Ricki Shovan
March 24, 1944 – November 21, 2024
Visitation: Kilpatrick Funeral Homes – Ruston, Tuesday, November 26, 2024, 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm
Service: Alabama Cemetery, Tuesday, November 26, 2024, 2:30 pm
Cemetery: Alabama Cemetery, Tuesday, November 26, 2024, 2:30 pm
Baby Emerson Royce Jenkins
Thursday 10/31/2024 — Tuesday 11/19/2024
Funeral Service: Tuesday 11/26/2024 11:00am at King’s Funeral Home
Interment: Tuesday 11/26/2024 Following Service, Bonner Cemetery, Ruston
By Hanna Singh
The holidays are coming to Ruston.
At their annual Holiday Press Conference, Experience Ruston announced the official kickoff to the 2024 holiday season. In partnership with the Louisiana Holiday Trail of Lights, Experience Ruston shared details about upcoming holiday events in Lincoln Parish, as well as holiday announcements from around North Louisiana.
Kicking off the press conference, Ruston Main Street Director and Community Coordinator Amy Stegall shared a sentiment about the hometown feel of Ruston Louisiana, expressing her excitement to share the holiday fun with visitors this year. She encouraged visitors to come support local businesses, vendors and restaurants in Lincoln Parish. Stegall shared a bit about what makes Downtown Ruston so special during the holiday season.
“When we turn on the lights in downtown, something magical happens to this place,” said Stegall. “This is a historic place that’s been here since the late 1800s, and it just becomes this little Hallmark village. People love to come down and shop with the people they know and just find incredible treasures for the people that they love. So, whether you eat here, shop here or just come and walk around the lights, it just has a feeling that you can’t really put into words. So, we love that it’s our hometown.”
In partnership with Louisiana Holiday Trail of Lights, Experience Ruston Director of Marketing and Communications Tori Davis shared some of the exciting holiday activities that will be happening is Ruston over the next few weeks. Many local partners and businesses will be hosting holiday events, all included on Experience Ruston’s holiday calendar. Davis highlighted some of the larger events, including the Holiday Open House, Lincoln Lights Up the Pines, Ruston Community Theater’s production of “White Christmas”, and the Holiday Arts Tour.
“We are so fortunate to have such passionate and dedicated partners here in Ruston and Lincoln Parish,” Davis said. “We have something happening every single week, and often multiple things happening throughout the week. There are so many events that you won’t want to miss.”
Reflecting on the work that goes into bringing the holidays to Lincoln Parish, Mayor Ronny Walker thanked many of the organizations, community members and workers who dedicated their time to making Ruston so beautiful during the season.
“It takes a village, or in this case a city,” said Walker. “Amy (Stegall) does an incredible job with our main street and our merchants downtown. Amanda (Carrier) and Tori (Davis) with the CVB help tremendously with publicity, ads, and events like this. I think the group that is often left out is the group of about 30 people from the city that put up all the lights. They actually started this process about 5 weeks ago and they come in early to try to get all this up.
“So, I want to say a big shoutout to our city workers, from electrical department to the street department. Everybody in the city pitches in because it takes so many people to do all this. Especially thank you to the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, Main Street and the merchants.”
Several other groups from the Louisiana Holiday Trail of Lights group spoke and invited the community to experience the holidays in North Louisiana. Speakers included guests from Discover Monroe-West Monroe, Visit Shreveport-Bossier and Visit Webster Parish.
Visitors and community members can find out more about the holiday events in Lincoln Parish by picking up an Experience Ruston Official Holiday Guide from the visitor’s center at 2111 N Trenton St. Or you can view the holiday calendar online at www.rustonlincoln.com. Let your heart be light this season and come experience the joy of the holidays in Ruston and Lincoln Parish.
This fall’s St. Jude Trike-A-Thon at Emmanuel Baptist Church raised $2,914.30 for the Memphis-based children’s hospital.
Jessica Harp, assistant director for Emmanuel Baptist Preschool, said, concerning the 35th annual event, “We had a great day for our Trike-A-Thon. The children enjoyed riding their bikes, and we are so thankful for the many parents who were able to join us.”
St. Jude Trike-A-Thons are an enjoyable and educational way to teach preschoolers and their educators how to make a difference for St. Jude children, said Jennifer Patterson, president of the Zeta Rho chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha, whose members volunteered at the event.
St. Jude provides materials for a week of learning and fun activities, teaching children trike and riding-toy safety.
Patterson and Harp extend a warm “thank you” to community supporters who helped make the event a success.
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.
Courtesy of GSU Communications
Three Grambling State University (GSU) teams cashed in on their creativity and business acumen on Tuesday as they participated in the Golden Pitch Challenge on Nov. 19 at the Digital Library and Learning Commons.
The Golden Pitch is a north Louisiana entrepreneurial and business development event open to all Grambling State students. The competition’s goal is to provide real-world education in entrepreneurship and to boost awareness and innovation commercialization in our region.
GSU students can submit models for new businesses in any industry.
Qualifying participants progressed through three phases in the competition — Idea Proposal, Business Development Workshop, and the Final Pitch.
Taking first place and earning $3,000 was Ishara, a team consisting of a pair of GSU students from Ghana who are part of a team building software tools for recycling companies to manage, track, and scale operations.
Accounting and computer information systems major Christotes Muange and engineering technology major David Nintang make up GSU’s Team Ishara.
Team Smart Match, took the $1,000 second-place prize for its work creating an app to improve access to innovative healthcare and clinical trials to address chronic disease disparities in underrepresented communities.
Members of Team Smart Match are math and physics Major Samuel Torto; computer science major Nonso Duaka; biology major Favour Aina and computer science major Oyindamola Balogun.
