RUSTON, La. — Ruston High School’s volleyball squad has earned the No. 16 seed in the upcoming LHSAA Volleyball Playoffs and will host East Ascension High School out of Gonzales, La., on Wednesday, Nov. 6, in Ruston’s Main Gym.
The Lady Bearcats have not lost one set in their home gym during the regular season this year, sweeping every opponent that came on campus.
“It was absolutely important (to get home-court advantage,” Ruston High head coach Mandy Cauley said. “It’s important for our seniors to get to play in front of their friends and family and community members one more time and hopefully go out with a win. We’d then have an opportunity to play the top team in the state in our division. Where we drew (in the bracket) is not an easy draw. But we’re going to prepare and give it our best shot in front of our home crowd.”
Ruston finished the regular season as district champions with a 23-13 record, while East Ascension finished 23-20 on the year.
“We’re working to get ready,” Cauley said. “We feel like we have an understanding of what East Ascension is going to bring. They’re a tough team. They have some size on them, and they’re pretty offensive. We’re going to have to serve tough, keep them out of system and keep their hitters from swinging full force.”
The Lady Bearcats are in the same bracket with Slidell, the No. 1 team in the power rankings.
The match will be a “white-out” as well, with fans encouraged to wear white shirts in the match.
Tip off is set for 5 p.m.
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Join us from November 7th-9th for the 34th annual Holidays in CedarTown! The Ruston Civic Center will be transformed into a holiday shopping haven for all our local residents. Organized by the Cedar Creek School Parent Club, this event will bring a vibrant marketplace to North Louisiana, perfect for jump starting your holiday shopping.
Explore over thirty booths filled with holiday treasures that are sure to delight everyone on your list. We’re excited to offer a unique shopping experience featuring vendors from across the South, including Sugarplums & The Vintage Marketplace, North Forty Woodworks, Goldie Boutique, The Fashion of Ruston, Garden Baby, Salt & Light Designs, The Tigers Den, The Dance Wearhouse, Birch Family, Mid-South Pecans, Crossroads Boutique, Patton’s Western Wear, Red River Leather, Urban Collective, Patton’s Downtown, The Collective, Bandette Bands, Simply Chic Boutique, Give Me 3, Peach Lemonade, Frames-A-Plenty, Bayou Bowties, National Jewelry, Breck & Vale Clothing Co., MeMe’s Boutique, LOA Clothing, The Golden Era Vintage & Antique Jewelry, Cane River Soap Company, Sandy + Rizzo, Different Strokes, Jewelry by Laura Glen, Art by Sarah-Katherine Semon, The Neighboring Co., and more!
Our three-day market kicks off with the Holidays After Hours Preview Party on Thursday, November 7th, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sponsored by Origin Bank, Southern States Equipment, and Hood Companies, this exclusive event includes complimentary appetizers and drinks from local favorites like Crumbs Catering, Iron Cactus, Uptown Downtown, Ponchatoulas, Beau Vines, Newk’s Eatery, and Devine Wine. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased in advance at Cedar Creek School or online via by CLICKING HERE. Limited tickets will be available at the door, and last year’s event sold out, so we recommend buying your tickets early!
On Friday, November 8th, enjoy shopping from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Support your local teams—fans wearing team spirit gear can get a free general admission ticket from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. General admission tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the door or online.
Don’t miss Saturday’s Santa’s Cookie Crew event from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., sponsored by Origin Bank and Legacy Pediatrics. Kids will love this fun-filled morning of cookies, writing letters to Santa, and taking photos with the big man himself. Admission is $10 per child and can be purchased online; limited tickets will be available at the door. Shopping will continue until 2:00 p.m. with general admission tickets available for $5.
As you enter the marketplace, be sure to visit the raffle table for your chance to win a $1,000 gift certificate to a locally owned business of your choice! Sponsored by Durrett Law and Title, raffle tickets are $10 each or three for $20, available online or at the event. The winner will be drawn at the end of the market on Saturday, and you do not need to be present to win.
We look forward to welcoming you to North Louisiana’s premier holiday shopping event from November 7th to 9th at the Ruston Civic Center. Holidays in CedarTown is made possible by our amazing vendors, shoppers, and sponsors: Origin Bank, Southern States Equipment, Hood Companies, Dr. & Mrs. John Maxwell, Edward Jones Investments – Andy Halbrook, Century Next Bank, Smurfit WestRock, S & E Fabrication, Marbury Building Corp., Wendy & Kenny Merchant, Legacy Pediatrics, Mrs. Lynda Steed, Durrett Law & Title, Louisiana Orchard Realty, Caples & Robinson Orthodontics, Walpole Tire, Connie & Ayres Bradford, Trey’s Landscape Services, Bash Booth & Enviro Rentals. Merry Christmas and happy shopping!
Holidays in CedarTown is a project of the Cedar Creek School Parent Club. For sponsorship, merchant, or ticket information, contact Cedar Creek School or advancement@cedarcreekschool.org.
Cedar Creek School practices a nondiscriminatory policy whereby it does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
A Ruston woman was arrested early last Sunday morning after she allegedly went to an Grambling apartment without permission and caused a disturbance.
Kieran A. Lee, 26, was arrested about 2 a.m. by Grambling Police for disturbing the peace, resisting an officer, and criminal trespass.
A caller reported hearing bumping noises and screams coming from a neighbor’s apartment on Ellis Washington Street. Officers found Lee, who had been removed from the apartment last month and directed not to return, inside.
The blind resident of the apartment told police Lee was yelling and screaming at him for no apparent reason, and he wanted her away from his home.
Lee was told to retrieve her belongings as she was reminded she was not supposed to return. She refused to leave and began to yell she was not leaving and for police not to touch her. After repeated attempts to have Lee depart, officers arrested her.
Lee was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center. Bail was set at $3,500.
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.
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Both Louisiana Tech hoops teams will open the regular season at home today as the Lady Techsters and Bulldogs hit the hardwood of the Thomas Assembly Center.
Head coach Brooke Stoehr’s Lady Techsters host Nicholls State at 11:30 a.m. for its annual Education Day Game.
“I look back and some of the most impressionable people in my life were people who played college athletics,” said Stoehr. “At a young age, I can look to that and they were great examples for me. I think it’s a tremendous opportunity for our young women and the people in our program to impart these young kids.
“This maybe the only time that some of these kids get to come to a college game and be in that kind of atmosphere. If we can show some sort of passion and be a servant leader or show some grit and toughness … or just by smiling and having fun and doing what they love to do, maybe we can encourage someone.”
The Colonels were 14-18 last season.
The contest can be heard on 97.7 FM with Kyle Roberts providing a call of the action.
Later tonight, the Bulldogs will open their season by hosting NAIA power LSU Alexandria. Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m. at the Thomas Assembly Center.
“I think everybody understands how good LSU Alexandria is,” said head coach Talvin Hester. “How good LSU Shreveport is. How good these teams in the state of Louisiana are. Teams in Louisiana are really good … I don’t care what level they are.
“We cannot come in here and just think we are going to win this game. It’s not going to be easy. It’s a great way for us to start the season. I want to be tested early. I want to be challenged.”
LSU Alexandria has started the season 3-0, including an 83-80 win over DI Lamar in an exhibition game. The Generals are coming off a 24-7 season last year.
Tonight’s game can be heard on 107.5 FM with Malcolm Butler (pxp) and Jack Thigpen (color) providing a call of the action.
