Another shot

Getting the opportunity to improve and advance yourself is what all human beings strive to achieve.
For two former Ville Platte High Bulldog basketball players that opportunity has presented itself through a different path, as Terrian Roy and Devontae Robert have both chosen to move on to prep schools to hone their skills and their academic prowess for a shot of playing on the next level.
Roy, the reigning Evangeline Parish Most Valuable Player has decided to take his talents to Florida Coastal Prep School located in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.
Florida Coastal Prep is a post-graduate program focused on serving as the bridge between a high school graduate and their college basketball dream. The prep process at FCP begins with diagnostic work to determine baseline levels and the best test for each student to prepare for.
Students attending Florida Coastal Prep can also attend college classes as part of the program.
“I decided to continue on with my career at the prep school level to get my ACT or SAT score where it needs to be to get that opportunity to play college basketball,” stated Roy. “I also needed to gain more experience and develop more into a player that can compete on the next level. The coach here showed a lot of interest in me and liked my highlight tapes, so he offered me the chance to come here and develop.”
Roy is also thinking long term when it comes to his education. The former do-it-all guard sees himself staying in the athletic arena, albeit in a different roll.
“I am hoping to major in kinesiology and become a physical therapist with a focus on athletes,” commented Roy. “My brother helped guide me in that direction and it would be a dream of mine to be able to help people someday.”
Besides the academic side of his quest, Roy must also focus on getting better on the court.
“I really became better on the defensive side of the court in high school, but I need to focus on becoming more of a floor general,” said Roy. “I will mainly be playing the No. 2 guard, but I will have to play the point sometimes.”
Devontae Robert’s journey to the prep level took a different path. Robert caught a glimpse of Louisiana Christian Post Grad out of Breaux Bridge on social media and started the process of getting in touch with head coach Malcolm Orgeron.
Louisiana Christian Post Grad is the first Post Grad in Louisiana to offer basketball for men. The program was 9-25 in 2019-20, but they do play a number of junior colleges, including LSU-E, Bossier and Southern-Shreveport.
“The school came across my Twitter account and when I saw it, I called coach Tommy (Jones) and asked him to get in touch with them,” said Robert. “Coach Tommy sent them my highlight videos and they contacted my about going there to play. At the time I was thinking about trying to get on at different schools, but they were the first school to offer me, so I jumped at the chance.”
While at Louisiana Christian Post Grad, Robert will focus his energy not just on the court but in the classroom as well. The school gives Robert the opportunity to focus on ACT/SAT preparation skills as well as the chance to gain some college hours.
“Coach Orgeron has already told me that while we are on the road, we are still going to work on our education and academics at the hotel,” Robert said with a tone of importance.
Robert is hoping to parlay his experience into a chance to play on the next level and an opportunity to get to a place that he can pursue his later in life interest.
“I want to get a degree in architecture and engineering,” commented Robert. “I love the art, graphing and design part of it. I think it is something that I would enjoy doing for the rest of my life.”