Lincoln Parish displayed incredible musical talent at the LMTA District Piano Rally last week as 14 Lincoln Parish piano students qualified for state under strict performance standards for this year’s competition. 

The District Rally required students to participate in four categories of competition including, performing 3 pieces by memory, testing their sight-reading ability on 2 unknown pieces, playing technical skills of scales, chords, and arpeggios, and taking a written and ear training exam. To qualify for the state competition in Baton Rouge, the students must have obtained a 98 or higher performance score and at least a 94 on the other 3 parts of the competition. 

Lincoln Parish piano teacher Denise Cox recognized the immense effort that students put into preparing for the event. 

“The students who participated in the rally have studied consistently all year to improve their skills in each category,” Cox said. “It is so rewarding for students and teachers alike to see what great progress they have made through the year.”

62 students from several parishes across North Louisiana participated in the district competition. The rally itself serves as not only an acknowledgement of the hard work the students have put in throughout the year, but also as a means for teacher certification. The state board sets requirements for the competition to measure the skills students should be obtaining within each grade level, serving as a guideline for the teacher’s curriculum.

Local piano teacher and member of the State Rally board, Jeanne Patterson, described how the rally improves student performance through musical standards.

“It takes great commitment on part of not only the student, but the parents to prepare for rally. It is an all-year process,” Patterson said. “As a teacher, it is a great checkpoint to know that I am teaching all that I should be. I use it as a guideline to make sure my students are getting the appropriate instruction in every area of piano study.”

The Lincoln Parish students competing at state on June 8 are listed below along with their district achievements. 

Teacher- Cody Chandler

Brielle Smart (A E Phillips)- Level 1, 3rd place

Teacher- Denise Cox

John Cole Parker (A E Phillips)- Level 1, 5th place, Outstanding Achievement

Preston Parker (Ruston High School)- Level 3, 1st place, Outstanding Achievement

Collins Reigelman (A E Phillips)- Prep B, 4th place

Teacher- Steele Moegle

Lucas Chen (A E Phillips)- Level 1, 2nd place, Outstanding Achievement

Krystal Jeong (Cedar Creek)- Prep B, 1st place, Outstanding Achievement

Zoey Wang (A E Phillips)- Level 1, 4th place, Outstanding Achievement

Teacher- Jeanne Patterson

Esther Allen (Cedar Creek)- Prep B, 5th place

Caed Baines (Ruston High School)- Level 3, 2nd place, Outstanding Achievement

Elena Baines (Ruston High School)- Level 3, 3rd place, Outstanding Achievement

Jace Baines (Ruston High School)- Prep B, 3rd place

Jack McGehee (A E Phillips)

Maddie Lu McGehee (A E Phillips)

Kaejha Stewart (A E Phillips)

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By Krystal Guillory

Nine Lincoln Parish students participated in the 2024 Games Uniting Mind and Body (GUMBO) competition held April 12 at Louisiana Tech.

Featuring a variety of contests, this track and field event is designed for athletes who are motorically and/or visually impaired. Though GUMBO is indeed competitive, with athletes striving to win in order to advance to the next level of competition, the atmosphere is one of kindness and camaraderie.

“I enjoyed how invigorating and fun it was,” said eighth-grader Passion Augustus. “I don’t usually get to compete in track and field events, and I got the opportunity to run and throw. I want to try the 200-meter next year.”

We are appreciative of our adapted physical education teachers for advertising the event to students and their families and for working hard to motivate everyone to do their best, leading to enthusiasm and enjoyment. We are proud to share that Lincoln Parish students brought home a considerable number of ribbons!

Representing the Hillcrest Hawks were Charity Boney, Nylah Rogers, Seelah Shalibi, and Caelen Roberson. The Ruston Junior High Bearkits were Kaydien Hayes, Passion Augustus, Kayleigh Horst, and Destiny Monk. Amarion Rushing represented the Ruston High Bearcats. 

The Hawks had all first-place qualifiers in the following categories: Charity (100 meter and long jump), Caelen (20 meter), Nylah (20 meter), and Seelah (20 meter and long jump). As another athlete tried to pass her, Charity cried “Oh no you don’t,” demonstrating her determined spirit and will to win.

The Bearkits finished strong: Destiny (1st place in 100-meter, 200-meter, 400-meter, discus, shot put, and long jump); Kaydien (1st place in 60 meter); Kayleigh (2nd place in 100-meter, 200-meter, discus, shot put, and long jump); and Passion (1st in 100-meter, shot put, and javelin). “I really like the 200-meter. I’m striving for the 400-meter to be easier next year,” stated Destiny at the conclusion of competition.

Our lone Bearcat, Amarion, brought home 1st place in the 100-meter, 200-meter, 400-meter, discus, and long jump, representing herself and Ruston High School very well.

The process of setting and achieving goals, celebrating victories, and moving past obstacles teaches important life lessons for all students. Training for and participating in GUMBO is a tangible expression of the importance of diligence, perseverance, leadership, and good will. Congratulations to our students!

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After a tremendous inaugural group was named in 2023, the Lincoln Parish Journal is now seeking nominations for this year’s “Rising Lincoln Leaders.”

Our parish is full of young, rising professionals and leaders, and we want to recognize the next group of leaders through this summer series.

Nominee criteria includes:

• 39 years of age or younger
• works in Lincoln Parish
• resides in Lincoln Parish

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Deadline to submit nominations is by 5 p.m. on Friday, July 5th. All nominations should be emailed to LPJNewsLA@gmail.com with the subject line of Rising Lincoln Leaders.

Please include the following information within the nomination:

• Nominee’s name
• Age
• Employer
• Contact info, including phone
• 750 words or less about why the individual is being nominated for this award; including accomplishments, awards, etc.
• Contact name and info (including phone) of the person submitting the nomination

The Lincoln Parish Journal will run a series profiling each of the “Rising Lincoln Leaders” during the summer.

A Monroe man was arrested Sunday after he allegedly returned to an apartment complex after repeated warnings to stay away.

Jonathan M. Adams, 33, was booked for entering premises after being forbidden Sunday morning after he trespassed at the Park at Cooktown Apartments on Trinity Way.

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A Ruston Police officer notified Adams he was banned from the property Saturday night. Adams returned about 5 a.m., reportedly driving through the complex and then parking his car at Dairy Queen.

About 8 a.m., police located Adams and placed him under arrest. He was again warned to stay off the property. Adams was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center and released.

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

By Kyle Roberts

With only inning to play Wednesday night, Mother Nature decided she wanted to intervene.

Due to continuous lightning delays that sent the Tech vs. Middle Tennessee game into a weather delay heading into the top of the ninth inning, the Bulldogs and Blue Raiders will resume this morning at 9 a.m.

Tech leads 8-2 through eight innings, thanks in large part to freshman Grant Comeaux going 4-for-4 from the plate with a home run and three RBI’s.

Louisiana Tech head coach Lane Burroughs said following the decision to resume this morning that the plan is to bring closer Ethan Bates in to try to get the last three outs.

“This is weird. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever had to deal with this,” Burroughs said. “The good thing is both Middle Tennessee and us, win or lose, will both get a day off. I hate it for our fans because we’re not playing again until Friday, but I don’t think it changes our mind set. It’s just a little different; a little weird.

