Jake Terry scored a game-high 25 points despite breaking his hand early in the contest. (Photo by Darrell James)
by Malcolm Butler
Over the last month of the regular season, the Cedar Creek Cougars were a walking MASH unit.
Friday night at the Brickhouse in their first round playoff match-up against Westminster Christian, that didn’t change.
Already down its leading scorer in Cannon Robbins who missed the last month of the season due to injuries to both elbows, Cedar Creek (14-9) appeared to lose second leading scorer Jake Terry less than two minutes into the game.
Terry suffered a broken hand with 6:15 to play in the first quarter, but came back into the contest at the start of the second stanza and proceeded to score a game-high 25 points to lead the Cougars to a 60-45 victory.
With the win, Cedar Creek will advance to face No. 5 seed Vermilion Catholic Tuesday at 5 p.m.
However, the story of the night was the Cougars perseverance in overcoming yet another challenge and keeping their season alive.
“It was a real gutty performance,” said head coach Lance Waldron. “We trailed the entire first half. Jake went out in the first period with a broken hand. It was bad, bad, bad. His hand looks terrible. The doctor was there and fixed him up and he went back in the game.”
With Terry sidelined for much of the first half, the Cougars found themselves trailing 15-12 at the end of the first quarter and 23-18 at halftime.
However, the second half was a different story.
“We came out in the second half and took over the game,” said Waldron. “It was a really gutty performance. Jake had most of his points after he broke his hand. It was something to see. He just gutted it out.”
Terry, who scored six points in the first half, scored nine points in the third quarter while Jack Bell added seven and younger brother Brett Bell netted six points as the Cougars outscored Westminster Christian 22-10 during the eight-minute period.
Waldron credited much of the second half success to the Cougars changing their defense.
“Defensively, we didn’t do that great in the first half,” said Waldron. “We were playing man. We did hold them to 25 in the first half. About a minute before the start of the third quarter, we decided to go to a diamond and one. We stayed in that he rest of the game and that made a huge difference.”
The Cougars used the gimmick defense to guard Tyler Spraggins, who after draining a pair of three-pointers in the opening quarter only scored two points (both free throws) the rest of the night.
And while Westminster Christian (19-14) was struggling to score, Terry wasn’t … broken hand and all.
The junior guard scored 10 points in the decisive fourth quarter that saw Cedar Creek outscore their opponent 20-12.
Waldron said he was amazed how Terry shot his free throws with his non-shooting hand due to the injury as Terry connected on 8-of-11 from the charity strip.
“Jake shot his free throws left handed,” said Waldron. “And made them.”
Another storyline was the return of Cannon, who was able to play limited minutes in the fourth quarter and recorded a steal and a bucket for his only points of the night.
In addition to Terry’s game-high 25 points, Jack Bell added 16 points and Brett Bell chipped in with 10.
CHOUDRANT — In a close, competitive basketball game, especially during prep postseason play, a game can often come down to one single shot.
Fortunately for the Choudrant High School boys basketball team, the Aggies have junior sharpshooter Carson Carrico on their side.
Carrico led the way with 28 points Thursday night as 13th-seeded Choudrant defeated 20th-seeded Episcopal School of Acadiana (ESA) 67-59 in the opening round of the Class B boys basketball playoffs inside the CHS gym.
That win sets up a Lincoln Parish showdown on Tuesday when the Aggies will play at fourth-seeded Simsboro.
Choudrant opened the game against ESA with a 7-0 run, thanks to a Parker Batterton layup, Carrico’s first of the six 3-pointers he hit on the night, and a putback by Jackson Ambrose.
ESA’s first score came at the 4:23 mark of the opening stanza as Semar Flugence hit a short jumper for the first two of his 25 points on the night.
The Falcons cut the Choudrant lead to one point at 7-6 with 2:03 left in the first quarter, but the Aggies closed out the stanza with a 6-3 run to build a 13-9 advantage heading into the second quarter.
Choudrant built a five-point lead at 17-12 on a Carrico layup 58 seconds into the second quarter, but ESA countered with an 8-0 run of its own to take a 20-17 with five minutes remaining in the first half.
The Aggies tied the game on a 3-pointer by Carrico, who followed that with two free throws to put Choudrant back on top 22-20 with 3:05 left in the second quarter.
Choudrant then turned things up and closed out the stanza with a 14-8 run to take a 36-28 — into the locker room at halftime.
“I’m fortunate to have two great assistant coaches who encouraged me to get the team to pick up the pace there late in the second quarter,” said Aggies coach Ryan Smith. “This was an exciting, competitive game with a great crowd, and that was an important few minutes of the game.
“Give (ESA) credit, they came to play from start to finish. But getting that halftime lead gave us confidence that we would need down the stretch.”
ESA battled back in the third quarter, cutting Choudrant’s lead to two points at 45-43 on a Colby Hoffman layup with 1:58 left in the period.
But the Aggies countered that with a 5-1 run to close out the stanza to take a 50-44 advantage heading into the final eight minutes of play.
The Falcons opened the fourth quarter with five straight points to tie the contest with 5:57 left on the clock.
Choudrant’s Brayden Pye then hit a short jumper but missed on the “and 1” free-throw opportunity to put the Aggies on top 52-50 at the 4:27 mark of the final stanza, but the Falcons had a sharpshooter of their own as Jesse Lejune nailed a long 3-pointer that put ESA on top 53-52 with 3:49 remaining.
Carrico then put Choudrant back on top 55-53 with a 3-pointer to set up that one single shot that determined the final outcome.
Covered tightly by an ESA defender, Carrico launched a 3-point try while falling backwards and being fouled.
That shot fell through the nets with Carrico sitting on the court watching with 3:12 remaining, and his ensuing free throw put the Aggies on top 59-53.
The Aggies then hit on eight of 11 free throw attempts from there — with Carrico, who finished with a game-high 28 points, 18 of which came in the first half, fittingly hitting the final two with 28 seconds remaining —to seal the opening round playoff win.
“That was huge,” Smith said of Carrico’s four-point play. “It came at such a critical point in the game, and to make the ‘and 1’ shot made it even more remarkable.
“The whole team gave it all they had and I’m proud of each and every one of them. But Carson showed early on during his high school career that he has a knack for making 3-pointers, especially at big moments. He spends a lot of time in the gym working on his long-range shooting and he was on again tonight.”
Carrico said he was confident about his game-sealing shot from the get-go.
“I put a lot of work into my 3-point shooting and I have trust in my ability to make them,” Carrico said. “That one felt good as soon as it left my hands. I knew it was going in.”
Pye added 11 points for the Aggies while Clarence Menyweather chipped in with 10 and Ambrose with seven.
Flugence led ESA with 25 points while Lejune added 23, sinking seven 3-pointers in the process.
The Aggies (17-14) now turn their attention to Simsboro, which defeated Choudrant 78-58 on Jan. 10 inside the SHS gym.
“That’s going to be something,” Smith said. “(SHS) Coach (Adam) Wodach has a great team and they showed us when we played them earlier this season. That’s a game that should have every basketball fan around excited. I expect most of Lincoln Parish to be there.
“I think we’re a better team now than the last time we played them, so we’ll see what happens.”
