Dressed nattily in all black, save for leprechaun green ties, the Captain Shreve coaching staff looked like the luck of the Irish had to be on their side during Saturday’s LHSAA Class 5A state championship game in Rapides Coliseum.
It was, but the Lady Gators didn’t need luck when it went to war with a bunch of athletes bent on adding to their historical run this season. Seniors Kennedi Heard, Aaliyah Stevenson and Nahja Scott will go into the record books for leading the Lady Gators to a 66-57 victory over Denham Springs for the first state title in school history.
In some ways like the Starship Enterprise, the Captain Shreve Lady Gators are going where no Lady Gator team has gone before.
Thanks to a feisty bunch of athletes bent on making school history, the Lady Gators are moving to the LHSAA Class 5A state championship game for the first time after knocking off East Ascension Thursday 65-49 night in Rapides Coliseum.
Captain Shreve is now 30-4, another historical mark, while the defending state champions saw their season end at 24-3.
“We’re focused and we aren’t satisfied just to be here,” Captain Shreve coach Keith Green said. “It’s a blessing to be in the position to bring home a state championship to Captain Shreve, which has never been done in this program.”
The Captain Shreve Lady Gators proved their No. 9 LHSAA seeding was a bit off the mark Thursday night when they went on the road and blasted No. 1-seeded Sam Houston, 61-48, in the LHSAA Class 5A state quarterfinals.
Super sophomore Addison Martin earned a nice award from her teammates after scoring a team-high 26 points against Sam Houston (29-4).
Addison was consistent throughout the game with her offensive and defensive rebounding and her inside play,” Shreve coach Keith Greene said. “They had no one to match up with her on the inside and she went to work.
“We started giving game balls out to players after games and Addison played so well, her teammates said, ‘Just give Addi the whole ball bag.’”
At first glance, the decision by Captain Shreve coach Keith Greene to hold senior night for his three superstars following a first-round LHSAA Class 5A state playoff game against Fontainebleau appeared a bit brazen.
For it to happen successfully, his team had to earn a playoff game, be seeded high enough to get a home playoff game, and then win said playoff game. But even though Greene is brazen, he ain’t that brazen. The night that honored Nahja Scott, Aaliyah Stevenson and Kennedi Heard came when it did on the schedule because the regular season home game with Bastrop, which was supposed to be Senior Night, was canceled.
“We wanted to do something for our seniors,” Green said. “The Bastrop game was our last regular season game.”
Captain Shreve girls basketball standout Kennedi Heard is The Times Athlete of the Week for the week ending Jan. 25.
Heard, a senior, received 52 percent of the more than 16,000 votes cast for five northwest Louisiana student-athletes. Parkway soccer player Faith Ingles was second with 31 percent of the vote and Natchitoches Central guard CJ Carpenter was third.
Heard was the key ingredient in the Lady Gators’ perfect run last week in District 1-5A as coach Keith Greene’s club ran its record to 25-4 overall and 11-0 in the league. Shreve dominated shorthanded Parkway and Evangel during the week.
Gage Simpson is a sterling center defender for the Captain Shreve soccer team, which is in control of its destiny in the district race after recently going 2-0. But Simpson’s greatest asset with the Gators might be his recruiting ability rather than in deflecting the opposition’s offense.
Entering the 2018-19 campaign, coach Brett Barker’s team was in need of a shutdown goalie. Enter Simpson, who talked 6-foot-4, 245-pound Cade Davis into making the move into the net after playing tight end for the Shreve football team.
“We really needed someone, and Cade fit the bill,” said Simpson, the football team’s kicker. “Cade has a good build and he is big. He’s been very useful.”
In addition to being a recruiter, Simpson adds a lot to the soccer team’s overall GPA, carrying a 4.7 mark to shine for principal Ginger Gustavson as a student-athlete.
The weather is cool but high school fishing in Louisiana is heating up. Daniel Brown tells us anglers in the area are excited about the future of the sport.
Coming out of middle school, Darrius Grant had some options about where to attend high school and advance his love of football. That’s not unlike most of the kids in the Caddo Parish School District.
Loyola, Byrd, Captain Shreve — Grant opted for the Gators after some prayerful consideration and direction from coaches he trusted.
“It was a good decision,” said Grant, who will quarterback the Gators against Class 5A’s top-seeded West Monroe Friday night at 7 p.m.
Have you wondered what it takes to be a Student of the year; Bobby Shell spills all his tips and how he has become a nominee.
When asked how he would describe himself as a student he responded:
“ I would describe myself as an avid learner. I’m like a sponge. I soak up information through experiences and through observing my mentors and teachers.”
Bobby is enrolled in a mix of AP, honors, and occasionally enriched courses.
Bobby said, “ I don’t do this to seem smart or great, I choose these courses to challenge me and enrich my learning experience as I prepare for college.”
Bobby is all about preparation of the future, pushing yourself educationally, and growing confident in yourself.
How should you prepare yourself?
He is not sure either; but suggests trying your best and staying humble.
Shell said, “You shouldn’t brag about a lot, you should just take it as a sign you’re doing what you’re supposed to do.”
He also recommends enjoying the special moments of life, and not solely focusing on work
What does Bobby believe has led him to being honored as a nominee?
Bobby would like to think that his countless sleepless nights and hard work have contributed to his nomination.
Shell said, “I believe that you get out what you put in. If you put in time and effort it will pay off.”
He sees the nomination as recognition for his effort and not the driving force behind his work ethic.
Advice and tips:
Put your voice out there, be confident, and strive for leadership roles. He says that be a good leader is all about focus, dedication, and brain power.
Shell said, “ If you think you’re not worthy or good enough, don’t. Enough people will do that to you, you don’t have to join in.”
A major tip is believing in you; if someone doubts you prove them wrong.
Is all this worth it?
Bobby says yes; through his work his had witnesses incredible experiences, built strong connections that will help him out later, and created lifelong friendships.
Shell said, “I can’t imagine my life without putting all of this work in.”
