Louise faces Sabinal in first-round match
By KRIS BAGLEY sports@leader-news.com

L-N Photo by Kris Bagley Aim High Wesley Branscum goes up for a basket in Louise's game with Flatonia. The Hornets will play Sabinal at Luling in the first round of the playoffs Tuesday.

Some may have thought Louise was in for a down year.

Injuries and struggles early in the season gave the boys basketball team more losses than they were used to, but things came together as the season continued and now, the post-season is calling.

Louise will play Sabinal Tuesday at the neutral site of Luling in a contest to see if the Hornets or Yellow Jackets have the more powerful sting.

Sabinal is the runner-up in District 30-A while Louise finished third in District 29-A. It is likely that the Yellow Jackets see themselves as the favorite and Louise Coach Joe Bill said his Hornets are fine with that.

"We're not worried too much about the underdog thing," Bill said. "We're still looking to play our best game. We haven't played real well and we've struggled here and there. We've played, maybe a half, really well, or three quarters, but we've never put a full game together.

"Hopefully, that game is coming. We haven't peaked yet. I'm looking still for us to get better. Hopefully, we get into these playoffs and the kids look at it as a new season and a new opportunity and get out there and get after it."

The playoff atmosphere is certainly something to which Louise has grown accustomed. The Hornets have made the playoffs in each of Bill's three years as head coach.

Waving proudly at the top of Louise's gym is proof of the Hornets' post-season success and last season's first-round victory.

"We hang banners in our gym and the last one that's up there is the 2007 bi-district champs," Bill said. "I told them, 'When we look up there next year, I don't want to (just) see that 2007 bi-district champs.' I want to see a 2008 area finalist or regional finalist.

"We want to move on. We want to get to the next level. For many years, Louise hadn't won a playoff game in basketball. It had been a while. Last year, we were able to do that and now we want to move onto the next level."

Recent years have led to high expectations for the team. Now, with a postseason trip a typical experience for the Hornets, Bill said he is at ease as his team prepares for their next challenge.

"I feel comfortable just being able to get in the playoffs," Bill said. "Hopefully the kids will be a little more relaxed. No pressure. Go in there and play with nothing to lose. Just get out there and get after it."

Sabinal should give Louise a good match as both teams seem practically identical in size and athletic ability.

"I know that they, just talking to other coaches from their district, they're not very big," Bill said. "They don't have any big men, nobody that's over 5- 11, 6-foot. I think that will be a good match-up for us. We'll match up real well.

"They've got some skill kids just like we do. They're very quick and run the floor, kind of like what we do. They basically play a man defense, (though) talking with different coaches, they like to mix things up. They'll run some zone and box-and-one. On the defensive end, they like to change things up."

The Hornets are hoping to improve their defensive play in time to face Sabinal.

Louise has had some defensive struggles this year. Bill said an improvement in rebounding is a must if his team is to advance in the playoffs.

"Defensively, we haven't played as well as we're capable of playing. When you get rebounds and you get fast breaks, you get better percentage shots. You get lay-ups and things like that. We've given up too many second shots on defense. The opposing team has gotten two or three extra shots rather than us denying them those shots. We're just not blocking out and not playing good defense.

"I think if we could pick up our defensive end, which is very correctable, (we would improve). It's all about will, heart and desire. We've got to step up in that area. I've told them, 'If you can play defense, everything else will fall into place.' We've got to pick up those areas. Defensive rebounding, don't give the opponent more than one shot. That's the key, I think, right there."

One thing the Hornets will have as a strength is its intense fan base.

Even though the game is almost two hours away, Hornet fans tend to travel well. Bill has said throughout the season that Louise's ability to bring a crowd with them anywhere is always a good advantage.

"We have a good chance Tuesday night against Sabinal," Bill said. "We've got a great opportunity, we've just got to seize that moment."

29-1A Boys Final BASKETBALL STANDINGS