For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox.Just CLICK HERE to sign up.
On Sunday, November 03, 2024, shortly before 4:00 a.m., Troopers with Louisiana State Police Troop F began investigating a single-vehicle fatal crash on Louisiana Highway 132 west of Louisiana Highway 576. The crash claimed the life of 44-year-old Jarrod Flores of Winnsboro.
The initial investigation revealed that a 2017 Toyota 4Runner, driven by Flores, was traveling east on Louisiana Highway 132. For reasons still under investigation, the Toyota traveled off the left side of the road, struck a tree, and overturned.
Flores, who was unrestrained, was pronounced dead at the scene. Impairment is a suspected factor in this crash. Routine toxicology samples were collected and will be submitted for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.
Troopers wish to remind motorists to always make good decisions while in a motor vehicle. Never drive impaired, fatigued, or distracted. Follow all traffic laws and ensure every occupant is properly restrained. While not all crashes are survivable, taking simple precautions such as these can often mean the difference between life and death.
Here are the latest Power Ratings for the Non-Select and Select football schools. These are used to determine playoff seeding at the end of the regular season.
Click HERE to see the complete list for each Select and Non-Select Division, including where Ruston (Non-Select Division I), Cedar Creek (Select Division IV) and Lincoln Preparatory (Select Division IV) are ranked.
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ABOUT THE POWER RATINGS
The changes the LHSAA made to the Power Ratings formula a few years back will have coaches and fans alike wondering why your calculations do not match GeauxPreps.
The top reason for mismatches is calculating Opponents’ Win points. Win Points are no longer just a straight up number of Wins by teams you have played. Points are now based on the number of wins vs number of games played. This was done to make up for playing opponents who did not play a full 10-game schedule.
See the summary below on how PR is calculated:
Result of Game: If you win, you get 10 Power Points. If you lose, you get none.
Classification: If your opponent is in a higher class, you get 2 points for each class higher
Opponents Wins: To calculate opponents wins: divide the number of wins by total games played, and multiple by 10.
Add these three components, and this is the PR for that specific game played.
Do this for all games played, add them all up, and then divide that total by the number of games you played.
You can compare your calculations with ours by looking at the Team Schedules Pages, there you will see how many points we calculated for each matchup.
Another major factor that causes mismatches, is Out of State opponents. We strive to make sure that we have to most accurate Win/Loss record for each out of state opponent. Since schools enter the W/L records for their OOS opponents, and because we don’t know how the schools get their record, we often are off on several matchups.
In addition, a team’s strength factor shall be determined by adding the sum of the opponent’s class to the sum of the opponent’s wins and dividing the result by the total number of games played. The strength factor is used when a tie exists between two or more teams and a head-to-head matchup does not exist.
GeauxPreps.com auto-generates its Power Ratings every two hours for football. If you think that you have seen an error or have any other questions, please contact hbower@geauxpreps.com.
Each Monday and Friday, the Lincoln Parish Journal will post a list of non-for-profit upcoming events happening in the parish. If you would like to add your event to this list or advertise your for-profit events, please email us at lpjnewsla@gmail.com.
Monday, Nov. 4 11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome 5:30 p.m.: Ruston City Council meeting (City Hall) 6 p.m.: Toastmasters International meeting (Louisiana Center for the Blind, 101 South Trenton Street) 7 p.m.: Monday Night Football (North Village Food Park)
Tuesday, Nov. 5 Election Day
Wednesday, Nov. 6 7-8 a.m.: Veterans Coffee Club (PJ’s Coffee) 11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome
Thursday, Nov. 7 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Kiwanis Club lunch and program (Trinity Methodist Church fellowship hall) 4:30: Ribbon cutting celebrating Board and Bottle bar (130 W. Park Ave.) 6-8 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market class: Coffee with Common Goods (Ruston Farmers Market)
Friday, Nov. 8 11 a.m.: Veterans Day Ceremony (Sports Complex, 2001 Champions Way) 1-4 p.m.: Free workshop: How to start a food truck (Lincoln Parish Library, Jack Beard Community Room) 6 p.m.: LA Tech volleyball 6 p.m.: Line dancing at the library (Lincoln Parish Library) 6 p.m.: LA Tech Pep Rally (Railroad Park) 7 p.m.: Cedar Creek football 7 p.m.: Lincoln Prep football 7 p.m.: Ruston High football
Saturday, Nov. 9 8:30-11:30 a.m.: Hazardous Waste Material Collection and Recycling (2609 Farmerville St.) 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market 2 p.m. GSU football 3:30 p.m.: LA Tech football
Sunday, Nov. 10 1 p.m.: LA Tech volleyball
For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox.Just CLICK HERE to sign up.
Grambling State running back Keilon Elder (23) led the Tigers with 50 yards on eight carries, including a 22-yard scoring scamper he’s pictured celebrating, during Saturday’s game at Bethune-Cookman.. (Photo courtesy GSU Athletics)
By T. Scott Boatright
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Grambling State University football coach Mickey Joseph has preached to his team all season long about finishing games strong and not committing costly and untimely penalties.
But both of those factors came back to bite the Tigers Saturday afternoon as they played a Southwestern Athletic Conference contest at Bethune-Cookman, which had only won one game this season.
Make that two now after the Wildcats battled back from a 14-point deficit and scored 17 unanswered points to defeat Grambling 24-21 at Municipal Stadium.
The win dropped GSU to 4-5 overall and 1-4 in conference play while Bethune-Cookman moved to 2-7 overall and 2-3 in the SWAC.
Grambling’s loss also spoiled a standout performance by sophomore receiver Javon Robinson, who led the Tigers with seven receptions for 91 along with a long punt return for a score.
The G-Men struck first as senior running back Keilon Elder broke loose on a 22-yard scoring scamper that put Grambling on top 7-0 with 2:27 left of the opening stanza.
Then Robinson propelled GSU to a 14-0 lead with a punt return that was simply spectacular.
The punt sailed way over Robinson’s head, sending him running backwards in an attempt to field it.
Robinson stretched and caught the ball midstride at the GSU 28-yard line as if it was a reception, reversed the other direction and started dancing and weaving upfield, pointing out defenders for his blockers before slowing to a near complete stop to jump behind three of them, who walled off the Wildcats and allowed Robinson to cross the goal line for the 72-yard return touchdown that pushed GSU’s lead to 14-0 with 4:51 remaining in the first half.
But the Wildcats clawed into GSU’s momentum before intermission, taking over the ensuing series at their own 34-yard line.
Bethune-Cookman then methodically marched 66 yards for a score, with tight end Thomas Nance lining up on the left and running a quick post that split the zone seam in GSU’s middle of the field defense.
Wildcats quarterback Cam Ransom lofted a touch pass to Nance, who hauled it in at the goal line with 51 seconds left in the second quarter to cut Grambling’s lead to 14-7 at halftime.
The second half was all Wildcats, well most of it anyway, as the Tigers received the opening kickoff after halftime ended and marched 69 yards on nine plays with backup quarterback Deljay Bailey, playing in place of injured starter Myles Crawley, breaking free for a 9-yard scoring scamper that put Grambling on top 21-7 3:56 into the third quarter.
Bethune-Cookman countered with a 40-yard field goal at the 7:00 mark of the third period to cut GSU’s lead to 21-10.
The Wildcats were only getting started.
