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Patriots dual threat

There are some people that come into this world and are gifted.

Mike Bessard, when he came into this world, was born with God-given natural athletic ability, and he shows that year round at North Vermilion.

Bessard is a prominent member of the football team as a running back and of the basketball team as one of the starting forwards.

His love for sports in general started at a young age.

“I fell in love with sports when I was little,” Bessard said. “I remember playing football and basketball with all of the neighborhood kids when I was growing up.”

Those days of playing sandlot football and backyard basketball really shaped who Bessard is as an athlete today.

“I remember growing up all of the kids seemed so much better than me,” Bessard said. “So, I just tried as hard as I could to keep up, and I think that is helping me today.”

Head coach of the Patriots basketball team Jack LeBlanc thinks that Bessard’s work ethic is what sets him apart.

“His (Bessard’s) best quality is that he is our leader,” LeBlanc said. “He is our positive guy, he keeps the energy going, and keeps everyone in a positive mood. It is always good to have one of your best players also be one of the hardest working players. His
energy level keeps everyone else energy high, and that makes us a better team.”

For being only a junior, Bessard has already racked up some nice accolades.

During the football season he was named the offensive player of the week, and last season he was named the All-Parish MVP for basketball.

At the rate he is playing this basketball season, he is on his way to repeating.

Bessard brings a lot to the court for the Patriots, but all he is concerned about is victories, and that may be his best quality.

“I just want to win,” Bessard said. “It’s nice to know that my teammates are there for me and they know I am there for them. I think that’s why we are able to play the way that we do. We all have each others backs, and that’s the best way to win, as a team.”

Bessard got his first taste of football this past season, and even though he has only played one year, it seems to have fully enveloped him.

“If I had to pick one sport, I would have to say football,” Bessard said. “I find myself thinking about it all the time. Don’t get me wrong. I love basketball, but there is just something about football that has won me over.”

Coach LeBlanc knows that whatever Bessard chooses he will excel.

“Mike is a great athlete,” Leblanc said. “Whether it’s football or basketball, Mike is a good enough athlete and has the proper work ethic and drive, that he is going to excel at whatever he does.”

Bessard hopes that’s the case because he plans on trying to make a run at the collegiate level.

As for whether he will choose football or basketball, he said, “I still have another year. Ask me then.”

Andy Bullard
Sports Editor

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