State of the Program: Central Lafourche boys' basketball looks to take next step
In his rookie season, Central Lafourche boys' basketball coach Gage Griffin was thrown into the fire almost immediately.
After then-head coach Henry Latten resigned nine games into last season, Griffin, a former Trojans player, was tapped to be the interim coach. Despite the short notice, Griffin still led CL to a .500 record, and although he didn't snap the Trojans' playoff drought, it was enough to get his interim tag removed for the 2023-24 season in Class 5A District 7.
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The tradition
CL has been looking to take the next step for a few seasons now. The Trojans haven't made the playoffs since 2020, and haven't won a playoff game since 2016. Their 14-14 record a season ago was the first time since that 2019-20 season that Central Lafourche won as many games as it lost.
Fortunately for the Trojans, though, four senior starters return — Blaze Gisclair, Jayden Battles, Jayce Woolridge, and Evan Griffin, Gage's younger brother.
The challenge
Central Lafourche faces off against seven 2022-23 playoff teams in its '23-24 schedule. Games against Terrebonne, A.J. Ellender, Destrehan, South Lafourche, and East St. John are tough enough, but the last two stand above the rest.
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The first comes in early December, as the Trojans host Crescent City, a Division IV select semifinalist in last season's playoffs. A few weeks later, CL heads to the Walker Tournament for a possible date with Walker, a Division I non-select semifinalist a season ago.
Expectations
It's hard to see Central Lafourche contending for a playoff spot with that schedule. But with an experienced core, the Trojans may pull off an upset or two.
The schedule
Nov. 9: vs. South Lafourche (@ Thibodaux, Jamboree)
Nov. 17: vs. South Terrebonne (@ H.L. Bourgeois)
Nov. 20-22: Thibodaux Tournament (@ Thibodaux)
Nov. 28: @ Chalmette
Nov. 30: vs. Ellender (@ Terrebonne)
Dec. 6: vs. Crescent City
Dec. 7-9: H.L. Bourgeois Tournament (@ H.L. Bourgeois)
Dec. 12: @ South Lafourche
Dec. 19: @ Morgan City
Dec. 21-23: Walker Tournament (@ Walker)
Jan. 5: @ Terrebonne*
Jan. 9: vs. Destrehan*
Jan. 12: vs. East St. John*
Jan. 13: vs. Covington
Jan. 16: @ Thibodaux*
Jan. 19: @ Hahnville*
Jan. 23: vs. H.L. Bourgeois*
Jan. 30: vs. Terrebonne*
Feb. 2: @ Destrehan
Feb. 6: @ East St. John*
Feb. 9: vs. Thibodaux*
Feb. 14: vs. Hahnville*
Feb. 16: @ H.L. Bourgeois*
*Class 5A District 7 game
This article originally appeared on The Courier: State of the Program: Central Lafourche boys hoops looks for next step
