Faith inspiring Nicholls State’s women’s basketball push
December 19, 2012
LHSAA approves districts for new year
December 19, 2012
It’s been a long time since the words Nicholls State and championship contender were used in the same sentence.
Scratch that – those words have never been said around the largely unsuccessful program.
Until now – the Colonels are a true contender in the Southland Conference.
With a 7-2 non-conference record and talent oozing from its roster, Nicholls has a real chance to make waves and push for the NCAA Tournament.
That has everyone excited around the program.
“I am so happy for this program and for this institution,” Nicholls State women’s basketball coach DoBee Plaisance said. “What we’ve accomplished so far couldn’t have been done without the support of everybody around us and these players. … It’s a great day here for Nicholls basketball. We have a real chance to be great.”
Arguably the biggest thing aiding the Colonels’ cause is something they’ve lacked in the past – depth.
In the early days of Plaisance’s tenure in Thibodaux, Nicholls sometimes had just seven or eight players on their entire roster.
Now, the Colonels have a team stocked full of worthy players in both the starting lineup and bench.
Senior forward Alisha Allen joins junior guard KK Babin as the team’s top two statistical players.
Joining them are experienced players like junior forward LiAnn McCarthy, sophomore guard Jenny Nash and newcomers like freshmen Emani White and Hope Pawlowski – who are all capable of playing big minutes and scoring in double figures.
“Years before, we had seven players or eight players, so it was sort of rough,” junior guard KK Babin said with a laugh. “We almost couldn’t even scrimmage against each other or anything because we just didn’t have the bodies. This year, we have the people and those people aren’t just empty space – they are talented.”
That versatility allows Plaisance to do more coaching during various game situations – a luxury she has never had in the past.
“The versatility we now have is what I have been just nipping in the bud to get to,” Plaisance said. “We’ve elevated our player IQ, which enables us to utilize what we do have.”
But away from the strategic depth, the Colonels also reap the benefits of their numbers in practice.
Babin said because they have more players, practice is more competitive.
Having players competing for playing time makes everyone better, according to the three-year starter.
“Practice now is way more competitive than it’s been in previous years,” Babin said. “Because we have more people and more depth, we can go longer and we can go harder. Before, we sort of had to protect ourselves because if any one person got even a small injury, it was so bad for us. Now, we are able to work harder knowing we have some leeway.”
Senior Alisha Allen agreed and said this is the most talented team she’s been a member of at the college level.
“My freshman year, we had the same mentality of wanting to win – we just didn’t have the talent and skills that we have now,” Allen said. “Now, it’s here. It’s all there for us. … We’re all better off because of the number of players that we have. Coach DoBee can go to a lot of different players in a lot of different situations.
“Before, we had to play the same because we only had certain people. Now, we can go big, we can go small – we can mix and match. It’s beautiful.”
What Plaisance said is also “beautiful” about the Colonels is leadership.
The coach touted the development of Babin and Allen and said that they have evolved as leaders of the team.
Plaisance believes that transformation has taken place because of the struggles the players needed to endure early in their careers.
“My heart is warmed – almost more as a mother figure for them,” Plaisance said. “It’s about how they’ve grown as people. It’s about how they’ve grown as leaders. Coming in here, a lot was put on Alisha’s plate because she had offers from bigger schools in Texas. And we all know the story of KK Babin, who came in here and was never allowed to act like a freshman from the first minute that she walked on campus and put her stuff in the dorms.
“How they’ve grown as leaders and how they’ve gone through the peaks and the valleys is just heartwarming to me as a coach.”
The lone senior on the Colonels’ roster, Allen agreed and said she made a concerted effort to take a leadership role for the team’s younger players.
“The easiest thing about it is that they see me and respect me as a leader, too,” Allen said. “I love being someone that they can look up to because I had good leaders to follow here when I was that age, as well. I just wanted to keep that same role.
“This is my last year here. I wanted to make sure we went out with a bang.”
Allen and the Colonels will find out right away how far their depth and leadership will take them.
Nicholls will open Southland Conference play against arguably the three best teams in the conference.
The Colonels will open the league’s slate at home on Jan. 3 against Central Arkansas, who was 2011-12’s regular season champion.
The team will then host Oral Roberts on Jan. 5 before traveling to play McNeese State on Jan. 7.
The Golden Eagles are annually a top-tier team, while the Cowgirls have advanced to the NCAA Tournament two seasons in a row.
Always full of energy, Plaisance said she’s revved up and ready for the challenge.
“That’s what I’m saying – bring it – let’s go!” Plaisance exclaimed. “I’m excited we have them right off the bat. We’ll find out where we stand right away.
“I’m fired up. It’s been a long time coming for us. It’s seemed like every time we took two steps forward, we took one step back. But I’ve just stayed living in hope. If you keep doing the right things, the right things are going to happen.”
Nicholls State junior guard KK Babin makes a move during a Southland Conference Tournament game last season. The Colonels hope to ride 2011-12’s success to a deeper push this year. With a 7-2 record and increased depth, the Colonels think they have a team capable of making a run at the Southland title.
