Feb. 22
February 5, 2007
Bernice Hughes
February 7, 2007
The Ellender Patriots’ motto is “32 minutes of pain,” and for 29 games this season, their opponents have gotten a first-hand experience of what it means — pressure defense, turnovers and transition baskets.
For years, the Patriots have been known for their full-court press defense and this year has been no different for the No. 1 team in Class 5A.
“Transition offense,” said junior guard Jamal Nixon. “That’s what we feed off of. Get the rebounds, then move the ball down the court. Then, feed off of our defense again.”
The Patriots’ pressure defense has resulted in a multitude of easy baskets en route to their 29-2 record. “It keeps teams from being as structured as they’d like to be,” explained head coach Scott Gauthreaux. “That’s where the pressure is an asset to us. We try to control the tempo with our pressure, and create turnovers. Our offense is an extension of our defense, and it’s because of the pressure.”
Ellender started the year 18-0 before losing to Bolton at the Sunkist Classic in Lafayette in December. From there, the Patriots reeled off 10-consecutive wins before losing to Helen Cox, the No. 1 team in Class 4A.
In District 6-5A play, the Patriots boast a perfect 9-0 record and hope to bring the league championship back to the school for the first time in two years. “We are on a two-year slump of having the district championship,” said Gauthreaux. “I think the guys want to get the district crown back.”
So far, so good. Of the Patriots nine district wins, eight have been by double digits. The team’s closest game was in a 68-62 win against rival Terrebonne. “We come out every year to go undefeated in district,” said Nixon. “We come out and work hard everyday in practice. We come out to win the district championship and then move on to the playoffs and win a state championship.”
But being on the top of the standings means opponents are giving the Patriots their best effort each night, said senior guard John Woodside. “We’re staying focused right now,” said Woodside. “It’s that time of the year where we just have to play our game. We know other teams are out there to beat us. We’re not worried about them, as long as we go out there and play our game.”
And the Patriots’ “game” of running and unselfishness has been effective. Gauthreaux says his team’s conditioning and unselfishness are the biggest reasons for the impressive record. “I think our conditioning, along with a good core of returning players, is a big reason for the record,” he said. “Just like I’ve been saying after every game, the unselfishness of this team and how hard they play also factors into it. I think they play so hard because of the conditioning. We’ve trained our bodies to be able to play for 32 minutes.”
Woodside agreed with Gauthreaux’s assessment. “We’re in shape,” said Woodside. “We’re one of the most in shape teams in the state. We know if we go out and we play 32 minutes, other teams aren’t going to be able to run with us.”
Leading the way for the Patriots is the duo of Sterling and Walter Jones. Sterling, a junior, leads the team in scoring (21.7) and rebounding (8.9), while Walter, a senior, is second in scoring (13.3) and leads in assists (4.5).
“Sterling does a good job running the floor and getting offensive rebounds,” said Gauthreaux. “He works hard on the boards getting offensive rebounds. Walter Jones has been our leader. He’s been our playmaker. He’s leading the team in assists, and he plays hard defense. He just knows the game well. He knows how to hit the open person on the go.
“It’s been a numerous few guys (playing key roles). I could go through the whole team, actually.”
And as the season has progressed, Gauthreaux has literally gone through most of the roster, playing a five-man rotation. “It’s a luxury of being here at Ellender,” he said. “We went to a five-man rotation in the last few games, and it’s been an asset to us. The reason that second five got that opportunity to come in is because they work so hard against the varsity, and they played so well as a unit. I think that’s paid off.”
And with a handful of district games remaining, Gauthreaux is hoping the team’s hard work pays off not just in the regular season, but in the postseason, too. “We have five games left,” he said. “And hopefully five playoff games left.
“Hopefully we’re talking again in 10 games.”
Staff photo by MATT LeBLANC • Tri-Parish Times * The No.1-ranked Ellender Patriots have used a dominating defense to earn at least a share of the District 6-5A championship, this season.