“But we talk about adapting and adjusting. This is the conference tournament — college baseball at its finest. There’s going to be delays. There’s going to be rain. It’s part of the gig. I feel for the people who are having to put the brackets together and do all that work, because that’s the hard part.”

Burroughs added that another positive from the delay is that senior pitcher Sam Brodersen will get a day off after pitching two innings in relief on Wednesday.

The winner of Tech and Middle Tennessee will play Friday at 12:30 p.m., while the loser will play the 9 a.m. game that morning.

Thursday’s schedule now includes:

(Game 3) 9 a.m. – Tech vs. Middle Tennessee (resumption of game with Tech leading 8-2 in top 9)

(Game 4) 11:05 a.m. – Liberty vs. Sam Houston State

(Game 5) 2:35 p.m. – WKU vs. NMSU

(Game 6) 6:05 p.m. – Dallas Baptist vs. FIU

Friday Schedule

(Game 7) 9 a.m. Loser of Tech-MT vs. loser of Liberty-Sam Houston

(Game 8) 12:30 p.m. Winner of Tech-MT vs. winner of Liberty-Sam Houston

(Game 9) 4 p.m. Winner of WKU-NMSU vs. loser of Dallas Baptist-FIU

(Game 10) 7:30 p.m. Winner of 7 vs. Loser of Game 8

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Last week, I summarized a story that I recently read about a carrot, an egg, and a coffee bean.  While the carrot weakens when exposed to hot water and the egg hardens, the coffee bean turns the water into something magnificent.  The point of the story is to strive to be a coffee bean and have a positive impact during adversity. 

If you want to grow, you will have to face adversity. If you want to reach your potential, you will have to face challenges. If you want to successfully navigate life, you will need a healthy perspective of adversity. Here are a few thoughts for you to consider as you face the challenges of life:

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• Acceptance: Realizing adversity impacts everyone, not just you. All families have health challenges. All families deal with death. Uncertainty impacts everyone at some point. Don’t base your view of life on Facebook or other social media outlets. Those depictions are not indicative of everyday life.

• Humility: You can’t know everything or have all the answers. You will need others at times. Ask for help. Others will need you at times. Seek a healthy self-view, but balance that with a humble approach to life. People are drawn to confident humility. Confident in values and ability, but humble in approaching others.

• Opportunity not Obstacle: Consider challenges in life as opportunities to have impact, to grow, and to do something noteworthy. When obstacles become opportunities, perspective changes, and life takes on a different purpose. People are drawn to this approach, and the extraordinary takes place.

• Steps not Leaps: When dealing with challenges, walking in uncertain times, or navigating through adverse conditions, don’t try to figure everything out at once. Just focus on the right next step. You may not be able to see very far down the path, but just focus on the next step. Don’t sit idle but take that step. If you need to evaluate and take a step back, that’s fine. Don’t freeze with indecision and panic. Just take a step in what you sense is the right direction.

• Just Keep Showing Up: Many are inclined to shut down in tough times. Don’t succumb to the feeling of giving up regardless of how frustrating it may be. Just keep showing up to work, attending the meeting, going to class, writing the book, taking the treatment, or making the sales call. You may have to slow down, adjust the course, or take a breather, but keep moving forward. The finish line or resolution may be closer than you think.

• Strategy may Change but Persistence Continues: You may need to change your approach, your plan, or your goals, but persistence remains. You haven’t failed until you give up. Trying a different approach or pursuing a different goal is not a bad thing. In fact, failing at something does not make you a failure. It just makes you human.

• Impact over Achievement: Who you are impacting may be more important than what you are achieving. During adversity, consider how others are being impacted. Take the focus off yourself and focus on others. When you can redirect that focus, your perspective changes. There is now purpose in the pain! Seek impact!

Those are just a few considerations. Life is tough. The scars of life help us remember but they originate from pain. Funny thing is there are no scars from easy times. The scars of life are going to change us. Adversity impacts all of us.

Will it weaken you (the carrot)? Will it harden you (the egg)? Will it be the means for you to change your “world” (the bean)?

Let’s all seek to be coffee beans! 

Many people are unsure of what to do with their future when they graduate from high school.  That was not the case with Sarah Ophelia Colley.  As a youngster growing up in Centerville, Tennessee, she decided she would become a dramatic actress.  She taught herself how to mimic those around her, but that was about as far as it got in high school.  She knew she needed formal training.  Once she graduated from Centerville High School, Sarah auditioned to join the theater department of Ward-Belmont College, which is now Belmont University.  She was well spoken with a southern drawl which she struggled to mask.  Despite her southern drawl, Sarah was accepted into the program.  She majored in theater studies and dance. 

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For the first few years after graduating from Ward-Belmont, Sarah taught dance.  Sarah realized that unless she changed course, she could never realize her dream of performing on the stage.  In the late 1930s, Sarah began working as a play director for the Wayne P. Sewell Production Company, a touring theater company based out of Atlanta, Georgia.  She performed her parts perfectly, but Sarah was forgotten almost as soon as she walked off stage.  In 1947, Sarah married Henry Cannon.  Despite her best efforts, few people knew Sarah Ophelia Colley Cannon as an actress.  In the 1980s, after being successfully treated for breast cancer, Sarah became an outspoken advocate for cancer research.  In 1987, she helped create the Sarah Cannon cancer foundation to raise money for cancer research.  This led to the creation of the Sarah Cannon Research Institute which specializes in cancer treatment.  On March 4, 1996, 83-year-old Sarah Ophelia Colley Cannon died from complications from a stroke.   

As I said earlier, few people recognize Sarah Ophelia Colley Cannon as an actress, but there is more to Sarah’s story.  While working for the Wayne P. Sewell Production Company, Sarah made brief appearances at civic organizations.  While directing a ten-day musical comedy in Baileyton, Alabama, Sarah met a woman that changed the course of her life.  Sarah needed a place to stay for the ten days, so she boarded with the Baileyton woman and her husband.  Something stood out about the Baileyton woman.  Sarah watched as the woman spoke.  She paid careful attention to her mannerisms, her attire, and her accent which was very similar to her own.  Remember, Sarah had struggled for years to hide her southern drawl.  When it was time for Sarah to move on to another town, the Baileyton woman said, “I hate to see you go.  You’re just like one of us.” 

Shortly thereafter, Sarah bought a dress and shoes similar to those worn by the Baileyton woman.  Rather than hiding her southern drawl, she began to embrace it for comedic affect, but something was missing.  In 1939, Sarah was set to perform her imitation of the Baileyton woman in Aiken, South Carolina.  Before the show, Sarah went to Surasky Bros. Department store in downtown Aiken.  While shopping for nothing in particular, Sarah put on a straw hat and did her best imitation of the Baileyton woman.  The hat completed the character.  Sarah bought the hat for $1.98 and headed to the theater.

