Thibodaux Tigers believe they have good shot at 8-5A district title

The Thibodaux High Tigers knew they were good, but they wanted to see just how good they were.

So, over the summer the team played a friendly game against a worthy opponent – the Tigers’ 2005 State Runner-Up team.

The entire 2005 starting five were there, which includes two current Division-I players, Damien Johnson (Minnesota) and Brandon Cooks (Southern Miss), and yet the young Tigers hung tough.

After the informal meeting, everyone mingled and the former players spoke to the new Tigers.

It may not have been the ideal preseason speech, but it worked.

“They were in town and the gym was open, so they all went out and just played around,” said head coach Tony Clark. “They talked a little bit. They all know each other. They’re all friends.”

Apparently, the preseason game gave the team much needed confidence because by the time the season started, it became evident to Clark that the Tigers were going to be a force in District 8-5A.

Last year, inexperience came into play at key points for the Tigers.

The Tigers had problems getting their shots to fall. As a result they finished third in district with a 21-12 overall record, 7-5 in district.

This season the Tigers have started the season off strong, going 13-2 through their first 15 games and providing fans with the same fast-paced offense and stout defense through the non-district schedule.

It is the same formula that helped lead the Tigers to their success in previous years.

To this point, Clark said he has worked on correcting the team’s shooting woes from last year, something that has become a main emphasis point in practice.

With a more experienced team, the Tigers look to continue to play their style of basketball. With district play starting yesterday, Clark believes now is not the time to drift away from what they do best.

This team’s success will lean more on the shoulders of last season’s leading scorer, Shavon “Sugar” Coleman. Coleman averaged 17 points, eight rebounds and two steals per game last season.

He also had a good summer showing on the AAU circuit, according to Clark. The junior was a First Team All-District and All-Region selection following his performance last season and entered 2008 on a warpath.

He scored over 20 points multiple times so far and has dominated nearly all of the Tigers opponents in the paint this season.

Coleman was ready for the opportunity to embrace the role as a leader, and believes he’s transitioned nicely.

“I always saw myself as a leader on the court,” he said. “I just want to go out there and win district, experience something new other than just the playoffs.”

He added, “We’ll keep being competitive. This team is a lot stronger than we were last year.”

Clark believes Coleman has what it takes to bring the Tigers deep into the playoffs. It also helps that the Tigers return their entire team from a year ago.

“I’m expecting a lot from everybody because everybody on this team has played and has the experience,” he said. “There is a lot on him, but I am putting just as much on everyone else as I am on him.”

Besides Coleman, the Tigers look to their other starters to carry the team on the court. Trovon Reed (12 points per game), Demon Bolt (12 points per game) and Brandon Thompson (10 points per game) return to the starting lineup, as well as senior Carlos Coler, who missed half of last year because of academic reasons.

Perhaps the most impressive feat so far was the Tigers achieving their early season success without Reed, Coler, Bolt, Thompson and reserves Donnie Morgan and Carmicheal Pharagood for the first few weeks of the season because they also played football.

“We just want to build on last season. Last year we ended up in the playoffs,” Clark said. “This year we just want to build up on that. Our goal every year is to win district. Nothing’s changed this year.”

The Thibodaux Tigers take their first step towards a district title Friday night when they travel to play South Lafourche. The Tarpons are the defending co-champs of District 8-5A but the Tigers believe they have what it takes to dethrone the champs. * Photo by KYLE CARRIER