Earning $500 with a third-place finish was Team Pathwise, an education-based company committed to advancing student success by integrating personalized learning tools, career planning and data-driven insights into a seamless platform aimed at creating personalized tutoring, career-aligned development support, and educator insights.
Emmanuel Oladele (engineering technology), computer science major Daniel Osuoha (computer science), Tanyaradzwa Mangundhla (computer science and accounting) and Flyness Namatama (computer science) are the members comprising Team Pathwise.
Eight teams participated in GSU’s 2024 Golden Pitch event.
“Golden Pitch has been a wonderful activity that allows our students to share their creativity, to brainstorm, learn, and grow, both as student scholars as well as business professionals, so we’re really excited about it,” said Dean of GSU’s College of Business Dr. Derrick Warren.
Warren also noticed a common thread flowing throughout the eight presentations made by GSU students at the Golden Pitch competition.
“All of our presentations were based on social impact,” said Dean of GSU’s College of Business Dr. Derrick Warren. “So, what has happened today has inspired us to have an impact ourselves within the college.
“So any student who is interested in joining what we’re going to create and call Case, Hackathon, Invention Pitch Club, and that will help us build a community of students that are interested in performing and participating in Case competitions in Hackathon and also in pitching, because we have some very gifted judges who said they are going to work with us to continue to promote a mindset of creativity — a mindset of innovation, entrepreneurial excellence, and I think that is important.”
By Kyle Roberts
SULPHUR, La. — An impressive 2024 campaign for Ruston High’s swim squads wrapped up Saturday at the LHSAA Division II state meet held at the SPAR Aquatic Center in Sulphur, La., with both teams finishing state runner up– a feat even more impressive given the small size of the rosters.
“We knew that our kids just had to beat as many bodies as they could because we’re a small team,” Ruston High and Bulldog Aquatic Club Head Coach Paulette Butterfield said. “We had seven girls and eight boys there. The teams we were chasing had 20-plus kids competing at the state meet for their school. So for our kids, it was about race and “get on the wall (to score).” That was our main focus: get there as quick as you can and beat anybody you can.”
Ruston’s girls finished with a 274 overall point total behind Saint Scholastica’s 365 for runner-up, while the boys finished with 225 points total behind Holy Cross’ 333.
Ruston totaled eight first places finishes through the meet. The girls took first in the 200-yard medley relay with the team of junior Kate Boersma, junior Karalin Hoover, senior Lydia Watts and senior Sadie Huenenfeld finishing with a final time of 1 minute, 52.27 seconds.
Senior Owen Frick then captured first at the Boys 200 Yard with a time of 1:41.70, while Huenefeld took first in the Girls 50-yard Freestyle at 23.71 while setting a new Division II record. Freshman J.J. Hoover took first in the Boys 100-yard Butterfly at 49.69, while Frick finished first in the 100-yard Freestyle at 46.91.
Huenefeld grabbed another first place finish in the Girls 100-yard Breaststroke at 1:06.70, while J.J. Hoover took first in the 100-yard Breaststroke with a time of 58.93, breaking his own Division II record.
The Boys 400-Yard Freestyle Relay team of Frick, J.J. Hoover, junior Taylor Roller and sophomore Samuel Jackson rounded out Ruston’s first place finishes at 3:18.60.
For their efforts, Huenefeld and J.J. Hoover were named the Division II State Swim Meet Outstanding Female and Male Swimmers, respectively.
“They’re both tremendous leaders,” Butterfield said. “They’re generous, they help others and cheer on their teammates. We’re going to miss Sadie, but hopefully she’s lit enough to get the other girls wanting to step up and continue after she graduates. And for J.J., everybody’s just wondering what he’ll do. He’s just getting started, and he’s got a lot of time ahead of him.”
A traffic stop for a broken brake light escalated to a high-speed pursuit when a Ruston man fled a Lincoln Parish deputy.
Abraham Priego, 19, was arrested after a chase last Saturday that began at the Spirit Mart on LA Highway 33 in Ruston and ended on U. S. 80 near Calhoun in Ouachita Parish Saturday morning about 3 a.m.
Priego’s vehicle was first seen with a malfunctioning brake light on the South Service Road in Ruston. A deputy stopped the vehicle at the Spirit Mart service station on LA 33. A record check showed the Ford pickup’s registration was expired since March.
Priego told the deputy he was aware of the brake light problem but could not get it to work. A check showed Priego was wanted on three outstanding bench warrants from Ruston City Court for failure to appear in court on charges of resisting an officer, no driver’s license, and running a stop sign.
When Priego was directed out of the truck, he instead put it in drive and fled. Deputies pursued him on I-20 in excess of 104 miles per hour, weaving in and out of lanes around vehicles. He left I-20 at exit 101, running a stop sign at LA 151 and engaging in dangerous maneuvers around other vehicles. He continued on LA 151 until he turned west on U. S. 80 where he eventually stopped, and he and his passenger surrendered.
Priego is charged with aggravated flight from an officer, possession of a Schedule II controlled substance (Adderall), possession of drug paraphernalia, DWI, open container, improper brake lights, and no vehicle registration. Priego’s bail was set at $60,500.
The passenger, Lavontae Charles Burks, 19, of Hodge, was booked for possession of Adderall and possession of drug paraphernalia. His bail was set at $5,000.
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.
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.
by Malcolm Butler
A pair of Lincoln Parish swimmers earned individual state championship titles this week during the Louisiana High School Athletic Association Division IV State Swim Meet held at the SPAR Aquatic Center in Sulphur.
Choudrant’s Jack Groce and Cedar Creek’s Camdyn Napper both captured state titles on Thursday.
