Kudzu-like grass causing havoc in Bayou Lafourche
November 21, 2006
Mary Guidry
November 24, 2006
For senior guard Jamie Octave it has always been about hard work and competitiveness. The competitiveness comes from growing up in a family that includes a former and current college football player, and a current collegiate track athlete. The hard work comes from a setback her senior year of high school.
Octave was named a McDonald’s All-American during her junior season at Donaldsonville High School.
Things were looking bright for Octave during the start of her senior season—she averaged 15 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds, three steals and two blocks per game. But that was before tearing her anterior cruciate ligament. “It was stressful,” Octave said of the injury, “because it was in the middle of my senior year, so it was right around recruiting time. I just had to put that behind me. It was just another road block, but I got over it.”
Octave said the year-long rehab challenged her, but also helped her to become the player and person she is today. “Rehab was extremely hard,” she said. “Playing during my freshman year (at Nicholls) just really got me ready for the years to come. It took hard work and patience. It made me a much stronger person—and patient.”
The hard work has also helped Octave make herself into one of the Southland Conference’s best players. As a sophomore, she was named All-SLC Honorable Mention. She finished her junior year on the All-SLC third team and is beginning her senior season on the All-SLC second team. “It’s awesome,” Octave said of the recognition. “It just shows that hard work does pay off.”
Still, Octave said team accomplishments would add a lot to the accolades. “It would be better if we were winning,” she said. “That would be the best thing. But (the accolades) do help motivate me to work even harder.”
Since Octave has become a part of the program in 2003, the Lady Colonels have been 14-68. This year, their aim is to reach the Southland Conference Tournament. “I think we’re in a good direction,” Octave said of the squad. “We’re focused more on teamwork this year. We’re working together toward a common goal, and that’s to make it to the conference tournament and get some W’s.”
With Octave being one of only two seniors on the roster, coach Mark Cook said he is counting on her to provide leadership both off and on the court. “She’s going to be basically our go-to player, where we get her the ball to score baskets or make foul shots,” said Cook. “We’re asking her to get out there, and if you get a lay up, you’ve got to finish it. If we’re getting you the ball, then you have to make the shot.”
Octave said she is enjoying that role. “Lead by actions, for the younger girls as far as school work and basketball,” she said. “Just make sure that they’re staying focused, and if they see me getting it done, they’ll get it done too.”
And about making shots when the opportunity is there? “Hitting more shots,” she said. “That would be the best thing to improve on. Get that shooting percentage up.”
Cook added, “I really want her to go out with a bang. Have her best year, as a senior, on and off the court. So (she) can kind of look back at (her) career and say, ‘I did the best that I could do.’”
For Octave, that should not be problem. She knew she would have to do her best from the moment she was recruited by then coach Louise “Do” Bonin. After all, the Lady Colonels basketball program showed confidence in Octave after the ACL injury. “I’m real thankful,” said Octave. “At the time, when coach Do was here, she recruited me and just laid it on the line and told me, ‘It’s not going to be given to you. You’re going to have to work for it, especially coming off an injury.’
“So I’m thankful for that she did give me that chance to come here. I hope I made her proud.”
Judging by where Octave is today, compared to where she was four years ago when she injured her ACL, that is not a question Octave should lose sleep over.
Matt LeBlanc can be reached at (985) 876-3008 or matt@tri-parishtimes.com.
Photo provided by Doug Keese/NSU Senior Jamie Octave, of St. James, enters the season as the lone Lady Colonel on an All-Southland Conference team. Octave is on the second-team, and led Nicholls last season with 14.6 points per game.