RUSTON, La. — There was no doubt about this one after the first quarter.
A stingy defense from No. 6 Ruston (17-5) put any effort by No. 27 Destrehan (16-17) well out of reach after the Wildcats were only able to get three points in the first quarter and only five more by halftime, leading to a Bearcat final score win of 56-20.
And it’s that defense that acting-head coach Corey Deans knows he’ll need to get from this squad if they’re looking to make a playoff push into the month of March.
“The only way we can make a playoff run is if we play defense,” Deans said. “We did a good job of switching defenses and keeping them off-balance. They run a flex offense — it could have been a pretty potent offense, but we kept switching defenses on them and kept them out of their sets.”
Add to that mix a 21-point performance by sophomore Ahmad Hudson and Ruston never had to look back.
Ruston jumped out to a 14-3 lead after the first quarter on three-point baskets by seniors C.J. Malone and Joran Parker and then eight points from Hudson with two made shots and four free throws.
Ruston’s junior Zaterrion Sutton hit a three-pointer in the second quarter, while senior Aidan Anding made his first basket of the night in the stanza. Sophomore Keshun Malcolm hit a three-pointer and four free throws to add seven for Ruston, while Hudson added seven points, as well, on three baskets and a free throw. The Bearcats would take a 33-8 lead into the halftime locker room.
The Bearcats held the Wildcats to eight in the third quarter, while both Anding and senior Fabian Stringfellow would add a three-pointer apiece. Senior Zheric Hill got on the board with a basket and a made free thrown, while Malcolm added a free throw of his own. Hudson would get four more points on a basket and two made free throws, while sophomore Kohl Gray would add his only basket of the night and put Ruston ahead 49-16 heading into the fourth quarter.
Stringfellow added another basket, as did both Stringfellow and Hudson in the fourth quarter to give Ruston the final 56-20 score for the win.
Hudson’s offensive performance was made even better with his terrific free throw shooting after he only missed on from the line all night.
“He’s been getting more shots up in games and in pregame,” Deans said of Hudson. “He’s in better condition right now.”
Ruston will host the winner of No. 11 South Lafourche and No. 22 Hahnville on Tuesday night. Game time has yet to be determined.
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Louisiana Tech University alumnus Dr. Justin Rice has turned a passion for science and engineering into a career at NASA, where he now serves as deputy project manager of data systems. Rice, who earned his Ph.D. in computational analysis and modeling from Tech, plays a crucial role in overseeing the development and security of NASA’s Earth science data systems.
His journey to Tech began at Jackson State University (JSU), where he earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering with a concentration in cyberspace engineering in 2006. As a fellow in the LSAMP Bridge to the Doctorate program, he had the opportunity to visit potential doctoral institutions.
“My decision to pursue doctoral studies at Tech was influenced by a positive experience during my site visit to Ruston, the availability of funding, and its close proximity to home,” Rice said. “The welcoming environment, extensive research facilities, and knowledgeable faculty played a significant role in my choice as well.
Rice, however, faced challenges in adjusting to a new environment where he had few familiar connections. One person he could lean on was Miguel Gates, JSU graduate and current program chair for cyber engineering. Establishing a sense of community was essential, but not immediate. Louisiana Tech was larger than what he was accustomed to, but he found a way to adapt.
“I overcame these challenges by building my own community with students from diverse backgrounds, actively participating in study groups, and using resources to get up to speed in my courses,” Rice said. “Miguel and I supported each other through the process. His success, along with my own journey, is a testament to the resilience and determination it takes to thrive in graduate school.”
Rice’s passion for science and technology ultimately led him to NASA, where he provides technical oversight for development, operations, sustaining engineering, networks, and security activities. His work ensures that NASA’s vast Earth science data is collected, archived, and distributed globally.
Rice credits his Ph.D. experience for preparing him to handle the complexities of his career.
“It taught me how to approach complex problems, conduct independent research, and communicate technical concepts effectively,” Rice added. “I also learned the importance of resilience and adaptability, which are crucial for managing large scale data systems at NASA.”
Rice encourages students to follow their passions and seek out supportive communities that will help them succeed in STEM. He emphasizes that while the field can be challenging, the rewards are worth the effort.
“Dream big, work hard, and believe in yourself,” Rice said. “Most importantly, know that you belong in STEM. With persistence and dedication, you can achieve your goals and make a meaningful impact in your field.”
Rice’s journey is a testament to Louisiana Tech’s role in preparing students for careers in STEM. The University continues to develop leaders who shape the future of innovation, equipping graduates to make a positive change in their industries.
The Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce (RLCC) has named Elizabeth Turnley as its new CEO and promoted Bevin Hicks to executive vice president.
Both women, deeply committed to supporting Ruston, have expressed their excitement in collaborating and continuing to make the city the best it can be.
Turnley and Hicks share a profound dedication to keeping Ruston and Lincoln Parish a special place to live and work. Within their new roles, the team intends to promote new growth within the business community and advance the chamber’s mission.
Turnley, a former board member for the chamber, had most recently served as chairman of the board. Coming off of that role, she learned of the open CEO position and saw an opportunity to continue to support her beloved town.
As a longtime Ruston resident since her days at Louisiana Tech, Turnley believes that the town of Ruston is a well-kept secret with an unmatched charm. With her extensive experience on the chamber board, she brings passion and dedication to the area withing her new role. Turnley shared how she and Hicks have discussed their plans moving forward.
“Bevin and I are excited about his new venture and looking forward to continuing what the chamber board has already set forth,” Turnley said. “In the fall we had a day long strategic planning day, where we discussed how we will move forward. We just want to continue to support these local businesses, big and small, in their endeavors, whatever they may be. We want to be there for them.”
Hicks, the newly promoted executive vice president, shares Turnley’s enthusiasm for supporting local businesses. Formerly the marketing and events manager for the chamber and the publisher of Lola magazine, Hicks brings a strong passion for North Louisiana’s development. She shared her feelings about stepping into a new position and joining Turnley on this journey.
“After nearly 20 years in publishing and marketing, I joined the chamber as the marketing events coordinator to become more involved in my beloved hometown. I didn’t realize how quickly my passion for supporting local businesses would grow,” Hicks said. “I am honored to step into the role of Executive Vice President under the leadership of Elizabeth. Her dedication, wealth of experience and clear vision for the chamber make her an exceptional leader, and I am very grateful to work alongside her. It is a privilege to be part of Elizabeth’s team, and I look forward to all we will accomplish together.”
Turnley echoed a similar sentiment in regard to working with Hicks.
“Bevin is going to be a huge asset to the chamber,” Turnley said. “She is a very talented individual and will bring a lot to us and what we are able to do moving forward. I am looking forward to working with her.”’
Beyond continuing to work on the chamber’s mission, the team has already begun work on several ongoing and new initiatives in Lincoln Parish. The chamber remains committed to working on the Workforce Development Grant Program and Small Business Month soon approaching in April. Hicks shared that they have also recently partnered with Lincoln Parish Schools on the new CONNECT initiative. Additionally, they have big plans to spotlight and support local women-owned businesses in the Ruston-Lincoln Parish area in the upcoming months.
