Patriots start season right

The North Vermilion Patriots finally got to see some actual court time and they did not disappoint, beating Central Catholic by the final score of 63-40.

“It was our first game and our guys were anxious to get out there,” North Vermilion Head Coach Jack LeBlanc said. “We played really well considering we have only had a few practices because of football.”

North Vermilion has the same problem a lot of schools around the parish have, kids that play multiple sports.

Coach LeBlanc delayed the start of his season because a lot of the kids on the basketball team are also members of the football team.

The Patriots jumped out to an early 22-10 in the first quarter.

It was largely thanks to Mike Bessard and Nick Cooper, who each scored five.

The second quarter went about the same as the first did. North Vermilion extended its lead to 28 points.

The Patriots scored 19 in points in the second quarter and only allowed Central Catholic to have three points.

Dade Dieterich, Jordan Windmon and Blake Turner each hit timely threes to push the total third quarter points to 19.

At half time the Patriots were winning 41-13.

Coming out of the half time break, Central Catholic tried to get back in the game by outscoring the Patriots in the third quarter 17-9 in the third quarter.

Nick Brown led the way for Central Catholic, scoring 10 of his team high 24 in the third quarter.

It was just a matter of too little too late for Central Catholic.

In the fourth quarter they were only able to score 10 points, as opposed to the Patriots 13.

Leading the way offensively for the Patriots was Jordan Windmon, who scored a team-high 12 points.

Dieterich was only one point behind with 11.

Nick Cooper and Mike Bessard each added nine and seven points respectively.

“We played really well defensively,” LeBlanc said. “Juwaun (Windmon) is really fast and causes a lot of problems for opposing defenses, and when he is playing well it gives the rest of our guys a chance to make a big play on the defensive side of the ball.”

Coach LeBlanc knows how important it is for his team to get off to a good start.

“It’s really big for the team psyche,” LeBlanc said. “If we can get off to a good start we, especially after not having had that many practices together, then we know ,once we are more familiar with everything and everyone we are only going to get better, which is always a good thing.”

LeBlanc also went on to mention the success of the football team will help his basketball team.

“Most of the kids played football,” LeBlanc said. “So they know winning and they are used to it so it helps them want to stay competitive to continue to win.”

North Vermilion‘s next scheduled game isn’t until tomorrow night, where they will face off against the winner of Hanson and Catholic High, in the Erath Tournament.

Tip off is scheduled for 6 p.m. tomorrow night.

Andy Bullard
Sports Editor