UNO gets commitment from Lady Tarpon guard

Right now, the University of New Orleans’ best women’s basketball player is a Houma native – guard Randi Brown.

When Brown graduates and heads to the pro game, she just may be handing the baton over to a dominant, athletic guard who calls Cut Off home.

South Lafourche senior guard Traya Bruce announced on social media Thursday night that she’s given a verbal commitment to UNO – a huge get for Keeshawn Davenport and the Lady Privateers.

Bruce is a multi-time All-District standout and is arguably the top local senior for the Class of 2018 – one of the best players in the state.

She said she chose UNO over Nicholls – her two finalists. Bruce said she really liked both schools, but decided on UNO because of the vibe she got during her official visit to the program.

Bruce still has another season of eligibility at South Lafourche and will not join UNO until the 2018-19 season.

“UNO is a great school,” Bruce said. “When I went for my official visit, I just felt like UNO could be my home. It was very peaceful and organized. In that atmosphere, I feel like I will be able to focus on both my education and my basketball career.”

Bruce is a dominant prep player – one of the best we’ve seen in this area for a long time.

She’s flourished on the basketball hardwood for almost a decade now – dating back to a decorated youth basketball career in which she was part of a team that won the Biddy World Tournament. Bruce also was one of the leading players on a Larose-Cut Off Middle School squad which won the State Championship Tournament – the only such title for the Lady Bulldogs in the school’s history. In that tournament, Bruce got a scholarship offer from Louisiana Tech, while just in the eighth grade.

Because of that youthful success, many in the South Lafourche community had huge expectations for Bruce and the Lady Tarpons – even as early as her freshman season.

She’s never shied away from the pressure, helping lead the team to the playoffs in three-straight seasons while collecting All-District honors in each season of her career.

“She just does so many things well to help our team,” South Lafourche girls’ basketball coach Rainie Terrebonne said last season of her guard. “She can score outside, inside and she is a smart player. She makes plays passing the ball and she really likes to get her teammates involved. She’s a special player and off the court, she’s a really good person, as well.”

Last season as a junior, Bruce upped her game to new heights while taking the Lady Tarpons deep into the playoffs.

Bruce averaged 22.0 points per game, while also leading the team in assists and steals.

In the Class 4A Playoffs, Bruce accelerated her game to a new level, scoring 105 points combined in three games, helping the Lady Tarpons get to the quarterfinals of the playoffs.

Bruce said the timing of her commitment to UNO is in part because she knows that she loves the Privateers, but also with the Lady Tarpons in mind. She said she didn’t want anything to cloud her focus in her senior season.

“I don’t think it’s too early (to commit) because I know what I want,” Bruce said. “The decision was very hard and stressful, but now that I have made the announcement, I can focus on my senior year.”

And in that senior season, Bruce has eyes on the Top 28.

Last year, South Lafourche had the lead in the fourth quarter of their state quarterfinal game against Northside, but a late surge pushed the Lafayette-area program past the Lady Tarpons.

This year, Bruce said South Lafourche is working hard and has no plans to come up short again.

This year, they’re chasing the rings.

“The same goal has been in my vision since I was a freshman,” Bruce said. “I want to lead my team to win the state championship. Some injuries held us back last year and some people doubted we could go as far as we did. But our team is like a family and we stick together no matter what. This year, we will be stronger than ever.”

And once it’s done, it’s off to UNO where Bruce said she will be putting the icing on the cake of a lifelong dream – lacing up for a college basketball program.

She said she wanted to thank her parents and everyone who has coached her over the years, saying all of their collective efforts have led to her having the chance to play at the next level.

“Since I was little, I wanted to play college ball,” Bruce said. “I have been dedicated to getting better every year. Now that I’m signing at a D-1 school, my feelings are all over the place. I’m proud of myself to have accomplished what I set out for. I’m excited for what’s to come, but I am also sad to leave everything else behind. At least, I won’t be too far for my family, friends and supporters to come watch me play.” •

Traya Bruce

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