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Youth? Inexperience? It’s not bothering Tarpon baseball much to start 2019
March 5, 2019
Let it be known: Mardi Gras was not the hottest ticket locally this spring.
The Thibodaux High School boys’ basketball team has a claim on that.
And it’s a party that continues on this week — all the way to Lake Charles, Louisiana.
The Tigers roared past the Chiefs 67-62 on Friday night before a wild, raucous crowd in The Jungle that made noise early and often before storming the floor in the final seconds to celebrate their team’s win.
The fans’ support was a storyline in the game, but so was the play of the Tigers’ — a group that stayed poised throughout the noise and led for the vast majority of the game to punch their ticket into the State Semifinals, defending the No. 1 ranking that they’ve carried throughout most of the season.
Senior Marvin Robertson led all scorers with 22 points in the win.
“It was unbelievable for our kids to play in that environment. They’re going to remember that for the rest of their lives,” Thibodaux coach Tony Clark said. “Our kids knew it was going to be a challenge and we got it done and did what we needed to. Now, we get to go to Lake Charles and try and finish our journey. Our work doesn’t stop here.”
Friday’s scene in The Jungle was surreal — almost like that of a sports movie.
90 minutes before the game, the gym was already 75 percent full with fans on both sides packing the campus. By an hour from tip, the place was about full.
Rap music played in the background and while waiting for the game, the Thibodaux and Natchitoches Central fans sung, danced and had “music battles” with one another to see who could make the most noise and do best at passing a good time.
“I’m exhausted,” said Ronnie Williams, a Tigers’ fan. “This is the best workout in months.”
On the floor, it was the Tigers who defended their territory with a wonderful performance.
Thibodaux opened the game quick, storming out to an early lead.
That advantage had the Chiefs on their heels throughout most of the game — constantly playing from 4-to-6 points behind, chasing the Tigers.
They made their surges, sure — even taking the lead briefly at times. But every time they did, Robertson, Kobi Johnson, Rashod Robinson, Rashaud Winslow and others made plays to maintain that Thibodaux lead and secure victory.
Clark said the strength of his team is its unity and togetherness.
As The Times’ walked into the gym two hours before tip, Thibodaux’s players were on the floor having a contest shooting halfcourt shots — as loose as can be.
They didn’t put on a true “game-face” until running out to perform pre-game layups with 15 minutes before the action.
“That’s how this year’s bunch is,” Clark said. “I’m old school. I’ve had to adjust, myself, how I’ve coached to fit the personalities of these kids. They like being together. They like each other. And it’s been good for me as a coach. Right now, at this point in the season, I’m far less tired than I normally would be. That energy is spilling into me and inspiring me, as well.”
But the journey is not done.
The Tigers’ victory places them into the Class 5A State Semifinals — two wins away from the State Championship they’ve coveted all season.
Their next foe will be a familiar one — No. 4 Bonnabel.
Thibodaux beat the Bruins earlier this season 60-52 — a late-December tournament game.
But last year, it was the Bruins who put the Tigers out of the playoffs in the Second Round in a close, hard-fought game.
Clark said the Bruins are well-coached, have quality guard play and elite athleticism — much like the Tigers.
But the difference in the game, according to Clark, will be how Thibodaux plays defense in the paint.
Bonnabel has post talent and greater size than the Tigers.
Clark said in the first meeting between the teams, Thibodaux handled that well, but added that the team’s focus throughout the week of preparation will be making sure the second matchup mirrors the first on the inside.
“We did a good job with it the first time,” Clark said. “We just want to make sure we don’t have little things slip up here or there that could make it a different game.”
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The Tigers and Bruins will tip on Thursday at 3 p.m. from Lake Charles.
The Times will be on-hand to follow Thibodaux throughout.
Managing Editor Casey Gisclair will cover the team throughout the week as they push toward a potential state title.
Follow Casey on Twitter for more.
https://twitter.com/casey_gisclair