Grambling reached the BSU 40-yard line on the ensuing drive before turning over possession on downs, and on the next play Ransom launched a 58-yard scoring strike to Darnell Deas to pull within four points of the G-Men at 21-17 with 3:17 remaining in the third quarter.
It looked like Bethune-Cookman might take its first lead of the game late in the stanza as Ramson fired a pass on fourth-and-two from the GSU 47-yard line that hit receiver Lorenzo Jenkins in the hands inside the GSU 5.
Jenkins dropped the ball, but an untimely offsides penalty against the G-Men gave the Wildcats at least another four downs to work with from the GSU 42-yard line.
It only took one — the final play for the third quarter — for the Wildcats to grab their first lead of the contest as GSDennis Palmer burst through the gap off left tackle and raced to paydirt to give Bethune-Cookman the 24-21 lead.
After a three-and-out on their first offensive possession of the fourth quarter, Grambling drove as deep as the BCU 39-yards on its next series with the ball before Bailey was intercepted on a fourth-and-12 pass attempt that turned the ball back over to the Wildcats with 4:57 remaining.
A 45-yard aerial connection between Ransom and Nance moved the ball to the Grambling 23-yard line before the Wildcats missed on a 38-yard field goal attempt with 1:50 left on the clock.
But the Tigers couldn’t pull off the late comeback as Bailey was intercepted for a second time with 30 seconds remaining to give the Wildcats possession at the GSU 27.
One quarterback kneel later the game was over.
Bailey completed 18-of-33 attempted passes for 206 yards while Elder led the Tigers on the ground with 50 yards on eight carries.
As has been all season, Andrew Jones still again led the Tigers in tackles with 11 to push his total to 83 on the season for an average of 9.2 per game.
Grambling once again was plagued by penalties, being flagged eight times for 85 yards compared to 6-50 for BSU. GSU is the most penalized team in the SWAC, being flagged for averages of 12 times and 81.1 yards per contest so far this season.
Grambling plays its home finale starting at 2 p.m. next Saturday as the Tigers play host to Alabama State at Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium.
For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox.Just CLICK HERE to sign up.
With the graduation of CUSA Player of the Year Isaiah Crawford and the influx of seven newcomers, Louisiana Tech head coach Talvin Hester is glad it’s still early.
Coming off a 22-win season last year, Tech does return preseason Conference USA Player of the Year Daniel Batcho as well as arguably the best point guard in the league in junior Sean Newman.
However, Hester knows this year’s Bulldog Bunch still has a lot of improvement to make as they set their sights on the start of the 2024-25 season.
“Thank goodness it’s still October,” said Hester in a press conference last week. “We are still a work in progress. But this time of the year I think most everyone is in the same position. It gives me hope that everyone is struggling with the same things we are struggling with.
“I’m just excited we get to line up against somebody else in a meaningful game. We have had a long road since July establishing who we are and letting these new guys know how we play. We are not all the way there yet, but I don’t expect to be at this time. We just try to keep pushing forward.”
The Bulldogs open the season tonight with a 6:30 p.m. tipoff against talented NAIA foe LSU-Alexandria at the Thomas Assembly Center.
Tech was picked as the preseason Conference USA favorites a few weeks ago, but Hester isn’t allowing his players to lean on preseason projections entering the year.
“I told them that quite honestly this isn’t an award that you guys have earned as a team,” said Hester. “Most of you guys weren’t here last year. This isn’t an accomplish that we got picked (No. 1) preseason. It’s just something (the voters) see we have a couple of returners who could possibly lead the way.
“We have a chip on our shoulders. We know we aren’t going to walk into anybody’s house this year and get overlooked. I promise I’m giving my best in practice every day to make sure we are putting the work in and earn everything that we get moving forward.”
The Bulldogs participated in a pair of close scrimmages against Lamar and Arkansas-Pine Bluff in October, giving Hester an opportunity to see his new group on the hardwood against a different opponent.
And although he returns two stars in Batcho and Newman from last year, team chemistry is something that Hester said is a challenge in this day and age of NIL and the transfer portal.
So how do you get so many new guys pulling in the same direction?
“It is hard because we are living in a what-have-you-done-for-me, transaction society,” said Hester. “My message to the players is you guys have gotten more than anybody ever in the history of college athletics. You guys have more say so. You guys can transfer. You guys can ask for things that other people in the history of (college athletics) haven’t been able to do.
“So all we ask is that you give your best every day. That you come here and that you earn what society says is yours. That’s my message. At the end of the day I think our guys are working hard. My job is to get them to work more consistently. It’s not about our talent level. Effort and execution beats talent every day. We want to be a team that is talented and learns how to execute and outplay people.”
Tech fans will see some DI transfers on the court this year, including the likes of Amaree Abram (Georgia Tech), Will Jeffress (Pittsburgh), and Kaden Cooper (Oklahoma). Freshman AJ Bates and juniors Al Green and Sean Elkington could also see significant minutes for the Bulldogs early in the year as Hester and Co. work through playing time.
With one of the most dynamic and versatile players in Tech hoops history gone with the graduation of Crawford, what will this year’s Bulldogs look like and what will they lean on in clutch moments.
“That is a question that I think we are still learning,” said Hester. “Last year I could say that we were older. We had four grad transfers. We had Isaiah Crawford back for a fifth year. We had Daniel Batch who was older.
“We are a little younger this year, but I think we have more hope. Sometimes when you are older you may start giving up hope. … We are more optimistic as a group because we are younger. I think guys are dreaming a little bigger and hopefully we can live up to that.”
For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox.Just CLICK HERE to sign up.
Johnny Ray Jackson Wednesday 07/24/1946 — Thursday 10/24/2024 Funeral Service: Friday 11/08/2024 11:00am at King’s Funeral Home Interment: Friday 11/08/2024 Following Service, Grambling Memorial Garden, Highway 80 West, Grambling
Grambling State running back Keilon Elder (23) led the Tigers with 50 yards on eight carries, including a 22-yard scoring scamper he’s pictured celebrating, during Saturday’s game at Bethune-Cookman.. (Photo courtesy GSU Athletics)
By T. Scott Boatright
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Grambling State University football coach Mickey Joseph has preached to his team all season long about finishing games strong and not committing costly and untimely penalties.
But both of those factors came back to bite the Tigers Saturday afternoon as they played a Southwestern Athletic Conference contest at Bethune-Cookman, which had only won one game this season.
Make that two now after the Wildcats battled back from a 14-point deficit and scored 17 unanswered points to defeat Grambling 24-21 at Municipal Stadium.
The win dropped GSU to 4-5 overall and 1-4 in conference play while Bethune-Cookman moved to 2-7 overall and 2-3 in the SWAC.
Grambling’s loss also spoiled a standout performance by sophomore receiver Javon Robinson, who led the Tigers with seven receptions for 91 along with a long punt return for a score.
The G-Men struck first as senior running back Keilon Elder broke loose on a 22-yard scoring scamper that put Grambling on top 7-0 with 2:27 left of the opening stanza.
Then Robinson propelled GSU to a 14-0 lead with a punt return that was simply spectacular.
The punt sailed way over Robinson’s head, sending him running backwards in an attempt to field it.
