Former Baseball: Methvin enjoys perfect season – named All-Acadiana Coach of the Year

Bruce Brown, Daily Advertiser, April 23, 2012

Every moment in a game provides the chance to win or lose that moment.

Whether it’s a free throw with 2 seconds to play in a tie game, or a scramble for a loose ball 2 seconds into the contest, each offers the chance for decisive action.

That’s something Lafayette High coach Cade Methvin learned as an athlete, and something he wanted to see from his Lady Lions every time they hit the court.

Lafayette finished a perfect 35-0 in 2011-2012, marching to the LHSAA Class 5A state title, so the players obviously took those lessons to heart.

Their performance earned Methvin Advertiser All-Acadiana Coach of the Year honors in only his second season in that post after previously serving as assistant to Casey Delhomme.

That constant focus wasn’t always easy, since LHS hammered most foes and put many away by halftime, but they did it.

"I always told them to come out in the second half like it was 0-0," Methvin said. "Every time you’re on the court you have a chance to win or lose that possession. You always try to score, and try your best to stop the other team from scoring. If you do that, the outcome will take care of itself.

"As a baseball player, especially as a pitcher under coach (Tony) Robichaux at UL, he used to talk about winning this pitch, then the next pitch, then winning the majority of your innings."

Methvin also benefitted from playing under Brent Broussard at North Vermilion, as well as ex-Cajun Jason Castro in American Legion competition, and credited Delhomme’s basketball knowledge for the Lions’ remarkable season.

"Casey knew the basketball X’s and O’s as a former player at Blinn," Methvin said. "He’s been a great help to me."

The Lady Lions finished 28-4 in 2011, losing to Southwood in the state quarterfinals, so it was reasonable to expect success this year.

"All of these kids had a lot of experience," Methvin said. "Both Armanee Broussard and Adrienne Prejean played as freshmen, and Adrienne started on our team that reached the finals that year.

"(Center) Sabre Sarradet started as a sophomore. Jasmine King started as a freshman at Westminster. They all played well for us."

Prejean was named the Class 5A MVP on the LSWA All-State team, but all the seniors were unselfish standouts.

Their experience kept the Lions calm under pressure in the semffinals and finals.

"At some point in every game, whether it’s taking a shot or on the dribble, you have to make quick decisions," Methvin said. "Its not always things you’ve covered in your game plan, or something your coach told you.

"You give them guidelines, but that experience can lead to better decision-making at those critical times."

Methvin also pushed his team to avoid complacency after easy wins.

"I never wanted them to get comfortable," he said. "We were always looking to get better, no matter what level competition we faced."

Lafayette overcame a knee injury to Sarradet, with Kortney Kling emerging. "The only uncomfortable time was when Sabre hurt her knee against Northside," Methvin said. "Sabre was hurt last year, so we knew what to expect. And she’s so tough-minded we knew she would be back."

All the elements fell into place as the Lady Lions went unbeaten in district play for a fourth straight year.

"Looking back, I think probably the hardest thing was to not get complacent," Methvin said. "People began talking about a perfect season, but we tried to keep it under wraps. We always said the next game was the most important."

Next year’s Lady Lions will face the challenge of following perfection.

"You don’t want to be the group that didn’t win district," Methvin said. "That will be added pressure. But it’s a good thing, because that can push you beyond what you think you can do."

Athletic Network Footnote:
Cade Methvin is a former UL Baseball player and graduate assistant. Click here for his AN profile.