Groce, a senior at Choudrant High School, won the state title in the boys 100-yard backstroke with a time of 56.0 seconds, edging Lake Arthur junior Slade Legros (56.70).
“Even though I was not met with the ideal circumstances in my finals race of the 100 yard backstroke, I decided to give it my all anyways,” said Groce. “I’ve wanted this for the past four years and through hard work and determination, I finally became the state champ.
“I’d like to thank my amazing Coach, Paulette, and my wonderful teammates for pushing me and keeping me motivated every single day through this amazing journey that I’ve had.”
Groce won the event over 20 other competitors.
Napper, a sophomore at Cedar Creek School, won the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1:00.89, running away from his nearest competitor in Bell City’s Noah Granger (1:05.63). He won the competition in a field of 15 competitors.
“I was really happy to have won that 100 breaststroke again,” said Napper. “I won it during my eighth grade year and came in third in it my freshman year, so getting to bring home the gold again is incredibly motivating.
“I want to give thanks to my friends, my family, and my coach, Paulette, who have done nothing but build me up and help push me to be the best I can be.”
Napper also finished second in the 200-yard individual medley with a time of 1:58.03, barely edging out Groce who was third with a time of 1:58.05. Pope John Paul II High School’s Wyatt Combs won the event with a time of 1:56.37.
A Ruston man was arrested recently after officer responded to a welfare concern.
Timothy Albritton, 45, was arrested on a warrant for failure to appear in Ruston City Court on a criminal trespass charge after officers responded to South Farmerville Street to check on a man reportedly “wallowing” in the street.
Albritton matched the description given and was stopped. A records check showed the outstanding warrant. Albritton was arrested and taken to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for booking.
During the booking process, Albritton allegedly discarded some synthetic marijuana, commonly known as “mojo.” He faces charges of introduction of contraband into a correctional facility and the criminal trespass warrant. His bail was set at $23,000.
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.
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.
Courtesy of GSU Athletics
Grambling State put up a strong fight in the first half but were ultimately outpaced by Arizona (6-1), falling 84-60 at the McKale Center in Tucson, Arizona, on Saturday night.
Kahia Warmsley led Grambling State (2-4) with 13 points and five rebounds, while Nicole Sandifer added 10 points and three rebounds. Douthshine Prien contributed nine points with two rebounds and two assists.
The Tigers forced 27 turnovers, converting them into 25 points, and scored 34 points in the paint. However, Grambling’s 31.1% shooting from the field, including just 11.1% from beyond the arc, hampered their ability to keep pace with Arizona.
Arizona was led by Lauryn Swann, who caught fire in the second half and scored 17 points, including two three-pointers. Jada Williams and Sahnya Jah added 13 and 11 points, respectively, with Breya Cunningham dominating the boards with eight rebounds. The Wildcats shot 45.6% from the field and capitalized on their trips to the free-throw line, making 30 of 41 attempts.
Grambling trailed by just one point midway through the second quarter and entered halftime ahead 36-35 after an impressive 23-point second period. However, Arizona came out strong in the third, outscoring Grambling 22-11, and sealed the game with a 27-point fourth quarter. The Tigers showcased resilience but were outrebounded for the first time this season, 51-36 and allowed 46 points in the paint.
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. 25
11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome
6 p.m.: Toastmasters International meeting (Louisiana Center for the Blind, 101 South Trenton Street)
6 p.m.: Creative Meetup (301 N. Trenton St.)
Wednesday, Nov. 27
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. 28
Thanksgiving
Saturday, Nov. 30
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market
10:30 a.m.: LA Tech men’s basketball
3 p.m.: LA Tech football
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.
Courtesy of LA Tech Communications
RUSTON — Louisiana Tech erased a 14-point halftime deficit and had the game within one with two minutes to play. However, Southeastern would come away with a 59-48 victory in the Thomas Assembly Center on Saturday evening.
LA Tech (4-2) struggled to get anything going in the first half and shot just 4-24 from the field. However, the Lady Techster defense forced Southeastern (4-1) into 12 turnovers to keep them within reach at the half.
Southeastern jumped out to a 10-0 lead midway through the first. Robyn Lee would knock down the Lady Techsters’ only field goal of the quarter with a three from the left wing to break the run. Jianna Morris’s two free throws would be the only other points for Tech for the rest of the quarter.
The shooting woes continued into the second, with the Lady Techsters only coming away with three baskets. After a block on the defensive end, Isla Airey posted up in the paint and spun by the Lady Lion defender for the and-one.
“We got off to a slow start offensively today,” Lady Techster Head Coach Brooke Stoehr said. “It’s difficult to find success scoring 14 points in a half. Give Southeastern credit. They’re a solid defensive team and understand their rotations. We got some good looks in the first half and couldn’t get them to go, but we have to find a way to get an offensive rebound put back or go to the line and convert. We came out in the second half and attacked with more purpose offensively to give ourselves a chance to win it with 2:00 to go.
“I really felt like we got momentum and had a couple of offensive possessions down the stretch where we needed to continue to attack the rim and settled. We will continue to teach and help this group grow. This is a one possession game we will be in throughout conference play and can learn a lot from if we’ll take the right approach.”
LA Tech’s biggest run of the first half would be just three points, as SLU had an answer every time the Lady Techsters scored. Despite the offensive woes, Tech would go into half down just 28-14.
The Lady Techsters’ shots finally started falling with two minutes to go in the third quarter. After a contested jumper in the lane by Lee, Tech forced Southeastern into a quick shot, and Paris Bradley was left open for a three to cut the deficit to single digits for the first time since the 4:27 mark in the first quarter. That would force SLU to call a timeout.