Robinson stretched and caught the ball midstride at the GSU 28-yard line as if it was a reception, reversed the other direction and started dancing and weaving upfield, pointing out defenders for his blockers before slowing to a near complete stop to jump behind three of them, who walled off the Wildcats and allowed Robinson to cross the goal line for the 72-yard return touchdown that pushed GSU’s lead to 14-0 with 4:51 remaining in the first half.
But the Wildcats clawed into GSU’s momentum before intermission, taking over the ensuing series at their own 34-yard line.
Bethune-Cookman then methodically marched 66 yards for a score, with tight end Thomas Nance lining up on the left and running a quick post that split the zone seam in GSU’s middle of the field defense.
Wildcats quarterback Cam Ransom lofted a touch pass to Nance, who hauled it in at the goal line with 51 seconds left in the second quarter to cut Grambling’s lead to 14-7 at halftime.
The second half was all Wildcats, well most of it anyway, as the Tigers received the opening kickoff after halftime ended and marched 69 yards on nine plays with backup quarterback Deljay Bailey, playing in place of injured starter Myles Crawley, breaking free for a 9-yard scoring scamper that put Grambling on top 21-7 3:56 into the third quarter.
Bethune-Cookman countered with a 40-yard field goal at the 7:00 mark of the third period to cut GSU’s lead to 21-10.
The Wildcats were only getting started.
Grambling reached the BSU 40-yard line on the ensuing drive before turning over possession on downs, and on the next play Ransom launched a 58-yard scoring strike to Darnell Deas to pull within four points of the G-Men at 21-17 with 3:17 remaining in the third quarter.
It looked like Bethune-Cookman might take its first lead of the game late in the stanza as Ramson fired a pass on fourth-and-two from the GSU 47-yard line that hit receiver Lorenzo Jenkins in the hands inside the GSU 5.
Jenkins dropped the ball, but an untimely offsides penalty against the G-Men gave the Wildcats at least another four downs to work with from the GSU 42-yard line.
It only took one — the final play for the third quarter — for the Wildcats to grab their first lead of the contest as GSDennis Palmer burst through the gap off left tackle and raced to paydirt to give Bethune-Cookman the 24-21 lead.
After a three-and-out on their first offensive possession of the fourth quarter, Grambling drove as deep as the BCU 39-yards on its next series with the ball before Bailey was intercepted on a fourth-and-12 pass attempt that turned the ball back over to the Wildcats with 4:57 remaining.
A 45-yard aerial connection between Ransom and Nance moved the ball to the Grambling 23-yard line before the Wildcats missed on a 38-yard field goal attempt with 1:50 left on the clock.
But the Tigers couldn’t pull off the late comeback as Bailey was intercepted for a second time with 30 seconds remaining to give the Wildcats possession at the GSU 27.
One quarterback kneel later the game was over.
Bailey completed 18-of-33 attempted passes for 206 yards while Elder led the Tigers on the ground with 50 yards on eight carries.
As has been all season, Andrew Jones still again led the Tigers in tackles with 11 to push his total to 83 on the season for an average of 9.2 per game.
Grambling once again was plagued by penalties, being flagged eight times for 85 yards compared to 6-50 for BSU. GSU is the most penalized team in the SWAC, being flagged for averages of 12 times and 81.1 yards per contest so far this season.
Grambling plays its home finale starting at 2 p.m. next Saturday as the Tigers play host to Alabama State at Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium.
For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox.Just CLICK HERE to sign up.
RUSTON, La. — Five first-half touchdowns and a stingy defense put the Ruston High Bearcats (7-2, 2-2 District 2-5A) over the top Friday night in a 49-0 Homecoming victory over Pineville (3-6, 0-4 District 2-5A) and snapped a two-game losing streak.
“It was really good to see our guys come out ready to play,” Ruston High head coach Jerrod Baugh said. “I thought we did what we needed to do to get back in the win column.”
Ruston High struck first with a five-yard touchdown run by senior running back Jordan Hayes with 9:32 to go in the first quarter. After stopping Pineville on fourth down on their ensuing drive, the Bearcats scored again with an 18-yard touchdown grab by sophomore wide receiver Ahmad Hudson with 2:42 to go in the opening stanza.
Hayes would then tack on his second touchdown of the first half from four yards away with 0:16 to go in the first.
Despite everything going Ruston’s way in the first half, Bearcat senior quarterback Josh Brantley, however, would re-aggravate an ankle injury midway through the second quarter, leading to sophomore quarterback Sam Hartwell taking over until the fourth quarter. According to Baugh postgame, Brantley would have been okay to go back in if Ruston needed him to at any point.
Senior running back Dylone Brooks found the end zone for the first time with a seven-yard touchdown run with 6:03 to go in the first half. Senior cornerback Aidan Anding would return a punt for a touchdown less than three minutes later from 45 yards away, giving Ruston a 35-0 lead going into the halftime lockerroom.
Brooks took his second touchdown in of the night from 51 yards out with 9:29 left to play in the third quarter, putting Ruston up 42-0 and leading to a running clock for the remainder of the game. The large lead gave Ruston the opportunity to put in some players that don’t see a lot of varsity time, which was a goal for Baugh and his staff going into this game.
“It always helps develop your program,” Baugh said. “Anytime those guys can get some good snaps against an opponent, it does you good for the future. I thought our guys did a good job staying focused regardless of what the score ended up being and continuing to play hard.”
Bearcat freshman Dalen Powell scored the final touchdown of the night with a three-yard score with 8:15 left to play for the final 49-0.
Ruston’s defense held Pineville to under 100 yards of total offense, giving up 52 yards rushing and 27 yards through the air. The Bearcat offense ran for 236 yards while throwing for 185.
Brooks led all rushers with 103 yards and a pair of scores. Hayes added 61 yards on the night.
Senior wide receiver Joran Parker made a couple of spectacular grabs for 63 yards receiving on two catches.
Ruston will now turn its attention to the West Monroe Rebels for the final game of the regular season. The Bearcats are currently still in the top four of the Power Rankings, which would give them a needed first round bye to start the postseason for the third year in a row.
Kickoff at Rebel Stadium will be at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 8.
For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox.Just CLICK HERE to sign up.
Ruston fullback Lander Smith makes a Pineville defender miss during the Bearcats 49-0 win Friday night. (Photo by Josh McDaniel)
by Malcolm Butler
Getting to the top of the mountain is tough.
Staying there is tougher.
That’s what Ruston coach Jerrod Baugh has been preaching to his team since summer workouts.
After the Bearcats started the season 5-0 during their non-district slate, it appeared as if they were poised to make a third straight trip to the Caesar’s Superdome come December.
However, the past month has seen Ruston narrowly defeat a pretty descent Ouachita team before falling in a pair of one score games to both undefeated Neville and undefeated ASH.
Although those losses are nothing to sneeze at … they did spotlight that the Bearcats aren’t at the level where they can just walk out on the field on any given Friday night and win.
“I’ve had that feeling,” said Baugh when asked about complacency being the Bearcats biggest foe. “It’s not something that started recently for me. I saw glimpses of it during the off-season and during the summer. It’s something we have fought.
“I’ve talked about it but I’ve said it as inconsistency, but to me that is what it is. It’s like, ‘Okay, we are going to hit the gas now. Yeah, we can do that and just hit cruise control.’ The people that we play particularly when we hit this district road, you can’t do that. I think we got the feeling our non-district schedule was going to be the toughest part of it and then we were going to hit district and cruise and ride on through it. That’s not how it’s been.
