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Sometimes in life, you just never know when your golden opportunity to shine might come.
Terrebonne High School senior Katherine Ward knows that better than anyone.
She used hard work and dedication to the game of basketball to get a college scholarship at a time when she least expected it’d come her way.
Ward signed with Delgado – the place that she’ll call home for the next two years, while she attempts to compete favorably and earn a gig to finish her career at a four-year institution.
Ward got the spot in the strangest of ways – through a connection she made with Thibodaux High School girls’ basketball coach Damon Robinson at The Sports Medicine Center of Thibodaux Regional Bayou vs. River Shootout All-Star basketball event, presented by the Thibodaux Lion’s Club.
During that week, Robinson was impressed with Ward’s work ethic, which led the coach to place a call to Delgado coach Edward Fields. From there, the Lady Dolphins started recruiting Ward, and eventually took her aboard – a fitting end to a solid prep career for the standout 5-foot, 10-inch forward who can play multiple positions at the collegiate level.
“It’s surreal,” Ward said when asked how it feels to be a college athlete. “It’s been my dream to play college basketball ever since I was introduced to the game in sixth grade, but I never thought it would become a reality. I’m very excited for this opportunity to be able to continue playing the game that I love.”
“I’m impressed with her effort and her approach to the game,” Robinson added during the All-Star week. “She’s a hard worker and you can tell that she really loves the game.”
For Ward, that the All-Star game took place at all was a huge blessing – especially considering that it was the first time that the annual All-Star game allowed girls to compete in their own game.
The Lady Tigers’ standout competed favorably throughout the week of practices, impressing those around her with her work ethic and versatility on the basketball hardwood.
The Lady Tigers’ senior scored nine points in the All-Star game, helping power the Bayou team to a 10-point win.
Ward plays small forward, but could also find herself playing power forward collegiately depending on the Lady Dolphins’ matchup in a given game.
Ward said she takes pride in being a hustle player – someone who makes an instant impact with her heart and energy. She possesses a plus-level mid-range jump shot, which can be extended even deeper if the defense gives it to her.
Once Robinson put Ward into contact with Fields, the two sparked an instant bond. She said that she immediately knew that she wanted to play with Delgado – a program that is in the need of a shot in the arm after going just 6-23 this past season, including a 2-7 record in conference games.
“I was very impressed with Coach Fields from the moment I first met him,” Ward said. “He showed a sincere desire to improve my knowledge and abilities so that I can possibly play at the next level after my first two years at Delgado.”
Ward said the Delgado coach mentioned the team’s struggles during the recruiting pitch, touting that she was the type of player that could help the team turn things around.
She said that Fields mentioned that she loved her enthusiasm.
“They said I’m easy to coach and I’m a hard worker,” Ward said. “I strive for greatness and give 100 percent with every task that I’m given. (He said) I also have great leadership qualities and I’m always looking for ways to help my teammates any way that I can.”
Ward said that she will major in General Studies at Delgado to get her basic curriculum out of the way in advance of her move to a four-year institution in the future.
Once she does that, she has plans to major in Maritime Management.
She said it will be odd to not play for Terrebonne anymore, touting that she loves the school, her teammates and Lady Tigers’ coach Gus Brown.
But opportunity knocked and a new chapter awaits – it’s one that’s a dream come true for the versatile Terrebonne forward.
She said she can’t wait to get to New Orleans to get started.
“As we say, ‘Once a Tiger, always a Tiger,’” Ward said when asked if she thinks about leaving Terrebonne. “I will always be a Terrebonne Tiger at heart, but I’m excited about becoming a Delgado Dolphin.”
DELGADO HAULING IN LOCAL TALENT IN ABUNDANCE
While Ward is happy celebrating her chance to continue playing at the next level, Delgado is busy cherry-picking some of the top players from our area.
In addition to Ward, the Lady Dolphins also signed Terrebonne senior Mikayla Lyons – a pairing that will keep the two teammates together for the next two seniors.
Like Ward, Lyons was a standout performer for the Lady Tigers this past season, helping Terrebonne post four district wins this past season.
Ward said she’s excited to continue playing with Lyons into the future – touting that she will be the only Delgado player that she’s overly familiar with next season.
“I’m very excited to be playing in college with her and getting to know the other players on the team,” Ward said.
Delgado also scooped up a local gem in its signing class when it inked Thibodaux High School standout Mianette Guidry.
Guidry was one of the key cogs for Thibodaux, which just missed the Class 5A State Playoffs.
Pairing with George Mason standout Jewel Triggs, Guidry was one of the Lady Tigers’ top players in the 2014-15 season, helping lead the team to another winning season.
