Two really talented girls high school basketball teams reside in Lincoln Parish and on Monday night they will collide at 6 p.m. at Ruston High School Gym.
Ruston (18-6) is ranked No. 6 in the current Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA) Class 5A power rankings while Cedar Creek (18-0) is ranked No. 3 in the Division IV power rankings.
And on Monday the two programs will meet for what is believed to be only the third time in the two schools’ histories.
Cedar Creek head coach Gene Vandenlangenberg said he thought it was the first time, but that according to some historians, the two girls teams met twice in the same season in the late 1990s.
Vandenlangenberg said he feels the opportunity is a great one for his undefeated squad as they look to prepare for a tough stretch late in the season and then the Division IV playoffs.
“Not only is Ruston a Class 5A team, but they are one of the top 5A teams in the state,” said Vandenlangenberg. “They are very well-coached and will be the most physical team we play this year. They have size. They have athleticism. This will be a great challenge for us, but one that we are really looking forward to on Monday.”
Creek won its 18th game of the season Tuesday night with a 63-31 victory over Delta Charter in a game that saw the Lady Cougars starting five sit the entire fourth quarter.
The Lady Cougars have won a lot of blowouts this year and Vandenlangenberg knows his team needs some tests before meeting No. 1 ranked and Class 2-1A foe Ouachita Christian later in February.
“At the end of the day, we are going to look forward to making as many plays as we can and look forward to it,” said Vandenlangenberg. “We need to get out of our comfort zone. We are comfortable, and we are confident. But last year in the state playoffs, our girls were a little nervous. We were out of our comfort zone. We need more of that. I think it’s a win-win for us and Ruston.”
Ruston coach Meredith Graf agrees.
“Cedar Creek is an excellent team with great leadership in Coach Van,” said Graf. “Coach Van and I have a wonderful relationship and respect for each other as well as our programs. We have always supported each other and always will. Because of both teams success and mutual respect this match up is already exciting.
“For the town of Ruston to have such high quality girls basketball programs five minutes apart, Monday will be a great night for everyone to celebrate what both schools are doing in their own right. It benefits both schools in preparation for a playoff-like atmosphere as well as from a competitive standpoint. I hope all of Ruston comes out to recognize and appreciate the current talent at both Cedar Creek and Ruston High.”
