Fake Football … or nah? Local coaches bearish on 7-on-7
April 24, 2019
How about a post-holiday Q&A?
April 24, 2019
This week, two locals clinched their spot at the next level.
South Lafourche High School standout Jelby Cheramie committed to Eureka College after visiting the Illinois campus during spring break.
Vandebilt standout Kolby Dufrene also made his choice, inking a scholarship to Nicholls before a game against E.D. White.
Both players are seniors and full academic qualifiers.
Both will play in the high school baseball playoffs this week.
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CHERAMIE OVERCOMES ADVERSITY
TO GET TO NEXT LEVEL
For Cheramie, his path to college was a testament to overcoming adversity.
Cheramie is a four-year starter for South Lafourche — a mainstay on the infield for the Tarpons since his freshman season.
But his senior season was in doubt.
Cheramie injured his shoulder last summer, which sidelined him for most of summer baseball and a lot of the 2019 football season.
But Cheramie came back strong and has been a huge piece for the Tarpons in 2019 — both as a middle infielder and also the team’s ace pitcher.
Cheramie chose Eureka after a visit during Spring Break. He picked the program after also receiving offers from several other schools.
“I am blessed to announce my commitment to Eureka College to further my academic and baseball career,” Cheramie said in a social media post on April 17.
Just days before, coach Chandler Guidroz said Cheramie was one of the best senior leaders he’s ever seen in his career as a coach.
“He shows up ready to play and he’s one of those guys who works hard and really wants to compete every day,” Guidroz said. “He’s been great for this program.”
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DUFRENE EARNS HIS WAY THROUGH HARD WORK, DEDICATION
Last Wednesday morning, Vandebilt Catholic senior infielder Kolby Dufrene secured his future at the next level, signing a scholarship with Nicholls State University.
When the sun went down, he proved why he got the scholarship to begin with.
Dufrene launched two mammoth home runs last week in Vandebilt’s blowout win over E.D. White — the first loss dealt to the Cardinals in the 2019 regular season.
Dufrene said the big day is a blessing, adding that he’s humbled and honored to have the opportunity to play baseball at the next level.
“It feels amazing to have a home for next year,” Dufrene said. “Especially a place that was on top of my radar since I was very young. I’ve always wanted to go to Nicholls and be a Colonel.”
Dufrene earned it. He’s one of the best seniors in the Houma-Thibodaux area this year.
He’s a top of the order hitter for the Terriers — a terror to opposing pitchers because of his ability to make consistent contact, but also hit for power.
Dufrene said he’s proud of the way he’s been playing because he knows of the effort he’s had to put in to get to this level.
Vandebilt coach Gee Cassard said Dufrene is one of the hardest working players on the team. Dufrene said he appreciates that compliment, adding that his diligence is a source of pride.
“I contribute all of my success to hard work,” Dufrene said. “Ive worked day in and day out trying to better myself as a player and a leader to help my team succeed.”
And along the way, colleges around the state took note.
Dufrene said he had offers from junior colleges and D-I schools around the Southeast, as well as an offer from Spring Hill.
But he said the offer from Nicholls had no rival.
Dufrene said he loves the way the Colonels play, adding that the personality of the program fits his own. He said the Nicholls coaches made him feel at home throughout his recruitment.
“I love everything about the program,” Dufrene said. “I admire how Nicholls plays all out from the first pitch to the last. Everyone on the team wants each other to succeed. That type of support from each other is very crucial, I believe and I wanted to be a part of that.”
But Dufrene hasn’t packed his things for Thibodaux just yet. He has some unfinished business to take care of at Vandebilt Catholic.
Dufrene said with his collegiate decision out of the way, the only thing on his mind now is making a run at the Division II State Championship with his team.
Last week, the Terriers clinched a share of the District 7-4A crown, splitting a pair of games with E.D. White to share the title.
In the Terriers’ win, a 10-1 shellacking, Dufrene said something clicked for Vandebilt and they showed how good they could be.
The win wasn’t just a one-hit wonder.
The Terriers enter the playoffs with a 9-1 record in their last 10 games.
In that span, they’ve beaten the Cardinals, Rummel (18 wins), St. John (20 wins) and also Edna Karr (12 wins).
Dufrene said the team’s goal now is to play even better than that in the coming weeks and see how far they can advance.
“We definitely have unfinished business as a team,” Dufrene said. “We showed just how good our team can be by beating E.D. White. Our goal as a team is to make a good run in the playoffs and the ultimate goal would be to compete in Sulphur for a State Championship.” •
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