Earning hardware

Another basketball season has come and gone.
As the sound of whistles fade away and the echo of the ball bouncing off of the hard wood subsides, it is time to announce those post-season awards for the individual players that battled night in and night out in gyms across the parish.
For the Ville Platte High Bulldogs, youth definitely drove the success seen this past year. The Bulldogs finished the season with an overall record of 17-12 and a district runner-up finish. Ville Platte went on to defeat Vidalia in the first round of the Class 2A playoffs, before bowing out to the Rayville Hornets in the Regional contest.
Aiding in their prosperous campaign were several underclassmen. Leading the way for the Bulldogs was sophomore guard Jamal Byers, who was tabbed as a District 6-2A first team player. Byers averaged 10 points per game in district, along with four rebounds, seven assists and two steals.
Securing second team honors for Ville Platte were sophomore Terrian Roy and freshman Ernest Roberts. Roy produced 10 points per game along with four rebounds, four assists and three steals. Roberts put up 10 points per game and 10 rebounds per game, while averaging three assists and one steal.
Selected to the all-defensive team were Tayvon Wilson and Tyler Jones. Wilson averaged four steals per game and Jones averaged six rebounds per game. Making the honorable mention list were Brandon Veazie and Davondez Doucet.
The Ville Platte High Lady Bulldogs did not have as big a year as they have had in the past, going 7-15 on the season and losing in the first round of the playoffs to a very good Red River club. Still, the Lady Bulldogs were able to put four players on the all- district squad.
Senior guard Jakiah Thomas was a second team selection, while Makayla Ardoin was named to the all-defensive team. Thomas averaged 11.8 points per game, one assist, two steals and two rebounds. Ardoin hauled in seven rebounds per game along with one steal. Honarable mention recipients for Ville Platte were La’Jaia and Trinity Leday.
Despite their 1-26 overall record, the Sacred Heart Trojans were still able to grab a spot in the Division IV playoffs, losing out in the first round to St. John Eagles. However, two senior leaders were placed on the District 5-1A list.
Guard Trevor Soileau was tabbed as an all-defensive player, as he averaged two assists and two rebounds per game. Forward Jeffery Sylvester garnered honorable mention status after averaging seven points and eight rebounds per game.
A semi-productive regular season befell the Sacred Heart Lady Trojans in 2017-2018. Sacred Heart finished the year with an overall record of 7-20. But the Lady Trojans turned it up a notch in the playoffs, picking up a win over Ouachita Christian in the first round, before losing to Cedar Creek in their Regional match-up.
Five Sacred Heart players were honored with a spot on the all-district team. Landing on the second team was senior guard Shani Fontenot, who averaged 8.7 points per game in district, while Emilyese Bergeron was selected to the all-defensive team. Named to the honorable mention list were Lauren Shipp, Dulce Miller and Blaire Lafleur.
In the final year for head coach John Jack, the Mamou Demons utilized their talent to finish as one of the top teams in District 5-3A with an overall record of 14-9 and earned a spot in the Class 3A playoffs. Unfortunately for Mamou, the Madison Jaguars had other plans for the Demons, as they were able to take home the win and knock Mamou out of the post-season.
Nevertheless, a number of players were able to find spots on the all-district team. Leading the way was senior forward Tammrick Thomas, a first team selection. Thomas averaged 21.5 points per game, 10 rebounds, two blocks, two steals and four assists.
Earning all-defensive honors was Tyrin Williams. A junior guard, Williams averaged five steals and three rebounds per game. Honorable Mention selections for the Demons were Tralan Arvie, Mason Tinley and JaQuaylon Arvie.
As with most teams in the parish, the Mamou Lady Demons were forced to play a number of underclassmen this season. The Lady Demons completed the year with an overall record of 9-17, but found themselves in the first round of the Class 3A playoffs. Regrettably, Mamou was ousted by their district rival, the Iota Lady Bulldogs.
Notwithstanding their record, the Lady Demons had four players named to the all-district squad. Senior guard Ka’zhana Richard was a first team selection, after averaging 16.3 points per game along with 4.2 assists per game. Braylin Charles was placed on the all- defensive team, while Dacia Richard, Brianna Thibodeaux and Tavia Gallow were honorable mention selections.
An overall record of 13-14 was not quite enough for the Pine Prairie Panthers to grab a spot in the Class 3A playoffs. However, the Panthers were able to land three players to the all-district squad. Making the second team was Isaiah Payne. The senior averaged 22 points per game in district. Joining Payne were JJ Sims, an all-defensive team pick and Darian Hayes, an honorable mention selection.
Just like the boys, the Pine Prairie Lady Panthers were just short of getting a shot in the post-season. The Lady Panthers completed their season with an overall record of 8-18, five spots from a playoff berth. Even with their non-appearance in the extra season, Pine Prairie did have three players named to the all-district squad.
Kameron Allen was able to earn second team honors by averaging 13.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.9 steals and 2.2 assists per game. Making the all-defensive team was Brianna Wall, while Asia George was tabbed as an honorable mention selection. Wall collected 4.1 blocks and 5.1 rebounds per game.
The Basile Bearcats worked their way into the Class 1A playoffs with an overall record of 6-19, but bowed out in the first round with a loss at White Castle.
Still, the Bearcats were able to land two players on the third team in District 4-1A, as Isaiah Ceasar and Abdul Mlingo garnered that honor.
Coach Matt Fontenot’s Basile Lady Bearcats finished their season with an overall record of 10-20 and a spot in the first round of the playoffs. However, the Lady Bearcats failed to make it any farther, losing the Gueydan Honey Bears.
Despite that, Basile was able to put players on the all-district third team and have five players named as honorable mention players. Making third team were Katheryn Giles and Caitlynn Deshotels, while honorable mention selections were Gracie Fournet, Ryah Ashford, Maegan Johson, Shelbie Bergeaux and Lainey Soileau.