LEBEAU - The area's No. 5-ranked North Central Lady 'Canes basketball team is off to a sensational start this year, posting an overall record of 12-0, while also claiming their own tournament title as well as Beau Chene's Tournament and the St. Landry Parish Tournament.
"This season has really been impressive so far," Lady 'Canes coach Vanessa Taylor said. "I didn't expect us to be 12-0. But the girls have worked really hard, but we still have a lot more work to do."
While the perfect start may have been surprising to most including Taylor, Lady 'Canes senior forward Val Harris and her teammates aren't.
"I'm not surprised that we're 12-0," Harris said. "We have a really good team this year. We have a good team and a coach that is always pushing us, so I'm not surprised."
A big key for the Lady 'Canes has been the return of senior power forward Donisha Duruisseau, who missed the majority of last season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
"It's been really big for our team having Donisha back," Harris said. "She is one of the big scorers on our team and she's an experienced player. She has been to the Sweet 16, so she know what it's like playing under pressure."
Duruisseau made her presence felt in the finals of the Beau Chene Tournament as the Lady 'Canes defeated Northwest to win the tournament title.
"Donisha has been great," Taylor said. "I think that she is still trying to find her way, because she is surround by so much talent."
One of the Lady 'Canes' talented players is junior point guard Latasha Tanner, who earned the MVP award at the Beau Chene Tournament.
"Latasha is a good point guard and she has been doing a great job for us," Taylor said. "Every game she makes me smile, because she is getting better and better. If she would have played basketball in the eighth and/or ninth grade, I really believe she could be one of top point guards in Southwest Louisiana. She brings a lot to the table."
Although the Lady 'Canes are 12-0, Taylor knows there are people posing the question "but who have they played?"
"That doesn't bother me," Taylor said. "We have only played against one Class A team and that was North Iberville. Everyone else we've played has been Class 3A or 4A. Against Crowley, our girls proved that they can step up and play no matter who it is. I wasn't even there and everyone told me how proud I would have been of them. So people saying who have we played, doesn't bother me at all."
Remaining focused according to Taylor is going to be the key for the Lady 'Canes the remainder of the season.
"I really feel that the girls and I just have to stay focused," Taylor said. "Sometimes they catch me off guard with their silliness, so staying focused is going to be our key the rest of the way."