Boys’ basketball pairings are released

Launey Coward knew his team needed to play a game.
The Ville Platte High boys basketball team had not played a contest since Jan. 29 due to COVID-19 contact tracing protocols. That wiped out seven games on the schedule, and then the winter storm cancelled two more games.
Coward was determined to get a game in and pulled off when VPHS played a rescheduled district game against Northwest on Saturday. The Bulldogs won the game 68-59 in double overtime but more importantly is the fact his team got some much needed game action before the postseason.
“It was a very big game in many different ways,” Coward said. “We haven’t played in awhile and coming back from a long layoff straight into a game that was a good fight gave us a sense of how strong we are. It also gave us a sense of how much fight we have in us after trailing by 15 in the beginning of the game and coming back to win it.”
The Bulldogs will look to build off that game as it begins postseason play this week. No. 6 Ville Platte (18-5) hosts No. 27 Brusly (12-11) in the opening round of Class 3A playoffs. Tip is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Friday.
“It just feels good to have a first round home game,” Coward said. “We played really well at home and I think that will play to our advantage going forward.”
Coward’s team is familiar with its first-round opponent. Brusly defeated VPHS 67-62 in the state quarterfinals a year ago.
“We let the opportunity to go back to the Top 28 slip through our fingers,” Coward said. “I’ve watched the film on them a couple of times this season and it seems like they are not quite the same team from last year but are still a very good team.”
Coward is banking on his players that experienced that heartbreaking playoff defeat a year ago -- and will ensure that a playoff victory doesn’t slip away from them for the second-straight season.
“I’m hoping my players that were there last year remember how it felt to lose that game and use it as motivation to go out and get the victory.”
For VPHS to get a victory, Coward states that his team will need to take the floor on Friday and play smart and discipline basketball.
“I think if we limit the turnovers and execute well on offense then we should help ourselves to obtain a good victory,” Coward said. “The seniors especially seem to be really focused on returning to the Top 28 and so I am hoping that hunger really gives them the fuel they need to step up to any challenge.”