Thibodaux’s Lady Tigers eyeing another district title

Thibodaux High Lady Tigers head basketball coach Damon Robinson knows how to win.

As the boys’ coach at East Thibodaux Middle School, he led the team to the parish championship and kept them competitive on a consistent basis.

So, when he took over the reins as Lady Tigers head man two years ago, he expected the same results. The Lady Tigers delivered.

In Robinson’s first year, the team made the playoffs, finishing the season 20-10.

Last year, they repeated that success. The team finished 15-12 overall and was named co-champs of District 8-5A with a 10-2 district record.

Over his two years at the school, Robinson has compiled a 35-22 record.

But that is not enough for the coach or his team. The Lady Tigers dropped a heartbreaking first-round playoff game to Scotlandville, leaving them wanting more.

When they returned after the offseason, the Lady Tigers were even hungrier than before, and determined to regain their crown.

Through the pre-district slate this season, the Lady Tigers have begun to find their groove. They’ve notched victories over cross-town rival E.D. White among others and put together a three-game win streak at one point.

While they have made their mistakes along the way, Robinson knows those can be corrected.

“We’ve been missing a lot of fast-break layups,” he said. “We’re not really doing anything special to this point. We’re winning games but we have to make those lay-ups. If we can keep rebounding and hit those shots, we’ll be OK.”

Senior Shaquinta James has led this year’s team. James, at 4 feet, 11 inches, is nowhere near the tallest player on the team, but she has led the Lady Tigers in scoring most of the way, including 24 in the district-opening win against Central Laforuche last week.

“She’s a special talent,” Robinson said. “She runs the offense so smoothly and makes things happen for us. If we can continue to play well around her, we’ll be in the running again.”

James is the only returning starter from last season’s team, but not the only girl with experience.

Eight other girls who were on the roster last season join James. All have experienced some form of playing time.

Juniors Jalissa McPherson, Kayla Jackson, Darachia Washington, Phlayshon Price, Jhavon Lillie and Lauren McMillan have all contributed to the Lady Tigers’ recent success. McPhearson led the team in rebounds (six) and blocks (two) per game last season.

Seniors Jordan Chiasson and Kristen Benoit have come off the bench to provide the Lady Tigers with more depth on the inside.

Even though Robinson believes his team is in the running for the district crown, he knows there is still work to be done.

“Until we win a district championship, we’re not what we were last year. Losing the talent like we did last year hurts no matter how you look at it,” Robinson said. “But we still have eight girls from that team. A lot of them improved, they got better. And if they continue to do so, we’ll be fine.”

Thibodaux’s Kelsey Thibodaux drives past Central Lafourche’s Chelsea Curole earlier in the season. With district play under way, the Lady Tigers look to defend their crown. * Photo by KYLE CARRIER