Basketball Season Is a Slam Dunk

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SHE SHOOTS, SHE SCORES! – Senior Caitlin Sullivan, center, flies high as she shoots for the goal in Dominican’s game against Chapelle on Jan. 30. In a closely-fought game, DHS took home the win, 28-26.  “The season has been great because our team works well together and gives 100 percent in every game,” said Sullivan.  

The Dominican Basketball Team has been driving toward the goal all season, including their Jan. 30 game against Archbishop Chapelle High School.  DHS celebrated with a 28-26 victory over the Chipmunks.

This season, the team’s record is 22-8 as of Feb. 2, with Dominican winning the majority of its home games.

Previously, DHS fought a close game against Mount Carmel Academy on Jan. 26, which ended a 39-41 loss. On Jan. 23, the team gave it their all in the first district game of the season against John Curtis Christian School but fell to the Patriots.

“Even though the team knew this was going to be a tough game, we did well defensively and executed on offense,” said Mr. Ryan Reuter, basketball coach. “The team and I are always hopeful for the next game.”

In a nail-biting game against Riverside Academy on Jan. 18, DHS took home a 38-31 win. Previously, the team dominated in their home games against St. James High School and Metairie Park Country Day School, winning both games by ten points.

DHS competed in the semi-finals in their past two tournaments. At the 7th Annual Allstate Sugar Bowl National Prep Classic Tournament on Jan. 5-7, sophomore small forward Ahjah Yunusah was named to the Allstate Sugar Bowl All-Tournament Team because of her outstanding performance as one of the top scorers in the tournament.

“I am grateful and honored to be given this award,” said Yunusah.

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Faking out the competition, freshman Kylie Barre’ puts her best moves on the Chipmunks in the Siena Center on Jan. 30. “The team’s strength is playing hard and with enthusiasm,” Barre’ said.

“Our team is doing extremely well, considering we have a young team,” said senior Adelia Obioha, power forward.  Obioha has been the leading scorer all season, with an average of 11.3 points per game. Following closely behind, Yunusah averages 8.3 points per game. Both these high scorers are varsity starters. Rounding out the varsity roster are eighth grader Grace Hamblin, freshmen Alyssa Helwig and Kylie Barre’, sophomore Laynie Tierney, junior Mackie Smith, and seniors Caitlin Sullivan and Kayla Gibson.

The teamwork displayed in the games has helped the team to have a winning season. Mr. Reuter believes that the mix of under and upperclassmen on this year’s team is beneficial overall because it has pushed the girls to work harder.

“At the daily practices, the team works hard with certain drills to prepare for upcoming games,” said Sullivan, center. In the past three months, Sullivan has had nearly forty blocks.

“The team has had a good look at how far we can go, and we believe that we can make it to the state playoffs,” said Barre’, guard, who has had over seventy assists this season. The state playoffs will begin on Thursday, Feb. 23, followed by the Girls Top 28 State Tournament on March 2-4.

DHS will honor its senior players in the game against Mount Carmel on Feb. 6. On Feb. 9, the Basketball Team’s last district game is a rematch against Chapelle.

– Madeline Puente