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June 26, 2019
The Thibodaux High School boys’ basketball team wishes that this past year could last forever — a magical season which ended in the Glass 5 A State Championship.
But with the summer here, reality is sinking in — those days are over audits time for a new group of kids to make their mark on the program.
The Tigers are hard at work this summer trying to establish new faces into primary roles on the depth chart after graduating a talented senior class after the champion-winning.
Coach Tony Clark said he spoke with the 2019-20 team briefly about last year’s championship, but added that the team mostly is working to put last year in the past as beat it can in hopes of letting the new group focus on being the best that it can be.
“We’re not really gang to talk about it or focus an it all that much to be honest with you,” Clark said. “We did a great thing and we’re always going to remember it and be grateful that it happened But now, ifs time to let these kids come in and start the process and try and make their own mark.”
The Tigers have several key starting positions to fill on its depth chart.
Thibodaux lost seniors Kobi Johnson, Marvin Robertson and Rashod Robinson— key cogs an the championship team.
But the Tigers also return Rashaud Winslow. J Mari Carter and Tyren Young—two starters and their sixth man, key pieces to the team’s run.
Clark said the team will be younger and less experienced in 2019-20 than they were last year, but he said that’s not necessarily a bad thing when trying to put together a team, because he thinks some of the new players are capable of having success once they get experience.
Clark said he remembers watching Johnson play early in his career at point guard tor Thibodaux adding that it wasn’t always the smooth, polished product that local fans saw last season.
“I remember times early in his career where we had to take him out” Clark said. “Because he just couldn’t handle it But you learn from those things and you grow.”
Clark also said he has added confidence because several of the team’s returning and unsung players were asked to play in key spots throughout the year in the Tigers’ journey. Clark’s words hold merit. In the Top 23. Thibodaux battled severe foul trouble in both the Semifinals against Bonnabel and also in the Championship Game with Walker.
In both games, bench {layers came in and stepped up, allowing the Tigers to win the Title.
“We have some guys who are going to be playing more now than what they’ve been used to,” Clark said “But I think being part of it (last year) is going to help us. I think those guys will know what it takes in practice and know what we have to do to try and have another good season.”
Clark said the Tigers’ summer has been up and down. The team struggled early and “got it put an us pretty good” early in the summer, but since then. Clark said the team has come together and has played good basketball.
The challenge, Clark said will be to get the team’s players ready by the time school starts and the season rolls around
It will be a challenge, no doubt, but it’s one they’re willing to take on. Dark said the Tigers haw a tough schedule and will be challenged heavily throughout the next season. He said he thinks his team is up for all of the challenges in front of them.
“We’re gang to put in the
“WE’RE NOT REALLY GOING TO TALK A BOUT IT OR FOCUS ON IT ALL THAT MUCH TO BE HONEST WITH YOU. WE DID A GREAT THING… BUT NOW. IT’S TIME TO LET THESE KIDS COME IN AND START THE PROCESS…”
– TONY CLARK
work,” Clark said. “And I think we’ll be ready.”
TIGERS GET CHAMPIONSHIP RINGS
But no matter how next year goes, folks around Thibodaux are always going to have a special place in their hearts for the 2018-19 team — one which captivated the entire community.
Recently, the team got together to host a ceremony where coaches and players got their championship rings.
Clark said it was one of the first times the entire team was back together in the Thibodaux gym since winning it all.
“It was great to have the guys all back together again,” Clark said. “We’ve had several events to honor us, but it was great to have our group back in the gym again one more time.”
The ring is a classic look — a nice-sized piece of jewelry that perfectly personified the class and talent the Tigers’ program had in their championship run.
Clark said he wanted to thank everyone in the community for the support throughout the entire season.
He said the first time he put on the ring, it felt surreal, adding that he’s stopped several times in the last week or so to look at his hand to make sure that it was still there.
“It’s just been surreal,” Clark said.
This is a photo that will forever live in the memories of Thibodaux High School fans – the moment the team won the Class 5A State Boys’ Basketball Championship. But with a new team am team floor in 2019-20, the Tigers are hoping to reset that memory and work to build new ones this season.
J’Mari carter is one of Thibodaux’s top returnees next season after winning the class 5A. State Championship this past season. Coach Tony Clark said he’s eager to see how some of the team’s new, younger pieces fit when given opportunities to take the floor next season.
