Roberts’ mindset has earned him parish’s Most Valuable award

Ernest Roberts was always the biggest kid on the court.
With hitting a growth spurt early in childhood, Roberts usually had a size advantage when he stepped on the court to play basketball which earned him the nickname “Monster.”
Roberts though didn’t get much taller as he peaked at 6-foot-3. So when he arrived at Ville Platte High School, Roberts was forced to develop his game.
“When I got to high school most of the kids were bigger than me,” Roberts said. “I had to learn how to dribble better and learn how to develop my shot. I had to add to my game if I was going to play here.”
Roberts did exactly that at Ville Platte High.
The Bulldog star wrapped up his prep career by playing the best basketball.
Roberts earned District 5-3A MVP honors after averaging 16 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocked shots per game. Roberts also helped lead the team to the second round of the playoffs.
For those accomplishments, Roberts has been selected as the 2021 Boys All-Parish Most Valuable Player.
“That kid is one hell of a player,” VPHS boys basketball coach Launey Coward said. “He is very quiet -- a really soft spoken kid but he has all the potential. I can’t count how many times this season, coaches would come up to me after a game and tell me how special of a player they thought he was.”
Part of what makes Roberts special is the leadership he brings to the Bulldogs.
Ville Platte High lost seven seniors off of last season’s team that reached the state quarterfinals. Not only was there a lack of experience on the court, there was an even bigger lack of leadership.
That’s where Roberts stepped up.
“The seniors from last year always told me when they left that I would be the leader,” Roberts said. “So when they left I had to show them that I could be the leader for this team. I had to step up and score more points, I had to get on my teammates and I had to lead the way for our team.”
Roberts helped lead Ville Platte High to an 18-5 record during the regular season and a berth in the Class 3A playoffs. That particular playoff berth would be the personal highlight of the season for Roberts.
Ville Platte received the No. 6 seed in the bracket and would host No. 27 Brusly -- the same team that had ended their season in the quarterfinals the prior season.
“We had lost to Brusly in the third round and when the coach told us who we were playing... that was the best moment in our life,” Roberts reflected. “That’s what I wanted. I wanted us to get another shot at them.”
Roberts and the Bulldogs avenged that defeat with a 77-61 opening-round victory. Even though the playoff run would end in the second round with a loss to eventual state runner-up St. Martinville, Roberts was thankful of the success he and his teammates had, especially playing it during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’ve been playing with each other since we were young,” Roberts said. “The season was good and it didn’t end like we wanted but we are still proud of what we accomplished.”
Roberts now turns his attention to where he will further his education and pursue playing basketball. LSU Eunice, Louisiana College and Baton Rouge Community College have all expressed interest in Roberts but as of now -- no scholarship offer has been officially made.
For Roberts, he is only looking to have an opportunity to help provide not only points but leadership for another team.
“My mindset is all about working,” Roberts said. “After practice or before practice, I work out and practice shooting every day. That’s the mindset I bring. Plus, I like to cheer people on. I just want to help the team succeed.”