Tonights Shoutout goes to....Guess Who..... THE NATCHITOCHES CENTRAL CHIEFS AND COACH MICAH COLEMAN.....THE 2014 CLASS 5A STATE CHAMPIONS I have had the luxury of following this team and getting to know the people involved with Natchitoches Central basketball since the 2008-2009 season. That year, the Chiefs were a 26th seed but battled and played with the heart and tenacity of a champion and I knew then I was watching a team that was headed in the right direction. I got to know head coach Micah Coleman through my brother who was always telling me how good of a guy the boys basketball coach was....well since my brother is a great judge of character I decided maybe I should go see what he is talking about. I watched a coach whose passion and hard work was modeled by his players. It was clear that Coleman was building this team into an ELITE program and doing it the right way. Making sure sure the players were succeeding in the class room first, and teaching them the game of LIFE before the game of basketball. Well after a second round loss in 2010 to Scotlandville, a 2nd round loss to Westgate in overtime in 2011, a Semi-Final Appearance and ONE point loss to McKinley in 2012 and a second round heartbreaking loss to top-ranked Ouachita in 2013, it was only a matter of time before Coleman and the Chiefs reached the pinnacle of success. When November of this year rolled around and I was watching one of their practices, I thought to myself, This team has a chance to make SOME REAL NOISE YET again this year....While talking with Coleman before one of the practices about two weeks before the season opener, I asked him, who has always been a straight shooter with me, Do we really have a chance to make a run at this thing this year?....He looked at me, shrugged and said, If they want it, we just might....Things started well as the Chiefs blasted Pineville, LaGrange and South Beauregard in the season opening tournament. After a 44-43 set back to Episcopal, Texas the following Tuesday, The Chiefs rattled off three in a row before falling at Tioga 54-53. The Chiefs were getting close to being the Elite team they set out to be at the beginning of the season. The Chiefs rattled off 7 wins in 8 games. The season defining game took place on Jan. 4, a game against a powerhouse team from Chicago (Chicago-Orr Academy) which the Chiefs were told they didnt stand a chance....Well that turned out to be anything but true....They battled Orr to a double overtime thriller which put the entire state on notice that the Chiefs were a FORCE. From there the Chiefs rattled off 17 straight wins to set up the SHOWDOWN that many began to talk about months before with the Back to Back State Champion Scotlandville Hornets. Lets take a closer look at this team that everyone thought might be the cryptonite to the Hornets. For me, It started with the smallest guy on the floor, senior point Andre Jackson, who was one of the quietest but most effective players night in and out with tenacious defense against some of the best players in the state and ball handling that would make Pistol Pete himself proud. How about senior Dyllon Weaver, a coach on the floor who was having a TREMENDOUS year before a leg injury half through district ended his season. A high character team player that was a HUGE impact for the Chiefs even without being on the floor. Sophomore Cameron Lard, he had some struggles in the early part of the season but with some hard work and extra motivation from Coleman turned himself into the MVP of the Top 28 and the MOST dominant post player in the state. Freshman Brandon Rachal, No moment was too big for the baby-faced freshman. His game tying shot against Byrd with seconds left helped the Chiefs seal their #2 ranking and his 8 points down the stretch against Ruston helped the Chiefs clinch the District Title. Sophomore Austin Guy, I could write a book on this kid and the impact he had. Never seen a guy as tough physically and mentally. He refused to back down to anyone no matter their size game after game. His physical dominance showed by averaging double digits in points and rebounds including 14 points and 15 rebounds in the semi-finals against Thibodaux. Junior Danny Cohen, With the injuries to Weaver and Ricky Metoyer late in the season, someone had to step up on the perimeter, Cohen led the Chiefs in scoring through the first four playoff games and was a defensive stopper, not to mention his rim-rocking dunks that ignited the MONSTEROUS followings of Chiefs fans. Senior Keyth Johnson, even with some bumps in the road, he kept working hard and decided that no matter what his role, he was going to do whatever it took to help the team win. Now back to the showdown with Scotlandville, How were the Chiefs going to beat a team that had been to the Championship game 5 years in a row and back to back champs? By simply being flat out tougher than they were. The Chiefs suffocated Scotlandville in the paint forcing them to be a 1-dimensional jump shooting team. The recap of this game will be posted tomorrow at the website. But with the Chiefs leading 58-53 with 3 seconds left and Rachal at the free throw line, the celebration began. Meanwhile, a moment that I will NEVER forget, Coleman subbed allowing the injured Weaver to step on the floor with his teammates as time expired on the Hornets reign as champions and the official crown was taken by..... YOUR NATCHITOCHES CENTRAL CHIEFS, THE 2014 5A STATE CHAMPIONS CONGRATULATIONS To EVERYONE THAT SUPPORTED this team and the hard work they put in for 5 months. These players and coaches earned what they achieved tonight.... Congratulations to simply to my friend, Coach Coleman, your dream is NOW REALITY buddy!!! (WE SALUTE YOU) Sincerely, A PROUD FAN P.S. - I will post a recap story of the game in the morning at the website, but I like most Chiefs fans, am emotionally drained and need a nap lol
Posted on: Sat, 15 Mar 2014 06:27:48 +0000
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