Thaxton’s jersey retired at Negreet
Published 9:30 am Friday, November 26, 2021
- Kelsey Thaxton (center), a former Negreet all-stater and current all-conference performer at LSU-Alexandria, had her high-school jersey retired recently at a home basketball game for Negreet. She is joined by her mother and coach, Wendy Thaxton (left) and Negreet athletic director Elton Savell as she received her honors. (Daniel Green / BWS Sports)
By Daniel Green
NEGREET — Kelsey Thaxton was basically born to be on a basketball court.
She started dribbling a ball around courts in Sabine Parish at a very early age, even playing with the Negreet High School team during summer league action beginning in the third grade.
A multiple-time all-district and all-state performer, Thaxton had her No. 41 jersey retired recently at her old high school in front of family, friends and both former and current teammates.
“I am honestly at a loss for words,” said Thaxton, who is currently a standout performer with the Lady Generals of LSU-Alexandria. “I never would have guessed I would have my jersey retired. It’s such an honor for me and makes me realize how thankful I am for my family and support system here in Negreet.”
Thaxton became a starter at a young age for the Lady Indians of Negreet, who are coached by her mother, Wendy Thaxton. Over her stellar career, Kelsey Thaxton scored 3,705 points and was all-district on five occasions, all-Sabine Parish five times and all-state twice. Thaxton proved to be a consistent scorer throughout her career, with her career-best performance being 42 points.
After high school, she signed with Louisiana State University of Alexandria on a basketball scholarship. She stepped right into the lineup and was named the conference Freshman of the Year, along with winning the Freshman of the Year on the all-Louisiana college team. Additionally, Thaxton was named first-team all-conference, the first of her three teams to win that honor.
During her sophomore season, Thaxton was the fourth-leading scorer in the nations as she poured in an average of 20 points per game, which included a college career-high of 42 points, a game in which she made 10 three-pointers. She also became the only player in the women’s basketball program at LSU-Alexandria to have scored over 1,000 points.
As a junior, she continued adding to her all-time scoring totals at LSU-Alexandria, along with winning all-American recognition for the first time in her career.
Thaxton is currently in her senior season with the Lady Generals, where she is a starter once again. She entered the season with a total of 1,319 points and should easily pass the 1,500-point plateau.
“God has truly blessed me over all these years in my life and also playing basketball,” Thaxton said. “But I wouldn’t have been able to do any of this without my parents, all my teammates, coaches, church family and friends. I couldn’t have gotten to where I am today on and off the court without all of them. I am truly blessed.”
