By Kevin Shannahan
Since taking over the Natchitoches Central High School Lady Chiefs basketball program in 2013, Coach Nikki Jones and her players have earned an enviable record of success with regular appearances in the playoffs, including advancement to the semifinals and finals of the LHSAA championship tournament.
Talent, discipline and hard work have been a continuing trademark from the Emma Boozman coaching era keeping NCHS a force to be reckoned with on the basketball court.
That legacy of consistent year to year excellence was apparent on Feb. 22 as a crowd of family members and supporters sent the Lady Chiefs off in style for their trip down south to face the Lady Wildcats of Destrehan High School on Feb. 23 in the second round of the state playoffs.
NCHS came from behind in the closing minutes on Feb. 19 to defeat an inspired Airline team in an opening-round playoff game at the Teepee.
The St. Mary’s Lady Tigers also won a first-round playoff game, scoring their victory on the road on Feb. 19. They won a playoff game on the road for the first time in five years and will try to pull an even bigger surprise on Feb. 23 when they go to Eunice to play St. Edmund.
Both games tip off at 6 p.m.
The Natchitoches Parish Journal wishes all the best to the Lady Chiefs and Lady Tigers as they travel and compete in the state playoffs.