“These teams (in district) are too good to mentally feel that way, and then all of a sudden think you are going to hit the gas in the middle of the game and win. It just doesn’t work that way. Hopefully, we have learned our lesson.”
After winning 20 straight ball games, including its first state title since 1990, the Bearcats had a bullseye on the back of the red jerseys. They were the team to beat on the Class 5A level in the state.
And yet, for a three-week stretch, they didn’t play with the urgency needed to be able to beat the likes of Neville and ASH.
“I’ve talked about it a bunch,” said Baugh. “I’ve raised hell about it a bunch. Sometimes it goes back to that old saying that I can show you better than I can tell you. Sometimes you have to learn the lesson just by going through it. Hopefully our guys have learned that lesson.”
Baugh pulled back on practice this week, leading up to the Homecoming game against Pineville. It came at a good time with the Rebels the one District 2-5A foe that just doesn’t match up with the rest of the league. He had his reasons.
“This senior group has played 20 weeks of football for two years in a row,” said Baugh, referring to the 2022 and 2023 Bearcats run to the Dome. “We do a lot of football stuff during the spring. A lot during the summer. Maybe I have shoved too much football at them. I will take responsibility for some of that.
“I constantly try to evaluate what our football team needs. I think that is always really important for a head coach and the assistant coaches. We need to constantly re-evaluate those things. Is there something we need to change as coaches?
“It’s tough on me to pull back and not put pads on for an entire week because I feel like that is one of the things we are and that’s a really physical football team. You don’t want to lose that aspect, but you do need the kids fresh. And they do need to get out and play football.”
While Baugh and his assistant coaches can make tweaks to practice schedules and other internal aspects of the day-to-day grind, the best teams are most times player led. So the question is will this 2024 senior class do what it needs to do in the lockerroom and on the field to give it the best chance to go out on top.
“A bunch of those guys have been a part of the past two state title teams,” said Baugh. “A major part. We need to be able to lean on those guys. Our inexperienced guys need that are in their first year starting need to be able to lean on those guys.
“We need to depend on them to do the right things, to know how to practice. To know how to take care of all the little things. That’s a big weight on their shoulders, but that’s what their job is.”
Ruston took care of business in Friday night’s win. It dominated from start to finish against an inferior opponent in Pineville. It’s a start.
However, with next week’s regular season finale against West Monroe on the horizon, the Bearcats need to find a way to travel to Don Shows Stadium and get a victory. It’s important for a number of reasons.
“You know West Monroe will be ready to play,” said Baugh. “Whatever that ballgame turns into, we need to find a way to win. You want to win ballgames going into the playoffs. You want to have some confidence and some momentum. It’s really big for a lot of different reasons.”
Ruston entered Friday night’s game in second place in the Non-Select Division I power rankings, just percentage points ahead of Airline. The top two teams are assured of home field advantage throughout the playoffs and the top four teams are assured of a first round bye.
“I feel like power points will come into play,” said Baugh. “I told the seniors, ‘This could possibly be your last home game if we don’t go out and win. You want go guarantee that you will get some more home games? Well go out and win next week and you will get that guarantee.'”
Ruston is still one of the most talented teams in the state. The Bearcats have all the ingredients to make a third straight trip to the Superdome in early December. However, Baugh’s Boys will need to step on the gas from start to finish the rest of the season in order to make that happen.
Can the Bearcats stay on top of the mountain?
Only time will tell.
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PLAIN DEALING — The Panthers ran away with the game in the first quarter as Lincoln Prep raced to a 40-0 district 1-1A win at Plain Dealing Friday night.
Lincoln Prep built a 34-0 advantage by the end of the opening stanza, leading to Plain Dealing asking for a running clock for the final three quarters of the contest.
“I called off the dogs in the first quarter and went to our backups,” said Lincoln Prep coach Glen Hall.
The Panthers spread the paydirt celebrations to six different players with D’Tavion Wright, Shemar Evans, Sam Williams, Verlanski Glosson and Jaylin Huntley all scampering in for scoring runs.
Cenario Wilson added a punt return for Lincoln Prep’s other touchdown.
Hall said getting to give his reserves as much playing time as they received was as much of a win as the final score showed.
“That was good because we’re going to need some backups to play for us as we end the regular season and move into the playoffs,” Hall said. “So they got some valuable reps.
“And maybe even better, my starters were able to get some good work and then a lot of rest, which is a great thing at this point of the season.”
The win pushed Lincoln Prep to 6-3 overall and 4-2 in district play while Plain Dealing, which only had 13 players available to use in the contest, fell to 0-8 and 0-7 in 1-1A.
Plain Dealing is slated to conclude its season next Friday with a non-district game at Pickering.
Lincoln Prep will close out the regular season next week by playing host to Arcadia, which defeated Cedar Creek 14-12 Friday night and stands at 4-5 overall and 3-3 in District 1-1A.
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Trigger Woodard rushed for a career-high 166 yards and a TD but the Cougars fell to Arcadia. (Photo by T. Scott Boatright)
By T. Scott Boatright
It was a game that felt like it went Cedar Creek’s way for the most part.
At least until the final minutes.
Arcadia mounted a late 67-yard drive Friday night for a late score that spoiled Cedar Creek’s Homecoming as the Hornets escaped with a 14-12 win over the Cougars at Origin Bank Stadium.
It was a tough loss for Cedar Creek coach William Parkerson and his Cougars. Creek outgained Arcadia 325 to 103 and had 20 first downs to only 9 for the Hornets. The Cougars were 6-of-8 on third down while the Hornets were 0-of-6.
The Cougars started strong, starting the game-opening drive at their own 35 and marching 65 yards for the score thanks in large part to a 25-yard completion from quarterback Cason Floyd to Mason Wooden.
Floyd capped off the scoring drive with a 7-yard scoring scamper to put the Cougars on top 6-0 after Arcadia stopped Cedar Creek’s two-point conversion run attempt.
Cedar Creek looked like it would extend its lead on the first play of the second quarter as Trigger Woodard took a handoff from the Hornets 6-yard line and plunged into a pile of players and appeared to be stopped at the Arcadia 5.
But suddenly the Hornets’ Bryce Gates popped out of the pile of players and rocketed the other way for a 98-yard scoop and score. Ian Fitzgerald added a 2-point conversion run that put Arcadia on top 8-6 with 11:56 remaining in the first half.
Cedar Creek drove as deep as the Arcadia 15-yard line late in the second quarter before a holding call erased a solid run by James Myers that was followed by an illegal procedure call against the Cougars that squashed the scoring opportunity with Arcadia maintaining its two-point lead at intermission.
Arcadia had possession to open the second half, but a fumble recovery by Myers gave possession to the Cougars at the Hornets’ 35-yard line.
Cedar Creek then used Woodard to hammer away at the Hornets as the sophomore rushed five times for 30 yards on the drive that culminated with him powering his way to paydirt from one yard out.
Arcadia stopped Cedar Creek’s two-point try, holding the Cougars to a 12-8 advantage at the 6:07 mark of the third quarter.
Woodward led the Cougars on the night with 166 yards on 32 carries.
“He’s big, he’s physical and he’s getting better every week,” Parkerson said of Woodard. “I thought he ran really well tonight. The offensive line blocked really well tonight. That fumble they called on him … I’m 99.9% sure he was down, and that was a gamechanger.
“But he played great and ran hard and did all the right things.”
