve won with defense over the years and this year is no exception.
But in addition to their man-to-man scheme, Luke said the team has also incorporated a few wrinkles that have helped the team be successful.
“Man-to-man defense is what we play,” she said. “But over the past few years, we’ve gone to some half court and full court traps. And sometimes your best defense becomes you best offense.”
Helen Cox has also been impressive and is 18-3 this season.
The Lady Cougars boast a collection of wins against opponents from the Tri-parish area and have beaten Thibodaux, South Lafourche and Ellender this season.
Helen Cox coach Barbara Weary said the team has one main focus against the Terriers – containing blue-chip prospect Theresa Plaisance.
“We have to force someone else to beat us,” Weary said. “We have to do a good job keeping her off the glass, hold her to below double digits and force one of their other players to step up.”
One advantage in the Lady Cougars’ favor will likely be home-court advantage.
Helen Cox is undefeated in six games on their home floor this season and has an average margin of victory of 23 points in those games.
“We feel very comfortable playing at home,” Weary said. “Hopefully that gives us an extra advantage, but we’ve got to be ready to play, because they’re a great team.”
Vandebilt Catholic girls’ basketball player Jasmin Howard attempts a layup in the team’s recent victory against Mount Carmel. The Terriers will take on Helen Cox in a district showdown on Friday. * Photo by MICHAEL DAVIS