Regarding the changes to the chamber staff, current Chairman of the Board, Thomas Graham, expressed his eagerness to see what the ladies will do for the organization.
“Timing is crucial, and we believe we’ve made the right decision in appointing Elizabeth and elevating Bevin,” Graham said. “Both have been deeply involved with our current mission and the development of our new strategic plan. Our search committee recognized that their skills and vision align perfectly with the board’s goals. We are excited to see how they collaborate and drive our initiatives forward in the coming years.”
“With that said, we are excited to embark on this new chapter for the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce. Elizabeth’s exemplary dedication to our community and her visionary approach will undoubtedly steer the chamber toward new opportunities and growth. We are equally excited about Bevin’s expanded role as executive vice president—her creative vision and commitment to engagement have already made a profound impact on our initiatives. Together, they embody the spirit of collaboration and innovation that will drive our chamber forward as a vital resource for local businesses.”
With two passionate new leaders and a dedicated team behind them, the RLCC is poised for a new chapter of community development and business growth in coming years. With ongoing and new initiatives to promote great things within the community, the team will continue to make Lincoln Parish the best it can be.
The Lincoln Parish Journal is providing our local schools with an opportunity to submit nuggets from what’s going on at their respective schools in order to get more information out on their students, faculty and staff. The information below comes directly from those schools. Any school wishing to provide content each week can email at hannalsingh@gmail.com
Cedar Creek sophomores attended the United Way of Northeast Louisiana Dollars & $ense Reality Fair, which simulates the financial decisions students will have to make in the real world. Our Cougars gained valuable education and perspective on budgeting, spending, giving, and saving.
Playoffs
We are so proud of our Cougars! Cedar Creek Lady Cougars and Cougars both made the playoffs in basketball!
New Tuition Assistance Options Are Available:
Cedar Creek School now offers several different tuition assistance options. These include our non-profit partners, ACE and ARETE, campus-based tuition assistance through FACTS, and we are proud to partner with the state of Louisiana through the new LA GATOR program. Through LA GATOR, all Louisiana residents will be eligible for tuition assistance by Phase 3. In Phase 1, any student entering Kindergarten or any student currently attending a public school is eligible to apply, regardless of income. More information on these programs is available on our website: cedarcreekschool.org/tuition-assistance.
Ruston
It’s a busy week in Bearcat Nation!
Today through Sunday (2/28 – 3/01) softball will travel to compete in a tournament at Sterlington!
Today (2/28), varsity baseball will travel to play Dutchtown at 6:30pm!
Tomorrow (3/01), varsity baseball will travel to East Ascension to play East Ascension at 10:00 am, followed by Archbishop Shaw at 12:00 pm!
Monday (3/03), JV and varsity baseball will play Tioga at home; JV at 4:00 pm, and varsity at 6:00 pm!
Also, softball will play D’Arbonne Woods at home for teacher appreciation night; JV at 4:30 pm, varsity at 6:00pm!
The golf team will compete in a 9 hole tournament at Bayou DeSiard Country Club, starting at 3:00 pm!
Tuesday (3/04), varsity baseball will travel to play Parkway at 6:00 pm! The softball team will travel to play Quitman at 5:30 pm!
Wednesday (3/05), JV and varsity baseball will travel to play West Ouachita; JV at 5:00 pm, and varsity at 6:30!
Also, the golf team will compete in a 9 hole tournament at Black Bear, starting at 3:00 pm!
Thursday (3/06), softball will play Lakeside at home; JV at 4:30 pm, varsity at 6:00 pm!
Congrats to our teacher of the week, Mrs. Stroud has been teaching for 6 years, with this being her 2nd at RHS! She teaches Biology I, and sponsors our Peppette squad! Thank you for all you do Mrs. Stroud!
Simsboro
The Simsboro FBLA Community Service Project Team set a goal this year of focusing on mental health awareness and support. After seeing how much their teenage peers struggle with anxiety, depression, stress, etc., they were concerned that many people do not open up and discuss their mental health struggles. As a group of Future Business Leaders, they knew that they wanted to develop a project that would shine a light on this issue and make an impact on those in their community.
This Community Service Project team came up with the theme “Be Bright. You ARE the Light!” for their project. The meaning behind this theme was that everyone is a light in someone else’s life, at school, or out in the world. The project leaders decided to kick off their project by teaching all Simsboro students in grades K – 12 the importance of being honest about one’s mental health struggles (or even successes). They did this by reading a story to the elementary students, having an interactive lesson with them, then having them identify one way they could “be the light” and write that on a paper light bulb. The paper light bulbs that the elementary, junior high, and high school students all made were then displayed around the school leading up to the “big event” – a Color Run at Madden Park in Simsboro. With the help of Simsboro FBLA chapter, the Color Run on February 8 was a major success. Many students and community members came together to discuss why it is so important to take time to focus on our mental state and were able to have a bright, colorful day throwing colored powder at each other, interacting with activity booths, and enjoying the sunshine with others.
Project lead, Jakayla Scott said, “A lot of people struggle with things mentally and try to hide it. As a group, it was on us to let people know it’s okay to not be okay. Hosting a Color Run as a Community Service Project event allowed people to freely express their emotions and feelings and there was actually a great turnout for the kids and adults of the community.”
The Color Run event raised $450, and the FBLA club decided to use those proceeds to purchase snacks for the Youth Summit hosted by the Northeast Delta Human Services Authority. The FBLA club chose to support this organization because of their mission to “serve as a catalyst for individuals with mental health, developmental disabilities, and addictive disorders to help realize their full human potential by offering quality, excellent care with greater accessibility.”
Elementary Schools
Choudrant
STEM News
Our 5th grade STEM students have partnered up with Edge of Space Missions to send experiments into the stratosphere. The experiments will launch on March 22nd in Colorado Springs, CO. The students are doing pre-observations of their experiments and after their mission they will be returned to the students for post-observations. This experience is OUT OF THIS WORLD for our CES 5th grade students!
Read Across America
Read Across America is a nationwide celebration of reading, focusing around Dr. Seuss’s birthday on March 2nd. Our school will be hosting various activities to encourage a love of reading among students. We would love to have you participate by reading your favorite childhood book to your child at home and potentially even volunteering to read to classes during the week.
March 3rd-7th – Read Across America Events at School:
Monday- I can READ in my Socks – wear Crazy Socks
Tuesday- I can Read with a Fox – bring Stuffed Animal
Wednesday – I can READ in the Dark – bring a Flashlight
Thursday- I can READ here, there, anywhere! – Lunch on the Lawn – bring a blanket or beach towel
Friday- I can READ in a HAT! – wear a Hat
Upcoming Events
Feb. 21 2nd Grade Love Our Learning 8:30-9:30 *Experience ELA & Math class with your child
Feb. 26 Kindergarten Love Our Learning 9:30-10:15 *Experience ELA w/your child
Feb. 27 Class & Club Picture Day
Feb. 28 Book Character Parade Prek-2nd, 2nd grade Love Your Learning following
March 3-7 Read Across America Week
March 7 Girls in Stem Event 5:30-7pm (Preregistration required)
March 14 Aggie Mile
March 14 PreK Roundup/Enrollment begins @ STEM Center
March 17-21 Spring Break/No School
Cypress Springs
The Cypress Springs Wildcats have had a FANTASTIC FEBRUARY!! At the beginning of the month, students who exhibited C.A.T.S. (Courageous, Accountable, Thoughtful, and Supportive) qualities participated in a silent disco. They had a wonderful time doing this!
