Ten great Ascension athletes of 2017

It was a spectacular time for Ascension Parish high-school athletics in 2017.

The year was filled with tremendous team performances that yielded district titles, state championships and deep and memorable runs in the playoffs.

Also, it was a special year for individual performances.

Many parish athletes had MVP seasons in their respective sport. There were many other standouts that excelled in multiple sports.

Here are 10 great Ascension athletes of 2017:

Sophie Daigle (Ascension Catholic)

After leading Ascension Catholic to a Class 1A cross-country state title, Sophie Daigle went back to work in the spring of 2017. Daigle helped earn the Lady Bulldogs a second straight outdoor state championship. She had a phenomenal day at the state meet at LSU. In being named the 1A Most Outstanding Athlete, she won individual state titles in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200. She is now on the Southeastern track team.

Davon Wright (Donaldsonville)

Donaldsonville senior Davon Wright has continued to be a driving force for both the Tiger football and track teams. As a football player, he was a first-team all-district player for Donaldsonville this season as he anchored the offensive and defensive lines. The Tigers went 7-3 and reached the second round of the playoffs. He is a Tulane signee. In track, Wright won the district title in the shot put and was runner-up at the state meet.

Jamilyn Robinson (Ascension Christian)

Jamilyn Robinson continued to be a big-time two-sport athlete for the Lady Lions in 2017. In basketball, she was first-team all-district and an All-State selection as she helped lead Ascension Christian to their first ever playoff victory and a trip to the state quarterfinals. In volleyball, she was one of the Lady Lions’ key starters this past season when they won a district title.

Jordan Jackson (Dutchtown)

Dutchtown’s Jordan Jackson has been a productive player for both the basketball team and the football squad. He began 2017 as the Griffins’ starting point guard as he helped lead them to their first playoff berth in three years. In football, Jackson was a starting cornerback in a 6-4 run that saw Dutchtown reach the second round of the playoffs. He was second-team all-district.

Jimel London (East Ascension)

Like Jackson, Jimel London was East Ascension’s starting point guard in basketball and starting cornerback in football. In basketball, he was first-team all-district as he led the Spartans to a district title. In football, he was named first-team all-district defensive back and running back, along with being named the Offensive MVP. The Spartans shared the district championship with St. Amant.

Blayne Enlow (St. Amant)

Blayne Enlow was one of the most dominant baseball players in the state in 2017. In helping St. Amant reach the second round of the playoffs, he was named the district’s MVP and the Parish Pitcher of the Year, along with All-State honors. Enlow was drafted by the Minnesota Twins with the 76th pick of the 2017 MLB Draft.

Cameron Wire (East Ascension)

Cameron Wire was yet another parish player that excelled in both football and basketball in 2017. In basketball, he was a first-team all-district forward for the Spartans as they earned the No. 1 seed in the Class 5A playoffs. In football, he was a first-team all-district offensive tackle. He garnered scholarship offers from some of the best football programs in the country, before signing with LSU.

Briggs Bourgeois (St. Amant)

Briggs Bourgeois began 2017 by leading the St. Amant soccer team to their first back-to-back district championship in school history, along with a quarterfinal appearance. Bourgeois was named the district’s MVP for a fourth straight season. He was also the state’s Offensive MVP. In baseball, Bourgeois was the Gators’ starting centerfielder. He is currently the starting kickoff specialist for the Southern Miss football team.

Alynzia Morris (East Ascension)

Alynzia Morris picked up numerous top honors in 2017, as she led the East Ascension girl’s basketball team to a district championship and the No. 2 seed in the Class 5A playoffs. In that spectacular run, Morris was named both the District 5-5A and Parish MVP. She was also named to the All-State team.

K.J. Franklin (St. Amant)

K.J. Franklin was another basketball stalwart that took a chance on football and was rewarded in a big way. He began 2017 by being a first-team all-district guard on the basketball squad. In football, he was a starting cornerback on defense and a dangerous runner and receiver on offense. His dual contributions helped the Gators go 9-1 and capture a share of the district title.