As an imitation of the Baileyton woman, Sarah poked fun at rural Southern culture.  Rather than target other people, her jokes were aimed at herself, her fictional family, and her fictional hometown of Grinder’s Switch.  She was always trying and failing to gain the attention of “a feller.” She told fictional joke-laden stories about her Uncle Nabob and Aunt Ambrosia, Lucifer Huckelhead, Miss Lizzie Tinkum, Doc Payne (pun intended), and her brother who remained nameless.  In character, she once quipped about her Uncle Nabob, “He ain’t a failure.  He just started at the bottom, and he liked it there.” 

Sarah’s imitation of the Baileyton woman was a hit, and it led to her becoming the first solo female member of the Grand Ole Opry.  In 1975, she became the first female comedian inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.  She performed the character on the stage and screen for over fifty years.  Still, no one knew Sarah Ophelia Colley Cannon, and she never seemed to mind that she was overshadowed by the character she had created by imitating the Baileyton woman.  Her family, friends, and even her husband called her, not Sarah, but Minnie Pearl.  Her greeting to the audience became famous.  “How-DEEEEE!  I’m just s’proud to be hyere!”

Sources:

1.     “Minnie Pearl,” Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, https://www.countrymusichalloffame.org/hall-of-fame/minnie-pearl.

2.     “MINNIE PEARL Interview Entertainment Tonight October 26 1985,” YouTube, https://youtu.be/h_8ZEjU1Qd0?si=MD5safekJKzx8UbZ.

3.     ‌“Minnie Pearl: Grand Ole Opry Comedian and Hee Haw,” YouTube, https://youtu.be/7d1TRxVRzU4?si=3nT9IwNr0kwC5waN.

This is an advertorial.

Trinity Methodist Church is hosting its 2024 Vacation Bible School June 3 through June 7 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. each day.

There are only 20 spots left with a sign-up deadline set for Friday, May 31.

Online registration can be found by clicking here.

For more information, please contact Children’s Ministry Director Katie Clark at 318.251.0750.

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Courtesy of GSU Athletic Communications

The Grambling State University baseball team opened the 2024 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Baseball Tournament on a high note, defeating SWAC Eastern Division No. 3 seed Alabama State, 6-3, on Wednesday afternoon at Russ-Chandler Stadium.

It was Trevor Hatton’s 3-RBI triple in the fifth inning that served as the catalyst in GSU’s victory. Hatton had the hot bat for the Tigers, going 2-for-3 with a double, a triple and three RBI.

Mason Martinez (11-2) got the win on the mound after working 6.2 innings, surrendering three runs on nine hits with five strikeouts and three walks.

Javier Martinez picked up his second save of the season, entering the game with two outs in the seventh inning. He pitched 2.1 innings, limiting the Hornets to no runs on one hit. He fanned three batters.

Grambling State awaits the winner of Wednesday night’s game between E1 Florida A&M and W4 Southern. GSU will take on the victor of that game on Thursday night at 6 p.m.

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Courtesy of Louisiana Tech Athletic Communications and Staff Reports

Louisiana Tech’s Anna Larr Roberson and Jianna Morris and Grambling State’s Kahia Warmsley were named to the Louisiana Sports Writers Association’s All-Louisiana Team, announced by the association on Wednesday.

Roberson was named to the second team, Warmsley third team and Morris honorable mention. The teams were voted on by the schools’ sports information directors and media members.

Roberson capped her stellar Lady Techster career with her fourth consecutive appearance as one of the top players in the state. Throughout the season, she led the Lady Techsters with 12.1 points and 5.1 rebounds a game. She scored double figures in 22 games, including a season-high 27 against Vanderbilt.

After combining for 37 points and seven boards against UTEP and New Mexico State to become the 13th player in Lady Techster history to score 1,500 points and 900 rebounds, Roberson was named LSWA Player of the Week. She finished No. 17 on the all-time scoring list with 1,646 points and was third on the career free throw percentage at 80.6.

Warmsley helped lead the Lady Tigers to a historic season as GSU posted a 23-10 record in route to a SWAC regular season title. She averaged 10.1 points and 3.2 rebounds per game while leading the team with 63 assists on the year.

The Lady Tigers earned a spot in the WNIT where they defeated Oral Roberts in the first round before falling to ULM in the second round.

Morris continues to pick up accolades after her freshman campaign. Already a two-time CUSA Freshman of the Week and CUSA All-Freshman team member, Morris was one of two freshmen to pick up the honor.

She averaged 7.0 points, 3.2 boards, and 2.4 assists per contest, with 10 games scoring double figures. The Arkansas native was not only the primary ball handler on the offensive side but was tasked with shutting down the opposing team’s star player. Morris finished with the second most minutes by a freshman in program history with 1,052.

2023-24 LSWA All-Louisiana Women’s Basketball Teams
Player of the Year: Angel Reese, F, LSU
Newcomer of the Year: Aneesah Morrow, LSU
Freshman of the Year: Mikaylah Williams, LSU
Coach of the Year: Kyle Blankenship, LSUS

FIRST TEAM
Angel Reese, F, Sr., LSU, Baltimore, Maryland
18.6 ppg, 13.4 rpg, SEC Player of the Year, First-Team All-American
Aneesah Morrow, F, Jr., LSU, Chicago, Illinois
16.4 ppg, 10 rpg, First-Team All-SEC, All-America Honorable Mention
Daisha “Nunu” Bradford, G, Sr., ULM, Mobile, Alabama
19.3 pgg, 7.6 rpg, Sun Belt Newcomer of the Year, Sun Belt Second Team
Flau’Jae Johnson, G, So., LSU, Savannah, Georgia
14.9 ppg, 5.5 rpg, First-Team All-SEC, All-America Honorable Mention
Mikaylah Williams, Fr., G, LSU, Bossier City, Louisiana
14.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg, SEC Freshman of the Year, SEC All-Freshman Team

SECOND TEAM
Princis Goff, G/F, So., Louisiana Christian, Atlanta, Louisiana
18.5 ppg, 7.6 rpg, All-Red River First Team
Sandra Cannady, F, Gr., Loyola New Orleans, The Woodlands, Texas
16.7 ppg, 9.3 rpg, NAIA Third-Team All-America, Southern States Conference Player of the Year
Anna Larr Roberson, F, Gr., Louisiana Tech, Ruston, Louisiana
12.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg, First-Team All-CUSA
Hailey Giarantano, G, Gr., Southeastern Louisiana, Ponchatoula, Louisiana
12.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg, First-Team All-Southland
Dearica Pryor, G, Sr., New Orleans, Urbandale, Iowa
14.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg, Second-Team All-Southland

THIRD TEAM
Kyren Whittington, G, R-Jr., Tulane, Folsom, Louisiana
17.4 ppg, 3.4 rpg, LSWA Player of Week
Jakayla Johnson, G, Jr., ULM, Clinton, Mississippi
15.1 ppg, 4.8 rpg, Third-Team All-Sun Belt
Destanee Roblow, F/C, Sr., LSU Shreveport, Teague, Texas
12.1 ppg, 8.3 rpg, First-Team All-Red River
Taylor Dewitt, G/F, Gr., Xavier, Mansfield, Louisiana
12.8 ppg, 5.8 rpg, First-Team All-Red River
(TIE) Jalencia Pierre, G, So., Southeastern Louisiana, Springfield, Louisiana
8.4 ppg, 2.9 assists, Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Year
(TIE) Kahia Warmsley, G, Jr., Grambling State, Shreveport, Louisiana
10.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg

