Lady Pios cruise past Comeaux

LAFAYETTE – With just two starters and a sixth man returning, Notre Dame coach Nolan Theriot knew his 2014 girls’ basketball team would be a work in progress.
However, those three returnees - Madelyn LeJeune, Hanna Esthay and Elise LeBeouf - and a handful of newcomers, looked like a veteran squad on Tuesday.
The Lady Pios jumped out to a 16-0 lead in the first five minutes, built the lead from there, and cruised to a 55-35 victory over Comeaux’s Lady Spartans in the opening game of the Teurlings Round Robin.
“This was huge for us,” said Theriot of the victory. “You know, we haven’t really had everyone at practice prior to the jamboree, whether it was the volleyball players or it was due to an injury. We had five or six days of really good practice since then and I think that showed tonight.”
The Lady Pios dominated the first quarter of play with LeJeune dropping in 11 points in the opening frame.
The Lady Spartans finally got on the board with a free throw midway through the frame and they outscored the Lady Pios 9-7 from there to cut the lead to 23-10.
Comeaux’s late outburst was due to their defense, which forced a number of turnovers after going to a full court press.
“When they were in a half-court defensive set, we looked really good, but when they pressed us, we looked discombobulated half the time,” said Theriot. “But I think as we see more of it (the press), we will get better. We have a lot of young new faces out there and learning the speed from grade school to high school, it’s just one of those things that are just trial by fire, just getting out there.”
Comeaux actually cut the lead to 35-23 at the half before the Lady Pios outscored the Lady Spartans 11-6 in the third.
LeBeouf, a University of Houston softball signee, poured in six points in the fourth quarter and the Lady Pios outscored the Lady Spartans 9-6.
Overall, LeJeune paced the Lady Pios with a 21-point performance that included a number of rebounds as well. She did most of her damage inside, but also showed her range by draining a 3-pointer from the wing.
“Madelyn is going to see a lot more defense as the year goes on because people know that she can score,” said Theriot. “If left open, she’s got a nice shot.”
LeBeouf followed with 12 points and Esthay had 10.
“Elise always gives us a spark,” said Theriot. “She brings a lot to the table and we know she can do it. And Hanna knocked down some big shots tonight as well.
“But as the game wore on, their shots were short and I think as we get more in game-shape, we’ll be more refined.”
Theriot also got contributions from his younger players, including freshman Alyssa Williams, who scored seven points in her prep debut.
Catherine Gonzales added two points, Marcella Gossen had two and Melise Gossen finished with one.
“I don’t want us to become so one dimensional that teams can come in and shut down one player and we have nothing,” said Theriot. “We are trying to make a huge effort to get multiple players in the scoring column and I was pleased with our young kids that stepped up and knocked down some shots.
“Alyssa had a couple nice boards and went back up strong and that’s huge. If we can get some scoring from some of the other kids, teams are going to have to matchup across the board.”