After forcing an Arcadia punt, it again looked like Cedar Creek would extend its lead early in the final stanza as Myers raced 38 yards to the end zone for a score that would have given the Cougars a two-score advantage.
But Myers’ run was wiped out by a holding call that had more penalty yardage tacked on after he complained to a referee, backing the Cougars up to their own 48-yard line.
Cedar Creek gained 20 yards on the next four plays, but that wasn’t enough to earn a first down after the double penalty as the Cougars turned the ball over on downs.
“From a physical standpoint I told our kids they played better,” Parkerson said. “We were the more dominant team. We were the more physical team. We controlled the ball. We controlled the line of scrimmage. We controlled the clock, and … I’ll leave it at that,”
Arcadia then took over on its own 33 and started the game-winning drive.
And that drive became the Ian Fitzgerald show as the diminutive running back rushed seven times for 57 yards, slashing up the middle on a 17-yard scoring scamper to give the Hornets their final margin of victory with 2:10 remaining in the contest.
“They found something late with him,” Parkerson said about Fitzgerald. “All night we had stopped him. I’m sure we were tired, but they got him going late.”
A solid kickoff return by Myers allowed the Cougars to start the ensuing drive at their own 44-yard line, but two plays later Gates picked off a Floyd pass and Arcadia ran two quarterback keepers for a first down before kneeling to run out the clock.
Myers added 82 rushing yards for Cedar Creek on 10 carries while Wooden added 26 yards on five runs while also catching both of Floyd’s completions for 34 yards.
Yellow flags rained on the field march harder than the mist that floated through the air in the first half, as Cedar Creek was penalized 15 times for 124 yards while Arcadia was hit with 13 calls for 110 yards.
Parkerson told his team after the game that he believed they had turned in a winning effort.
“I told them they did everything we asked of them,” Parkerson said. “We controlled the line of scrimmage, the clock — we played the game at our style and our pace. A couple of breaks went against us that weren’t in our control.
“It’s tough. Those kids are 1-8 right now and they continue to lay it on the line every week. They continue to play hard. They continue to fight. That felt like it was taken from us tonight.”
Cedar Creek concludes its season next Friday as the Cougars play host to Jonesboro-Hodge.
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Grambling State is hoping to celebrate a win this weekend as the Tigers play at Bethune-Cookman on Saturday. (Photo by T. Scott Boatright)
By T. Scott Boatright
If nothing else, pride is on the line for the Grambling State football team this week as the Tigers hit the road for a second straight week to play at Bethune-Cookman in a game set to kick off at 2 p.m. CDT inside Daytona Stadium at Daytona Beach, Florida.
The G-Men are coming off a 24-17 loss at Texas Southern that dropped GSU to 4-4 overall and 1-4 in Southwestern Athletic Conference play while the Wildcats are 1-7 on the season and 1-3 in the SWAC.
Grambling’s loss at TSU has made it virtually impossible to win the SWAC West. But the Tigers want to win their final three games and end the season with a decent record in head coach Mickey Joseph’s first year at the helm.
Joseph’s Tigers are also facing injury issues that will likely cause GSU to audible away from its usual style of play.
During last week’s loss at Texas Southern, GSU starting quarterback Myles Crawley was knocked out of the game with an early injury. After backup Ashton Frye struggled in his time calling offensive signals, Grambling coach Mickey Joseph turned to his third quarterback of the game, Deljay Bailey, who directed the GSU offense in the final three quarters of the contest.
Grambling gained 110 yards through the air, with Bailey leading the way with 70 yards on seven-of-12 passing.
Crawley connected on both of his early pass attempts for 12 yards while Frye completed his lone throw for four yards.
Changes are likely in store for Grambling this weekend against Bethune-Cookman as Joseph said Crawley might be out for as many as two to three weeks.
“I think the gameplan changes a little bit to more of a run-option,” Joseph said of going with Frye or Bailey behind center. “We’ve got to protect them in the dropback game, but I think just getting them to carry the ball a little bit is going to help them get into the style they play that we’re not used to playing.
“But I think we’ll run the quarterback more and also hand the ball off to the backs more and just probably take some shots.”
Joseph said he realizes the Wildcats’ won’t lie down despite having only one win.
It’s going to be tough,” Joseph said. “Watching them, they played Jackson (State) pretty tough last week. I think Jackson turned it on in the second half. But they ‘re going to be tough.
“I told the kids when you’re playing these teams on the road and they’re playing at home, they’re no different than you. They’re going to play tough at home. Because they don’t have to change their routine at home. They’re in their backyard.”
“We’ve got to get in there and run the ball offensively, stop the run on defense and cut down on the penalties.”
Potentially getting more carries this week will be GSU’s three-headed running back monster. Redshirt senior Ke’Travion Hargrove, a Ruston High School product, leads Grambling 376 yards along with four scores on 78 rushing attempts while fellow redshirt senior Tre Bradford has added 311 yards and four touchdowns on 82 carries.
Dedrick Talbert is the punishing powerback among the trio and has chipped in with 119 yards and three TDs on 27 handoffs.
Bailey leads the team in yards per carry with 7.9 per attempt.
The Wildcats are averaging 263.6 yards of offense per game while allowing opponents 490.6
Conversely, the Tigers have recorded 300.18 yards per outing offensively while giving up 381.8.
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Former Grambling State University baseball coach is pretty much batting 1.000 when it comes to Halls of Fame.
Previously inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2024, the Louisiana Justice Hall of Fame in 2022, the SWAC Hall of Fame in 2011, the Grambling Legends Hall of Fame in 2012 and the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2007, Ellis is once again up to a prestigious at bat.
In February Ellis will be inducted into the The College Baseball Hall of Fame as part of The College Baseball Foundation’s Class of 2024.
The 11-member Class of 2024 is composed of seven players, three coaches and an umpire that have contributed to college baseball history at the NCAA, NAIA or NJCAA levels.
Joining Ellis in the College Baseball Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024 will be Mike Schmidt, Shortstop, Ohio, 1969-71; Roger Clemens, Pitcher, San Jacinto JC, 1981/University of Texas, 1982-83; Mark Teixeira, Third Base, Georgia Tech, 1999-2001; Bill Thom, Pitcher, Southern California, 1957-59; Jeff King, Third Base, Arkansas, 1984-86; Woody Hunt, Coach, Cumberland, 1982-2021; Randy Ross, Shortstop, North Park, 1981-84; and Mike Fox, Coach, North Carolina Wesleyan, 1983-1998/North Carolina, 1999-2020.
In addition, Murray Wall, Pitcher, University of Texas, 1947-50; and Jim Paronto, Umpire/Administrator, 1973-2023 will be posthumously inducted with the Class of 2024.
“This was a surprise but a big, big honor when I was told I was going to be inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame,” Ellis said. “I’ve never done any of this for any kind of honor.
“All I wanted to do was impact the lives of young people, coach the game I love and lead the teams I’ve coached to wins. Those are the only honors I’ve wanted. And getting to coach Grambling State baseball was a big enough honor in itself. But this is a big thrill and one I’m proud to be receiving.”
Ellis said he’s especially honored to be part of the same College Baseball Hall of Fame Class as Clemens.
In 1983, Grambling State played in the NCAA Division I baseball tournament’s Central Regional in Austin.
Clemens and Texas won the national championship that year while Grambling fell to Texas-Pan American and Tulane.