HONORABLE MENTION (Appeared on at least 25 percent of ballots)
Taylor Thomas, G, Gr. Loyola New Orleans, Missouri City, Texas
Jianna Morris, G, Fr., Louisiana Tech, Sherwood, Arkansas
Sharna Ayres, G, Sr., Northwestern State, Melbourne, Australia
Tamera Johnson, F, Jr., UL Lafayette, Lafayette, Louisiana
Allison Owens, G, Southern Shreveport, Conroe, Texas

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Quentin L. Watson 
Sunday 05/17/1970 — Sunday 05/12/2024 
Family Gathering: Friday 05/24/2024 2:00pm at King’s Funeral Home 
Visitation: Saturday 05/25/2024 11:00am to 1:00pm, Tensas High School, 720 Plank Road, St. Joseph 
Celebration of Life: Saturday 05/25/2024 1:00pm, Tensas High School, 720 Plank Road, St. Joseph  

Doyce Ann Wilson Houck  
April 8, 1941 – May 15, 2024  
Visitation: Temple Baptist Church Sanctuary, Thursday, May 23, 2024, 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm  
Service: Temple Baptist Church Sanctuary, Thursday, May 23, 2024, 2:00 pm  
Cemetery: Harmony Chapel Cemetery, Thursday, May 23, 2024   

ReNalda T. Harland Osborne   
Thursday 10/24/1985 — Sunday 05/12/2024    
Family Gathering: Friday 05/24/2024 2:00pm   
Visitation: Friday 05/24/2024 3:00pm to 6:00pm at King’s Funeral Home   
Celebration of Life: Saturday 05/25/2024 12:00pm, Zion Traveler Baptist Church, 1201 Martin Luther King Drive, Ruston   
Interment: Saturday 05/25/2024 Following Service, Mt Mariah Cemetery, Chatham 

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By Kyle Roberts

With only inning to play Wednesday night, Mother Nature decided she wanted to intervene.

Due to continuous lightning delays that sent the Tech vs. Middle Tennessee game into a weather delay heading into the top of the ninth inning, the Bulldogs and Blue Raiders will resume Thursday morning at 9 a.m.

Tech leads 8-2 through eight innings, thanks in large part to freshman Grant Comeaux going 4-for-4 from the plate with a home run and three RBI’s.

Louisiana Tech head coach Lane Burroughs said following the decision to resume Thursday morning that the plan is to bring closer Ethan Bates in to try to get the last three outs.

“This is weird. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever had to deal with this,” Burroughs said. “The good thing is both Middle Tennessee and us, win or lose, will both get a day off. I hate it for our fans because we’re not playing again until Friday, but I don’t think it changes our mind set. It’s just a little different; a little weird.

“But we talk about adapting and adjusting. This is the conference tournament — college baseball at its finest. There’s going to be delays. There’s going to be rain. It’s part of the gig. I feel for the people who are having to put the brackets together and do all that work, because that’s the hard part.”

Burroughs added that another positive from the delay is that senior pitcher Sam Brodersen will get a day off after pitching two innings in relief on Wednesday.

The winner of Tech and Middle Tennessee will play Friday at 12:30 p.m., while the loser will play the 9 a.m. game that morning.

Thursday’s schedule now includes:

(Game 3) 9 a.m. – Tech vs. Middle Tennessee (resumption of game with Tech leading 8-2 in top 9)

(Game 4) 11:05 a.m. – Liberty vs. Sam Houston State

(Game 5) 2:35 p.m. – WKU vs. NMSU

(Game 6) 6:05 p.m. – Dallas Baptist vs. FIU

Friday Schedule

(Game 7) 9 a.m. Loser of Tech-MT vs. loser of Liberty-Sam Houston

(Game 8) 12:30 p.m. Winner of Tech-MT vs. winner of Liberty-Sam Houston

(Game 9) 4 p.m. Winner of WKU-NMSU vs. loser of Dallas Baptist-FIU

(Game 10) 7:30 p.m. Winner of 7 vs. Loser of Game 8

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by Malcolm Butler

When Kasten Furr trots out to shortstop this afternoon when the Bulldogs open the Conference USA Championship against Middle Tennessee, he will do so knowing his family and friends are in the stands rooting for him.

It’s a little different feeling this year for the fifth-year collegiate ball player, who played the first four years of his career at UNO – a more than four-hour drive from home.

And it’s something he doesn’t take for granted.

“It’s been amazing,” said Kasten who transferred back to Louisiana Tech last summer. “My family didn’t get to travel too much to New Orleans to watch me play so getting a chance to see me play this year is awesome. I see them sitting above the first base dugout. I always know where they are at. It’s cool seeing them being able to see me live out my dream.”

Kasten, the son of Chip and Heather Furr and older brother of Tech softballer Allie, has been a staple in the Bulldogs lineup this season. He has started all 56 games at shortstop while batting .290 with 61 hits and 65 runs scored.

And as fun as this season has been for the former Ruston High Bearcat, it’s been just as enjoyable – if not more – for his family.

“It’s been amazing,” said his mother, Heather. “I’ve watched him play more this year than I have over the past four years. For Kasten to have everybody that he knows, this community, behind him has been special.”

Special may not be strong enough word.

Kasten grew up going to Bulldog baseball games with his maternal grandfather Fred Jewell, a longtime Tech baseball season ticket holder who passed away in 2017.  Kasten remembers those days fondly.

“Sure, I remember. I wish I could have gone to more,” said Kasten. “Tech was always playing when I was playing. I played a lot of baseball growing up. I went with him to the (Tech) games when I could. He always had his front row handicap parking spot. We would get there before batting practice started. He loved Tech baseball.”

Love may be a better word.

“It was undeniable,” said Heather of her late father’s passion for Bulldog baseball. “He wouldn’t miss a (Tech) game. He basically would sometimes miss Kasten’s game to go to a Tech baseball game.”

Although Kasten was still playing for the Bearcats when his grandfather passed away, his mother knows how much it would mean to him for his grandson to be wearing the Tech uniform now.

“(Fred) wanted Kasten here,” said an emotional Heather. “He passed away before Kasten ever committed to UNO. Every time I walk into the Love Shack now …. The few times he has hit a home run, I’m like ‘That was for Fred.’”

Fred was such a mainstay in the old J.C. Love Field that when he passed away in 2017, the Louisiana Tech administration and Tech baseball staff honored him by placing flowers in his reserved seat.

It was a small but impactful gesture.

“It would mean the world to him being able to see me play,” said Kasten. “I know it means the world to his wife (Daphne), She comes to every game she can. Every time I see her after the game she is crying saying, ‘Granpa would be so proud.’ I know he would be.”

It truly is a family affair for Kasten and his clan. Parents. Siblings. Grandparents. Aunts. Uncles. Cousins. They all show up in force to watch their senior Bulldog.

“I got a letter from his step grandmother (Daphne) the other day,” said head coach Lane Burroughs. “It really was unbelievable. It was the old school letter on three pieces of paper. Just the words she said about (Fred) always wanting to see Kasten play here were moving.

