West signs name on La. College’s roster

By: LANCE REED

Sports Editor

She runs fast, works hard and loves the game. Chelsea West’s reputation surpassed itself and the people around her knew about it. After a strong high school career in basketball, Pine Prairie’s Chelsea West was rewarded with a chance to play college basketball with Louisiana College. The chance comes with a promise of at least a few more years of seeing West complete fast breaks up and down the court.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for Chelsea,” said PPHS Head Coach Craig Whittington. “She will be getting a great education and the environment at La. College will be a good fit for her. It will allow her to work in a strong Christian atmosphere, focus on academics and continue her love for basketball.”

West is looking forward to the opportunity with complete optimism. She will major in athletic training in order to remain around sports the rest of her life.

“I feel pretty good about going to LC (Louisiana College),” she said. “I am really excited about going. I have always wanted to play college basketball. Ever since I was a little girl. I just didn’t know if I would ever get the chance.”

With West signing to play the Lady Wildcats, this may pave the road for future Lady Panthers and maybe even future basketball players from Evangeline Parish.

“I think the whole Lady Panther program will benefit from Chelsea going to play for LC,” remarked Whittington. “Future players hopefully will work hard and strive to achieve this opportunity.”

West is one of the very few basketball players to come out of Pine Prairie and go on to the next level. Although a rarity, she hopes that future players will make the feat become consecutive.

“It you stick with your dreams,” she stated, “The goals and achievements come with it.”

The Lady Wildcats are surely getting a very talented athlete. West brings speed and quickness to the hardwood that is very hard to match at any level of basketball.