“I know just how good Roger Clemens was because I personally watched him play,” Ellis said. “To be part of an induction class with him and other players like Mike Schmidt, it almost brings tears to my eyes. It’s such a big honor.”
Ellis also coached his G-Men against Texas at a 1985 Baseball Regional in Austin, losing to Texas 4-3 in the opening game and Oklahoma 5-2 in GSU’s next game.
“That’s another reason I’m so proud that I’m going to be inducted with Clemens,” Ellis said. “Those games against Texas in the 1980s are still some of the highlights of my career, along with coaching against the (New York) Yankees in Grambling three different times.”
As GSU’s head coach, Ellis guided the college careers of Matt Alexander, who won a World Series title with Pittsburgh in 1979; Lenny Webster, who was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in 1985, hit .254 over 12 seasons and appeared in the 1997 AL Championship; and Gerald Williams, who was selected by the New York Yankees in the 1987 amateur draft, averaged .255 over 14 seasons and appeared in a pair of NL Championship Series (1998-99) with Atlanta and in the 1999 World Series against his former team, the Yankees.
Halls of Fame inductions aren’t the only honors bestowed on Ellis over the years. In 2015, the Ruston-Lincoln (Parish) Chamber of Commerce presented Ellis with the 2015 Robert E. Russ Award, which is the highest award that is given for community impact in Ruston or Lincoln Parish, and in 2021 Ellis received that year’s Bill Best Humanitarian Award from the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce.
That award was established in 1997 by the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce to recognize a local citizen for their outstanding contributions to humanitarian interests, unselfish giving, and service to others.
The 17th Baseball Hall of Fame induction class will be honored at the Night of Champions presented by Prairiefire on Feb. 13, 2025, in Overland Park, Kansas, the home of the College Baseball Hall of Fame. The event will serve as the ceremonial start to the 2025 college baseball season, which begins Feb. 14, 2025.
Individual tickets for the induction ceremony cost $300.
An MLB.com account is required to register online for the Night of Champions. If you do not have an account, you will be prompted to create one when registering. For more information on purchasing tickets or sponsorships, go online to Login | MLB.com.
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With the 2024-25 Louisiana Tech Men’s Basketball season just four days away, we take a deep dive into the non-conference schedule for the Bulldogs.
UT ARLINGTON (Nov. 9) UT Arlington is coming off a 20-win season and a trip to the Western Athletic Conference Tournament championship game under new head coach KT Turner. The Mavericks, who finished with a NET ranking of 129, are picked to finish second in the WAC this season.
LA Tech and UTA last faced off in the 2020-21 season opener with the Bulldogs winning, 76-71, in Ruston. This will be the ‘Dogs first trip to Arlington (hometown of head coach Talvin Hester) to face UTA since 2013 when the two teams were WAC foes.
UMASS (Nov. 13) UMass is coming off a 20-win season, its best finish in the last decade. The year included wins over AAC champion South Florida and Big 12 opponent West Virginia, finishing with a NET ranking of 91. The Minutemen, guided by head coach Frank Martin, were picked to finish ninth in the Atlantic 10.
The two teams will face off in the Social Equality Games in Long Island, New York at Nassau Coliseum. This will be the first ever meeting between the two programs and will be one of two A10 opponents that the Bulldogs will take on during non-conference play this season.
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS (Nov. 25) Southern Illinois went 19-13 last season, finishing sixth in the Missouri Valley Conference. They registered marquee victories over New Mexico State, Saint Louis, and Big 12 opponent Oklahoma State.
The Salukis, which finished with a NET ranking of 116, were picked to finish seventh in the MVC this season. LA Tech and SIU will open up the Gulf Coast Showcase in Estero, Florida in what will be the seventh all-time meeting between the two programs and the first since 2006.
RICHMOND (Nov. 26) Richmond went 23-10 a season ago, winning its first ever Atlantic 10 regular season title. The Spiders, which finished with a NET ranking of 73 and had highlight wins over Charlotte and UNLV, would end up participating in the National Invitation Tournament.
Richmond is picked to finish seventh in the A10 preseason poll. When the Bulldogs and Spiders face off on day two of the Gulf Coast Showcase, it will be the first ever meeting between the two programs.
EASTERN KENTUCKY (Nov. 27) Eastern Kentucky went 17-14 last season, claiming the Atlantic Sun regular season title after going 12-4 in league play. It marked their first regular season championship since 1979.
The Colonels are picked to finish second in the Atlantic Sun preseason poll. The two programs will battle in the third and final game of the Gulf Coast Showcase. It will be the fourth all-time meeting and the first since LA Tech and EKU played a home-and-home series during the 1974-75 season.
SOUTHERN (Nov. 30) Southern enters the season having gone 18-14 a year ago, including marquee victories over Mississippi State and UNLV. The Jaguars ended up tying for third in the SWAC with a 12-6 league mark. Third is exactly where they are projected to finish in 2024-25 in the SWAC preseason poll.
LA Tech and Southern will be meeting for the ninth time. The two programs last played in 2022 with the Bulldogs winning, 74-59, in Ruston.
MEMPHIS (Dec. 4) LA Tech’s second true road game of non-conference will come at Memphis, a team that won 22 games last season and was ranked as high as No. 10 in the country. The Tigers, which finished with a NET ranking of 75, tied for fifth in the AAC.
Memphis is projected to finish second in the AAC this season. This will be the sixth all-time meeting between the Bulldogs and Tigers and the first since 2015.
UL-LAFAYETTE (Dec. 7) The rivalry continues as LA Tech will head down south to Lafayette to take on the Ragin’ Cajuns, which are coming off a 19-14 season and a fifth-place finish in the Sun Belt Conference standings.
ULL, which finished with a NET ranking of 150, is picked to finish fourth in the Sun Belt this season. This will be the 170th all-time meeting on record between the two programs. It will also be the 12th consecutive season the two teams will play in what has become an annual non-conference matchup.
GEORGIA SOUTHERN (Dec. 13) Georgia Southern went 9-24 last season under first-year head coach Charlie Henry. The Eagles ended the season on a high note, winning four of their last six games including a Sun Belt Conference Tournament victory over South Alabama.
GSU is projected to finish eighth in the Sun Belt preseason poll. This home-and-home series (LA Tech will play at Georgia Southern next season) will be just the fifth all-time meeting and the first since 1987 when they squared off in the Champion Holiday Classic in Missoula, Montana.
GRAND CANYON (Dec. 16) Grand Canyon had a stellar 2023-24 season, going 30-5 while winning the Western Athletic Conference regular season and tournament title and advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament after an upset win over Saint Mary’s.
GCU, which finished with a NET ranking of 50 and was one of only seven teams in the country with 30+ victories, is picked to finish first in the WAC and is also receiving votes in the AP preseason poll. It will be a rematch of last season’s game in Phoenix when Grand Canyon narrowly won, 73-70.
LA Tech will also host three non-Division I opponents this season – LSU-Alexandria (Nov. 4), Mississippi College (Nov. 18), and Rust College (Dec. 21).
RUSTON, La. — In the new age of college athletics, it has become quite common for almost entire rosters to turn over during any sports’ offseason.
Louisiana Tech’s women’s basketball program has experienced this and will be featuring just four returners from last year’s team and nine newcomers.
Still, Techsters’ head coach Brooke Stoehr will look to be successful, despite the constant changes in the game she dearly loves.