“She said that although he has passed away, she is able to watch him and knows just how much it means to the family. It was one of the best letters I’ve ever gotten. That’s what it is all about. I know how much it means to him. He doesn’t have to tell me. I know how much it means to his mom and dad and his entire family.”

Kasten has been an integral part of the Bulldogs success, ranking among the nation’s leaders in runs scored and playing a solid shortstop as well.

Burroughs attributes his success to a number of factors.

“One thing about Kasten is he is a pane of glass,” said Burroughs. “He is never too high. He is never too low. Even when he makes a mistake … you wouldn’t know it when you walk in the dugout. Whether he got a big hit or made a crucial error, you would have no idea. He is steady and so professional. He has a routine, and he never varies from it. To me it’s a professional approach. It’s maturity.”

After batting leadoff for a large portion of the season, Kasten was moved down towards the bottom of the lineup over the latter third of the year. He responded by hitting safely in 16 of the last 18 games of the season, another sign of his maturity.

Coming back home has had its benefits for Kasten, but it has also come with pressure. He admitted to having some doubts last summer even after making the decision, but the results and the experience for him have been proof that it was the right call.

“I definitely had some doubts, but it had nothing to do with the school or the coaches,” he said. “It was all me. But it has been way more than I ever imagined. I knew we were going to win a lot of games, but to win 40-plus games and the conference title … it’s been the best senior year that I could ask for.”

Even Burroughs understands the complications of returning home, but he is sure glad Kasten did.

“I know coming back home to play means pressure,” said Burroughs. “You have to worry about, ‘What if I don’t play?’ It doesn’t look good. There is pressure with family being here and all his friends.

“Right out of the gate you are playing shortstop, and you are leading off. That’s a lot of pressure, even if you are playing 1,000 miles away from home. He has handled it about as good as anybody I have ever seen. He is a huge reason why we won the championship.”

With the regular season championship under their belts, Kasten and his Bulldog teammates begin the postseason journey today. Their eyes set on claiming the tournament title and the automatic berth in an NCAA Regional.

It means more baseball for Tech.

And at least a few more opportunities for Kasten’s family and friends to see him lace up his cleats, don the Bulldog logo and run out on the same field where he grew up watching Tech games with his grandfather.

“Being able to play my senior year in front of my family and friends and people who know me, it’s been pretty cool,” said Kasten.  “And when you add in the season that we have had, and it makes it all surreal. I am not ready for it to end.”

Neither is his family and neither are Bulldog fans.

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by Hanna Singh

Graduating senior Richard Canterbury was named the Simsboro Student of the Year in recognition of his academic success, leadership and dedication to his community.

The young student participated in many programs, volunteer service work and dual enrollment all while maintaining a 4.0 GPA during his time in high school.

Canterbury has dedicated his time in school to serving his community and participating in numerous educational programs. At Simsboro, he has been a member of the National Honors Society, Beta Club, the AHEC Program, 4-H and FBLA, where he served as vice president. He also held positions as president and vice president of FFA.

Canterbury has been a member of Simsboro First Baptist Church since birth, participating in annual summer mission trips to South Louisiana. He volunteers every year for vacation bible school and serves as a counselor for the children’s summer camp. Canterbury has participated in the Bayou North Area Health Education Center’s A-Hec of a Summer program, gaining over 100 hours in community service and earning his CPR and BLS certifications. He also participated in the Day with Doctors program and served as the AHEC Anchor for Simsboro High.

Through his dedicated involvement, Canterbury has received several notable awards including the Honesty and Integrity Award, the Rotary Club Student of the Month, State Farm’s Good Neighbor of the Month Award and the A-HEC of a Summer Volunteer of the Year. He has placed in numerous competitions throughout regional and state FBLA, FFA and the District Literary Rally.

School counselor, LaTisha Vernon acknowledged how deserving Canterbury is of being picked as the student of the year.

“As a close-knit family at Simsboro, we are incredibly proud of Richard’s accomplishments,” Vernon said. “We have watched him grow into the young man he is today, and it has been an honor to be a part of his academic career. He has always set high expectations for himself, and we are so excited to see what the future holds for him.”

After graduation, Canterbury has plans to continue his education at Louisiana Tech University by pursuing a bachelor’s in biology pre-med. With future plans to attend med school, he views obtaining his bachelor’s as an essential step toward his goal of becoming a doctor.

“I am passionate about serving others through medicine,” Canterbury said. “I believe becoming a doctor will allow me to serve others to the best of my ability.”

Canterbury’s journey has displayed his dedication, hard work, and commitment to both his community and academic pursuits. As he prepares to take the next step at Louisiana Tech University, the Simsboro High community supports his endeavors as a tiger alumnus. With a bright future ahead, Canterbury represents the best of Simbsboro High School and who they aim to grow as a student.

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Courtesy of GSU Communications

Grambling State University continues to exceed expectations raising $516,362 for the 1901 Day of Giving with the help of alumni, faculty, staff, students, and friends.

A 24 percent increase from the 2023 campaign, GSU received over 1,000 investors with an average gift of $580.

The investment areas for this year’s campaign were as follows: Academic Excellence, Access and Opportunity, GAP Fund, Presidential Priorities (included unrestricted gifts), Student Experience and Engagement, and Tiger Athletics. 

“These funds will significantly enhance our ability to provide exceptional educational experiences, support groundbreaking research, and foster a vibrant campus experience.” said Grambling State University President Martin Lemelle, Jr. ” As we look to the future, this success sets a new standard for what we can accomplish together, and I am confident that our continued collective efforts will drive Grambling State University to even greater heights.”

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Ruston High School’s Class of 2024 held its commencement Tuesday night in the Thomas Assembly Center, graduating 312 Bearcats.

The complete list is below:

