MICHAEL KIRAL / L’Observateur / April 28, 1999

RESERVE – Reserve Christian celebrated its first season in the Louisiana High School Athletic Association at its annual Athletic Banquet Saturday night.

It was a memorable year for the school with district championships in volleyball and boys’ basketball. Both teams advanced to the state playoffswith the basketball team becoming the first to make the Final Four in its first season in the LHSAA.

Mike Marix, in his first season as coach of the Lady Eagles, was the District 7-V volleyball coach of the year. Marix introduced his districtchampion team of Brooke Delaneuville, Beth Dicharry, Hailey Hammond, Ashely Holmes, Kelly McGee, Angela Tucker, Summer Vicknair and Katie Millet.

“We were told you’re with the big dogs now, you’re going to be the little dog,” Marix said of moving to the LHSAA. “We proved the skeptics andcritics wrong. With the talent and dedication we had, we came out as thedistrict champions.”Holmes was selected as the team’s best offensive player while Millet won the award for best defensive player. Vicknair was named the mostimproved player while Tucker received the Coach’s Award.

Marix also introduced his junior varsity team of Shelly Ford, Tiffany Pousson, Amber Schlesinger, Natalie Simon, Mary Venus and Renee Delaneuville.

Delaneuville was chosen as the squad’s best offensive player while Venus was its best defensive performer. Ford was named the most improvedplayer while the Coach’s Award went to Simon.

Mary Ellen Tucker followed by introducing her cheerleading squad. AshelyHolmes was the squad’s captain while Kelly McGee was its co-captain.

Also lettering were Cherie Carbo, Donyelle Loiacano, Katie Millet, Summer Vicknair, Sarah Davis, Ashley Gross, Angela Tucker, Mary Venus and Amber Schlesinger.

McGee was chosen as the outstanding cheerleader. Holmes received theCoach’s Award while Tucker was selected as the most improved cheerleader.

Marix then went back to the podium to introduce his girls’ basketball squad. Marix gave credit to the team for keeping to play all out while goingthrough a winless season.

“When I think about this team, I think of the word perseverance,” Marix said.

Lettering were Hailey Hammond, Beth Dicharry, Mary Venus, Renee Delaneuville, Amber Schlesinger, Jessica Bertucci, Hannah Stansbury, Stephanie Wilking, Tiffany Pousson, Natalie Simon, Brittany Dufrene, Brooke Delaneuville and Shirmonica Bernard.

Brooke Delaneuville was selected as the team’s best offensive player while Wilking was named its best defensive player. Stansbury was chosenas its most improved player while Dicharry received the Coach’s Award.

District 13-B coach of the year Timmy Byrd followed by announcing his district champion boys’ basketball team. The Eagles advanced to the statesemifinals in Lafayette before falling to eventual state champion Gibsland-Coleman.

“You are looking at the definition of a team,” Byrd said, pointing to his players. “We started out on a journey. It was a long journey and had a lotof ups and downs. We started out to finish on top and came one game short.They are the epitome of a team. I’m proud of them.”Receiving letters were Addison Ellis, Nathan Louque, Eric McClain, Matt McGee, Herman Mitchell, Kevin Phipps, Jared Simoneaux, Larry Smith, Aaron Vogel, Edmond Weathersby and Neal Johnson. On the junior varsitywere Ethan Carter, Josiah Bashta, Devin Frank and Richard Holmes.

Ellis was selected as the most improved player. McGee received the bestdefensive player award while Vogel received it on offense. McClain, theDistrict 13-B MVP, was awarded the Coach’s Award.

The players also received patches for reaching the Final Four.

Marix introduced his softball team that came within three runs from advancing to the state playoffs. Team members were Katie Millet, AshelyHolmes, Brooke Delaneuville, Donyelle Loiacano, Shelly Ford, Brittany Dufrene, Natalie Simon, Summer Vicknair, Angela Tucker, Bridget Giroir, Mary Venus, Stephanie Wilking, Renee Delaneuville and Amber Schlesinger.

“I think of two words when I think of this team, underdog and overachievers,” Marix said of his squad that played in a district that included perennial power French Settlement. “I like the underdog. I’mproud to be with them.”Giroir was named the team’s best offensive player while Millet received the award on defense. Tucker was selected as the most improved playerwith Loiacano receiving the Coach’s Award.

Marix also recognized the seniors on the team – Millet, Brooke Delaneuville, Holmes and Loiacano.

Brian Sullivan called up his baseball team of Andrew Smith, Aaron Vogel, Justin Delatte, Dustin Young, Chris Scheppegrell, Jeremy Le-Blanc, Brandon Blakes, Shane Nichols, Shawn Nichols, Justin Schlesinger, Matt McGee and Nathan Louque.

On the junior varsity were Daniel Bashta, Josiah Bashta, Cain Dufrene and Joshua Higgins.

“They were a great group of guys to work with,” Sullivan said. They did atremendous job for what was required of them.”Vogel received the team’s best offensive player award while LeBlanc received the defensive award. Young was selected as the most improvedplayer. Smith received the Coach’s Award and was also recognized as theteam’s lone senior.

The school’s booster club presented senior awards to Brooke Delaneuville, Kelly McGee, Katie Millet, Beth Dicharry, Donyelle Loiacano, Andrew Smith, Hailey Hammond, Ashely Holmes and Cherie Carbo.

The evening concluded with a video presentation of each of the teams.

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