Out of the timeout, Bradley hit a jumper, and Jordan Marshall hit three from the top of the key to pull within two. The Lady Lions would push it back to four, but a free throw with 11 seconds remaining in the quarter had LA Tech down 36-33 going into the final stanza.
Lee would pull Tech within one just two minutes in, but the Lady Techsters wouldn’t convert after forcing SLU into a turnover on their next possession. Lee would have the first six points for the Techsters in the fourth to keep them within three.
A corner three by Jianna Morris tied the game up with four and a half minutes to go. Tech would tie back up at 44-44 and would be down 48-47 with just two minutes left to play. However, turnovers on the next two possessions by the Lady Techsters would allow SLU to grow their lead back to eight with just 26 seconds remaining. LA Tech would close the game with two more turnovers in their final three possessions.
Louisiana Tech finished the game shooting 31.1 percent, 14-45, from the field and 6-19 from long range. Lee led all scorers with 17 points and added five boards. Morris was the only other Lady Techster in double figures with 12. Isla Airey had a game-high eight boards and finished with two blocks.
Southeastern shot 25-50 from the field at 3-11 from deep. Taylor Bell led three players in double figures with 16. Jalencia Pierre and Alexius Horne added 10 apiece.
Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications
Louisiana Tech could not overcome a scoreless first half, falling 35-14 to Arkansas on Saturday afternoon at Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
LA Tech (4-6) could only muster 43 yards of offense through the first two quarters, unable to take advantage of two turnovers forced by the defense. Meanwhile, Arkansas (6-5) methodically put the game away on the arm and legs of quarterback Taylen Green who had two touchdowns apiece through the air and on the ground.
Miscues was the theme of the contest though in the first quarter, starting with the Razorbacks having an opening 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown negated by a penalty.
For the Bulldogs, it was failing to score after getting into the red zone thanks to an interception by Jacob Fields. After a successful fake field goal, LA Tech had the ball at the 2-yard line but a false start and a snap Evan Bullock was not expecting sent the Bulldogs backwards. The ensuing 42-yard field goal attempt by Buck Buchanan was wide left.
“I think we had a lot of opportunities in that first quarter and the second quarter, and in the first half for our football team to take an advantage of and we failed to do that,” said Tech head coach Sonny Cumbie. “In terms of turnovers, we failed to take advantage of turnovers that we created, and we failed to take advantage of short fields and the momentum we created with special teams plays. Against a good team like Arkansas is, it will be hard to overcome that. Those are the plays early in the game that you can potentially create put distance between yourself and a good opponent like that. “
Arkansas would eventually crack the scoring code first, going 80 yards in 13 plays that was capped off by an 11-yard touchdown pass (aided by a 4th-and-1 conversion) with 5:49 to go in the second quarter.
After a 3-and-out by the LA Tech offense, Arkansas capitalized on another 4th-down conversion. This one was a quarterback scramble that went 41 yards to the end zone to give the Hogs a 14-0 going into halftime.
The Bulldogs tried to find some 4th-down magic on their own early in the third quarter but got stuffed on their own 27-yard line. The Razorbacks made them pay on the very next play with a 27-yard touchdown pass from Green to Isaac Teslaa.
Down three touchdowns, LA Tech took advantage of a muffed punt and a roughing the passer penalty that negated an interception thrown by Bullock. The quarterback found Eli Finley to convert a 3rd-and-5, and then found him again on the very next play for a 2-yard score with 3:59 left in third quarter.
However, Arkansas’ Green used his legs yet again to give the Razorbacks another touchdown, this time taking it into the end zone from eight yards out.
The Bulldogs were able to find the end zone just one more time, a strike from Bullock to Jimmy Holiday on a post route that resulted in a 20-yard score that came with six minutes remaining in the game.
“I think the way that our kids played today was again reflective of their effort and their buy in and belief,” said Cumbie in reference to coming up short of bowl eligibility. “It’s been an uncommon season from the standpoint of how games have ended for us in certain cases. I think they have felt it and have seen the progress and how we’ve played on defense and how much we’ve improved on that side of the football.”
LA Tech ended up totaling 186 yards of offense in the second half, getting most of that through the air. Bullock ended the game 26-of-43 for 190 yards and two passing TDs. Tru Edwards, quiet for much of the first half, ended with a game-high eight grabs for 53 yards.
Green accounted for 282 yards of Arkansas’ 454 yards of offense. The Razorbacks also got 112 yards on the ground from Rashod Dubinion.
Tech will close out its season Saturday when the Bulldogs host Kennesaw State at 3 p.m. for Senior Day at Joe Aillet Stadium.
Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications
Louisiana Tech heads to the state of Florida to take part in the 2024 Gulf Coast Showcase, a three-day event that will feature matchups against Southern Illinois, Richmond, and Eastern Kentucky.
The Bulldogs face Southern Illinois today at 2 p.m. CT followed by Richmond Tuesday at 2 p.m. and Eastern Kentucky Wednesday at 11 a.m.
All three games can be heard on the LA Tech Sports Network on 107.5 FM with Malcolm Butler providing a call of the action.
LA Tech (4-0) remained undefeated after taking care of Mississippi College, 105-67. The Bulldogs had two big runs in the victory, opening the game on a 17-0 run and then finishing the contest off with a 23-0 run. LA Tech is off to a 4-0 start for the first time since the 2017-18 season, having won all four by double digits which is just the second time in program history (1971).
The Bulldogs were unstoppable on offense versus the Choctaws, shooting 67.8 percent (40-of-59) from the field which is the best by a LA Tech team since 1997 and the fifth best of any team in the country this season. The team also generated 18 steals, tied for the second most in school history (most since 1984). Nine of the 10 Bulldogs that played registered at least one steal.
