Seniors play one more for the road

Ellender’s senior All-Star Asia Williams was not about to disappoint in her final high school game.

Not with the lingering loss in the 4-A state title game still fresh in her mind.

Not with family and friends in attendance.

Not with all the smack talk exchanged the previous night between the East and West All-Stars at the teams’ hotel.

The boxscore shows that Williams only scored five points, but her intimidating interior presence helped lead the West All-Stars to an 85-79 win over the East Saturday afternoon at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center.

“It was fun,” Williams said after the game. “I’m so glad to end my career with a win. I always sleep better after a win.”

Besides the victory, playing against some familiar faces made the game even sweeter. “It’s nice to have everybody together,” said Williams. “It was the last time for me, Deana [Allan of Ellender] and Sumar [Leslie of Vandebilt Catholic]. It was real nice.” [I am] glad we came out on top because we [Ellender] were upset in Hammond.”

Hammond was where the 4A state title slipped through her grasp two weeks ago. Williams scored only six points and fouled out with just over a minute left to play with number-one seeded Ellender leading St. Michael 49-45. The Lady Patriots would not score again as they lost 51-49.

“It was hard, but I realize that everybody worked hard for that game, so, you know, I really wasn’t all that hurt,” Williams said. “I know my team played hard. Just because they didn’t come out with a win, it wasn’t the end of everything. Me and Deana and the rest of the seniors on that team are going to college. So basketball isn’t over. Tika (Latika Smith) will have to lead the team next year.”

So which of her many college suitors will she accept an offer from? “I’m undecided. I don’t know where,” declared Williams.

When asked if there was a frontrunner, she replied, “I don’t even know, a whole bunch. Whoever’s calling. Everything is up for grabs right now.”

Williams was a three-point shooting threat throughout her high school career, a buck to traditional basketball thinking of how a center should play.

“They (opponents) think because of my height (6 feet,1 inch) and automatically I’m a five (center). I had to let them know, I don’t go to the post. I had to let them know I’m a shooter. Everybody on our team is short and can shoot. So I had to prove I could shoot with the rest of them.”

Whatever university is in her future, Williams said she is planning on making it rain with three-point downpours.

Asia Williams helps up a West teammate who received a hard foul in Saturday’s All-Star. The West won 85-79. * Photo by KEYON JEFF