From Eighth-Grade Poise to Senior Leadership, Asia Patin Defines Southern Lab’s Run

by Robin Fambrough // GeauxPreps.com Contributor

Even now, the idea sounds a little crazy. Who would put a 10-year-old on an 18-and-under basketball team? 

Though Asia Patin was just over 5 feet tall, Krystal Flowers took the chance.

“She was still really new to basketball,” Flowers said. “But you could see the potential and desire Asia had. Her motor … she never stopped. She had so much speed, and she learned fast.”

Over the past seven years, some things have not changed. Patin is now 5-6 and once again playing for Flowers, who took over at Southern Lab when former SLHS and LSU standout Quianna Chaney became a college assistant at Grambling.

And the desire still burns bright as Patin looks to lead the Kittens to a fourth Division IV select title in five years. The point guard is a McNeese signee and a driving, dribbling, defensive, and shooting force. 

In Thursday night’s regular season finale, Southern Lab (26-4) defeated Vandebilt Catholic 72-31. Patin scored 32 points added five rebounds and finished with four assists.

Patin finishes the regular season averaging of 17.5 points, six assists, five steals, and four rebounds per game. The career numbers – 2,323 points, over 500 assists and steals are notable – but don’t tell the whole story.

“It’s my senior year, and winning another state title is important,” Patin said. “This (title tradition) started when I was young. It’s my responsibility to lead the younger players and prepare them for their future.”

Patin burst onto the high school scene as a poised eighth-grader who ran the offense in the Kittens’ improbable run to a state title at the Alario Center in 2022. 

Limited numbers had prompted Southern Lab to step away from two varsity seasons in order to rebuild, so no one knew what to expect. The Kittens were seeded fifth. They upset top-seeded Ouachita Christian in the semifinals and beat No. 2 Cedar Creek 60-42 with Patin and former SLHS star Shaila Forman, now a freshman at Lamar, leaving a lasting impression.

It was a quantum leap for a girl whose first sport was track. However, the challenge of playing with and against two older brothers on the family’s basketball goal ignited a passion.

“I stayed outside until it got dark,” Patin recalled. “I would shoot and dribble. When we watched games on TV, I’d run and put a jersey on at halftime. Then I went out and practiced making the winning shot.”

Patin’s passion included growing pains. A 54-51 overtime loss to Northwood-Lena in the Division IV final in 2023 was humbling. The Kittens led by 20 in the first half.

“That one (loss) stayed with me for a long time,” Patin said. “I knew I had to get better and improve everything about my game. My shooting, my defense, passing … everything.”

The fact that Forman missed the 2023-24 season with a knee injury thrust Patin into a lead role for Chaney.

Southern Lab had already immersed itself in playing one of the state’s top schedules regardless of class/division, and it paid dividends. 

A 56-41 win over Northwood in the title-game rematch brought vindication and validation, prompting comparisons to the early 2000s when Chaney and Flowers were Southern Lab stars. Last year, the Kittens beat Cedar Creek 67-57 to win another title.

“I’ve watched her game grow overall,” SLHS junior Jamya Cain said. “Stepping into the captain’s role was big for her. 

“Asia doesn’t like to talk that much. But she knows how to keep the younger players in check. They respect her. We all do.”

Patin sees former Lafayette Christian-current LSU guard Jada Richard and WNBA star Chelsea Gray as point-guard role models. There is more to Patin’s story than basketball. She plays the drums for the band at her family’s church. And she can make a mean jambalaya and other things when helping out with her family’s catering business.

After her team beat Southern Lab earlier this year, Zachary coach Tami McClure sought out Patin. Wishes for LHSAA titles for both teams were part of the pleasantries. The fact that ZHS star Ava Raymond also a McNeese signee is notable.

“She (Patin) is the kind of player you want on your team,” McClure said. “She’s got the grit and competitiveness to take a team to the next level. She’s a quiet leader who works on both ends of the court. I love that.”