Waelder celebrates athletes at banquet

WAELDER — The word progress was one of the most used words in Thursday’s athletic banquet event for the Waelder Wildcats and it was a necessary one.

Taking away the accomplishments of the basketball team, the Wildcats athletic program had to go through yet another year of change, with a completely new coaching staff from the top to the bottom, with coaches Brandon Howard, Andre LaTouche, Joe Nix and Joel Williams trying to put their fingerprints on the program.

At the banquet, LaTouche reassured everyone that the progress made throughout the season for multiple sports like volleyball and girls’ basketball was there, despite the record.

“Success can go in many different ways,” he said as he spoke about the difference between the Lady Cats from day one to their play by the end of the season.

Speaking of change, the Lady Cats volleyball team will have another head coach in the helm as Williams had to leave his position due to health issues. Williams has mentioned that although he can’t continue as coach, he awaits to follow their progress with much hope and anticipation.

Fortunately for Waelder, a familiar face in LaTouche will be leading the crew, at least until further notice.

As for the boys’ high school basketball team, Howard’s feelings on the season have not changed since the clock hit “:00.”

“We want 30 games this year and it’s not too many teams that can say they won 30 games this year,” he started. “I feel like that was a big accomplishment although that was not what we planned on doing at the beginning of the season. We feel like we were the best team in state.”

With key seniors leaving the boys’ basketball team while teams such as the ladies’ basketball and volleyball team trying to take that next step, this upcoming year looks to be an interesting one for the program.