Cowgirl basketball fans have been waiting this season for the return of a local star.

Sunday, they got a sneak peek.

In 19 minutes of play, Paris Guillory gave all a glimpse of what the rest of the season could look like. 

The transfer from Louisiana Tech, who returned to Lake Charles after one year in Ruston, scored 12 points in her debut with McNeese State.

“It was great to finally get her out on the court and see what she could do,” said McNeese head coach Lynn Kennedy. “We will work with her to get her more minutes.”

After she starred at St. Louis Catholic, Guillory went to Louisiana Tech only to return this season. However, a knee injury slowed her start as a Cowgirl.

“This is the best I have felt in a long time,” said Guillory. “It is best to have had some limited minutes.
Last Sunday, Guillory scored 12 points against Longwood, connecting on 3 of 7 shots from the floor. Guillory made a pair of 3-pointers and was 4 of 6 from the foul line.

“It was really good energy with her back,” said Kennedy. “It was a big deal to see her out there. Knowing she is back and close to 100 percent is big for us.”

Kennedy had some advice for his star, though. 

“I told her to let the game come to her,” he said. “I just told her to go out and play.”

Guillory admitted that her return to the area could have been smoother.

“I had my moments emotionally,” Guillory said about her rehab. “Resiliency has been the word for me. The biggest thing has been the communication with coach and my teammates.”

Guillory is the biggest name in Kennedy’s offseason recruiting class. Kennedy is trying to flip the Cowgirls from last year when they finished 6-25. They are already showing great improvement at 5-4 as they head to their last non-Southland Conference game Monday night at Oklahoma State.

But Cowgirl fans have been waiting for Guillory, who will make her home debut a week from Saturday against Southeastern in the league opener. She is ready for that day.

“It’s exciting,” Guillory said. “I know there is a big community of people who want to see me play. I want my community to come support our team, not just me.”

In 22 games last season, the 5-foot-7 guard averaged 12.7 minutes for the Bulldogs. She averaged 6.1 points and 2.1 rebounds a game at Tech.  

Guillory made 41 percent of her shots from the floor and led La. Tech from long range, hitting 38.7% of those. She scored in double figures six times.

During her days at St. Louis Guillory, she won state titles in her sophomore and junior years and helped the Saints advance to the title game in her other two seasons.

As a senior, she averaged 18.6 points, 6.1 assists, and five steals a game. That year, Guillory was named the American Press Player of the Year and earned All-State and District MVP honors. She was also a member of the All-Defense team.  

Guillory broke two state tournament records, most points in a semifinal game, and most points over a two-game stretch. She also helped St. Louis to the state title game as a freshman.

Now she’s ready to play in Lake Charles once again.