After a historic football season, the Deweyville Pirates are on the cusp of making history again…this time on the hardwood. The last time Deweyville won the district in basketball, none of the current players were born yet. It has been more than 20 years since the Pirates have been crowned champions in basketball. Not only that, but never in the history of the school have the Pirates been champions in both football and basketball in the same school year. On Friday night, the Pirates are one win away from accomplishing that elusive feat. “In all my years of coaching basketball, many of which at larger schools, I don’t think I’ve ever had a group of pure athletes like I have this year” said Head Coach Brandon Prouse.
The Pirates boast two of the top scorers in the area. James Menard is leading the way for the Pirates averaging 21.4 points per game. Ethan Willett is averaging 17.2 points per game. Deweyville is coming off an emotional game against Evadale where they trailed by 13 points at the half only to come roaring back to win by 13. Menard had a huge game scoring 35 points and bringing down 25 rebounds. “Our team chemistry and our resilience have been the keys to our success. We’ve been down double digits in a few games and we stiffened up and fought back to win. There hasn’t been a game this season where we felt like we were out of it” James Menard said.
The Pirates are 14-2 on the season and 6-1 in district. If they beat Hull Daisetta on Friday night, they will be crowned District Champions. If the Pirates lose Friday night, they will have to face Hull Daisetta again at a neutral site to determine the champion. As they get prepared for the district finale, senior Ethan Willet says his team is ready for the challenge. “This is the best team I have ever been a part of, without a doubt. All of these guys on the floor with me are my best friends. This team…we are all brothers and will fight for each other. ” Hull Daisetta is an experienced team that currently sits in 2nd place in district. They were projected to win the district before the season began, but just like in football…no one saw the Pirates coming.
“Hull Daisetta is going to be playing with a chip on their shoulder” said senior Cade Watson. “In my four years at Deweyville, this has been the best group of athletes to play with. The guys on this team have been working hard and staying hungry to play at this level of intensity. Friday night we need to go out with a bang heading into playoffs.”
The Deweyville Pirates are in very familiar territory. If you hear a roar on Friday night near Deweyville, it might just be the Pirates etching their names in the history books…again. The game against Hull Daisetta tips off at 6:15 in Deweyville High School gym.
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