Next, we had our annual Valentine’s Dance. This year it was a western theme-Valentrails Dance. Students, parents, and faculty had a delightful time together.
The honor roll students for the second nine weeks enjoyed a field trip to Grambling State University’s new digital library on their campus. To end the month, we celebrated the wildcats that were chosen for
Last week our LPECC cubs helped celebrate kindness week by wearing red or pink. We have also started preparing for kindergarten by learning to sit in the gym for morning assembly. The children have loved learning how to get ready to be kindergarteners! Some classes have also been learning all about Louisiana, and we will celebrate with a school-wide Mardi Gras parade this Friday. Dudes at the Door continues to be a BIG hit with our students every Friday. Thank you to all of our “dudes” who take time out to help greet our students on Fridays!
On Thursday afternoon, Bearcat head football coach Jerrod Baugh confirmed the addition of Marcus Yanez, who will join the staff after serving as the defensive coordinator for the Mangham High School Dragons for the past two seasons.
“Marcus has a really good reputation in the coaching world, particularly in North Louisiana,” Baugh said. “With his experience of being a defensive coordinator and a head coach, he understands what it takes to develop programs. Being able to bring those dynamics to us, to me it was a no-brainer (to hire Yanez).”
Yanez spoke with the LPJ Thursday afternoon and expressed his excitement for coming to Ruston.
“It’s a great opportunity to come to Ruston High School and knowing the tradition Ruston has,” Yanez said. “It truly is an honor to be put in this position. I’m looking forward to the opportunity – it doesn’t get much higher as far as the level of football than Ruston High School. I’m privileged and honored to be part of this family.”
Baugh announced his intentions to add Yanez to the staff last week.
“We have plenty of guys on our staff who already know Marcus, and it’s been taken well,” Baugh said. “That will make the transition for Marcus onto our coaching staff that much easier. And I know our kids love Coach (Kyle) Williams and hated to see him go, but Marcus is going to come in and develop his own relationship with those kids. That part will help ease the loss of Williams from our staff.”
Yanez’s defenses at Mangham helped get the Dragons to the quarterfinals for the past two seasons in the playoffs. Baugh said his new coordinator is likely going to run a similar style that the programs has been accustomed to during Williams’ tenure: a 4-2-5 base defense with four linemen, two linebackers, and five defensive backs.
“Coach Baugh and Coach Williams have both done a great job of building the program and the defense starting in the middle schools,” Yanez said. “I think that is very important in order to have the level of success Ruston has had. My plan is to have continuity for (returning and incoming players). Coach Williams has done such a fantastic job, and at the same time, I’m looking forward to having my fingerprint on the Bearcat defense.”
Prior to his Mangham tenure, Yanez was named the head coach of the Richwood Rams back in 2019. After three seasons, Yanez posted the first winning season for Richwood in 2022 following the Rams’s run to the 3A state championship game in 2017.
A Bastrop High School graduate from the class of 2000, Yanez signed as a linebacker at Louisiana State University before transferring to Grambling State in 2001.
See Yanez’s full coaching history below.
Mangham High School-Defensive Coordinator/Strength & Conditioning (2023-Present)
Richwood High School-Athletics Director/Head Football Coach (2019-2022)
Ouachita Parish High School-Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach (2017-2018)
Bastrop High School-Head Football Coach (2016)
Ouachita Parish High School-Linebackers Coach (2014-2015)
Bastrop High School-Defensive Coordinator (2011/2013) Linebackers Coach (2007-2010)
General Trass High School-Athletics Director/Head Football Coach (2012)
Jackson High School-Defensive Coordinator (2006)
Grambling State University-Defensive Graduate Assistant (2005)
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.
Cedar Creek will be heading to Hammond for the Select School Division IV semifinals. (photo by Darrell James)
by Malcolm Butler
Cedar Creek sophomore Alivia Lee had been sick all week.
However, on Thursday night, Lee turned the tables and made No. 7 seed Hamilton Christian feel pretty ill.
Lee scored a career-high 22 points to help lead the Lady Cougars to a 47-28 win over the Lady Warriors at The Brickhouse.
With the victory, Creek (28-3) advances to the program’s fifth trip to the state semifinals as the Lady Cougars will head to Hammond next week to face No. 3 seed JS Clark Academy.
However, in order to get there, Creek had to beat a young, but very athletic and talented Hamilton Christian squad from Lake Charles.
And Lee turned out to be the key, especially on the offensive end of the floor.
“She took it to the rim,” said head coach Katie Hall. “She was playing good defense. She gave her all. She hasn’t been feeling good for the entire week. She got an IV yesterday, and I think that helped a ton. She got her color back. She is a tough kid. I am glad she is on my team.”
Lee scored eight points in the opening quarter and her three-pointer with 1:02 to play in the opening stanza gave the Lady Cougars an 11-8 lead, an advantage they would never relinquish.
“I just knew I had a lot to prove,” said Lee. “This is a big win. I needed to step up. It was important (to make some shots early). Not just for me, but for our team. It gets us rolling. Seeing shots go in lifts all of our confidence.”
Lee then opened the second quarter where she left off, converting a conventional three-point play less than 40 seconds into the frame. A driving layup by Lee midway through the second quarter gave Creek a 21-12 advantage.
“(Alivia) did so good,” said junior forward Avery Ryan. “It really helped because I couldn’t get the ball. I know I can trust her with everything.”
And trust her they did.
While Lee was scoring 13 of Cedar Creek’s 23 first half points, the Lady Cougars defense clamped down on the Lady Warriors (14-10), holding them to the second lowest point total all season.
After Hamilton Christian converted some opportunities in transition in the opening five minutes of the game, the Lady Cougars switched to a half-court man defense and forced their opponent out of its comfort zone.
“They were ready for the press,” said Hall. “I still wanted to try it because it’s what we do. I felt really confident in our halfcourt defense. We have been working on it all week. That is what was working for us. We stuck with it.
“We had their personnel broken down and we knew their tendencies. We did a good job of keeping them out of their rhythm offensively.”
A big part of that defensive equation was Ryan, who battled inside all night with Hamilton Christian’s Madison Williams, holding her to only four points in the game.
Although Ryan only netted six points herself, her presence inside and on the glass was integral in the victory.
“(Williams) was my height, and I knew if she was my height that I could push her,” said Ryan. “She is strong, but I was stronger. I just wanted to play her straight up and not foul. I knew that’s what I needed to do.”
Hall agreed.
“(Avery) just alters so many shots,” said Hall. “She bothers people with her presence. Her tenacity to go get a rebound is like no other. She is fun to watch when she gets in that mode.”
With Creek leading 23-16 at the half, the Lady Cougars outscored the Lady Warriors 16-10 in the third quarter to push the advantage to 39-26.
