By VPJ Staff

Vernon Parish ladies’ basketball has an illustrious history at the Louisiana state tournament. There were many state titles, game-winning, buzzer-beater shots, and heartbreaking losses.  In my early radio days at KVVP-FM, Simpson High was the first school we put on the air.  There was no state tournament wayyy back then.

Management at the station saw just how much locals enjoyed and supported the broadcasts.  It was an awesome beginning for local basketball on the radio.  Now, don’t ask me to name all the names and recite the stats without a stack of reference material.  I have gotten older over forty years and no longer do ballgames on the radio — just a fan with a voice these days.

The young ladies I watched over the years went on to play Division I, Division II, and Division III, NCAA and NAIA ball.  They received their education and had a lot of fun (hopefully) playing at the next level.  Many of those ladies turned to coaching after playing days were over.  Some raised families and watched their children carry on the legacy of excellence.

Survey the state of women’s basketball in America today, and it’s awesome to see.  You’ve got the WNBA, an NCAA tournament watched by millions on TV, and a state tournament starting Monday, March 3, in Hammond.

The University Center on the SLU campus will be rocking with four days of semi-finals action, featuring Non-Select and Select schools, before the title games on Friday and Saturday.  There are semis scheduled Monday through Thursday at 1 p.m., 2:45 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 6:15 p.m., and 8 p.m.  Finals begin at noon on Friday and Saturday.  Check your LHSAA bracket on their website for their progress.

Seven Vernon Parish ladies’ teams made it to the quarterfinals, so odds are good some of those teams will be in the “BIG DANCE”.  Who will they be this year?

When you go to the show, be a good sport and don’t take it out on the referees. I know the temptation is great.