Ancelot perfect idea for Lady Cardinals’ job

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Ancelot perfect idea for Lady Cardinals’ job

Gabriel Pruett

The Orange Leader

It is no secret the Lamar University women’s basketball team has been in some trouble over the recent years.

Declining crowds and losing seasons have marred what was once a team that looked to be on the rise.

That could all change with one hire by LU Athletics Director Billy Tubbs.

Orangefield’s own Sondra Ancelot, a former player at Lamar, threw her name in the hat to replace Coach Leonard Drake who resigned over health issues.

Ask Bobcats’ Athletics Director Blake Morrison what Ancelot has meant to the Orangefield program.

Not only has Ancelot brought the Lady Bobcats to the playoffs in each of the last four years, including back-to-back trips to the regional tournament, the crowds at Orangefield Lady Bobcats games are very impressive.

The student section during the playoffs was a small-scale version of the “Duke Crazies†when the Blue Devils play and in the regional quarterfinals Vidor’s Pirate Gym was practically overflowing with fans in the orange and white.

All this because of what Ancelot has produced, a successful basketball team built with just enough talent and just enough teaching.

The mixture of hardwork and dedication worked at the high school level and given the chance at Lamar Ancelot can make it happen for the Lady Cardinals.

Lamar would be very hard-pressed to find another coach who is interested in the post who works longer hours, studies more film and prepares their team more than Ancelot.

The Lady Bobcats have been a symbol of dedication during her time with the team and the results have led to a 139-35 record in five years.

Besides just the basketball expertise, Ancelot would also bring a wealth knowledge about Southeast Texas players who are just waiting to be recruited by their local Lamar University.

Tubbs made it very clear in my phone interview with him on Wednesday that recruiting in Southeast Texas is a must during the next coach’s tenure.

If that is the case Ancelot should already be named a finalist, Mr. Tubbs.

The head Lady Bobcat can easily tell statistics on a number of area local players from all teams in all classifications.

From Lumberton all the way to Orangefield, players have been overlooked by Lamar over the recent years. Ancelot will be the first person to try and stop players like West Orange-Stark’s Brittney Scott from heading to Houston, Orangefield’s Kristy Sanders from leaving the area and anyone else who has talent and is thinking of playing somewhere else.

Local talent does not automatically mean winning seasons but it sure will not hurt.

After say having two winning seasons back-to-back, which Ancelot is capable of doing, the local talent will want to stay here and play at Lamar. That will also lead to grabbing a few star-recruits from outside our area.

Ancelot is not trying to make the jump to Lamar because she is tired of being at Orangefield.

It is simply an attempt to help resurrect a program she has a ton of pride in.

Ancelot was an accomplished player at Lamar and was even on the team that reached the NCAA Elite Eight in 1990-91. She ranks highly in several different categories in Lamar history.

She will bring excitement back to the Montagne Center when the Lady Cardinal’s play especially if local players are recruited and make the Lamar roster.

People in the stands is something that has been missing around the Lamar campus for a long time and Ancelot is the prime target to fix it.

Now that she has Orangefield on the right track, why not try and do the same at the next level? If not hired she will stay perfectly happy with the Lady Bobcats, continue to make the playoffs on a consistent basis and once again it will be Lamar’s loss.