Sean Newman Jr. set a new career record in assists for a third time this season. After topping his 11 assists at UTA with 12 dimes against UMass, the point guard reset his personal mark with a career-high 14 assists versus Mississippi College, tying for the second most in a single game in school history (most since 2012). In doing so, he became the first Bulldog in program history to record 10+ assists in three straight games and is now just nine assists shy of 200 at LA Tech. He currently ranks first in the country in assists per game (11.3)
Daniel Batcho had one of the best offensive games in program history against Mississippi College, scoring a career-high 38 points (most by a Bulldog since 2016) while making 13 of his 14 field goal attempts and 11 of his 12 free throw attempts. He also made his first ever three-point attempt as a Bulldog. He is averaging a team-best 22.8 points per game (14th in the nation) while shooting 88.9 percent from the field on the season (best in the country), having missed only four of his 36 field goal attempts.
Southern Illinois (2-3) went 19-13 last season, finishing sixth in the Missouri Valley Conference. The Salukis registered marquee victories over New Mexico State, Saint Louis, and Big 12 opponent Oklahoma State.
SIU, picked to finish seventh in the MVC preseason poll this season, is off to a 2-3 start having played a difficult non-conference schedule. Two of their three losses have come on the road to OK State and No. 21 Florida while their two victories have been against North Dakota State and Missouri A&T.
The Salukis are anchored offensively by the trio of Kennard Davis Jr., Ali Dibba, and Elijah Elliott who are all averaging 14 points per game and shooting around 50 percent from the field. The three are also responsible for 24 of SIU’s 31 made three-pointers this season.
The series is tied between LA Tech and SIU, 3-3. The two programs played each other for four straight seasons from 1971-75 in what was consecutive home-and-home series. They did not match up again until 2006 in Carbondale, Illinois as part of the old ESPN Bracketbuster challenge. The return game was played in Ruston the following season.
Richmond (2-3) 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, ended up participating in the National Invitation Tournament.
Picked to finish seventh in the A10 preseason poll this season, Richmond recently put an end to its three-game losing streak with a 70-66 home victory over Main. The Spiders had previously lost to Marist, Charlotte, and a double overtime game at Bucknell.
Richmond has been better on the defensive side of the ball so far this season, ranking 65th in the country in field goal percentage defense (38.4). Part of that is their ability to rebound the ball, averaging 30.00 defensive boards per contest which ranks 39th in the nation.
Offensively, DeLonnie Hunt has been the leading scorer for the Spiders with an average of 18.8 points per contest which has included two performances this season of 25+ points.
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 (3-1) 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, picked to finish second in the Atlantic Sun preseason poll, have claimed victories so far over Alice Lloyd College, East Tennessee State, and Chicago State with the lone loss coming at Clemson.
EKU has excelled on the defensive end, averaging 10.3 steals per game (35th in the country) as well as forcing 17.25 turnovers per contest (27th in the nation). Offensively, the Colonels attack the glass to the tune of 17.75 offensive boards per game and take a bunch of threes with an average of 29.8 attempts.
Four Colonels are averaging double figures, led by Devontae Blanton at 16.3 points per game.
This 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.
Ricki Shovan
March 24, 1944 – November 21, 2024
Visitation: Kilpatrick Funeral Homes – Ruston, Tuesday, November 26, 2024, 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm
Service: Alabama Cemetery, Tuesday, November 26, 2024, 2:30 pm
Cemetery: Alabama Cemetery, Tuesday, November 26, 2024, 2:30 pm
Baby Emerson Royce Jenkins
Thursday 10/31/2024 — Tuesday 11/19/2024
Funeral Service: Tuesday 11/26/2024 11:00am at King’s Funeral Home
Interment: Tuesday 11/26/2024 Following Service, Bonner Cemetery, Ruston
Stanley H. Neal
July 8, 1942 — Nov. 22, 2024
Arrangements pending
Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications
Louisiana Tech could not overcome a scoreless first half, falling 35-14 to Arkansas on Saturday afternoon at Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
LA Tech (4-6) could only muster 43 yards of offense through the first two quarters, unable to take advantage of two turnovers forced by the defense. Meanwhile, Arkansas (6-5) methodically put the game away on the arm and legs of quarterback Taylen Green who had two touchdowns apiece through the air and on the ground.
Miscues was the theme of the contest though in the first quarter, starting with the Razorbacks having an opening 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown negated by a penalty.
For the Bulldogs, it was failing to score after getting into the red zone thanks to an interception by Jacob Fields. After a successful fake field goal, LA Tech had the ball at the 2-yard line but a false start and a snap Evan Bullock was not expecting sent the Bulldogs backwards. The ensuing 42-yard field goal attempt by Buck Buchanan was wide left.
“I think we had a lot of opportunities in that first quarter and the second quarter, and in the first half for our football team to take an advantage of and we failed to do that,” said Tech head coach Sonny Cumbie. “In terms of turnovers, we failed to take advantage of turnovers that we created, and we failed to take advantage of short fields and the momentum we created with special teams plays. Against a good team like Arkansas is, it will be hard to overcome that. Those are the plays early in the game that you can potentially create put distance between yourself and a good opponent like that. “
Arkansas would eventually crack the scoring code first, going 80 yards in 13 plays that was capped off by an 11-yard touchdown pass (aided by a 4th-and-1 conversion) with 5:49 to go in the second quarter.
After a 3-and-out by the LA Tech offense, Arkansas capitalized on another 4th-down conversion. This one was a quarterback scramble that went 41 yards to the end zone to give the Hogs a 14-0 going into halftime.
