Airman is one of many deserving recognition
January 17, 2017
LSU offers Thibodaux standout a scholarship
January 17, 2017
It feels like just yesterday that Houma native Leah Washington was dominating the block for Vandebilt Catholic – a tough, physical post who is one of the best in the storied history of the school.
But in a few weeks, Washington will be officially be out of collegiate eligibility after five seasons with Spring Hill College.
In an interview with The Times this week, the talented post said she’s left wondering every, single day where all of the time has gone.
Washington is wrapping up a successful collegiate career for the Badgers – one which has been filled with both good moments and bad, and has seen the post recover from injury and emerge as one of the better players in her conference.
At press-time, Washington is averaging 10.3 points and 6.2 rebounds per game – both numbers that rank near the tops for her team. She’s also shooting 47 percent from the field and 74 percent at the foul line.
She said her goals for the final weeks of the season are to play every game like it’s her last, because as a fifth-year senior, she knows time is running out on her college career.
“It’s bittersweet,” she said. “I’ve been going at this for four years now at Spring Hill and it’s almost over. Everything is going well and we’re doing better this season, but it’s hard to accept that there just might not be much time left.”
For Washington, basketball success is something she’s enjoyed her whole life.
She was a dominant post at Vandebilt – a rough, physical player who fit nicely into longtime Lady Terriers coach Kathy Luke’s system.
As a sophomore, Washington played as a reserve, because she
was behind All-American Theresa Plaisance – a 6-foot, 5-inch phenom who helped lead the team to the Class 4A State Championship.
Luke said that Washington was a critical member of that team because she always brought effort and intensity in practice, which challenged the upperclassmen to bring their A-game every, single day.
As a junior, Washington got her chance, and she was huge, leading the team to the Class 4A State Semifinals.
A year later, the team again made it deep into the playoffs but lost to Salmen. In that game, Washington went toe-to-toe with All-American post player Kalani Brown and scored 11 points while grabbing 12 rebounds.
Brown is currently a standout at Baylor – one of the best players in the nation.
Washington picked Spring Hill after receiving interest from several schools during her recruitment.
“Leah Washington is a young lady of character,” Luke said when asked about Washington last season.
At the college ranks, that character translated into success – even when in the face of adversity.
Washington earned All-Freshman team in 2012-13 as a freshman, establishing herself as a physical figue for the Lady Badgers.
As a sophomore, she opened the year with a 21-point, 14-rebound showing, but then blew out her knee, which caused her to miss the rest of the season with a medical redshirt.
Since then, Washington worked tirelessly and has battled back, and in the past three seasons, she’s been a significant contributor for Spring Hill.
This season, Washington’s work has maybe been her best yet, as the Lady Badgers are currently 7-6 on the season and 3-2 in conference play.
Last year, they were below .500 in both records.
“We are playing much better this year,” Washington said. “Now, we just want to finish the season strong.”
To do that, Washington said Spring Hill has to continue to gel and find a way to play its best basketball at the right time – something she believes the team is capable of doing.
The Houma native said she isn’t yet sure if she’s going to chase professional opportunities after graduation, but added that if she doesn’t, she will look to find a job in marketing or management – two areas she’s studied in.
Washington said the five seasons of college basketball have been a blur, and it feels like she just graduated from Vandebilt and stopped her playing days with the Lady Terriers.
Through college, she said she’s learned a lot about herself, though – mostly her personal strength and ability to battle back from tough situations.
“I learned how to overcome adversity when things before difficult in your life,” Washington said. “I also learned how to adapt to change, while here at Spring Hill. The main thing is that God will get you through the hard times, and I think I’m living proof of that.”
Houma native and Vandebilt Catholic graduate Leah Washington makes a move with the basketball during a game last season. Washington is wrapping up her collegiate eligibility in the coming weeks, ending what’s been a highly successful college career. A senior post at Spring Hill, Washington ranks second on her team in scoring. She’s also the leading rebounder.
