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Hailey Van Lith is one of a number of folks associated with the LSU women’s basketball team calling out a piece written in the LA Times previewing the Tigers’ Sweet 16 matchup with UCLA.
In that story, the author attempted to highlight the contrasting personas of so-called “good vs. evil” surrounding each squad. Unfortunately, it missed the mark.
Most noted in that article was an opening lead-in that mentioned the Tigers as being “dirty debutantes.”
This isn’t just a basketball game, it’s a reckoning. Picking sides goes well beyond school allegiance.
Do you prefer America’s sweethearts or its dirty debutantes? Milk and cookies or Louisiana hot sauce?
The coach who embraces reporters or the one who attacks them?
The tender star player or the one who taunts?
The article has since been adjusted following backlash from folks around the sport, including Kim Mulkey.
“It was so sexist and they don’t even know it,” the head coach said. “It was good vs evil in that game today. Evil? He called used dirty debutantes… Take your phone out and google dirty debutantes and tell me what it says. Dirty debutantes are you kidding me? I’m not going to let you [talk about] 18–21-year-old kids in the tone.”
Those post-publish edits didn’t do much to change the thoughts from those on the LSU sideline, though.
After a win over UCLA in the Sweet 16 contest, Angel Reese posted a photo on social media mocking the story.
“We Love Milk & Cookies,” a caption read as she clapped back at the LA Times writer.
That article was also on the mind of teammate Hailey Van Lith after the win.
Hailey van Lith talks about the ‘racist’ remarks originally written in the LA Times preview of the UCLA v. LSU matchup
“Some of the words in that article were very sad and upsetting… calling us basically the ‘dirty debutantes’ that has nothing to do with sports” pic.twitter.com/SxDgHbrspC
— Michael Merrick (@MichaelMerrick_) March 31, 2024
“Some of the words in that article were very sad and upsetting… calling us basically the ‘dirty debutantes…’ That has nothing to do with sports.”
She believed some of the words used targeted teammates.
While Van Lith called the words hurtful, she applauded her group for being able to shake the negative narrative that’s followed them since winning last year’s national championship.
“I’m rocking with them, because they don’t let that change who they are, and they stay true to themselves.”
The Tigers will continue to defend their title as they move onto a heavyweight showdown in the Elite Eight with last season’s runner-up Iowa.