GAMES
RANKINGS
POSITIVE VIBES ONLY: Bossier Walking The Walk
WITH A NAME LIKE DIAMOND BOSSIER, YOUR SHINE BETTER BE BRIGHT.
The Louisiana-native wasted little time in acclimating herself to the Texas competition, after moving to Davis High a year ago.
“It was kind of a big change for me,” she said. “Texas has better opportunities, and I had not been used to running against people at my own speed. So, it was competitive, but I got used to it and PR’d (achieved best personal record), which I’m proud of.”
Bossier has already begun to make her mark in the state.
After taking silver in the 200m dash (25.75s) at the 2023 district meet, she also placed fourth in the 100m dash (12.56s), and fifth in the Long Jump event (15-11), which has established the Davis junior as one of the top competitors in the district
Funny enough, her journey started with something as simple as bragging rights among her siblings.
“Ever since I was little, I’ve been running against my brothers,” said Bossier. “They’ve always thought they were faster than me, and we’d race every day. I still can’t be beat.”
She still prides herself on that distinction, even though she is now teammates with her brother Treveon, among the rest of Davis’ talented roster.
Bossier certainly has the confidence to back up her performances. However, it is often others who motivate her the most.
“I really surround myself with positive people – people that want to see me win,” she said. “There aren’t too many people like that around, which is why you need that select group who will back you up in order to help maintain your own positive mentality.
“Being doubted isn’t something that necessarily makes me angry. It’s just a state of mind that I’ve had to overcome. I love to prove people wrong.”
It’s all about the mental side of the sport for her, which she hopes will help her team thrive this Spring.
“I hope that we’re able to keep the team drama-free this year,” she said. “That way, nothing can affect anybody during our races and events. I hope that we can stay focused, mentally and physically, during practices and meets.
“For myself, I just hope that I don’t let anyone come and ruin my mentality that I have for this season. I want us to win, and that’s what we’ll do.”
Bossier intends to head back east once she graduates, where she aims to attend her dream school of LSU.
For the time being, when she isn’t concerning herself with her other passion of being a hairstylist, Bossier will ultimately look to continue proving the doubters wrong on the oval.
THE GRIND: MVP Fikes adds different facets to game
DEADRIC FIKES HAD A BREAKOUT JUNIOR SEASON, LEADING DAVIS TO A DISTRICT 14-6A TITLE AND EARNING A DISTRICT MVP SELECTION.
He doesn’t see it that way.
“It wasn’t really a big surprise,” he said. “Me and the team just put in so much work in the offseason and the summer, so when we got to the season, we were ready. We knew what we were capable of and the work paid off.”
It is scary to think what another offseason and summer can do for the All-Region selection and the Falcons, heading into 2023-24.
“I really worked on my three-point ability to stretch the defense,” he said. “As a senior leader, it was also important for me to work on my ball movement to get my teammates more involved. That is how we are going to go deeper in the postseason.
“Coach (Chris) Packer has really put me in a leadership position and has taught me what goes into that. I am grateful for his mentorship.”
Basketball is self-admittedly Fikes’ life and he takes his craft seriously.
“It’s all basketball, all the time,” he said. “If I’m not playing or working out, I’m watching the game. I love
to pick up small, little things from watching pro players and trying to put it into my game. That’s what I love about the sport. You can create your game how you like it.”
The ultimate goal, of course, is to find a home at the next level to continue his basketball journey.
“That’s the goal,” he said. “I’m just looking for an opportunity in college. Whatever God has in store for me, is the direction I will follow.”