The Bulldogs tried to find some 4th-down magic on their own early in the third quarter but got stuffed on their own 27-yard line. The Razorbacks made them pay on the very next play with a 27-yard touchdown pass from Green to Isaac Teslaa.
Down three touchdowns, LA Tech took advantage of a muffed punt and a roughing the passer penalty that negated an interception thrown by Bullock. The quarterback found Eli Finley to convert a 3rd-and-5, and then found him again on the very next play for a 2-yard score with 3:59 left in third quarter.
However, Arkansas’ Green used his legs yet again to give the Razorbacks another touchdown, this time taking it into the end zone from eight yards out.
The Bulldogs were able to find the end zone just one more time, a strike from Bullock to Jimmy Holiday on a post route that resulted in a 20-yard score that came with six minutes remaining in the game.
“I think the way that our kids played today was again reflective of their effort and their buy in and belief,” said Cumbie in reference to coming up short of bowl eligibility. “It’s been an uncommon season from the standpoint of how games have ended for us in certain cases. I think they have felt it and have seen the progress and how we’ve played on defense and how much we’ve improved on that side of the football.”
LA Tech ended up totaling 186 yards of offense in the second half, getting most of that through the air. Bullock ended the game 26-of-43 for 190 yards and two passing TDs. Tru Edwards, quiet for much of the first half, ended with a game-high eight grabs for 53 yards.
Green accounted for 282 yards of Arkansas’ 454 yards of offense. The Razorbacks also got 112 yards on the ground from Rashod Dubinion.
Tech will close out its season Saturday when the Bulldogs host Kennesaw State at 3 p.m. for Senior Day at Joe Aillet Stadium.
By Kyle Roberts
RUSTON, La. — A four-touchdown second half for No. 3 Ruston High (9-2) propelled the Bearcats to a 42-21 win over the No. 14 Zachary Broncos (7-4) Friday night at Hoss Garrett Stadium, advancing Ruston to the quarterfinals for the seventh consecutive season under Head Coach Jerrod Baugh.
Tied 14-14 at the half, Ruston’s offense found its rhythm on the tireless legs of senior running back Jordan Hayes along with a locked-in defense to outscore the Broncos 28-7 in the second half.
”I think we settled in up front and figured out what they were planning defensively,” Baugh said. “Our coaches did a really good job of lining it out at the half, and we made some big runs.”
One of the biggest of the night came on the first offensive play of the second half with Hayes rushed through the middle for 70 yards with 11:50 in the third quarter to give Ruston its first lead of the night 21-14.
The Broncos put together another impressive drive on their ensuing series, but a fumble by a Zachary rusher was recovered by junior defensive back Darius Woods at the Ruston 14-yard line. The Bearcats would march it back down the field 86 yards for another Hayes touchdown — this time from one yard out with 5:00 to go in the third quarter to put Ruston up 28-14.
The Broncos brought it back to within seven points with 8:29 left to play after senior running back Da’vekio Ruffin scored from five yards out to cut the lead to 28-21.
Ruston appeared to be headed to a three-and-out on the next series, but with 6:55 left to play, the Bearcats called a play-action wheel route for Hayes who would run up the near sideline for a 65-yards touchdown reception, effectively breaking Zachary’s metaphorical back and going up 35-21.
”We had worked that play all week in practice, and the coaches had been talking in the headsets how good that play looked,” Baugh said about the wheel route. “I know I’m a broken record on this, but if you practice well on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, you feel comfortable about being able to do that in a tense situation. The kids executed just like needed to.”
Senior Ka’Varion Key would recover a fumble with 6:15 left to play on Zachary’s following drive, and with 2:11 left to go, senior quarterback Josh Brantley ran it in from 10 yards out to put Ruston up the final 42-21 score.
”We really didn’t feel safe until the last nine seconds,” Baugh said. “It’s unfortunate that things turned out how they did where these two teams had to meet in the second round. This was not a regular second round football game. But I’m really proud for our kids — they did what they needed to do to be able to move on.”
After both offenses started the game with a three-and-out in the first quarter, Zachary would get its first touchdown of the night on a four-yard run by Bronco senior Da’vekio Ruffin with 5:14 to play in the first half, capping off a seven-play, 48-yard drive.
Ruston answered with an 80-yard drive on the ensuing possession, with senior Jordan Hayes getting his first touchdown of the night on a fourth-down run from three yards out at the very beginning of the second quarter.
Zachary would respond with an 11-yard touchdown reception by senior wide receiver Jaiden Cockerham with 7:49 to play in the first half to retake the lead 14-7.
Zachary’s defense held Ruston to a three-and-out and a punt, and the Bronco offense appeared to easily be driving the football for another score before a bad snap and exchange on fourth down for Zachary was stopped by the Bearcats offense with 2:14 to play in the half.
The Bearcats would tie he game 14-14 with 0:10 to go in the first half on a 12-yard touchdown catch by senior wide receiver Darius James on a quick throw over the middle by senior quarterback Josh Brantley. The drive was kept going with a hook-and-ladder trick play from sophomore Ahmad Hudson to Hayes to convert a 3rd-and-12.
Hayes’ stellar night saw him rush for 158 yards and three rushing touchdowns with 65 yards receiving and a touchdown through the air.
”That’s right up Jordan’s alley,” Baugh said. “He loves to make big runs, but he had some tough runs inside. Whenever he hits it downhill and finds a little crack, he got out there and made some big runs.”
Brantley finished 11-of-16 for 207 yards and two touchdowns and 29 yards rushing with a touchdown.
Senior kicker Jack Elliott remains perfect on the season in extra points and added six more tonight.