HC scored the first bucket of the third quarter to close to within 23-18, but Mallory Smith drained a three-pointer with 6:20 to play and then Lee scored five straight points over a 30 second timeframe late in the third quarter.
Any chance of a fourth quarter comeback by the Lady Warriors was doused when starting points guard Kayla Harding fouled out early in the frame. Without Harding to run the show, Hamilton Christian scored just two points over the final eight minutes of action.
In addition to Lee’s 22, Mary Grace Hawkins added eight points and Ryan scored six.
Creek will await the date and time of their semifinal match-up against JS Clark Academy (24-8), a 64-36 winner over No. 11 seed Ascension Catholic. The Lady Cougars will put their 16-game winning streak on the line.
“It means everything (to be heading to Hammond),” said Lee. “It’s what we have worked all summer for and all year for. Just to see our hard work pay off means everything.”
“This is the farthest I have ever made it in the playoffs,” said Ryan. “It’s amazing. It doesn’t feel real.”
The other Select School Division IV semifinal match-up will feature No. 1 seed Southern Lab vs. No. 5 seed OCS.
A trooper with the Louisiana State Police arrested a North Carolina man in Lincoln Parish last week after a stolen gun was found in the man’s car.
Christopher Espinoza Lira, 19, of Concord, North Carolina, was charged with possession of stolen firearm on February 21 after the trooper found the Ruger Koenig SR1911 .45 ACP pistol during a K-9 search.
Lira was stopped after the trooper observed a traffic violation on eastbound Interstate 20 near Simsboro. The vehicle exited I-20 onto La. Highway 507 where it was stopped.
The trooper wrote in a report that he saw items inside the vehicle that led him to believe criminal activity was afoot.
Another trooper with a drug detection dog came to the scene. The K-9 alerted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle. Troopers detected the odor of marijuana inside the vehicle. The firearm was located and its status as stolen verified by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg, NC Police Department.
Lira refused to answer any questions. He was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for illegal possession of a stolen firearm. Bail was set at $15,000.
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.
For more than 50 years, Cedar Creek School has been dedicated to nurturing the minds, hearts, and spirits of students in a Christian environment that prioritizes both academic excellence and character development. Applications for the 2025-2026 school year are open. Schedule a tour and see why families choose Cedar Creek, where we strive to live by our motto: Super Omnia—The Best of All.
Cedar Creek isn’t just a school; it is a community where students are encouraged to become their best selves. We invite you to explore our campus, meet our dedicated faculty, and learn more about the diverse opportunities available to students of all ages. With our new tuition assistance programs, a superior college preparatory education is more accessible than ever.
Why Choose Cedar Creek School?
A Foundation in Faith: At Cedar Creek, we believe that a strong moral foundation is essential to a well-rounded education. Our Christian environment provides a supportive and faith-based backdrop where students are encouraged to grow spiritually as they prepare for life beyond the classroom.
Academic Excellence: Our students consistently achieve remarkable results. Cedar Creek received Gold Level AP School Honor Roll recognition, one of only 7% of all eligible schools across the United States and Canada. The class of 2024 boasts a 100% college acceptance rate, with the top half of the class earning a 28 or above on the ACT. Collectively, they earned over $6 million in college scholarships. Additionally, Cedar Creek offers 13 Advanced Placement courses and many dual enrollment opportunities, allowing students to earn college credits before they graduate. Cedar Creek is nationally recognized as creating a college-going culture that gives students opportunities to earn college credit and maximize their college outcomes.
Holistic Learning Opportunities: From the earliest grades through high school, Cedar Creek provides a comprehensive and cohesive curriculum that supports a love of learning. Young students have daily access to PE, recess, and character development programs. We also offer music, art, drama, computer, library, and foreign language classes, including both French and Spanish, ensuring that our students are well-rounded and culturally aware.
Small Class Sizes: We prioritize individualized attention with small class sizes from the Early Learning Center through our high school courses. This close-knit learning environment allows our dedicated faculty to tailor their approach to meet the unique needs of each child.
A Thriving Community of Leaders and Scholars: Cedar Creek is proud to foster a community of service-oriented leaders. Our graduating class of 2024 completed over 7,000 hours of community service and included two National Merit Scholars. Students have access to a wealth of extracurricular activities, with 100% of 2024 graduating seniors involved in at least one activity. Cedar Creek is a member of the LHSAA, offering 16 high school sports teams and spirit groups, along with 29 clubs and organizations on campus. Of our student-athletes in the class of 2024, 87% were named as LHSAA Academic All-State honorees. Sports and activities start early at Cedar Creek, beginning with our PeeWee sports program for our elementary students. We believe that students should be encouraged to pursue their interests, develop new skills, and give back to their community.
Lifelong Preparation: With our focus on building a foundation for the future, Cedar Creek prepares students not just for college, but for a lifetime of success. Our commitment to excellence has earned us national recognition, and our graduates continue to make a positive impact long after they leave our halls.
New Tuition Assistance Options Are Available:
Cedar Creek School now offers several different tuition assistance options. These include our non-profit partners, ACE and ARETE, campus-based tuition assistance through FACTS, and we are proud to partner with the state of Louisiana through the new LA GATOR program. Through LA GATOR, all Louisiana residents will be eligible for tuition assistance by Phase 3. In Phase 1, any student entering Kindergarten or any student currently attending a public school is eligible to apply, regardless of income. More information on these programs is available on our website: cedarcreekschool.org/tuition-assistance.
Apply today!
Don’t miss this chance to see why Cedar Creek is consistently recognized as one of the premier schools in Louisiana. Several of our grade levels have reached capacity, and others are filling quickly. We encourage you to apply online today. Whether you’re looking for a faith-based education, strong academics, or a community where your child will be supported and challenged, Cedar Creek offers The Best of All.
A Ruston woman was arrested at the Interstate 20 westbound rest area last week after she apparently caused a disturbance by appearing intoxicated in public.
Lois Wimsatt, 23, was arrested for disturbing the peace Feb. 22 after Lincoln Parish deputies responded to a report of a woman being left behind at the rest area and having a panic attack.
Wimsatt was found in an elevated emotional state, according to a deputy’s report. After efforts to calm her down and ambulance responded to check on her, Wimsatt was told deputies would work on getting her home after EMTs checked her out.
Wimsatt refused to cooperate and even laid on the ground to avoid compliance. She continued to scream and yell while deputies tried to communicate with her. Due to her highly intoxicated state and refusal to cooperate, she was arrested for disturbing the peace by appearing intoxicated in public.
Wimsatt was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center and later released on her own recognizance.
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.
When neighbors play neighbors, the game often simply seems bigger.
Sometimes so big it can get away from you.
The Ruston Lady Bearcats softball team learned that earlier this week as they fell to Lincoln Parish foe Simsboro, 6-5.
And on Thursday night it was the Choudrant Lady Aggies facing a tough lesson as they fell 11-1 in six innings in another cross-parish battle against Ruston on the Lady Bearcats Softball Field at the Ruston Sports Complex.
It was simply one of those nights — the bad kind — for Choudrant after Ruston started strong to race away with its second win of the season to move to 2-1 on the year.
Uncontested stolen bases along with numerous wild pitches and errors proved costly for the Lady Aggies, who just couldn’t get into any kind of groove from start to finish.
