It could have ended better.
It should have ended better.
Everybody associated with the LSU women’s basketball program deserved better.
But in the end, it was just not meant to be for this year’s team, the best team ever to proudly display the LSU jersey.
The sharpshooting Texas Lady Longhorns put away the Lady Tigers soundly, 78-60 Tuesday night, ending LSU’s season.
Can’t help but feel bad for head coach Sue Gunter, one of the classiest people I know. Gunter, who has won over 675 games in her illustrious career, has never been to a Final Four. She’s accomplished so much in her career, but this just wasn’t the time.
So close. Another offseason spent working hard, trying to reach the ultimate goal.
As I sit here, Texas goes up by 27 points. In such a horrific moment, I just clap. After all we should be applauding the team, for it accomplished so much.
A thirty win season.
A No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, a first in the school’s history.
A blowout win against Tennessee to capture the Southeastern Conference Tournament title.
The seniors fought through so much. DeTrina White fought off stress fractures in her foot and pain in her back, but boy, she could leap. Kisha James, tore her knee ligaments twice but was there to pick her team up when they needed her most in the second-round win against University of Wisconsin Green-Bay.
Let’s not forget Ke-Ke Tardy and Aiysha Smith. Tardy’s patented free-throw line jumper will no longer touch the nets in the PMAC. However, she’ll be taking her game to LSU’s Law school next year.
Aiysha Smith may have only spent two years honing her skills here, but she left an indelible mark. Her interior presence was key to the Tigers run toward the Final Four.
But make no mistake about it, LSU has a solid squad returning. SEC Freshman of the Year Seimone Augustus, SEC Tournament MVP and warrior Temeka Johnson and the Hodges twins, Roneeka and Doneeka, are all returning.
Make no mistake about it, the Lady Tigers won’t be listening to Ludacris’ “Welcome to Atlanta.” They won’t be enjoying the warm Georgia sun while strolling along famed Peachtree Street.
But they have nothing to be ashamed of.