AMARYIA BRASHAY ADAMS	HANNAH BLAIR FALLIN	GRISHAM SCOTT LOCKE	JERMARION STEPHEN ROBERTSON
NEHEMIAH DARQUIS ADDISON	WILLIAM EDWARD FENDLEY	SAVANNAH ROSE LONG	ANGINYA CHERALYN ROBINSON
SELWYN LUCAS ALEXANDER	JOANNA ELYSE FERNANDES	WILLIAM DAKIN LOWE II	KATORIAH TRENCE ROBINSON
HOSS SAMUEL ALLEN	KENNIYAH CORTAZIA VADA FIELDS	MARY GOLDA LYNAM	CARLOS XAVIER RODRIGUEZ
DARYL WESLEY ALTIC	RONALD SAMUEL FINDLEY	SYRIANA NICOLE MACK	AMELIA CLAIRE ROGER
JOSE ARMANDO AYALA MORENO	EDEN HARTLEE FORD	MATTHEW WALKER MADDEN	THOMAS BERGIN ROGERS
CHAZ AIDAN BACKHAUS	NOAH CALENDAR FORESTER	COLE MATTHEW MAGEE	HANNAH LYNN ROLLINS
JAMARIEN LAKEITH BANKS	KINSLEY CLAIRE FOSTER	LOGAN MACK LOYD MALONE	DUTCH BRYAN RUSSELL
LAPRECIOUS KE NAI BANKS	LOGAN REID FOSTER	MALASIA NICOLE MARBRAY	TAYLOR LYNN SAMUEL
VANESSA BANUELOS ZAPATA	ALAINA CLAIRE FREDERICKS	LA TRINITY SHAROYAL MARDIS	CLAIRE VADEEN SANDERS
XAVIER ALEXANDER BARKER	SHELBY DIANNA FREEMAN	BREONNA DIONNE MARKS	C’NYA SIAN SAULSBERRY
ABAGAEL CLAIRE BARMORE	ZA NIYA CAROLINE GAINES	CHASE LAREN MARYLAND	JONATHAN ROBERT SCHEER
ALLIE OLIVIA BARRETT	KIMBERLY SHA VON GARDNER	FAITH SANTORIA MATTOX	MARRI UNA MONEA SCOTT
JAXSON BASS BARRON	PAUL GABRIEL GAUDET	JADON CHRISTOPHER MAYFIELD	NA JAVEYA DENISE SCOTT
JADA AMORIE BASS	ONTARIO LENARD GAULDEN III	COLLIN LATREL MCCONNELL	ZHY AVION JAYVONTE SCOTT
PEYTON HUNTER BECK	RYLEIGH GRACE GEIS	MOLLI CATHRYN MCCREADY	HALEY ELIZABETH SELF
TAYLOR JAMES BERNARD	JAMAREK TRE VANE GIPSON	KAYLA ANN MCCULLY	SANAA LENORIA SHEPPARD
TUCKER HEATH BILLBERRY	KOMMON MEYUN GIPSON	CAMERON TAJAY MCDONALD	KAILYN MCKENNA SHIPLEY
LAINEY ELIZABETH BOWEN	PAOLA GUADALUPE GONZALEZ LEAL	MA KAYLA RENEA MCDONALD	JALA AALIYAH SINGLETON
ANNA REBEKAH BOWLING	JAMES TYLER GRAY	PARIS RE NEE MCGUIRE	JALEN MALIK SINGLETON
MALASIA NAKAYLA BRADFORD	KATE MARIE GRAY	JALIYAH ELISE MCWAIN	PEYTON ELIZABETH SMELTZER
KAM RYN NICHOLE BRADLEY	PRESTON-XAVIER ANDREWS GRAY	NYA REIGN MILLER	JADE D’ANDRIA SMITH
KYLON D’ANTHONY BRADLEY	GHI JORAN GREEN	ARDAJAH DASHA MILLSAP	TAYLOR BELLE SMITH
AHMAD DE’ VON BREAUX	RILEY CURTIS GREEN	AKELAH KAMARI MITCHELL	EARL KEITH SPENCER III
DONOVAN CHASE BREEDING	LILY KATE GREGORY	REINA MARIE MITCHELL	SKYLAAR SIMONE SPENCER
DE MARYA LEONNA BROWN	PAIGE MICHELLE GREGORY	ANYIA CHERRYL MOORE	BRILEY NICOLE SPIVEY
STEPHEN CHADWICK BROWN, JR.	NEIL JULIAN GRIFFIN	CHLOE ISABELLA MORALES	KIRAH GABRIELLE SPIVEY
ANTHONY DESHON BURKS	GEORDAN WESTBROOKS GUIDRY	OLIVIA CHRISTINE MORAN	PRESLEA KATE ST ANDRE
CURTIS ROY BURKS	AUSTIN DAVID GUILLORY	DEZMON JE VON EUGENE MORELAND	OLIVIA JANICE STARKS
WILLIAM LANDON BYRD	A’LAJIA LA’NAY HAMILTON	MORELAND	GABRIELA LISETTE STERLING
MORGAN ANN BYRNES	JOSHUA BERNARD HAMILTON	AMAYA JOANN MORELOS	BENJAMIN ELI STEVENS
CADE ALLEN CAMPBELL	CHAD DAVID LAROY HAMLIN, JR.	ALYSSA LYNN MORGAN	NATALIE CLAIRE STORY
ROBERT ADAM CAMPBELL	SHALEN LAVON HEARD II	JAIDA SERENITY MORGAN	JOSHUA ROSHAWN SUMMERS
OMARION CHRISTIAN CANDLER	ALAYA DEMARIAN HENDERSON	NATERIAL ALIS MORRIS	GRACE LAUREN SUTTON
ROBERT EVAN CARDENAS	MAYA MICHELLE HENDERSON	JOSEPH ROBERT MORROW	CORNEOUS AMIR TATE
TRINITY SHANIECE CARR	TAMYAH MONIQUE HENDRICKS	MATTHEW LANE MORROW	JORDAN DANIELLE TATE
AIDEN BAILEY CARRIER	PENELOPE CLAIR HENNIGAN	JESSICA MOSQUEDA ROBLEDO	PAIGE MCKENZIE TAUNTON
DELANIE AURORA SKY CARTY	BRYCE RAYSHUN HOLLAND	TAKIRIA CHEYANN MURRAY	COLTON WAYNE TERRY
GEORGIA MAREN CASADY	CHRISTOPHER NOAH HOLLAND	SEVYN DEVON MYREE	KEILYN DEONDRE THOMAS
KYLE WESLEY CASTON	KYLE D’ SHUN HOLLY	DEMARIO SANCHEZ NASH, JR.	KELSON ALLEXANDER-D SHUN THOMAS
BIAK THA CHIN	STEVEN CARL HOLSTEAD	JULIUS ALEXANDER NED	ALEXIS ELAINE THOMPSON
ALIYAH KATHLEEN CLARK	ZOIE GRACE HOLSTEAD	FRANCISCO RICARDO NEGRETE, JR.	BAILEY RENEE TIMM
MADELINE MARIE CLEMENT	SKYLAR SEYMONE HOPKINS	JADA OLIVIA NELSON	SHELDON MCKOY TOLAR
YORDI FRANCISO COC CHUN	JERMERIA LE NEA HOUSTON	HALEEI ANDRENA NEWTON	BRIDNEY ISABEL TOMAS PEREZ
KAMERON ALONZO COLE	KENNEDI NICOLE HOWARD	ABIGAIL SEGOVIA NIFRAS	A MERICA CA PRICE TORBOR
DREW DANIEL COLEMAN	ETHAN JOSEPH HUNT	FRANZ BERNARD SEGOVIA NIFRAS	LYLA CHRISTINE TURNER
ANNA ELISE COLVIN	MARY LAURA HUNT	CLAIRE RACHEL NOLAN	TY JAI MARQUITES DEON URSIN
BETHANY JEAN COLVIN	ZAC KEVIUS RESHAAD HUNTER	RYLIE CHRISTINE NUTT	DONICKA GALE VEASEY
TESSA DIANNE COLVIN	AYLHEN IBARRA PEREZ	RACHEL ADEPEJU OSATOYINBO	LAUREN MAKAYLA VENTRESS
DIAMOND NICOLE COMBS	JAMIYA SYKEAH JACKSON	CAMRON DELANE OUTLEY	IAN THOMAS VILLEMARETTE
CATHERINE ELIZABETH COOPER	JOSHUA DEWARNE JACKSON	AVERY STANLEY OVERSTREET III	NHU U MINH VUONG
DREA RAYNE COPES	KYREN J’SEAN JACKSON	SAMANTHA GRACE OVITT	LUKE BRIAN WAGES
ALEXCIA MARIE CROCKETT	MYSON RAMONE JACKSON	MIDGUER GABRIEL PABLO-LOPEZ	FREDERICK O’NEAL WAITS
JACORYIAN ROYMYL CROWE	SAMORIA MAR LAE JACKSON	EMILY ANNE PALMER	BRYCE SHELDON WALKER
MATTHEW STEVEN DAULTON	SHELBY LYNNE JACKSON	LAINA ELISE PARKMAN	JABARI JACOBY WARDLAW
TYLER ANTHONY DAUPHINET	ZACCHEYA ROSHAY JACKSON	DIAMOND KEY AIJAH PATTERSON	WILLIAM JOSEPH-ROBERT WATKINS
MARISSA GRACEN DAVENPORT	HENRY FLOYD JAMES	JEREMIAH NATHAN PATTON II	SERENITY DA JOUR WHITE
BROOKS AVERY DAVIS	TY QUARREION DE VONTEZ JENKINS	DEISY PINEDA ZUNIGA	TRINITY DANAJ WHITE
MADELINE ELIZABETH DAVIS	CALEB JOSEPH JOHNSON	JADE MARIE PLUNKETT	ASHTON DALE WICK
OMARIEN O’KEITH DAVIS	DA MIYANI TA ‘NAYE JOHNSON	LAPORTIA CHARLEASE POE	DA LARRION DORRELL WILKINS
ROBERT CAP DAVIS III	KANYE AMAAD JOHNSON	ZACHARRIUS ANTON PRUITT	CHAMARION LAMAR WILLIAMS
HARRISON TAYLOR DEASON	NATHAN FIFE JOHNSON	ROBIN LYNNANN PRYOR	REAGAN JURLEE WILLIAMS
JOSE ALBERTO DELACRUZ PEREZ	AAKEYLIAH ONYSHA JONES	KATE HATHAWAY PULLIN	TERRIYATTA KATALICIA JA’NEA
CHLOE MADELINE IRENE LEYDEN	JAILIN MALIK JONES	EMMA RAEGAN PYLANT	WILLIAMS
DE MATTOS	LANDON MICHAEL JONES	ELLA MORGAN QUARLES	MATTHEW MILES WILLIS II
MURPHY LOUISE DEMOSS	RASHARD JONES	KERRIGAN ELAINE QUARLES	SHIRAYA MALAE WILLIS
AALAEYAH JONIAH DENNIS	SEMAJ CARTAVIOUS-KEAN JONES	JOSHUA LEE VINAY	ANTEIRANY JAMY ANIQUE WILSON
LONTRAVIOUS D’JUAN DIMMER	TYLA KELIS JONES-MOORE	RAMACHANDRAN	CALA ALAINA WILSON
NAKIA MONTRAIL DIXON	SAYLOR NEVAEH KELLEY	VIRGINIA ELLEN RAMSEY	KYLIE BREUNNA WILSON
KALEB AHMAD DOBBINS	BRADY DREW KLEMAN	DILLON ANTHONY RASPBERRY	KYRSTEN BREANNA WILSON
KAMERON AHMAR DOBBINS	KOBE NICHOLAS KNOX	BRAKESIA UNIQUE REED	RODERICK DAVIEON WILSON, JR.
GRACE MICHELLE DOTSON	SERENITY DANIELLE KNOX	DAMYSIANNA JATORIAN REED	TANNER COLT WOMACK
EZERAN TYLER DUCHESNE	CALEB JAMAL LACY	Z NALA TEYUN REED	SLAID RAY WOODARD
JONAH LANDON DUMAS	TRISTAN HUNTER LEANNA	JAYDEN DYSON REVELS	KATORIA RAQUEL WOODFORK
JODI ELIA DUNBAR	MAKENZIE ANN LEOPOLD	CHADYN KETRON RHONE-THOMPSON	JAMAR AAMIR WOODS
MEREDITH MARIE EDWARDS	NICHOLAS ANDRAE LETTRIES, JR.	ALLIE NICHOL RICHARDSON	KAITLIN TALOR WOODS
SKYLAR CAN TRICE ELLIS	M KENDYLAN NYCOLE LEWIS	BRENDAN THADDEUS RISHER	SANNIYAH LEE-ANNA WOODS
JARRIUS DESHON EVERETT	JAMADRION JAMONTRE JAQUAN LILLARD	CLAIRE CAPERTON ROANE	BRENNAN JOHN YOUNGBLOOD

