Lady Terriers win District 8-4A title against Mustangs

Sat. February 04, 2012 at 12:54 a.m. | By Keyon Jeff/Sports Correspondent

NAPOLEONVILLE — The Vandebilt Lady Terriers used their resilience and clutch free throwing to wrap up the District 8-4A title Friday night against Assumption.

Vandebilt (22-4, 6-0 district) led the entire way, but the Lady Mustangs got to within a basket several times in the second half. Still, they could never get over the hump, and Vandebilt pulled away with 55-43 victory.

"We understand at this time of year everybody is going to play hard, especially if you're on the road," said Vandebilt coach Kathy Luke, who won her 15th district title at the school. "I thought Assumption gave us their best shot. They played aggressive and kept our offense us at bay. I'm proud of our girls because we always had an answer for what they threw at us."

The game got off to a rough, defensive start. Both teams were turnover-prone and missed easy opportunities.

On the first two possessions of the game, Assumption tried to play a half man-to-man defense, but both times the Lady Mustangs lost Vandebilt centers Leah Washington (17 points) and D'Arcy Draper (seven points) for uncontested layups.

Back-to-back baskets from Lady Terriers Shakira Harding (11 points) and Sade' Murrell (14 points) gave Vandebilt a 15-8 advantage after the first quarter.

Both teams went scoreless for a four-minute stretch of the second quarter, but Assumption made three 3-pointers in the period. A pair of 3-pointers came from Jasmine Mills (25 points), including one to end the first half and cut the Lady Mustangs' deficit to 22-17 at intermission.

Luke adjusted her offense in the third quarter, going high-low when Assumption played man-to-man, and throwing the ball in the post when it switched its defense.

The change helped Vandebilt built a 28-21 lead midway through the period off a five-point streak.

"We hadn't really done that in a while," Luke said. "I thought we executed well for not practicing that."

Mills answered by scoring Assumption's next seven points. The Mustangs trimmed their deficit to one on an Edrielle Barrow basket. But on the ensuing inbound, Vandebilt's Cassidy Barrios was left unguarded to get the pass and score an easy layup to put the Lady Terriers up 33-30 after three quarters.

"I thought we played tough throughout the game," Assumption coach Julius Aucoin said. "Our shots began to fall in the third quarter. We executed very well. At halftime, we emphasized help defense. That was the key to the second half."

Assumption (19-9, 4-3 in district) got to within two points of Vandebilt four times in the final quarter, but the Lady Terriers always managed to pull away. Up 35-34, Vandebilt scored three straight baskets, concluding with a short turnaround jumper by Washington to push the lead to 41-34.

Assumption was within a basket for the last time with less than two minutes remaining on a Jasmine Knight (six points) jumper at 45-43.

But Murrell sparked the Lady Terriers' 10-0 run to end the game. She drove the length of the court for an uncontested layup with 1:10 remaining. On the next possession, she stole the ball near midcourt and got fouled by Assumption. She sank two free throws to clinch the game.

Vandebilt (17-of-33 foul shots) went to the charity stripe 16 times in the fourth quarter, while Assumption (4-of-7) did not attempt any free throws in the period.

“It’s a major factor in the loss,” Aucoin said. “I don’t think we were aggressive enough, attacking the basket enough to get to the line in the fourth quarter.”

As the season winds down, Aucoin hopes his team can gain some confidence from a tough defeat to a quality opponent.

“I think they realize they can compete with the better teams in the state when we play to our capabilities,” he said.

With one goal down, Vandebilt has one more aim in sight: getting to the Ladies Top 28 Tournament in Ruston next month.

"These kids are winners. These kids believe in themselves, believe in each other," Luke said. "Our first goal was to win district championship, and they did that. They have a final destination, and that destination is Ruston."

VANDEBILT CATHOLIC 77, ASSUMPTION 57 (BOYS)

In Napoleonville, four Terriers scored in double figures to propel Vandebilt to a 20-point district victory.

Lionheart Leslie (22 points), Elijah McGuire (21), Joseph Cantrelle (16) and Seth Ward (12) led the way for Vandebilt (20-6, 6-0 district).

Assumption (5-20, 1-6 district) was spearheaded by Kaven Bernard with 19 points.

Vandebilt led 14-11 after the first quarter; 38-21 at halftime, and 54-44 after the third.

MORGAN CITY 26, SOUTH TERREBONNE 23 (BOYS)

At Morgan City, the Gators were outscored 7-5 in the fourth quarter as Morgan City pulled out a District 8-4A win.

The score was tied at 6 after the first quarter, and Morgan City led 15-12 and 19-18 at halftime and the end of the third quarter, respectively.

Charles Arceneaux led the Gators (6-13, 1-6 in district) with 11 points.

MORGAN CITY 54, SOUTH TERREBONNE 34 (GIRLS)

At Morgan City, Taylor Dupre scored 12 points and Brianna Clay added 11 in the Lady Gators District 8-4A loss.

HANSON MEMORIAL 48, HOUMA CHRISTIAN 46 (GIRLS)

At Houma, the Lady Warriors fell to 9-8 overall with Thursday's loss. Stats were not available.