Though Destrehan recently saw its seven-game winning streak come to an end, the Wildcats’ recent stretch of strong play illustrates how far the team has come.
A year ago, DHS finished its season with just two victories.
Fast forward back to the present, and the Wildcats are on the verge of reaching the playoffs. With three games to go, Destrehan slots as the No. 26 ranked team in Division I power points. There are 28 qualifiers, so DHS will need a strong finish to maintain its spot.
Those final three games are Central Lafourche on Friday, then a very big rivalry showdown against Hahnville on Tuesday, both games at Destrehan. Friday of next week brings the regular season finale for DHS, this one a road date at Thibodaux.
“We’ve been playing some great ball,” said Destrehan head coach Khary Carrell. “It’s been great to see the guys turn things around after we experienced some close losses early this season. We had a good win over East St. John to start district. We’ve tripped up a bit over the past two, but we have an opportunity to make the playoffs – and if we do that, who knows what could happen?”
Carrell said the team’s chances for winning the District 8-5A crown took a blow after back to back district losses to H.L. Bourgeois 62-55, and Terrebonne, 63-59 – after a district opening 57-42 win over East St. John for Destrehan – but that his Wildcats have plenty of motivation to push hard over these next three games.
“There’s great morale … the kids are starting to really believe in what we’re trying to create here,” Carrell said. “Winning helps with that team building. I scheduled some tough teams to gauge where we are. We’re finally getting those wins.
“This team is still young, and it’s very exciting to see these guys getting better and better. I only see that continuing.”
The East St. John win was the ideal way to begin district play for the Wildcats (14-15) who earned the win in their home gym.
“It was a great win, one of those games against a rival …great win for Destrehan and the Destrehan community, a packed game and a full house. We played ball. Really played well on defense. The kids didn’t worry about the scoreboard, they kept it up until the end. In the next two games, I felt like they played that hard as well – we just had a few mistakes that cost us.”
Charlie Triggs has continued to lead the way for Destrehan. Carrell said Cayden Coleman has been stepping up and hitting some big shots for the Wildcats as well. And Kolby Payton has been very strong for the Wildcats as well.
“And our guys coming off the bench – Trevez Walker, Kobe Llewellyn, Beau Brouillette, Sergie Williams – those guys are coming into their own too and making an impact. Our senior guys – Charlie, Jumoni Washington, Dave Turner – those guys are our seniors, but we’re going to need everyone to step up and make plays for us to reach our goals.”
Defense has been the biggest driver of the team’s seven wins in nine games, Carrell said.
“We’ve picked it up,” Carrell said. “We’re throwing a lot of different looks out there, pressing and pushing tempo. It’s always going to be the defense that pushes you over the top, especially on nights where your shots aren’t falling – you still have a chance. And I hope to see us raise our play on that end to an even higher level before we’re through.”
Triggs’ play has continued to stand out at both ends of the court and pace Destrehan. He’s averaged 18 points per game over his past three, to go with eight rebounds, three blocks and almost two steals a night in that span. Washington is averaging eight points and seven rebounds in the stretch while Coleman and Keenan Brown averaged nine and eight points respectively.
