With a record of 27-7 in the regular season, the basketball team’s season was a success. The team undoubtedly shot for the top and reached the state semifinals!
SWOOSH!– Determined to score, eighth grader Sydney Sherman, forward, shoots her shot! JV defeated Mount Carmel with a win of 29-23 in the Siena Center Gym on Jan. 25. Parents and fellow team members intently watch as the basketball game heats up.
The team traveled to Alexandria for semifinals on Feb. 28 to participate in the state tournament after their victory of 38-35 in the playoffs against Scotlandville. Although DHS was defeated in their semifinal game against McKinley, they ended the season proud and strong.
For the second straight year since 2005, Dominican’s basketball team reached the Division I state semifinals.
“I think we were so successful this season because our team has started with good fundamentals,” said Mr. Ryan Reuter, basketball coach. “It’s been a while since we’ve had a record like this.”
The team started their season off strong and placed first in the in the silver bracket at the Allstate Sugarbowl Prep Classic Tournament held on Jan. 3-6. They swept the competition and defeated Mount Carmel in the championship game with a score of 36-32.
Freshman Grace Hamblin led the team in scoring with 220 points. She also racked up an impressive 63 offensive rebounds and was named to the 2018 All-District 9-5A Team. “We worked hard in practice and that paid off in the games,” said Hamblin. “We all had something special to bring to the table.”
Keeping Her Head in the Game – Dribbling down the court, freshman Grace Hamblin, center, fights to score a goal for her team. Although the varsity team was defeated 25-34, they played their best in a competitive home game on Jan 25. “We always encourage each other on the court to get better,” said Hamblin. “I wouldn’t want to play with any other team.”
Other notable players include sophomore Kylie Barre’ with 60 assists and 23 blocks. Barre’ also made the All-District 9-5A Team with Hamblin and was named to the 2018 Clarion Herald Elite Girls’ Basketball Team. Additionally, junior Ahjah Yunusah had a great season with 86 defensive rebounds and was also named honorable mention on the 2018 NOLA.com All-Metro Girls Basketball Team.
Dominican also dominated all four of this season’s tournaments which took place at St. Scholastica, De La Salle, Episcopal and Riverside Academy. The team’s unremitting effort this season kept them in the game.
“We did so well this season because the team is so close, and we trust each other,” said freshman Emily Adams, point guard. “We played as one big family rather than individual players.” Adams was noted as “Player of the Game” in the home game against Scotlandville that sent the team to the semifinals. She scored 14 out of the 37 points that gave them the victory, including three 3-pointers.
The team’s only senior, Mackie Smith, added to the list of accomplishments this season. She was named to the LSHAA All Academic Composite Team for her athletic and academic achievements. Each year, this award is granted to all student athletes who meet the criteria of an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Smith finished the season strong and led her fellow teammates. “Our team has been focused this year on doing the little things right so that bigger goals can fall into place,” said Smith.
Dominican gave an effusive toast of praise to the basketball team for all their hard work and victories this season. Stay tuned for next year for another great season!
-Kathryn Valldejuli
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