Roberts is named to All-State team

The accolades continue to roll in for Ville Platte’s Ernest Roberts.
The 6-foot-3 senior got one last bit of good news last week, when he was recognized as an honorable mention member of the Class 3A all-state team by the Louisiana Sports Writers’ Association.
Rightfully so after Roberts guided the Bulldogs to an 18-5 record and led them to the second round of the Class 3A non-select playoffs.
It was nightly consistency in all aspects of the game that marked Roberts’ excellent senior year. He averaged 16 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocked shots per game en route to being named District 5-3A’s Most Valuable Player.
Additionally, Roberts was the only Evangeline Parish basketball player on either the boys or girls all-state teams to be named among the All-State honorees in all classifications.
“It’s very special,” Ville Platte head coach Launey Coward said. “For me, coaching him and getting that achievement, it’s special to me. He deserved it. Everything he got, he deserved.”
Being that complete of a player is no easy task. However, Roberts made it seem so most nights on the floor.
“Everything he did came easy,” Coward said. “But, after every game, I always told him he could do better. He was so unselfish that he’d get everyone involved. He wouldn’t take over the game like he could. He’d play a quiet game and pick his spots.”
After his standout senior year, there is hope that Roberts can get some traction on the recruiting trail to get an opportunity to play the game at the college level.
“He was one of my best ball-handlers,” Coward said. “He played big for us, but he can transition at the next level and play point up to small forward. He’s got a high basketball I.Q. He was one of my best passers. He has it and can be a good-sized guard at the next level.”