State of the Program: Terrebonne girls basketball turns to legend as new head coach

Terrebonne girls basketball is in for a rebuild, and the Tigers are turning to a rookie coach to do it. Fortunately for THS, that rookie coach happens to be one of the best players in the history of women's basketball in the Bayou.

Prior to taking the head coaching job at Terrebonne, Cassidy Barrios was arguably the greatest player in Nicholls women's basketball history — setting program records for points scored and games played. After her playing days, she stayed with the Colonels as an assistant coach, taking over the THS program as it tries to get back to respectability in Class 5A District 7.

The tradition

It's been three years since Terrebonne made the LHSAA playoffs, and even that run ended quickly. In that 2020-21 season, the Tigers upset Zachary in the first round, but were dispatched by West Monroe in the second round a few days later.

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Historically, THS has rarely contended for championships. The Tigers made it to the title game twice — in 1951 and 1958 — and lost both times. They haven't made it back since.

The challenge

Terrebonne faces a difficult schedule this season, including two long stretches away from home. In December, the Tigers will go 22 days between home games, a stretch that includes two tournaments. In January, two weeks separate home games in the midst of district play, with THS playing four straight road contests.

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Expectations

Terrebonne may not compete for a playoff spot this season, as most rebuilds take multiple years. However, as long as Barrios is on the sideline, the Tigers will continue to improve.

The schedule

Nov. 13: @ New Iberia

Nov. 15: vs. Lutcher

Nov. 16: @ E.D. White

Nov. 27: @ Assumption

Nov. 28: vs. Ben Franklin

Dec. 5: @ Central Catholic

Dec. 6: vs. South Terrebonne

Dec. 8-9: Centerville Tournament (@ Centerville)

Dec. 12: @ Houma Christian

Dec. 18-20: Thibodaux Tournament (@ Thibodaux)

Dec. 22: @ Thibodaux*

Dec. 28: vs. Hahnville*

Jan. 2: @ H.L. Bourgeois*

Jan. 5: vs. Central Lafourche*

Jan. 9: @ A.J. Ellender

Jan. 11: @ South Lafourche

Jan. 12: @ Destrehan*

Jan. 16: @ East St. John*

Jan. 19: vs. Thibodaux*

Jan. 23: @ Hahnville*

Jan. 26: vs. H.L. Bourgeois*

Jan. 30: @ Central Lafourche*

Feb. 6: vs. Destrehan*

Feb. 9: vs. East St. John.

*Class 5A District 7 game

This article originally appeared on The Courier: State of the Program: Terrebonne girls hoops turns to legend as new coach