THE LHSAA HAS SOME SOUL-SEARCHING TO DO
February 22, 2018
It’s time TO PLANT FRUIT TREES & bushes
February 22, 2018
South Lafourche senior post Victorianna Nelson has been asked the question at least 1,000 times in the last year: “How far could your team had gone in the playoffs last year if you didn’t get hurt?”
This year, she’s attempting to answer ’em all with her play on the court.
Nelson suffered a severe knee injury last year as a junior – an ailment which required surgery and rehab throughout the summer and into the fall.
Without Nelson, the Lady Tarpons still flourished, making the Elite 8 of the 2017 Class 4A State Playoffs, but they fell short of the state title, which led to the constant questions of what might have been.
“I hear it every day,” Nelson said. “That was a hard time. I just had to stay positive and know that this year, I’d get my chance.”
At press-time, Nelson and the Lady Tarpons are making the most of that opportunity. South Lafourche earned the No. 2 seed in the Class 4A Playoffs and roared past No. 31 Grant in the opening round of the playoffs in a blowout.
Nelson had 28 points and 8 rebounds in that game – her first chance to compete in postseason action since 2016 as a sophomore.
She and her teammates said it was good to have her back-the missing piece in what people locally think might be a title team.
“Vic was awesome tonight,” senior guard Traya Bruce said after the win. “It was great having her with us. Last year, she wanted to be and we wanted her out there, too, but it didn’t work out. She worked hard to get back and it’s just fun to play with her. She does a lot to help us.”
That, she does.
Nelson is a tremendous athlete who has a wide array of skills on both ends of the floor.
Offensively, she has polished interior footwork and can finish with both hands in the paint. If guarded by a larger defender, Nelson also has the ability to extend the defense in the triple-threat position, owning blow-by moves and also a soft touch from 18 feet away.
On the glass, Nelson is a monster. She attacks both the offensive and defensive glass, either securing rebounds or creating deflections, which keeps plays alive for her team.
On the defensive end, she can guard several positions, which helps the Lady Tarpons get in transition.
Last year, she went down at a mid-season tournament and needed surgery. South Lafourche still won without Nelson, but they missed her rebounding against the elite teams, getting pounded on the glass in losses against Ellender and also against Northside in the 4A Quarterfinals.
Nelson was at every game and was a positive force for the Lady Tarpons on the bench. She said she was happy on the outside, but a wreck on the inside – calling the entire process the hardest thing she’s ever had to do.
“I wanted so bad to be out there, but couldn’t,” Nelson said. “I had to be there for my team, but I was just thinking to myself the whole time how bad I wanted to be there.”
The Lady Tarpons got their chance at redemption on Monday night, taking on Northside in the second round of the playoffs – the same team that knocked them out last year.
No score was available at press-time.
Nelson smiled when told Northside was the opponent.
“I didn’t get to play them last year,” she said. “Now, I will.”
ELSEWHERE IN THE AREA
South Lafourche is not the only local team with title aspirations.
In Class 5A, No. 17 Thibodaux is still alive after beating No. 16 West Monroe 51-42 in the opening round.
The Lady Tigers took on No. 1 Barbe on Monday night in Thibodaux. No score was available at press-time.
In Class 4A, South Terrebonne and Ellender join South Lafourche in the Round of 16 after they all got first-round wins last week.
Ellender beat McDonogh 35 77-31 and hosted Salmen on Monday night – a rematch of the 2017 Class 4A State Championship Game.
South Terrebonne beat Lutcher 53-40 last week and traveled to face No. 5 Bossier on Monday.
In Division II, Vandebilt is still alive after a first-round bye. They hosted No. 9 Ben Franklin on Monday night. Also alive is No. 15 E.D. White, which beat Academy of Our Lady 52-38 last week. They played Loyola Prep on Monday.
In Division IV, Houma Christian is the No. 2 seed. They had an opening-round bye after a dominant regular season.
They hosted No. 15 St. Edmund on Monday night.
For playoff updates throughout the week, check Houma-Times.com. We will also have a further update in next week’s print issue.
South Lafourche senior guard Traya Bruce makes a move toward the bucket during a game last season. Bruce and the Lady Tarpons are the No, 2 seed in the Class 4A State Playoffs.
