McKinney, Ardoin lead AP Hoops

It was another tremendous year for the five basketball schools in Evangeline Parish. Several schools made it to the post-season in their respective classes. In Class 1A through 3A, at least one Evangeline Parish school represented the area.
In girl’s hoops, Ville Platte High not only won the parish tournament again, but earned the Class 3A State Runner-up for the first time in school history. They had earned the state runner-up before, but not in Class 3A.
Basile, Mamou and Sacred Heart each made it to the post-season as well. Basile and SHHS lost in the first round, and the Mamou Lady Demons went to the second round of the Class 2A playoffs.
In boy’s hoops, the Ville Platte High Boys won the parish title again, and made it to the post-season in Class 3A. They lost in the first round to a very strong Richwood team.
The All Evangeline Parish teams start with the girl’s group. Junior Deja McKinney easily earned the Player of the Year. The MVP was one of the most dominant players throughout the playoffs. She earned first team and MVP in her district and was placed on the first team for Class 3A All-State. McKinney averaged nearly 30 points a game for VPHS.
Joining her on the first team is freshman teammate Tyreonna Doucet. The youngster made second team All-State and first team All-District 5-3A. Senior Shalinda Thomas was one of the best defensive players in the state and also represents VPHS on the first team. She was tops in steals and blocks for the Lady Bulldogs. Breanna Pete, a junior, was an all-around player for VPHS. She put up 14 points a game for VPHS and will be a force to be reckoned with next season. Heather Johnson, an SHHS senior, also makes her way to the first team. She put up 14.5 points a game this year for the Lady Trojans.
VPHS Head Coach Dot Doulet was an easy choice for Coach of the Year in Evangeline Parish.
Ernest Ardoin scored over 22 points a game for the VPHS Bulldogs. The junior is going to be back next season for the Bulldogs and will be filling that leadership role again. VPHS Head Coach Tommy Jones, the boy’s Parish Coach of the Year, was very proud of Ardoin’s efforts in the 2013-14 season.
Joining Ardoin is fellow junior VPHS hoopster Alex Gooden. Gooden put up 15 points a game for the purple and white. Senior Kendall Ardoin, who will attend Tulane for football, earns a spot on the first team. He led the team in rebounds this year and will leave some big shoes behind to be filled. Sacred Heart’s Sean Fontenot, a junior, is tabbed to the first team. Fontenot put up 17 points per game and should have another strong season during his senior season. Pine Prairie junior Allen Myles represents the Panthers on the first team. Myles had a strong season for the Panthers with over 18 points a game.
The girls’ second team features freshman Darelzray Bellard of Mamou, Miya McKinney (Fr., VPHS) and three Lady Trojans. Senior Courtney Cloud, sophomore Gabbie Andrepont and freshman Catherine Poche each had a great season for the Lady Trojans.
The boys’ second team features the Mamou duo of Dallas Gallow and Russell Edwards. Gallow, a junior, and Edwards, a freshman, are expected to help pace the Demons to even more success next season. Sacred Heart senior Brad Fontenot earned his way to the second team with over 13 points a game and Pine Prairie junior Josh Freeman also had a strong season. Ville Platte’s Mitchell Seraille, an eighth grader, is the youngest of the group but his ability spoke for itself.
Several players from each school earned Honorable Mention on the All-Evangeline Parish team.
From Ville Platte High, Jaqulen Doucet, Dayton Jackson, Kabreonna Stevens and Emanee Fontenot earned an HM. From Sacred Heart, Seth Shipp, Patrick Donovan, Natalie Earles and Heather Fontenot earned the HM. From Pine Prairie, Douglas Fontenot, Colton Chaddrick, Olivia Chapelle and Kaitlin Brandley represent the orange and black. From Basile, Kendrick Ceasar and Riley James each picked up Honorable Mentions.
Congratulations go out to all five parish basketball schools on a great season.