That was uncharacteristic for a 1-2 Choudrant team that had defeated Ouachita 8-6 last week.
“We’ve had some adversity this week with some injuries and things like that and it all just caught up to us tonight,” said Choudrant coach Stacey Tassin. “We’re a much better team than we showed tonight.
“Right now we’ve just got to focus on getting ourselves together mentally and getting back on track. Regrouping and overcoming adversity is top priority right now.”
Choudrant managed one hit in the top of the opening inning on a double by Zoey Smith before the Lady Bearcats jumped on top 2-0 in the bottom half of the stanza.
Ruston leadoff batter Aubrey Stoehr doubled to spark Ruston’s offense before being plated on an RBI-double by pitcher Rilee Atwood, who went on to score herself on a Morgan Foster groundout.
The Lady Bearcats pushed across two more runs in the third as Atwood led off the bottom half of that inning with a walk before Tolar singled.
Foster then hit a two-RBI single to push Ruston’s lead to 4-0.
Choudrant scored its lone run in the top of the fourth as Emma Boggs tripled before scoring off a Kylie Willis single.
But Ruston added three runs off of four hits in the bottom half of the stanza as Gracelyn Underwood and Stoehr hit back-to-back singles before Atwood singled in Underwood and Sage Toler notched an RBI to score Stoehr.
Jaiden Feeheely then singled to plate Atwood and extend Ruston’s lead to 7-1 heading into the fifth inning.
The Lady Bearcats scored three more runs in the final two innings, with a ball dropped on what should have been a routine tagout accounting for the final RHS run that gave Ruston the 10-run rule win with one out in the bottom of the sixth inning.
“I thought tonight was good,” Ruston Head Coach Lauren Garvie said. “We were lucky in getting time to sit down and watch some film from earlier in the week and just seeing small adjustments that need to be made and the girls went after that tonight. Stoehr and Rilee started us off hot and then I think they carried that through really well. We really pitched really well tonight and our freshman Skylar Bowers came in and did a great job for two innings.
“The girls worked hard. Feeheley was doing everything she can to knock down and over throw even though we had plenty of room in the score at the time. I’m very proud of how we played tonight.”
Foster batted 3-of-4 for the Lady Bearcats, with a team-leading four RBI’s and a triple. Stoehr and Tolar added two hits each.
Smith and Willis led the Lady Aggies with two hits each.
Next up for Ruston will be a home game against D’Arbonne Woods on Monday while Choudrant is slated to play host to Ouachita today.
Following Cedar Creek’s impressive 19-point win over Hamilton Christian on Thursday night, I joined Ruston Daily Leader sportswriter Matt Belinson on the court as we interviewed second-year head coach Katie Hall.
The first words out of Katie’s mouth to me were, “You sure motivated my basketball team!”
What, me?
I smiled and asked, “How?” Although, at this point I already head a pretty good idea.
Katie, who I have been great friends with for more than 25 years dating back to her days as an assistant coach for the Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters, proceeded to tell me what I already knew.
Her players didn’t take too kindly to me critiquing their performance in my game story following Monday night’s lopsided win over St. Fredericks.
“They didn’t like that at all,” repeated Katie.
Again, I smiled and even laughed.
Katie continued.
“They said, ‘I thought he liked us?'”
Again, ladies, I do.
If I didn’t enjoy covering your team then I wouldn’t have come to close to 20 of your games this year, including traveling a number of times to road games. I wouldn’t have written countless game stories and player features and columns about ya’ll.
Just because I painted the vocabulary picture of a uncharacteristic performance doesn’t mean I’m not a “fan.”
However, this is the perfect opportunity to point out something that my business partner Kyle Roberts and I talk about all the time. We hear it way too often from parents or readers or coaches or even players.
In our jobs as sportswriters, we don’t serve as the public relations department for any of our five parish high schools or two colleges. I did for 23 years at Louisiana Tech before retiring from that aspect of it in 2022.
Sure, the overwhelming majority of what we write is over-the-top positive as we like to highlight the good, whether that’s a team win, an individual performance, or just a feel good story.
I would even go as far as saying outside of the legendary O.K. Buddy Davis, I may have written more positive stories about Cedar Creek School and its student athletes then anyone else … ever.
But, credibility is also important in our business. It’s important in all professions.
If you have ever listened to me call at Louisiana Tech Athletics sporting event on the radio or on ESPN+, one thing I am is real. No one loves the red and blue more than me. I went to my first Tech sporting event when I was 8 years old and have had the joy of working for my alma mater for 26 years.
But when the Bulldogs or the Lady Techsters don’t play well, you will know it by listening to my call of the game. It’s not fair to the listener if I try to gloss over a subpar performance on the air.
Same goes with my writing.
Another example is Ruston High. I am a 1989 graduate of RHS, and I love the Bearcats. And over the past three years while Jerrod Baugh and Co. have made three straight state championship appearances, there have been times where I have been critical of a team performance.
It’s called journalism. The late great Wiley Hilburn, Jr., taught me that during my college days.
So let’s get back to you, ladies.
I’ve watched the vast majority of your games this year. I’ve even traveled the back roads across the northern part of the state to cover your games. I’ve seen how good you are when you play together and execute.
But Monday night fell short of that line of basketball demarcation. And it wasn’t my job to sugar coat what I believed was a very uncharacteristic performance.
Does it mean I don’t “like” you? Heck, no.
But, I watch sporting events through a different lens than moms and dads and grandparents and the average fans. It’s my job to tell the story and sometimes that mean’s its not all rainbows and unicorns.
Monday night was not rainbows and unicorns.
And although I appreciate Coach Katie for giving me some “credit,” I don’t know that I truly motivated you ladies last night. I think you were probably motivated by the opportunity to advance to the state semifinals for just the fifth time in school history.
But if I did, maybe I should do it before next week’s trip to Hammond. Because I saw you play one of your most complete games of the year last night in a win-or-go-home scenario.
I enjoyed watching you execute at a high level and getting back to playing the style of basketball that I’ve witnessed for the vast majority of the season.
My hope for you, ladies, is that you can do that two more times this year and bring home the school’s first state title in girls basketball.
Right now, I have a laptop where it belongs. I am composing this wonderful tome for you sitting in my recliner. To the right of my keyboard is a numeric keypad. I rarely use the calculator function. It seems I only use the numbers for my passwords. Next to my laptop on the arm of the chair is my cell phone. Of course, on the table next to the cell phone is the remote for the TV. I have a laptop, cell phone, and an iPad all within reach. I think for Lent I need to give up being connected or maybe go on a digital diet.
Do you remember when phones were attached to the wall, had chords, and rotary dials? If you had to make the rare long-distance phone call, it took quite a while with that rotary dial phone. Yes, I do remember party lines. A party line was a vast treasure trove of information for the community, not that anyone ever listened to a party line call.
Cell phones are everywhere now. You can’t escape them. It seems they are always going off in church, at weddings, and even at funerals. Yes, we are all secretly laughing at that dumb ring tone you have set as your default for your phone. There are some things that can’t be unheard over the hushed crowd at the funeral.
