By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

RESERVE – Riverside made another big splash in the coaching ranks this week.

Former Vandebilt Catholic girls basketball coach Kathy Luke officially signed to join the Rebels in the same capacity Tuesday, after 27 seasons with the Terriers.

Riverside assistant athletic director and softball coach Kristy Hebert stepped down from her post as the Lady Rebels’ basketball coach in order to make room for Luke. Hebert led Riverside to the best record in program history this season and the Lady Rebels’ second playoff victory. The Rebels were ranked in the top 10 in the LSWA Class 2A poll during the season, the first top-10 ranking in team history.

But once Luke became available, Hebert said things moved quickly. The two coaches are longtime friends – Luke actually coached an 11-year-old Hebert in AAU ball.

Luke said she reached out to Hebert to convey her interest after parting ways with Vandebilt Catholic.

“I knew they had tried to hire coaches twice recently, and it hadn’t worked out,” said Luke. “I’ve known Kristy for a long time and thought it could be a fit.”

Riverside had hired Mary Ann Marino, formerly of Mount Carmel, in the summer of 2010 to replace Chuck Dorvin, who stepped down after one year as Rebels coach. Marino bowed out shortly after accepting the job, however, to accept a job at Bonnabel. Twins Trenell and Trenese Smith took on the job in Marino’s stead, but like Dorvin, they also moved on after a season.

Hebert reclaimed the post for the past two seasons, her second tenure as Rebels basketball coach.

“I’m just ecstatic that we’re able to get her,” said Hebert. “With basketball season overlapping with softball season … I thought it would be better to give up one of them. In a way I felt like I was cheating the programs by not being able to devote myself to either full time.”

Luke’s record as a head coach is sterling. She sports a 685-233 record as head coach at Vandebilt Catholic and Seton Academy. She’s already been inducted into the Louisiana High School Basketball Hall of Fame. In 2010, she led the Terriers to the Class 4A state championship, the first in school history.

Luke led Vandebilt to five straight state semifinal appearances.

Her separation from Vandebilt was a controversial one. The Terriers advanced to the state semifinals this season, but a legal battle over the eligibility of Vandebilt sophomore guard Jewel Triggs rendered Vandebilt disqualified from the postseason. A temporary restraining order on the ruling was struck down and Vandebilt was replaced by Salmen 30 minutes before the tipoff of the Class 4A semifinal.

Vandebilt officials had asked the LHSAA to investigate Triggs’ eligibility during her 8th grade year, but incorrectly submitted paperwork requesting they do so under the association’s Bona Fide Change of Residence Rules and not the Separation and Divorce rules. Under the rules, Triggs would have had to sit out her 8th grade season after transferring to Vandebilt.

Luke’s contract with Vandebilt was not renewed after the school year.

She’s put it behind her and is looking forward to taking the helm of a team that she said has been primed to win big by Hebert.

“I leave Vandebilt with a heavy heart,” said Luke. “It shaped the person and coach I am today. I’m proud of what we were able to accomplish there.

“But it’s time to focus now on moving forward, and on the process of building a championship program at Riverside … I’m lucky, because the pieces are in place already. Kristy suffered through the tough years, and she’s built a strong roster.”

Luke runs the Triangle offense and believes in playing a controlled transition game and pushing when opportunities are there.

Most of all, she said that fundamentals are the backbone of what she teaches.

Riverside athletic director Timmy Byrd gave all the credit to Hebert for the hire, and said that Luke is a strong addition to the Rebel team.

“She’s a Hall of Fame coach. Kristy will be a Hall of Fame coach and (football coach) Bill Stubbs will be a Hall of Fame coach,” said Byrd.

“I feel like we have as good a staff as anyone in the state could have. We’re elated.”

Byrd neglected to mention his own Hall of Fame credentials – he’s led teams to 10 state basketball championships – but his work didn’t go unnoticed by Luke. She said the opportunity to work with Hebert was enticing, but also the chance to work with Byrd.

“He’s a great X’s and O’s coach, and someone who can help me get better,” said Luke. “I’ll go and hold practice, and I’ll probably stay and watch the boys team afterwards. I’m obsessed with it … I always want to learn more.”