Destrehan junior basketball star Cara Ursin just keeps getting better — and so does the Lady Wildcats basketball program.
DHS has evolved into a state power over the past two seasons, with trips to the Class 5A state finals and semifinals, respectively, in 2014 and 2015. Last season, Destrehan went 26-3, and early returns this season project the Wildcats on a similar pace. The Wildcats are 8-1 against a schedule filled with games against some of the state’s premier programs.
Among Destrehan’s most notable victories this season are Karr, Mount Carmel, Catholic-New Iberia and Ellender (twice). Each of those teams reached at least the quarterfinals of their respective classifications last season. The Wildcats’ lone loss came to perennial contender John Curtis at last weekend’s St. Charles Shootout tournament, 53-49.
Ursin was named The Gatorade Player of the Year in Louisiana last season after averaging 26.3 points, 11.5 rebounds and 6.9 steals per game. This season, her scoring average is up to 28 points per game, and that’s come with consistency: she’s scored no less than 22 points in any game this season.
“She’s really become a good team leader,” Destrehan coach Angi Butler said. “She’s learned to be more vocal. Cara’s always been a really great player. She’s even better this year. She’s using her left hand more and she’s more explosive. We’ve been working on her vertical (leap) and that’s improved. She’s putting in the work.”
After losing a few key seniors from last season’s team, Butler has shortened her regular rotation from 10 players to eight, something that has heightened the importance of conditioning for a team that pressures opposing ballhandlers and runs at a frenetic pace.
“We’ve got the same young girls coming up (as last season), and shortening the rotation gives them more time out there,” Butler said. “For us, it’s a matter of focusing on competing the length of the game and not wearing out under that minutes increase. We’re not a tall team, so we know the importance of being in peak condition. We need to make (bigger teams) run.”
Juniors Kyrsten Kenner and Brandi Mason are averaging 16 and 11 points per game, respectively, giving the Wildcats added punch.
Destrehan went 2-1 at the Shootout tournament, besting Ellender , 72-67, and Morgan City 71-34 for its wins.
DHS began the tourney with the Curtis loss, which Butler said came down to execution in the final minute.
“We were down a starter, which hurt, but we were right there down one in the final minute,” Butler said. “I wanted to press the ball, but we sagged back (for too long) and they ran us around. They did to us what we do to other teams. We need to do a better job on the floor of being aware of game situation.”
She credited her team for rebounding to best Ellender a day later.
“We learned from the loss and bounced back,” Butler said.
On Tuesday, the Wildcats begin district play with a road game at Thibodaux, before getting some time off for the holidays.
“Thibodaux was our toughest competition last year besides South Lafourche, who is no longer with us in our district,” Butler said. “So it’s an important game. We don’t want to go into the break on a loss, for sure, and they’re a team that will give us a run. We’re watching a lot of film to get ready.”
DHS bested Ponchatoula in its last game Tuesday, 60-36.
Ursin scored 18 points, while Kenner and Mason scored 16 and 11, respectively.
For Pontchatoula, Allie Amerson scored 11 and Lydia Pevey added 12.
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