So, I am looking at the numbers on my phone. One, two and three are across the top line of the phone. On the computer keypads one, two, and three are across the bottom. I have noticed this same phenomenon at ATM’s and gas pump numeric pads. I’m wondering why. Why can’t all the numeric keypads have the same arrangement?
Whoever oversees numbers, could you get together so there will be only one pattern on these number pads? It is very confusing to those of us who use both.
As a minister people often ask me “why?” I will tell you that ministers mostly can’t answer why questions. Those are management questions. We minister types are pretty good at answering “how” questions. So, if you are dealing with some “why” event in your life, I invite you to church we can talk about “how” you can live through your “why.”
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 — Paris Bradley scored 25 points and Jianna Morris had 20 to lead Louisiana Tech to a 76-55 win over Sam Houston on Thursday night inside the Thomas Assembly Center.
Jordan Marshall had her ninth double-double of the season with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Robyn Lee added 12 points and seven boards for LA Tech (14-13, 7-9 CUSA).
Lee and Marshall started the scoring early for the Lady Techsters. Lee scored the game’s first basket, and Marshall took an offensive rebound back up to give Tech a 4-0 lead. After Sam Houston (12-14, 5-11) scored on a free throw, Bradley connected on a three in front of the Bearkat bench. SHSU would cut the deficit to 17-13 at the end of one.
The Lady Techsters found themselves in foul trouble in the second. With Marshall on the bench with two quick fouls in the first quarter, five other Techsters picked up their second or third foul before halftime. That allowed Sam Houston to get to the charity stripe 18 times to tie in going into the locker room.
LA tech started to heat up out of the break. Marshall put Tech up with two free throws to start the third, but the Bearkats took their first lead on a three. Morris responded with her first trey of the night. After SHSU tied it up, Bradley and Lee combined for every point in Tech’s 11-2 run to take control of the game at 48-39.
The visitors would cut the lead to four before Bradley hit another three. Morris would close the third stanza out with triples on back-to-back possessions, the final one coming right before the buzzer to give Tech a 57-44 lead.
It took the Techsters over two minutes to score in the fourth. Bradley’s and-1 opportunity started the scoring. The 5-9 guard would miss her free throw, but Marshall was there to clean it up and put the lead to 15.
Sam Houston would get as close as 13 with three minutes to play before Morris and Bradley closed the door with two more triples in an 8-0 run to end the game.
Louisiana Tech finished 43.5 percent from the field (27-62), 41.2 from behind the arc (7-17), and 78.9 percent from the line (15-19). Bradley added five boards and five assists.
Deborah Ogayemi led Sam Houston with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Fanta Kone was the only other Bearkat in double figures at 12. SHSU finished shooting 38.3 percent (18-47), but just 20 from deep (2-10) and 68 from the line (17-25).
Freshman Eli Slocum provided the Cedar Creek baseball team a shot in the arm Thursday night.
Slocum tossed 4.2 solid innings and senior JB Robinson came on in relief to throw 2.1 scoreless frames as Cedar Creek defeated Many 8-4 in the first night of the Lakeside Tournament.
“Eli gave us a good start on the mound which we’ve needed badly,” said head coach Chad Yates. “JB came on in relief and has continued to pitch very well. We were able to put together some good at bats and got some big two-out hits.”
Slocum (1-1) picked up the win, allowing four runs on eight hits while striking out five and walking just one. Robinson allowed just one run and one walk in 2.1 innings of action.
Freshman Cason Floyd got the Cougars off to a good start at the plate, driving in a pair of runs in the first inning with a two-run double.
“Cason had a big two-out, two-run double in the first,” said Yates.
Junior Brett Bell continued the two-out production for Creek in the sixth inning with an RBI single.
Connor Yates registered a pair of hits and three stolen bases while Kaleb Negrotto added two singles.
“This was a big win to snap our four-game losing skid,” said Yates.
Cedar Creek has played some tough competition to open the year, suffering setbacks against Central Private, Riverside Academy, North DeSoto and Benton.
“We played some pretty good baseball against Calvary Baptist,” said Yates. “But over these last (seven) games we had a little bit of a spin. We really haven’t put together some good innings, and it usually starts on the mound.
“We’ve had some guys we are putting out there to see what we are going to get, and we just haven’t gotten off to a good start.
“The bats have been cold which typically early in the year they are, especially with the weather we have had. We just haven’t strung together enough competitive at bats consistently to give ourselves a chance.
“We have played a couple of good teams that we will see there at the end. (Central Private and Riverside) are playoff teams in our division. It seems like we are running up against everybody’s No. 1 pitcher. We have seen quality arms every time out.
“We just have to string together some better pitching and better defense. That is what we are centered around.”
The Cougars (4-6) will continue the tournament by facing Byrd at 4 p.m. and Lakeside at 6 p.m. Saturday.
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.
Friday, Feb. 28 4 p.m.: LA Tech baseball 4-8 p.m.: Mardi Gras mingle to sample products (PF Importers, 1607 Industrial Drive, Ruston) 6 p.m.: GSU baseball 7 p.m.: Ruston Community Theatre presents “The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, Jr.” (Dixie Theatre) 7 p.m.: DVPA presents “Shakin’ The Mess Out of Misery” (GSU Floyd L. Sandals Theatre)
Saturday, March 1 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market 2 p.m.: LA Tech baseball 3 p.m.: GSU baseball 7 p.m.: Ruston Community Theatre presents “The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, Jr.” (Dixie Theatre)
Sunday, March 2 1 p.m.: GSU baseball 1 p.m.: LA Tech baseball 2 p.m.: Ruston Community Theatre presents “The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, Jr.” (Dixie Theatre)
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.
The Bulldogs (5-3) are set to host the Memphis Tigers (5-3) in a three-game weekend series at the Love Shack with today’s first pitch set for 4 p.m. CT.
LA Tech is coming off a midweek loss to Lamar and look for a bounce-back weekend with eight games left in their homestand with just one win in their previous four games.
All three contests can be heard on 97.7 FM and seen on ESPN+.
The Bulldogs and the Tigers meet on the diamond for the first time in 36 years, with the Tigers currently on a two-game winning streak against LA Tech despite the Bulldogs taking six of the last 10 matchups.
The weekend’s series is the first time the two programs face off in Ruston and the first three-game slate since the 1988 season. In 1989, the Tigers and the Bulldogs played a two-game weekend series in Memphis with the Tigers winning by a score of 5-4 in both games.
The ‘Dogs are 6-4 against Memphis when playing in Ruston with four wins in their last five games at home, with their last win occurring in 1988 by a final score of 9-4.
Memphis (5-3) enters the weekend coming off a Wednesday road loss to Little Rock, 9-8, in 10 innings. The Tigers jumped ahead to a 5-0 lead going into the home half of the fourth inning before the Trojans evened it up with a five-spot.
The Tigers’ offense is led by Shane Cox, who has team highs in batting average, OPS, doubles and total bases and is one of five players with six runs scored this season. He is also the only Tiger to have hit multiple homers.
David Case leads Memphis’ pitching staff with 14 strikeouts despite allowing seven earned runs on seven hits and four walks. Case along with Seth Garner are the only two pitchers with multiple starts and at least nine innings pitched for Memphis.
