Acadiana Christian School recognized the seniors in its basketball program, celebrated some players’ career scoring achievements, and honored both the boys and girls squads and a special coach on Friday in the Lions’ gym. 

Brandon Judice, Jude Wilder, Kollin Thibeaux and Landon Decuir were seniors on an ACS team that won back-to-back district titles. Judice surpassed the 500-point career threshold, and Thibeaux topped the 1,000-point mark. 

“Our record doesn’t state how hard we played,” coach Carroll Olivier said. “We went 8-9 and lost by a few points here and there.”

Junior Yvette Olivier went over the 1,800-point mark at a tournament in Houston, scoring 23 points in that game. She added 32 in a subsequent game for the 13-2 Lady Lions, who had a bye in the opening round of the ACEL state tourney.

ACS, which fielded its first girls program in 17 years and is making its first state tournament appearance since 2004, will play in the semifinals this weekend at Tioga High School. 

“We have had a great season,” Olivier said. “We have two girls who played basketball before in Yvette and Kyla Polk. Everybody else bought in. We’re very athletic and scrappy.”

Senior basketball players Abby Lewis and Abigail Olivier were recognized on Friday. The future is bright for the Lady Lions, a young squad with freshmen and middle school players among the starting five.

Coach Dre Lyons was surprised with a special presentation. Lyons coaches the “bigs” on both basketball teams and is the football team’s defensive coordinator. His skill development has been a boon for the program, coach Olivier said.

“I met Dre last year,” Olivier said. “He has helped us a ton. Any time I call Dre, it’s a ‘yes,’ Two hours before the game, I called him to coach an away game. It’s always a ‘yes.’ 

“That’s just the type of guy he is. I really appreciate him. He is a big piece of us.”

Coach Olivier credited his son, assistant coach Carroll Olivier Jr., for coming up with the idea for Friday.

“‘Pop’ (Olivier Jr.) said,  ‘Don’t you think we should honor Dre for being our No. 1 coach?,'” coach Olivier said. 

The Lady Lions, who went 11-1 vs. district competition, have been led in scoring by Yvette Olivier and Polk, an eighth-grader. Kacey Moore. Avery Tabb and Tylar Moore, a freshman and two eighth-graders, are the nos. 3-5 leading scorers. 

The celebration on Friday was capped off by the Lady Lions’ traditional cutting down of the net. 

ACS will face CHEF of Baton Rouge (9-10) at Tioga High in the middle school gym on Friday at 5:30 p.m.