Accomplishing more

Several key accomplishments came to fruition for a number of Evangeline Parish basketball teams over the 2018-19 season.
And, because of those team goals being met, a number of individual players were able to accomplish even more, as they were honored with selections to their respective all-district teams.
Take for example the Ville Platte High Bulldogs. It was a magical season for the ‘Dogs, as they were able to collect a District 6-2A title and reach the LHSAA Class 2A state semi-finals after producing an overall record of 27-4.
Because of their very successful campaign, Ville Platte received huge recognition on the all-district squad, placing three players on the first team, including the district MVP, one player on the second team, one player on the all-defensive team and two honorable mention selections.
Earning MVP honors was Jahmal Byers. The junior point guard averaged 16 points per game, 10 assists per game and four rebounds per game.
Also gaining first team recognition were sophomore forward Ernest Roberts and junior guard Tyler Jones. Roberts collected 13 points per game, 10 rebounds per game and seven assists per game. Jones was good for 12 points per game, eight rebounds per game and four assists per game.
Garnering second team and all-defensive honors was junior guard Terrian Roy. Honorable mention selections included senior Brandon Veazie and sophomore Tye’Wuan Byers.
The Pine Prairie Panthers reached the first round of the Class 3A playoffs and hosted a post-season game for the first time since 2006. The Panthers finished the year with an overall record of 17-9 after losing to Wossman in the bi-district round of the playoffs.
Making the first team and being named as the MVP of District 5-3A was guard Isaiah Payne. The senior averaged 27 points per game, eight rebounds per game, four assists per game and four steals per game.
The Panthers had one all defensive team selection; senior Kyler Carson. Seniors JJ Sims and Raylin Thomas were named as honorable mention performers.
Speaking of hosting a playoff game for a long time, the Sacred Heart Trojans played on their home court in the post-season for the first time in 22 years. Unfortunately for the Trojans they were ousted from playoff basketball by the St. Fred’s Warriors, but still finished with a record of 9-19.
Junior Jacques Leger was placed on the second team in District 5-1A and junior Jack Lahaye was named to the all-defensive team. Honorable mention selections for the Trojans were Wyatt Fontenot and Bryce Deville.
The Mamou Demons made a run at the end of the season to reach the Class 3A playoffs, finishing with an overall record of 13-21 after falling to Sophie B. Wright in the first round of the post-season.
The Demons had one second team selection, junior Leandre Harrison, and one all-defensive team selection, senior Mason Tinley, in District 5-3A.
For the Basile Bearcats, a record of 6-17 was enough to get them to the first round of the Class 1A playoffs. The Bearcats wound up losing to the No. 1 seed White Castle, and was dropped from post-season competition.
Basile had three honorable mention selections in District 4-1A, as seniors Andre Reed and Abdul Mlingo and junior Isaiah Ceasar were all placed on that team.
The Pine Prairie Lady Panthers had a tremendous season, going 20-12 and hosting a playoff game for the first time in 11 years. The Lady Panthers could not advance, losing to Richwood. But with only one senior departing the future looks bright.
Pine Prairie was honored with one first team all-district selection, Kameron Allen. The sophomore point guard averaged 14.5 points per game, 3.5 assists per game, 4.8 rebounds per game and four steals per game.
Collecting second team honors were sophomore guard Asia George. Sophomore forward Brianna Wall and senior guard Kailey Doucet were selected to the all-defensive team. Sophomore Maycie Hardy and freshman Brashaylan Doucet were honorable mention picks.
The Ville Platte High Lady Bulldogs’ up and down season ended with a District 6-2A runner-up title and a loss to Rayville in the first round of the playoffs. Ville Platte finished with an overall record of 11-15.
The Lady Bulldogs found themselves with a first team selection in Trinity Leday. The sophomore guard averaged 10 points per game, two rebounds per game and three assists per game.
Ville Platte had one second team selection, freshman Kaydan Coward. Sophomore Alyssa Soileau was named to the all-defensive team, while eighth grader Vandrya Wilson and freshman Tahjalyn Jack landed honorable mention places.
The Sacred Heart Lady Trojans continued their post-season run, making it to the first round of the Division IV playoffs. Sacred Heart lost to the St. Ed’s Lady Blue Jays, however, the Lady Trojans finished with an overall record of 8-17 and some top individual honors in District 5-1A.
Earning first team status was Lauren Shipp. The senior forward averaged 11.7 points per game this year.
Picking up second team honors was junior Olivia Hernandez. Junior Amanda Bergeron was named to the all-defensive team, while senior Anna Beth Briley and junior Blaire Lafleur were honorable mention selectees.
The Basile Lady Bearcats battled all season long, finishing with a 16-16 record, earning a spot in the Class 1A playoffs. Although the Lady Bearcats could not defeat No. 12 Jonesboro-Hodge, Basile did pick up one second team selection in District 4-1A, as junior guard Lainey Soileau was honored with that pick.
Finally, the Mamou Lady Demons were unable to reach the Class 3A playoffs after an 8-19 season. Nevertheless, the Lady Demons had a few names on the District 5-3A team.
Earning second team honors was sophomore Brianna Thibodeaux. Gaining honorable mention spots were junior Dacia Richard and sophomores Jamayra Arvie and Markaysha Johnson.