With annual playoff appearances and two 20-win seasons in the past three seasons, Hahnville’s girls basketball program garners respect. Paige Friloux has been among the reasons why.
The Lady Tigers’ center/forward has been a consistently strong presence in the lane for Hahnville. Her rebounding skills especially gave the Tigers a lift – a dominant night on the offensive boards helped Friloux score a team-high in the playoffs against Northshore during her sophomore season. Another example came in a district win over East St. John that season, her career high 26 points and 10 rebounds helping spur her team to a victory.
Her ability also drew the attention of Texas College, where Friloux will head to next on a basketball scholarship.
“It means a lot because this was something that I’ve wanted to do since I was five years old,” Friloux said. “I spent so much time, work and effort just putting in those hours at practice, late nights, trying to get better and better at my craft.”
She believes Texas College is the right place for her to grow both academically and athletically while continuing to play the game she loves.
Much of her game, she said, comes down to determination.
“And also that confidence,” Friloux said. “Understanding your role and performing it on the court.”
Friloux began playing basketball at the age of 5, and it turned into a passion for her.
“I’ve always liked that it’s a team sport, but you can be creative in your own way while still playing as a team,” she said.
Over her time with the Tigers, she’s looked to lead both vocally and by example.
“I try to encourage my teammates and make them feel like we’re one,” said Friloux. “I stay on them just as much as I stay on myself.”
But for all the work she puts into her game, Friloux maintains priority No. 1 is the classroom.
“I put school first,” said Friloux. “You find a balance, but for me it came down to getting what I needed to do done for school, then I would focus on the basketball aspect.”
She earned numerous certifications during her time at Hahnville and graduated cum laude. Friloux plans to study computer science at Texas College.
“I’ve always been interested in technology and problem solving, so computer science felt right for me,” said Friloux. “I’d like to get into software engineering.”
Her mother Eileen said her daughter is “more technological than she wants to be.”
“She’s always had a knack for taking things apart and putting them back together,” Eileen said.
Friloux said she’s already looking forward to getting on the court at Texas College.
“I’m ready to get out there, work hard, get better and show them what they recruited me to do,” she said.
