Best Wishes to the LaSalle Tigers and the LaSalle Lady Tigers

Lady Tigers Perfect in Early Season

The LaSalle High School 2023-24 basketball season is underway. The Lady Tigers are perfect in the early season and the Tigers have a new look all around. Both will begin District 3-1A action this week.

Lady Tigers

The LaSalle Lady Tiger Basketball team has started this season with a 13-0 fury and is ranked #4 in Division IV. Last season’s quarterfinal loss to Oak Grove set the tone for this season. These ladies let that loss sear in their brains for all of the off season, and with only two Seniors graduating and all the offensive scoring returning, they know this could be the year. So far, they have been correct.

During the off season, a coaching change took place as Coach Tanner Beavers stepped down. Cindy Maxwell, veteran coach from Georgetown, has taken the reins of the team. The team returns Kenzie Nino, lone senior and Mattie Parham, Lana Childress, Leanna Womack, Kele Smith, Jessica Seamans and Victoria Seamans, the very talented junior group. Now rounding out the team this year are four sophomores, Lexi Lassiter, Harlee Nowlin, Cammie Estis and Baylie Turner. These girls have put in the work to win championships and the 13-0 start is evidence of that work.

The Lady Tigers have focused on a 3-1A district championship. The usual opponents still lie in wait, Northwood- Lena (back-toback State Champs), St. Mary’s, Montgomery and Logansport. Now that the LHSAA has moved to divisions these ladies will have to contend with several 2A teams to complete the mission of a state championship. I believe they have the fire power to hang with any team in the state, as they have signature wins this season over Tioga, Winnfield and Buckeye.

LaSalle has now entered the holiday season and continues to put in the work, meeting every morning at 7 a.m. for practice. They will face Buckeye again during the break. Once school reopens, the Lady Tigers will start district 3-1A play. If they continue this level of play, there is nothing standing in the way to the District Championship. Continue to fill the stands and cheer on these ladies as they try to reach their goal to be champions. Hope to see you at the games.

Tigers

The LaSalle Tiger Basketball season has started, and things are different this year: new coach, new uniforms and new outlook on every game. The Tigers are com-peting in every game under first year Tiger coach, Kyle Thorne. Coach Thorne comes to LaSalle High School by way of LSUA Basketball. Coach Thorne was a welcome addition to LHS, as he is committed to winning basketball. During the off season, Coach Thorne implemented an NBA Combine for the guys to compete in, preparing for the upcoming season.

The returning players from last year’s team have bought in and are looking to compete for a district championship. The returners are seniors – Sean Derr, Hunter Bradford, Noah Parham, Eli Peppers and Jamo Turner; juniors – Kyler Emfinger, Gabe Stott and Harley Stroud; sophomores – Aiden Billingsly, Caiden Finley, Madison Jeter, Tuff Street and Preston Rosier and freshmen – Drew Adams and David Crist.

These guys have poured sweat this off season and early part of the regular season competing. They are getting better every time they step on to the court. Coach Thorne has the ship headed in the right direction, as every great team must start somewhere. The Tigers have notched wins over Harrisonburg and Downsville with more to come down the road.

Once school reopens in January, the Tigers will start District 3-1A play. The usual opponents will be waiting. Logansport, Northwood- Lena (2022 State Champs), Montgomery and St. Mary’s. It will be a tall task to win a district championship, but these guys are not afraid of hard work. Continue to pack the stands and let’s cheer these guys on to reach their goal of becoming champions. Hope to see you at the games.