“I think it’s hard,” Stoehr said about the climate of college athletics. “I’m a person of routine, and we script things and like them to be a certain way. I think now you’ve got to be more willing to adapt and adjust without lowering your standards or expectations. We’ve had to accelerate our level of communication earlier than what we’ve done in the past in terms of constantly having daily interactions with players one-on-one, whether it be position coaches or with me or the strength coach — whoever it is. I’m just constantly communicating. These young people want feedback, and sometimes they don’t like the feedback, but we’re always going to be honest with where they stand.
“The one thing I love about this group is they respond to that — when you tell them what the standard and expectation is, they find a way to meet it. That’s been really encouraging and exciting to see. But you really just have to be intentional about what you’re doing every single day.”
Returning for the Lady Techsters include All-CUSA freshman from last season in sophomore Jianna Morris, senior Robyn Lee and senior Autumn Smith. Senior Mackenzie Wurm will not play this season due to an injury sustained during the offseason.
“I always say the biggest job is how they feel at the end of their freshman year to their sophomore year,” Stoehr said of Morris. “You just feel confident, comfortable, and you know what to expect. You’ve been through it before. And (strenght coach Camron Blair) has don an incredible job with our group in the weight room. Jianna has benefitted greatly from that. Coming in as a true freshman, she had not been through a year in the weight room — she worked really hard in the spring. She just carries herself in a different way because she’s been in the fire. She’s a competitor, and we know what she’s going to bring to the table everyday.”
Another important contributor Stoehr is looking for will be Lee.
“Robyn has been finding her voice and feeling comfortable,” Stoehr said. “She loves to play basketball and wants to be successful. She’s already graduated, working on her MBA, and she’s trying to become a pro. She’s watching extra film. She’s always been a diligent worker, but now, I think she feels like her voice is carrying some weight in it. We’ve always felt like it had — I think she feels comfortable and confident in it now. That’s been really big.”
Stoehr said she is excited about seeing some of the underclassmen get into action this season and is expecting immediate contributions from this class, which include freshmen Paris Bradley, Jordan Marshall and Averi Aaron.
“We went to a scrimmage as a team a couple of weeks ago that started three seniors and two juniors — and we rolled out three freshmen and won,” Stoehr said. “They competed really well. They played at a high level on the club circuit or with their high school teams. They’ve made deep runs or won state championships at their respective levels. They know how to win, and it’s been really fun to watch them compete. Paris has been one of our most consistent competitors at practice every single day. I want to see who’s impacting winning from our group, and she’s been right there every week. It’s been fun to watch her.
“The one thing about these young players is they’ve made plenty of mistakes, but they’re athletic enough and skilled enough to recover and make a play. That’s what they do. So we’ll live through some mistakes and some growing pains early with some of them, but they’re talented enough to overcome it in says that maybe we haven’t been in the past.”
Given all of this, Stoehr has reason to be excited about the upcoming season, which will begin Monday at home against Nicholls State in the Thomas Assembly Center at 11:30 a.m. for the Education Day game.
“It’s almost like Christmas,” Stoehr said. “There’s anticipation, and there’s excitement you want to see. For us, every year is a new year. So when you start that first time, you get them all together for workouts and practice, and then you get to watch them grow and develop through March — it’s really exciting. And that’s where you find your joy.”
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Dedicated educator, author, and mentor, Dr. Patrick Garrett has been recognized as one of Ruston High School’s Distinguished Alumni. A proud graduate of Ruston High School, Garrett’s life has been defined by his devotion to God, family, and a love of learning that he has instilled in many who have walked through his classroom doors.
He is the son of legendary Ruston High football coach and educator LJ “Hoss” Garrett.
As an educator, Garrett spent over five decades teaching English at Louisiana Tech University and Northeast Louisiana University, earning the title of Distinguished Professor before his retirement. Through his years, he taught his students the importance of resilience, and about the courage that faith provides when life’s questions go unanswered. Garrett encouraged all to find happiness and strength through their faith, leaving a lasting mark on the hearts of many who attended his classes.
Garrett has been married to his bearcat high school sweetheart, Duddy Burkhalter, for over 63 years. The couple, both Ruston High alumni, have built a family legacy within the Ruston community. They have raised four children and enjoy life with 14 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, with a fourth on the way. Crediting his father as the family’s constant encourager, Garrett’s son, Jay Garrett described the way that his father raised him.
“Dad has always lived and set an example for us to place God and family first,” Jay Garrett said. “He taught us to enjoy life, have fun and laugh, and love others with all you have in you.”
Garrett wrote many memorable letters and notes to his family, a sentiment that they still value today. In a heartfelt passage to his family, Garrett wrote about the unwavering love and forgiveness he offered to his grandchildren. Part of his letter encouraged his family to come to him and his wife when in need.
“I would like to think there is nothing you couldn’t come to us and discuss. We can listen. We don’t have all the answers, but we’ve faced what you will or have. How we handled choices is yours for the asking,” Garrett wrote. “That we made mistakes should only comfort you and release you from the burden of believing you have to get it right every time. Learn to take considered risks when you are young. We believe in you, love you unconditionally, and pray for you daily.”
Some of Garret’s most notable accomplishments include his publications and his services to his community. As a writer, Garrett has authored three books celebrating Louisiana life: Short Flights (1994), Harps on the Willows (1995), and Penumbra (1997). Garrett holds an M.A. from Auburn University and a Ph.D. from North Texas State University. A lifelong member of Trinity Methodist Church, he has served in many leadership roles, including leading the Tait Class for over 30 years. In all he does, Garrett remains an inspiring example of faith, positivity and strength.
As Ruston High School celebrates Dr. Garrett, his family, students, and community remember a man who has not only taught, but also inspired all those who know him.
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Louisiana Tech faculty, staff, and students celebrated with incoming students and their parents as nearly 100 of the region’s top academic high school prospects pledged to join the University’s College of Engineering and Science (COES) Class of 2028 at Commitment Day in April 2024.
Courtesy of LA Tech University Communications
Louisiana Tech University’s College of Engineering and Science (COES) has set a new enrollment record, welcoming over 3,100 students for the Fall 2024 Quarter.
This achievement reflects significant growth across various programs, including a 9.8% increase in mechanical engineering, a 19.3% growth in computer science, a 12.2% rise in electrical engineering, and an 11.5% increase in civil engineering.
“This enrollment milestone reflects the dedication of our faculty, staff, and students, as well as the strength of our academic programs,” said Dr. Collin Wick, dean of the College of Engineering and Science. “Our commitment to innovation and excellence ensures that our graduates are well-prepared to meet the demands of an evolving workforce. We’re thrilled to see more students than ever choosing Louisiana Tech as their pathway to a successful future in engineering and science.”
COES has been recognized nationally for its innovative curriculum and cutting-edge research programs, attracting students interested in a wide range of engineering and science disciplines. In recent years, the College has expanded its degree programs and introduced new facilities, such as the Integrated Engineering and Science Building which offers students advanced laboratory spaces and collaborative study areas.
The all-time high in enrollment comes as Louisiana Tech continues to prioritize research, experiential learning, and collaboration with industry partners. As a result, the College of Engineering and Science cultivates a dynamic and supporting environment that produces job-ready graduates and transformative research.
The COES enrollment milestone is part of the University’s overall growth. This fall, Tech welcomed its largest freshman class in its 130-year history and eclipsed 12,000 students for the first time since 2018.
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