Lacee Rodriguez was joined at her signing ceremony by her mother, Wendy Fils, father, Harold Fils, and brother, Marvin Williams. NISH coaches Chris and Shalicia Johnson were also on hand to celebrate her accomplishments. 

New Iberia Senior High senior basketball player Lacee Rodriguez signed to continue her athletic career with Triton College on Tuesday.

Rodriguez, who got her start in basketball as a sophomore at NISH, said she is happy to be able to keep playing basketball.

“I didn’t expect to continue playing at the collegiate level but I’m very excited to be able to continue because my junior season got cut short and I just started in my sophomore year,” Rodriguez said.

NISH head coach Chris Johnson said that Rodriguez displays all the skills you want to see in a varsity athlete despite getting her start later than other players on the team.

“Lacee has come a long way,” he said. “She came in as a sophomore and played a little, but in her junior year she became a great reserve for us. In her senior year she found a way to be on the floor for us more often. She’s a very strong kid and she’s very dedicated. She’s always the first one in the gym and the last to leave and she’s been a leader for us. I wish I had another year with her.”

Rodriguez will be joining a program that went 23-8 this season, including 12 home wins, before falling 79-70 to Malcolm X College in the NJCAA Region 4 Division I championship game.

Rodriguez said she hasn’t been to the campus for a tour yet, but is hoping to get that done over the summer before joining the team.

“I’ve talked to (the coaches) a lot and they all seem very welcoming,” she said. “I’m excited to go and tour this summer. I’m not too sure about playing time but I’m expecting to be in the same position. There are only five returners, so they’re going to need players at the six and seven spots. They’re going to do it based on all of our abilities.”

Johnson said that playing at the junior college level is going to allow Rodriguez to continue to develop both athletically and academically.

“Going to a community college is probably her best bet because I think she needs those two years to grow her game,” Johnson said. “I think it’s going to benefit her in the long run.”

Rodriguez said she plans to major in kinesiology with plans to be either a physical therapist or an athletic trainer.