VPHS girls’ season ends at home against S. Beau

The Lady Bulldogs didn't make it easy for the competition.
After recording an upset of No. 14 St. James in the opening round of the Class 3A girls playoffs, No. 19 Ville Platte was looking to notch another upset against No. 3 South Beauregard on Monday night.
The Lady Bulldogs were unable to take down the Lady Knights in a 54-37 second-round playoff defeat, but VPHS made sure South Beauregard had to work for it.
"South Beauregard thought it would have been an easy win for them but it wasn't in my eyes," Ville Platte High girls coach Rhonda Thomas said. "They had to earn their points because we didn't give them anything easy. We were in the game for the most part."
South Beauregard (21-4) took command of the game in the opening quarter as the Lady Knights built up a 13-5 lead at the end of the period. VPHS played much improved in the second quarter by scoring 12 points but South Beauregard still entered the break with a 29-17 lead.
The lead was one the Lady Knights never surrendered.
"We got a little discouraged towards the end of the third because we had a lot of open shots that just didn't fall in," Thomas said. "We got to the rim but couldn't finish. We had our chances to make free throws but just couldn't sink them. We battled hard but just couldn't finish."
South Beauregard had four players score in double figures, with Kara Smith leading all scorers with 13 points. Ville Platte was led by Tahjalyn Jack, Alysaa Soileau, and Kaydan Coward who each scored six points.
"Even though the score says we lost by 17 points, we held a high scoring team and high-powered offense to a score below their average and we should hold our heads high," Thomas said.
Three nights earlier, Ville Platte started and finished strong in a 55-40 victory at St. James.
The Lady Bulldogs set the tone as soon as the ball was tipped at midcourt with a dominant first-quarter performance outscoring the Lady Wildcats 16-4.
"We started very strong, with the way we were pushing the ball up the floor in transition and stopping them defensively," Thomas said. "I was very satisfied and excited to see them have fun early because throughout the season the first quarter was always a slow start for us."
St. James (10-5) battled back by outscoring VPHS 29-25 over the next two quarters but the Lady Bulldogs were able to hold off the Lady Wildcats with a strong end to the game.
VPHS closed out the game with a 14-point quarter while holding St. James to only seven points.
Coward led the Lady Bulldogs with 16 points while Trinity Leday added 14.
"I loved the way we finished the game because we played as a team," Thomas said. "The girls worked hard and executed the game plan."
Even though the playoff run came to an end in the second round, Thomas' message to her team was one of positivity as the team finished the season with a winning record (11-10) and won a playoff game.
"I repeated to them a quote from Maya Angelou that 'in life we will face many defeats, but we ourselves must not be defeated,'" Thomas recalled. "I encouraged them that we fought until the end. It was a great season and I'll forever remember the girls that I coached in my first year. A great group of seniors and great hard working players."