The Bearcats will remain at home for the quarterfinals on Friday, Nov. 29, and will host the No. 6 Southside Sharks, who beat No. 22 Walker 47-0.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on Q94.1FM and streamed on BearcatNationNetwork.com.
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By T. Scott Boatright
Big-time players make big plays in big moments.
And even though he’s only 5-10 and 175 pounds, Ruston High School senior running back Jordan Hayes turned in a giant of a game Friday night as he led the Bearcats to a 41-21 win over Zachary in the second round of the Division I Non-Select School playoffs at L.J. “Hoss” Garrett Stadium.
The player known as “Jet” totaled 158 yards and three touchdowns on 17 carries, averaging 9.3 yards per rushing attempt.
“I’m feeling great — I’m just seizing the moment right now,” Hayes said. “I knew I was going to have a great game today and we just came out and executed at a high level and it showed.”
Fittingly, Hayes opened scoring for the Bearcats, tying the game at 7-7 at the 11:56 mark of the second stanza as he bounced off tackle left for a three-yard scamper to paydirt on a fourth down and goal play.
But it was the first play from scrimmage in the second half that Hayes turned in his biggest run of the night as he jetted through a hole up the middle and raced 70 yards for a score that put the Bearcats back on top 21-14 only 10 seconds into the third quarter.
“My fullback (junior Lander Smith) opened up the hole for me and I just shot through it when I saw the crease,” Hayes said. “Then I just did what I do. I am just happy I had a big game.”
RHS Offensive Coordinator Earl Griffin said he noticed something on game video that the Bearcats were able to take advantage of on that play.
“They were overplaying the tight end side, so I ran it back to the weak side,” Griffin said. “We had plus one in the run game, and Jordan just took off and did the rest.”
Hayes then helped the Bearcats stretch their lead as he twisted through an attempted tackle and used second effort for a two-yard scoring scamper that put Ruston up 28-14 with 5:00 remaining in the third quarter.
And after fellow running Dylone Brooks was injured after carrying the ball five times for 19 yards, Hayes had to become more of a “cargo Jet” and take over rushing chores for Ruston.
“We’ll get Dylone’s injury checked out and hopefully he’ll be back, because what’s good is being able to work both those guys in at different times to keep them both fresh,” said RHS coach Jerrod Baugh. “So, then they are at top speed whenever they are out there, no matter which one it is.
“I think that’s one of the things that’s a different dynamic, having the two of them being able to switch out and keep themselves at 100% or close to it most of the time.”
Hayes said when Brooks went down, his coaches told him it was up to him to take over.
“My coach (Griffin) told me I had to go in and finish the game because Dylone got hurt,” Hayes said. “So, I had to finish out the game for my brother, and that’s what I did.”
And he did it in a big way.
“Dylone went down, and Jordan said, ‘I got us.’ He just woke back up and went out and took care of business,” Griffin said. “We went over to the bench and gave him a little pep talk in his ear, and he said he was ready to go.
“And he obviously was. He did not want this to be his last game.”
Things got scary late in the third quarter as Hayes was bent over backwards on an inside run before limping to the sideline before collapsing to the turf before Griffin grabbed him under the arms and dragged him to the bench.
“It was scary looking,” Baugh said of Hayes being bent backwards. “A couple of the coaches near me moaned when they saw it because they were worried. It looked like it hurt.
“But he went back out because we had to have him. He did what we needed him to do. If it were that bad, we never would have put him back in there, But it scared him more than anything, and once he realized it wasn’t that bad, he was OK.”
OK enough to haul in a pass from quarterback Josh Brantley and race it 65 yards down the left sideline for this third score to put the Bearcats on top 35-21 with 6:55 remaining.
“There was some stuff — kinda of unorthodox stuff they were doing — that we noticed during the game,” Griffin said. “We saw that the cornerback kept running with the wide receiver, so we just tried to get a rail on the running back and he was wide open.”
Seeing Hayes come off an injury and make that kind of play was not a surprise to his head coach.
“He just makes those plays whenever we really need them,” Baugh said. “Jordan’s worked his butt off for a long period of time, and he’s definitely deserving of any kind of recognition that he gets. He just likes the big moment and looks forward to having the ball in his hand at the big moment, and obviously he is good at it. He has been doing it a long time.”
JOURNAL SPORTS
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Louisiana Tech posted a surprising road win last Saturday at Conference USA frontrunner Western Kentucky, and that raised the stakes considerably for Saturday’s non-conference visit to Arkansas.
Both the Bulldogs (4-6) and the Razorbacks (5-5) are still bowl eligible, needing to get six wins. Tech wraps up with CUSA bottom dweller Kennessaw State next weekend in Ruston, making the visit to Reynolds Razorback Stadium the swing game in its suddenly viable postseason hopes. Arkansas wraps up with its border war against Missouri, at best a tossup game for coach Sam Pittman’s up-and-down Hogs.
The Razorbacks played third-ranked Texas tough last week in a 20-10 loss, their third in four games since stunning then No. 4 Tennessee in Fayetteville 19-14 Oct. 5. All of their losses have come to teams ranked in the Top 25 at game time, although Oklahoma State has now dipped to 3-7.
The 3 p.m. matchup will be carried on SEC Network+ and broadcast locally on 107.5 FM with Malcolm Butler, Teddy Allen and Jerry Byrd calling the action.
Tech is a 23-point underdog bidding to secure consecutive road wins for the first time since the 2019 season. But the Bulldogs were nobody’s pick last week, when they parlayed four Buck Buchanan field goals and a stiff defense to a 12-7 upset.
