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By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

 

THIBODAUX – Local football fans are quite familiar with the annual postseason all-star game that’s contested between teams comprised of many of those regions’ top senior players.

Now, hoops fans can get on board. 

Tonight, the spotlight will be on Thibodaux High as a pair of 15-man All-Star units will square off in the first annual River vs. Bayou All-Star basketball showdown, an event where the highlights are sure to be plentiful.

The River roster will include senior players From St. John, St. James, St. Charles and Assumption parishes (Assumption is included in order to produce equal sides). The Bayou team will boast players from Terrebonne and Lafourche.

The River team will be coached by East St. John’s staff, headed up by Yussef Jasmine, who just guided the Wildcats to a school record in wins. His assistants, as always, will be Dale Savoie, Ronnie Smith and Joe Williams. 

“I’m extremely happy to be a part of the first one and making that history,” said Jasmine. “I’m looking forward to having the opportunity to coach so many guys from other schools … for years, ourselves, Hahnville and Destrehan competed in the Bayou district, so we know what kind of talent they produce”

He’ll coach representatives from a number of local teams, including Riverside’s Ricardo Gathers, Donald Thomas Jr. and Lucas Martin-Julien; East St. John’s Joseph Williams, Patrick Washington and Chester Victor Jr.; West. St. John’s Austin Terry; St. Charles’ John Williams, Mike Green and Trent Dunn; St. James’ Larohn Cambre; Destrehan’s Hunter Barocco and Jordan Smith; Hahnville’s Khari Milton; and Assumption’s Kaven Bernard.

The Bayou roster includes South Terrebonne’s Dalvin Richardson; Terrebonne’s James Ray and Charles Williams; E.D. White’s Eric Bloss and Ja‘Dante Frye; Vandebilt Catholic’s Joseph Cantrelle and Seth Ward; H.L. Bourgeois’ Deonta Ward; South Lafourche’s Matthew Thibodaux; Houma Christian’s Shamar Charles and Ellender’s Houston Chatman and Gibby Talbot. 

Terrebonne’s Derek Szush will head the Bayou staff.

Jasmine said that this is something Szush has looked to participate in for a long time.

“He said that he’s visualized this since his college days,” said Jasmine. “I know he’s out to win. I wouldn’t say he’s been offering the tough talk, but I think we’ll definitely see a couple of very competitive teams.

“Of course, everyone wants to go down as having won the first one.”

Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. and admission is $5. Anyone young players involved in Biddy Basketball will have free admission, however, if wearing their Biddy shorts or jersey.