BY DAVID FOLSE II

Sports Editor

EDGARD-After helping lead his team to the Class 2A State Championship game, it was time for West St. John guard Dana Stipe to get some individual recognition.

According to his coach and the West St. John fans, it is richly deserved.

Stipe was named honorable mention All-State by the Louisiana Sportswriters Association recently, the lone representative from the Class 2A State Runners-up.

Stipe had a phenomenal season for the Rams.

Perhaps the best player on a team without a superstar, Stipe averaged 12 points a game, pulled down six rebounds a game, led the team in steals with 5.2 a game and also led the team in assists.

One of the most unselfish team players on his squad, West St. John Head Coach Antoine Edwards said Stipe’s recognition is definitely deserved.

“Without a doubt Dana was the leader of this team,” Edwards said about his star guard. “Throughout the playoffs he did everything. He helped us out offensively by scoring points and also by distributing the basketball really well. He also was a defensive stallworth for us.

“He also led the team in steals. He can really do it all.

Edwards said Stipe’s emergence after the loss of Damon Morris was critical in the Rams run to the Cajundome and the Top 28.

“There is no questioning that Dana can definitely play,” Edwards said. “When Damon disappeared, I thought Dana stepped up and really did everything on offense and defense.

“Whatever it took for us to come away with a victory, Dana was willing to do it and sacrificed the scoring a lot for defense.”