NV finishes season against Erath

The last game of the season is important for several reasons for the North Vermilion Patriots.

This game, against the Erath Bobcats tonight, is for either the 6-3A district championship outright or a trip to play for the 6-3A district title.

If the Patriots win and the Kaplan Pirates lose their game against Notre Dame, then the Patriots are the district champs.

However, if both teams win they will play on Saturday at 4 p.m. at Erath’s gym.

“It’s a big game no matter what the record is,” Patriots Head Coach Jack LeBlanc said. “Our goal at the beginning of the season was to make the playoffs and we have done that. Now we are just looking to finish the season strong.

“We also don’t want to look past any opponent. So we are just worried about Erath right now and we will worry about the next game after this one.”

Like coach LeBlanc said they have to worry about Erath before they can worry about a possible district title match-up against Kaplan.

“Erath has those two really good guards,” LeBlanc said. “Along with them it is hard to play (Erath) at home. Coach Pillette does a good job with his team at home, and they can shoot the ball well. We will have our work cut out for us.”

If the Patriots are going to win against Erath and perform well in the playoffs they are going to need to see freshmen Blake Turner perform at the level he has been performing at, here of late.

“He (Turner) has been stepping up and playing lots of minutes,” LeBlanc said. “Blake has come in and shot the ball well for us. It’s a big deal when a freshmen is your sixth man, and he has been playing well.”

Along with Tuner, the Patriots are going to need to see Jordan Windmon continue to lead this team the way he has the past few weeks.

“Jordan (Windmon) was our defensive specialist, but he has had to move into a new role,” LeBlanc said. “He has now become not only our defensive specialist but our team leader, top scorer and one of our best rebounds. He has been
unbelievable in district play.”

Windmon has led the Patriots in scoring eight of the nine district games the Patriots have played, according to coach LeBlanc.

The game against Erath begins tonight at 6 p.m. at Erath’s gym.

Andy Bullard
Sports Editor