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Two Ruston women were arrested Monday after they allegedly entered another woman’s home to start a fight.

Trenasia L. Jackson, 21, and Jalynn Harris, 17, were charged with unauthorized entry into an inhabited dwelling after Ruston Police officers responded to a reported disturbance at a Duque Drive residence.

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The victim told officers the two women came to her apartment unannounced and entered without her permission to start a verbal altercation. The woman said she told them to leave, and they eventually went outside. Once she secured the front door, Jackson and Harris began kicking the front door.

The two were booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center. Bail was set at $1,500 each.

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

A Simsboro woman was arrested on numerous charges Sunday after Lincoln Parish deputies responded to a disturbance Sunday morning.

Deanquenita Bellard, 28, faces charges ranging from vehicle theft to battery of a corrections officer.

The Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to a U.S. 80 residence after a woman reported she and Bellard got into an argument that turned physical. The woman said Bellard took her keys and stole her vehicle.

As deputies were responding, Bellard reportedly crashed the vehicle nearby on U.S. 80.

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The woman said she and Bellard were drinking the night before and Sunday morning Bellard got upset and attacked her. She said Bellard pinned her down and struck her in the face. She followed Bellard outside where she was attacked again.

Bellard then took her keys and left with her vehicle, purse, and cell phone.

The woman said Bellard has never been given permission to use her vehicle.

Deputies saw scratches on the victim’s face and redness and swelling on her face.

Investigation at the crash scene showed Bellard ran off the road, struck a mailbox, utility pole, and overturned the vehicle.

After treatment at the North Louisiana Medical Center emergency room, Bellard was booked into the Lincoln Parish Detention Center. During booking, she became combative when staff attempted to place her in shackles. She allegedly shoved a detention staff member and had to be restrained.

Bellard’s charges include battery of a dating partner, motor vehicle theft, theft, criminal damage to property, careless operation of a vehicle, and battery of a corrections officer. Her bail was set at $8,000 not including bail for that domestic violence charge which was not available at publication time.

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Winning looks good and losing looks bad, no matter the uniform. 

The sharpest unis in the world are lipstick on a pig if the gang wearing them can’t play. (Happens more often than you’d think.) 

They’ll never create a jersey that’ll make an “L” look like a “W.”

But if you look sharp (or even just think you do), you tend to play better. Which brings us to Louisiana Tech’s Diamond Dogs, who’ve won the regular season Conference USA championship and looked good doing it. 

A bonus, baby. 

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The Dapper Dogs have a secret weapon here in the formidable duo of trainer/director of baseball operations Dan Takata and associate pitching coach Matt Miller, a former righthanded starter for Tech who punched out 97 opposing batters in 2019 on his way to becoming all-conference and a Bulldog Man, (which translates to Team Captain for Life, nice work if you can earn it).

