Lumar leads Tigers

Hard work is his philosophy

Photo taken by: Claude Adams

An imposing man, a demanding coach, Coach Lumar has the boys program at Hahnville playing at a level desired by many area school coaches. He hawks over the practice session eagerly pointing out mistakes and correcting players and quickly offering praise when it flows right. It helps that he is returning at least three starters from a team a year ago that won the district.

When coach Lumar speaks about winning basketball and individual effort set to a teamwork philosophy, the players have to listen. Lumar himself is a two-time All District/All-State high school player while attending Archbishop Shaw, as well as being an All-American while playing at Loyola. Lumar is still the leading all-time scorer for Loyola and is the leading all-time rebounder.

Lumar points out that his team approaches every game with a simple philosophy, "Total team effort." Lumar has no notion that his team will have a cakewalk through district 5-5A and he concedes that this is a tough district. Nevertheless, he says that his goal this year is the same as every year and that is to win the state championship.

Behind the offensive play of guard Bry Singleton and sometimes sloppy, but improving, defensive play, Lumar has his club at 21-5 overall and 4-0 in district play. In addition to Singleton, returning players include Irvin Humprey, Reginald Lumar, McArthur Strickland and Kentrell Lockett. "Show up and play every night, that's all I ask" said Lumar.

Hahnville will next travel to East St. John to face the Wildcats tomorrow night. It is the second meeting of the year between these 5-5A opponents with Hahnville defeating ESJ in the first meeting, 67-51. ESJ is currently 16-10 on the season and 1-1 in 5-5A play.