Grambling State secured a 71-59 victory over Bethune-Cookman, using a dominant performance in the paint and late-game execution to pull away on Friday evening at the Richard V. Moore Gymnasium.
Grambling State (12-14 overall 9-6 SWAC) controlled much of the game, leading for over 35 minutes and maintaining composure despite Bethune-Cookman’s (9-19 overall 6-10 SWAC) early push. The Lady Tigers built their advantage with a balanced attack, scoring 38 points in the paint and capitalizing on 27 second-chance points.
Lydia Freeman led the charge with a standout performance, finishing with 21 points on 9-of-11 shooting while grabbing 12 rebounds.
She set the tone inside, helping Grambling State outrebound Bethune-Cookman 42-38. Douthshine Prien added 10 points and four assists, while Kahia Warmsley chipped in nine points, three rebounds, and three assists.
Grambling State started strong, posting a 22-17 first-quarter lead behind efficient shooting. The team extended its advantage in the second quarter, heading into halftime up 40-36.
Bethune-Cookman remained within striking distance, led by Ariel Nicholson’s 17-point, 19-rebound double-double. However, a tough third quarter saw the Wildcats struggle offensively, scoring just 11 points as Grambling State’s defense tightened.
In the fourth quarter, Grambling State pulled away, outscoring Bethune-Cookman 18-12 in the final quarter.
The Lady Tigers closed the game on a strong defensive stand, limiting the Wildcats to just three made field goals in the last 10 minutes.
Freeman’s late layup sealed the victory, giving Grambling State its largest lead of the night at 14 points.
Bethune-Cookman struggled with turnovers, committing 25, which Grambling State converted into 20 points. The Wildcats had brief momentum early but never led after the first quarter.
Funeral services for Terry Lee Lofton, age 67 of Choudrant, LA, will be held at 3:00 PM, Sunday, March 2, 2025 at Calvary Baptist Church with Bro. Bill Reid and Bro. Reagan Colvin officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Cemetery under direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Ruston.
Terry was born December 26, 1957 in Alexandria, LA and passed away Thursday, February 27, 2025 in Choudrant, LA. Terry spent his life dedicated to faith, family, and hard work.
Terry met the love of his life, Brenda, in high school, and together they attended NLU in Monroe. They married on June 3, 1978, and in 1980, they made their home in Ruston. Terry built a career in the finance industry, but his true passion was raising cattle—a love he inherited from his father while growing up on their family farm in Ball, LA.
Terry had a great enthusiasm for college baseball, especially cheering on the LSU Tigers, faithfully following every game.
A devoted man of faith, Terry found great joy in sharing his love for the Lord and serving alongside his church family at Calvary Baptist Church. His boisterous personality, unwavering faith, and deep love for those around him left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him.
Terry was preceded in death by his parents, Frankie and Matt Lofton; brother, Robert Lofton; niece, Lynn Lofton Walker; and his in-laws, Bobbiline and Bobbie McLemore.
He is survived by his wife, Brenda; two daughters, Janna Young and her husband Matthew and Jennifer Derr and her husband Ryan; grandchildren, Lydia, Kyla, Ilanna, Nathan, Hannah, and Obadiah Young; brother, Dewey Lofton and his wife Karen; brother-in-law, Kent McLemore and his wife Kathy; sister-in-law, Lela Lofton; several nieces and nephews and a host of friends.
Serving as pallbearers will be K.C. Allen, Beau Burton, Troy Harrison, Jimmy Leggett, Mark Milstead, Rick Nelson, and Craig Walker.
He will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Visitation will be 3:00 PM until 5:00 PM, Saturday, March 1, 2025 at Calvary Baptist Church, 5200 Hwy 167 N, Vienna, LA. To leave an online memorial message for the family, please visit: http://www.owensmemorialfuneralhome.com
Jewel James Bowden Wednesday 08/19/1942 — Saturday 02/22/2025 Family Gathering: Friday 02/28/2025 2:00pm to 3:00pm at King’s Funeral Home Visitation: Friday 02/28/2025 3:00pm to 6:00pm at King’s Funeral Home Celebration of Life: Saturday 03/01/2025 1:00pm, Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, 446 Bowden Road, Ruston (Clay) Interment: Saturday 03/01/2025 Following Service, Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Bowden Road, Ruston (Clay)
On Thursday afternoon, Bearcat head football coach Jerrod Baugh confirmed the addition of Marcus Yanez, who will join the staff after serving as the defensive coordinator for the Mangham High School Dragons for the past two seasons.
“Marcus has a really good reputation in the coaching world, particularly in North Louisiana,” Baugh said. “With his experience of being a defensive coordinator and a head coach, he understands what it takes to develop programs. Being able to bring those dynamics to us, to me it was a no-brainer (to hire Yanez).”
Yanez spoke with the LPJ Thursday afternoon and expressed his excitement for coming to Ruston.
“It’s a great opportunity to come to Ruston High School and knowing the tradition Ruston has,” Yanez said. “It truly is an honor to be put in this position. I’m looking forward to the opportunity – it doesn’t get much higher as far as the level of football than Ruston High School. I’m privileged and honored to be part of this family.”
Baugh announced his intentions to add Yanez to the staff last week.
“We have plenty of guys on our staff who already know Marcus, and it’s been taken well,” Baugh said. “That will make the transition for Marcus onto our coaching staff that much easier. And I know our kids love Coach (Kyle) Williams and hated to see him go, but Marcus is going to come in and develop his own relationship with those kids. That part will help ease the loss of Williams from our staff.”
Yanez’s defenses at Mangham helped get the Dragons to the quarterfinals for the past two seasons in the playoffs. Baugh said his new coordinator is likely going to run a similar style that the programs has been accustomed to during Williams’ tenure: a 4-2-5 base defense with four linemen, two linebackers, and five defensive backs.
“Coach Baugh and Coach Williams have both done a great job of building the program and the defense starting in the middle schools,” Yanez said. “I think that is very important in order to have the level of success Ruston has had. My plan is to have continuity for (returning and incoming players). Coach Williams has done such a fantastic job, and at the same time, I’m looking forward to having my fingerprint on the Bearcat defense.”
Prior to his Mangham tenure, Yanez was named the head coach of the Richwood Rams back in 2019. After three seasons, Yanez posted the first winning season for Richwood in 2022 following the Rams’s run to the 3A state championship game in 2017.
A Bastrop High School graduate from the class of 2000, Yanez signed as a linebacker at Louisiana State University before transferring to Grambling State in 2001.
See Yanez’s full coaching history below.
Mangham High School-Defensive Coordinator/Strength & Conditioning (2023-Present)
Richwood High School-Athletics Director/Head Football Coach (2019-2022)
Ouachita Parish High School-Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach (2017-2018)
Bastrop High School-Head Football Coach (2016)
Ouachita Parish High School-Linebackers Coach (2014-2015)
Bastrop High School-Defensive Coordinator (2011/2013) Linebackers Coach (2007-2010)
General Trass High School-Athletics Director/Head Football Coach (2012)
Jackson High School-Defensive Coordinator (2006)
Grambling State University-Defensive Graduate Assistant (2005)
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