By DAVID FOLSE II

Sports Editor

RESERVE-It’s one thing to be recognized as one of the best players in your team’s district.

It’s a whole other thing to be recognized as one of the best players in the entire State of Louisiana.

For Riverside baseball players Jordan Poirrier and Josh Labiche, they received statewide recognition as the duo was named to the first-team Class 2A squad by the Louisiana Sportswriters Association.

Poirrier and Labiche were two of the main reasons for the success of the Rebels in 2005 and their run to the state semifinals.

Perhaps one of the best pitchers in the area, the junior right-hander Poirrier has a sterling 8-1 record on the season, including a magnificent no-hitter against Miley to send the Rebels to the state semifinals. Miley was named the Most Outstanding Player for all of Class 2A.

The scariest thing for opposing teams is the fact that Poirrier is just a junior and will be back and perhaps even more effective next season.

Labiche meanwhile concluded one of the most prolific careers in the history of Riverside Academy. The most outstanding player in their district in basketball and one of the best track and field athletes in Reserve, Labiche had a phenomenal season at the plate for the Rebels in a limited number of at-bats due to coming to the team late because of basketball.

One of the best power hitters on the team, Labiche hit .432 his senior season at the plate for Riverside. Playing a solid third base throughout the 2005 season for the Rebels, Labiche was also one of the hardest throwing relievers coming out of the bullpen for Head Coach Steve Stropolo.

Only a junior, Poirrier said he was honored to be amongst such outstanding Class 2A players.

“I was surprised at it,” Poirrier said. “But my mom was pretty much more surprised than I was. I really don’t know how I am supposed to react to it. The best thing about it is I am only a junior. That’s a big accomplishment.

“Being on the same team with the Wade Miley’s of the world makes it even more sweet because they are big name players. They are going to make it big. To be up there with those types of guys makes you feel a little better because your name is out there with some outstanding players.

Helping the Rebels to make it to a game away from playing for the state championship, Poirrier said the 2005 season will be one to remember.

“The no-hitter against Miley and Loranger was a great thing,” Poirrier said. “God helped me out that day. I guess no one really expected it. It was really a great season.

“I would always like to win a state championship, but we were able to make it all the way to the semifinals. We made a run for it because we had a great team that played great defense. Everyone on the team really contributed a lot.”

Poirrier said he looks forward to an even better 2006 season, his senior campaign.

“That is always the key,” Poirrier said. “To get better every year. You want to get better with every practice that you have and in turn you want to try and win a state championship.

“You always want to throw a little harder each year you mature. Location is really the key if you want to have a chance to have a better season than you did the year before. You want to be able to change speeds well and hit your spots. You just want to throw strikes every time you are out there.”