Staff Report

The 2012-13 Patterson Lumberjills have one goal, to win games.

“Last season we struggled to win,” Patterson coach LaGenia Darnell said. “Players were still trying to adjust and understand my methods of playing.”

Coming into this season, Patterson was without six seniors from last year’s team, including standout point guard Claudia Fine.

Last year, Fine had per game averages of 7.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.9 steals and 1.5 blocks.

“Claudia was a big part of our team last season and she will be missed,” Darnell said.

While naturally Darnell said she would like to see this year’s team win, she also wants them to have fun and improve as well.

While Patterson (2-10 overall, 1-3 in district) has struggled this season, the squad has lost several close games.

In nondistrict play, Patterson dropped a 48-44 contest against Jeanerette, while in district the squad recently fell to Kaplan on the road, 33-30.

Patterson’s two wins have come against Morgan City, 60-56, on the road and at home against Berwick, 43-27, in District 9-3A play.

Despite their record, Darnell is optimistic.

“I have a lot of confidence in this team that we can be a top team in our district,” she said. “But my girls have to work hard and believe, too.”

Darnell said her squad is eager to learn and get better.

However, she also said her squad needs to be patient and “just play basketball.”

This season’s squad includes Destiny White, Alex Benjamin, Nakia Brooks, Whitney Bazile, Shianna Phillips, Jamiri Brown, Melissa Lindsay, Jazmin Evans, Tamia Washington, Nia Broussard, Erika Barthelemy, Loreal Johnson, Jamile Tate, Toree Leonard, Tiera Butler, Tala Johnson and Gaylen Grogan.

The Lumberjills will return to action Friday when they travel to face Central Catholic in a 6 p.m. matchup.