Robert Gregory “Greg” Grambling, age 75, passed away on February 16, 2025, in Ruston, Louisiana. A longtime resident of Ruston, Greg was a proud graduate of Louisiana Tech University, where he earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
A devoted supporter of Louisiana Tech Athletics, he could always be found cheering on his beloved Lady Techsters Softball, Basketball, Volleyball, Soccer and Track & Field teams.
Greg dedicated over 30 years of his life to education, serving as a physical education teacher in the Union Parish public school system. His passion for coaching extended beyond the classroom, as he mentored athletes through the Louisiana Games Uniting Mind and Body (GUMBO) and served as a meet official for Wheelchair Sports, USA.
Outside of his career, Greg was an avid photographer and motorcycle enthusiast. He had a deep love for animals and cared for numerous cats throughout his life. His generous spirit extended beyond the usual household pets—his property even became a cherished retreat for Reggie, the neighborhood peacock, whom he welcomed as a regular guest.
Greg was preceded in death by his parents, Marne Dee Avera and Robert Franklin Grambling of Shreveport, as well as his sister and brother-in-law, Constance and G.B. Lane of Columbia, SC. He is survived by his niece, Brandie Lane of West Point, NY, and many cousins, close friends, former students, and cherished athletes.
In lieu of a funeral, Greg’s wishes were to support the programs and athletes he cared about deeply. To honor his memory, please consider making a donation to the Louisiana Tech Athletics Club (LTAC) or Louisiana GUMBO (Games Uniting Mind & Body, Inc.). Donations to Louisiana GUMBO may be made by check, payable to La. GUMBO, Inc., and mailed to:
La. GUMBO, Inc. 2840 A Military Hwy Pineville, LA 71360
Minnie Marie Adams March 29, 1926 – February 13, 2025 Visitation: Saturday, February 22, 2025, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM, Mt Tabor Baptist Church, 132 Mount Tabor Church Road, Bernice Funeral Service: Saturday, February 22, 2025, 10:00 AM, Mt Tabor Baptist Church, 132 Mount Tabor Church Road, Bernice Cemetery Committal: Saturday, February 22, 2025, Mt. Tabor Cemetery, 132 Mount Tabor Church Rd, Bernice
Taylor Martinez and the Lady Cougars are the No. 2 seed in the Select School Division IV playoffs. (photo by Darrell James)
by Malcolm Butler
Four Lincoln Parish girls hoops teams qualified for the upcoming Louisiana High School Athletic Association playoffs as Cedar Creek, Ruston High, Choudrant High and Simsboro High will all be heading to postseason.
Cedar Creek headlines the group as the highest seed with the Lady Cougars earning the No. 2 seed in Select School Division IV with a 26-3 record and an unblemished mark on their way to the District 1-1A title. Head coach Katie Hall’s team earned a first round bye and will host the winner of No. 15 St. Frederick vs. No. 18 Central Private.
“Throughout the last 10 months, we have referenced this part of the season our workouts,” said Hall. “We worked hard in June to prepare for this time of the season. We got through preseason conditioning to prepare for this part of the season. This is when it counts and this is what it matters. But at the same time, I feel like we have been able to enjoy the journey thus far.
“These girls have worked extremely hard these past 10 months and they are being rewarded with having the potential of hosting playoff games at home until the semifinals. I am excited for them to have this opportunity in front of our fans in our community at Cedar Creek.”
St. Frederick, a former district rival, is 17-5 on the season while Central Private is 14-10. Hall said the contest would be scheduled for February 24th.
Ruston High was the last team in for the Non-Select Division I bracket as the Lady Bearcats earned the No. 28 seed by virtue of wins over Ouachita and West Monroe in their last two games of the season. Ruston will travel to face No. 5 Barbe Thursday at 6 p.m.
“This season has been filled with challenges, from battling injuries to finding ourselves in tough situations we shouldn’t have been in,” said head coach LaShanda Cooper. “Despite the obstacles, these young ladies have put in more work than ever before, pushing themselves both physically and mentally.