Looking good, these two dudes.

In his transition from player to coach, Miller drew up a Columbia Blue uniform that Adidas spun into reality in 2021. For a while, it was all the rage; the Dogs couldn’t seem to lose in what they called their Sunday Blues. (There’s a new version now, still sharper than a barber’s blade.)

Meanwhile, in the Uniform Lab, Matt and Dan were cooking up something even more special. For everyone to “wear.”

Shortly after the tornado of April 2019 shuttered J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park, Marucci Sports gifted the Team Without A Ballpark with good-looking T-shirts the Dogs used as batting jerseys. On the front was “Ruston Strong” with an outline of the City of Ruston.

The Dogs get a new set of jerseys every year or two, and our hardball fashionistas started thinking … 

What if the team incorporated Ruston into a jersey? After all, it was Ruston who flocked to the new J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park in May of 2021 and took part in what might be the Greatest Two Weeks Running in Tech Athletic History. The Diamond Dogs played 16 straight home games — thank you, Baseball Gods — hosted the conference tournament and the first Ruston Regional, and even though the Dogs lost in the finals of both, The Love Shack turned into something between Woodstock in Cleats and Field of Dreams for those glorious dozen days.

Meanwhile in major league baseball, a trend called “City Connect” had begun. You’ll see big leaguers playing in jerseys with “Cincy” or “Philly” on the front. The Cubs have a “Wrigleyville” jersey, the White Sox a “South Side” top, Detroit some “Motor City” digs. Astros fans know their teams’ “Space City” jerseys.

And so … 

Last year the jerseys debuted. Black with “Ruston” in script across the front, big white numbers on the back, and both filled with the red, white and blue of the country’s flag. Also on the back, the blue patch that’s the outline of the City of Ruston. a perfect understated tribute and hat tip to a town that’s embraced a group of guys easy to pull for.

While the jerseys were created more to remember the way the city and area and University reacted as a team to the 2019 tornado, it has grown into more of a tribute to a town from a grateful team, a way of saying “thank you” (as much as one can through a cotton/wool/polyester blend). 

City Connect. 

Granted, they’ve worked better this year than last, when the Dogs struggled to finish just below .500. (Long, loooong story.) But this year, with those City Connect jerseys good and broken in, with more strikes being thrown and a longer lineup and a chemistry that demands accountability, the Bulldogs are 41-15 overall, 18-6 in the league, and a hearty 26-5 in the welcoming Love Shack.

To paraphrase the late great entertainer/songwriter/musician/stud Glen Frey, Louisiana Tech’s Diamond Dogs belong to the city. They’re a group of seniors led by the last of the Tornado Team, left fielder and Bulldog Man Adarius Myers. Then there’s The Law Firm of McConnell, McCloud & Corona, a trio that remembers playing at Ruston High when the team had no park.

And now the just-right accessories, too many to mention. But they’re all wearing the same thing, like their hearts on their sleeves, and that makes it awfully easy to pull for the guys in the good-looking gear, the ones playing for each other, and for the name on the front of the jerseys. 

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

by Malcolm Butler

Former Cedar Creek star Brooks Auger saved his best for last.

After tossing just 33 innings during the regular season, Auger got the start in Mississippi State’s 2024 SEC Championship opener against Ole Miss Tuesday night.

He did not disappoint.

Auger worked a season-high 8.0 innings against the Rebels and struck out a career-high 13 batters in a 2-1 Bulldogs come-from-behind win.

The lone run surrendered by Auger came on a solo home run in the top of the fifth inning that gave the Rebels a 1-0 lead.

Auger departed the game following the eight inning with Mississippi State trailing 1-0. The Bulldogs walked it off in the bottom of the ninth inning with a two-out, two-run home run to advance to the double elimination portion of the tournament.

He entered the SEC Tournament with a 1-2 record and a 3.78 earned run average with 34 strikeouts in 33.1 innings of action.

Mississippi State will face No. 4 seed Texas A&M today.

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Courtesy of Staff Reports

Louisiana Tech along with seven other baseball programs will open up the 2024 Conference USA Baseball Tournament today as the five-day, double elimination event begins at JC Love Field at Pat Patterson Park.

Tech will play the third game of the day as the Bulldogs are slated to throw the first pitch against Middle Tennessee at 4 p.m.

WKU and FIU will open the tournament at 9 a.m. followed by Dallas Baptist and New Mexico State at 12:30 p.m. Following Tech’s game, Liberty and Sam Houston will found out the opening day with first pitch slated for 7:30 p.m.

Every game over the first four days of the tournament will be aired live on ESPN+ with Lyn Rollins, Kyle Youmans, Malcolm Butler, Teddy Allen and Chris Mycoskie slated to serve as the on-the-air talent during the week. Sunday’s championship game will air live on CBS Sports Network.

Tech fans can also listen to Dave Nitz provide a call of the games on ESPN 97.7 FM.

Tech (41-15) won the Conference USA regular season title with a league mark of 18-6, including posting a perfect 6-0 record down the stretch. It’s the Bulldogs third championship title in the last four years and its first regular season conference title in more than three decades.

The Bulldogs are led by Conference USA Coach of the Year Lane Burroughs along with CUSA Player of the Year Ethan Bates, who became the first Tech baseball player to earn the honor.

Tech won the regular season series against Middle Tennessee two games to one early in the year as the Blue Raiders (20-34) enter the tournament as the No 8 seed. Middle Tennessee did win its season finale 8-5 over Dallas Baptist, helping Louisiana Tech secure the outright regular season title.

LA Tech is 21-17 against Middle Tennessee all-time in head-to-head matchups.

Gates and the box office at JC Love Field at Pat Patterson Park will open at 7 a.m. today.

All-tournament passes and single-session tickets are available. Fans can purchase an all-tournament pass to attend up to 15 games for $200 for chairback seats and $150 for right field berm seats.

Fans can also purchase single-session tickets. Games played today and Thursday will be split into morning and evening sessions with each session consisting of two games. Chairback seats for a session can be purchased for $40 while tickets for right field berm will be available for $30.

Full-day passes for games played on Friday or Saturday are also available for $40 (chairbacks) and $30 (right field berm). Tickets for the championship game on Sunday will be priced at $30 for a chairback and $25 for the right field berm.

To purchase tickets for the 2024 CUSA Baseball Championship, fans can go to LATechSports.com/Tickets or call the LA Tech Ticket Office at (318) 257-3631. The box office at J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park will be open two hours prior to the first game each day of the championship.

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Starting this week, Lincoln Parish Journal readers will receive an LPJ Digital Deals email each Thursday that will include coupons from local businesses, giving out loyal readers opportunities to take advantage of special savings from local businesses.

The coupons must contain (a) a savings and (b) an expiration date that falls within one month if the date of run  

Any business who wishes to take advantage of this new piece of inventory may contact the LPJ at LPJNewsLA@gmail.com. The cost of the weekly coupon to run within the special Thursday afternoon email and then again on Friday morning as an all-inclusive LPJ Digital Deals is $125 per week (or a discounted rate of $350 for a 4-week run).

This is just one more way that the Lincoln Parish Journal can bring its advertising partners together with our loyal readers.

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