LUQUET'S WILDCATS HAVE SOLID PITCHING

After dropping their opener to perennial power Dutchtown 12-5 at the East Ascension tournament, Destrehan has ripped off four straight victories.

The Wildcats downed Central 6-1 Tuesday at Destrehan.

The Wildcats broke on top with two runs in the bottom of the first inning, added a run in the bottom of the third and broke the game open with three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Central scored its only run in the top of the sixth inning.

Destrehan moved to 4-1 with the win.

Talented 6-foot-4 junior Kade Granier was outstanding on the mound, hurling four innings of shutout baseball, allowing just one hit while recording four strikeouts to pick up the win. At the plate, Granier had two hits and three RBI while shortstop Jace Weber had three hits as well.

Brock Benedetto delivered a bases-clearing double in the sixth inning to seal the deal for the Wildcats.

Weber has been outstanding in all phases thus far for the Wildcats. Outfielder Jesse Bryant has been a top hitter and is the fourth pitcher while catcher Tanner Hayes has been superb behind the plate for 12th-year head coach Marty Luquet.

"He may be the best defensive catcher I've ever had here," said Luquet. "His offense is coming as well."

Granier consistently throws 85-87 with his fastball. He is drawing quite a bit of interest from different colleges, including Southeastern Louisiana.

"He is 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds and has the potential to fill out," said Luquet. "He's grown a couple of inches in the last year or two and he can fill out. He looks skinny but he is not. Kurt McCune (LSU) was 170 when he left here. Kade came into his own in American Legion ball last year. With senior Blake Hymel back, we feel real comfortable about having two real good pitchers."

In addition, junior Ryan Brewer has been excellent on the mound, defeating Catholic of Baton Rouge this past weekend.

"We have lacked the really good second or third pitchers over the last couple of years but we feel we have that this year with Brewer emerging. We feel this can be a big year, as well as next year."

Destrehan faces Evangel and West Monroe on Saturday in Monroe in the Trey Altick tournament in Monroe.

"Those are very good teams and will provide a real test for us," Luquet said. "We believe in playing a very tough schedule to prepare us for a good district and the state playoffs."

In all, the Wildcats will play four games in the Altick Tournament, starting Thursday. With two wins, Luquet will reach the magical 400 career win plateau for his head coaching career which spans 24 years. Luquet coached the Wildcats to the 5A championship game in 2003, falling to East Ascension and in 2005, losing to Jesuit.

"I've been fortunate to have some good teams and good players," said Luquet. "I started at Kennedy before going to O. Perry Walker and St. James. I've coached the 33-2 team and the 7-22 team. It has been fun with all of them. I still enjoy the experience of going out every day and working with them."

The players have enjoyed outstanding instruction from an outstanding coach who shows no signs of slowing down.