Lady Panthers are 7-1A champs

Posted February 6th, 2010
The Delcambre Lady Panthers are the District 7-1A champions.
Danelle Renard

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DELCAMBRE — The longing of New Orleans Saints fans for a title is well documented.

The drought could end today. The Delcambre Lady Panthers have had a dry spell of their own when it comes to district titles.

That, however, is already over.

Jenny Bouillion hit a pair of free throws with three seconds to play Friday to lift the Lady Panthers (15-12, 7-0) past Vermilion Catholic 51-50 and give Delcambre the 7-1A title, the Lady Panthers’ first in 30 years.

“It’s definitely a good feeling getting done now,” Delambre head coach Lisa Richard said of not having to go to Gueydan next Friday to wrap up the title and leaving a door open for VC (17-9, 3-3).

No, they were able to clinch at home, in front of the home fans. And on Senior Night.

“It was kind of an emotional night,” Richard said. “It also came against a team (VC) that has been one of the best teams in the district for at least the last 20 years.

“To get all that done on Senior Night was great.”

To say emotions were high for the game would be a bit of an understatement.

“They were nervous all day,” Richard said of the Lady Panthers, “and they haven’t been nervous all year. A lot of the seniors ended up getting to the gym an hour before I told them they needed to get there. They were excited but still a little nervous.

“They were really excited when Jenny hit the free throws.”

Bouillion, who stepped to the stripe with three seconds left and her team trailing 50-49, hit the two foul shots for her 11th and 12th points of the night.

“A back-and-forth game that was real nerve-racking came down to Jenny’s hands,” Richard said. “I didn’t call a time-out to let her know that. I just let her shoot.

“She came through.”

Tailor Broussard led Delcambre with 13 points. Jaci Trahan added 11. Cassie Mayer also hit double figures with 10. Ashley Theall led VC with 18 points. Hannah Theriot and Brooke Broussard scored 12 and 11 points, respectively.

As big and emotional as the win was, Richard said she and her team don’t want to simply be satisfied with a district title.

“We still have goals to play for,” said Richard, who is in her first year as head coach. “But this season has been extremely special.”