The defense climbed back into the top 15 nationally in total defense, 12th in the FBS allowing just 302.3 yards per game. The Bulldogs rank in the top 30 in rush defense (29th, 115.0 ypg) and pass defense (26th, 187.73 ypg).
Tech held its fourth opponent of the season under 100 rushing yards, limiting the Hilltoppers to just 63 yards on the ground.
Buchanan earned his second CUSA Special Teams Player of the Week award after connecting on 4-of-5 field goals.
The Bulldogs surpassed 100 yards on the ground for just the second time this season, with their first 100+ yard rusher of the season in Amani Givens (103 yards on 17 carries, 6.1 per run).
The 2024 Louisiana High School Athletic Association state football playoffs into the second round with match-ups in all eight divisions.
For all the scores for all five classifications, CLICK HERE.
Louisiana State Police Troop G Troopers responded to a three-vehicle crash on Nov. 16 around 6:30 pm on Hwy. 519 near EW Morgan Road. The crash ultimately claimed the life of 66-year-old Maureen Hinton.
The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2015 GMC pickup driven by Ruben Redding, 46 of Saline, was traveling north on Hwy. 519. At the same time, a 2007 Honda SUV and a 1997 Dodge pickup were traveling south on Hwy. 519. For reasons still under investigation, the GMC crossed the centerline, sideswiped the Honda, and collided with the Dodge.
Redding, who was unrestrained at the time of the crash, sustained serious injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The driver and passenger in the Honda were properly restrained during the crash. The driver sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene, while the passenger was uninjured. The driver of the Dodge, who was properly restrained, sustained moderate injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. Hinton, who was a passenger in the Dodge, was properly restrained but sustained severe injuries. She was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Impairment on the part of Redding is suspected. Routine toxicology samples were taken and submitted for analysis.
Troop G was notified that on Nov. 20, Hinton had succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased. This crash remains under investigation, and charges are pending.
Troopers wish to remind motorists of the importance of making good decisions while operating motor vehicles. Never drive while impaired, fatigued, or distracted; always ensure every occupant is properly restrained and obey all traffic laws. While not all crashes are survivable, taking simple precautions like these can mean the difference between life and death.
Courtesy of GSU Athletic Communications
The Grambling State University men’s basketball team couldn’t withstand a second half surge by New Mexico, falling 80-58 on Thursday night at The Pit in Albuquerque, N.M.
GSU (1-3) trailed UNM 30-26 at halftime but was outscored 50-32 in final period of play.
P.J. Eason led Grambling State with an 11-point, 10 rebound double-double. He also added four steals, two assists and one block to his tally.
As a team, GSU shot 35.5 percent from the floor (22-of-62) and was 7-of-19 from 3-point range (36.8 percent). The Tigers struggled at the charity stripe, converting 46.5 percent (7-of-15) of their attempts.
Grambling State got off to a promising start, building an 8-2 lead heading into the first media timeout at the 15:57 mark. A layup by Antwan Burnett, with 10:58 remaining in the half, gave GSU a 12-7 lead, its largest of the opening period.
A quick 6-0 run by the Lobos gave UNM (4-1) its first lead of the game, 13-12, with 9:28 left in the first half.
Emeka Nnaji pushed the Tigers back in front, 14-13, after drawing a foul on a driving layup off an assist from P.J. Eason. Nnaji converted the free throw to make it 15-13 with 8:21 to go in the half.
A fast break dunk by Tru Washington off a turnover gave the Lobos a 17-15 advantage with less than eight minutes to play in the opening half. UNM pushed its lead to 30-23 with 43 second remaining in the half.
New Mexico turned the game around within the first seven minutes of the second half. The Lobos used a 19-2 run to extend their lead to 49-28 with 13 minutes left in the game.
Grambling State did its best to try to climb back into the game, trimming the deficit down to 11 points, 52-41, on a P.J. Edward 3-pointer with 9:06 to go.
That was the closest the Tigers could get to the Lobos as UNM gradually stretched its lead to close the game.
New Mexico was paced offensively by Donovan Dent who contributed 22 points, eight assists, two rebounds, two blocks and a steal.
The Lobos went 28-of-60 from the field (46.7 percent), 7-of-18 from behind the arc (38.9 percent) and 17-of-26 (65.4 percent) from the free throw line.
Grambling State heads to Los Angeles, Calif. to face Southern Cal on Sunday, Nov. 24. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m. PST/6 p.m. CST at the Galen Center and will be broadcast in BIG+.
By Kyle Roberts
RUSTON, La. — Deck the halls and light the lights.
The 2024 Christmas season officially kicked off Thursday night in Railroad Park in downtown Ruston with the lighting of the brand new Christmas Tree by Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker.
Following Walker were choirs of students from various schools in Ruston singing Christmas songs and a solo by Clare Causey.
Stores in downtown Ruston near Railroad Park were also open, giving the hundreds of residents and visitors that attended the evening festivities the chance to start Christmas shopping early.
“This is a special night each year because, first of all, it brings all of our community together,” Walker said. “We wanted everyone to come downtown, because the stores are open and people can shop. I want to encourage everybody to shop local. Even though everybody likes to order online, they don’t support our football teams or the basketball teams like our local folks. It’s important to get everybody down here together.”
Walker added that the event is also a tribute to the dozens of workers in the city that put up the lights — and then take them right back down following the holidays.
Main Street Director and Community Coordinator for the City of Ruston Amy Stegall echoed Walker on the importance of supporting downtown businesses during the holiday season.
“When you shop local, you shop with people you know,” Stegall said. “We love starting the Christmas season with our residents and these businesses. Tonight is a culmination of a great year of an incredible community. That’s what makes this special.”
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