“It’s been incredibly rewarding to watch them grow, learning to embrace the process whether things are going well or not. As we reached the latter part of the regular season, we emphasized the importance of finishing strong. And these young ladies rose to the occasion, which is why we’ve earned the 28th seed.”
Barbe is 29-3 on the season with their lone losses coming against Southern Lab, Lafayette Christian, and Sulphur. The winner of this game would face the winner of No. 12 Northshore and No. 21 Benton.
Choudrant and Simsboro both earned a spot in the Class B playoffs.
Simsboro is the No. 18 seed and will travel to face No. 13 seed Hathaway. Game day and time yet to be determined. The Lady Tigers posted a 13-14 record on the season, going 4-4 in District 1B action and finishing third behind league champion Quitman and runner-up Weston.
Lacassine posted a 10-14 record on the season competing in District 6B. The winner will face No. 2 seed Bell City.
“I’m hoping Lacassine will get in touch with me because with everybody being out of school today I can’t call the school and try to get in touch with the coach and I don’t have that coach’s number,” said head coach Matt Herring. “I’ve tried to look through the teams they’ve played to see if I have a number of a coach that might have played them to try and get the Lacassine coach’s number, but I don’t have a number of any coach they played, so I’m hoping they will contact me.
“I’ve been watching them on film. I’ve kind of been watching them since last week. They’re like us — they play man-to-man, fullcourt/halfcourt. They’re very similar to Castor, which plays a lot like us. We’re all in the same mold. I think it should be a good, competitive game. I’d be shocked if it doesn’t end up being a close game.”
Choudrant is the No. 20 seed and will travel to face No. 13 seed Hathaway. The Lady Aggies posted a 10-21 record but won the District 2B title. Choudrant won seven of their final nine ball games.
Hathaway posted a 16-17 record on the season competing in District 6B. The winner of this game will face No. 4 seed Quitman.
Gametime for that game is set for 5:30 p.m. Thursday.
The game will be a rematch of a first-round playoff game last year when Hathaway won big over the Lady Aggies.
“So, I do know a lot about that,” said Lady Aggies coach Brandy Roberson. “I had two or three kids out with the flu when I went down last year, and I had the flu, too, so that wasn’t a game to remember. But they’re not quite as good as they were last year, although that district always produces good teams, and we’re a little better than we were last year.
“If we can handle that full-court pressure they love down south, I think we have a shot. If we can handle the ball and get through their pressure, I think we can compete. That’s the goal — to settle down and compete. It’s going to be really mental for us.”
Personnel from KXKZ radio and Super 1 Foods, members of the Zeta Rho-Epsilon Sigma Alpha service group, and volunteers gather around the display check that shows the total raised during this year’s Ruston St. Jude Radiothon: $95,690.
The total for the Z107.5 St. Jude Radiothon when it went off the air Friday stood at $95,690, up $1,733 from last year’s $93,957.
To the donors, sponsors, businesses, volunteers and others who assisted with the event, radiothon chair Nancy Darland said, “We are truly grateful for everyone who gave their time, talents and resources to make this undertaking a success. Because of our incredible community, we can make a real difference. The outpouring of love and generosity demonstrates the big hearts we have for the brave young fighters at St. Jude.”
She offered special praises to the Z107.5 staff for their dedication in organizing and broadcasting the event. Heartfelt appreciation was also extended to Super 1 Foods for hosting the radiothon headquarters and to Walmart Supercenter for allowing students from Louisiana Tech and Grambling State to collect donations on site.
Darland is a member of the co-sponsoring group, the Zeta Rho chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha service organization.
Within the next few days, the total may actually rise, she said, because after the event goes off the air, additional contributions and deposits are often made.
Pictured above from left: Allison Davidson, Amy Ringheim, Beth Fife, Lester Fife, Haylee Pate, Nancy Darland, Barbara Lewis, Jennifer Patterson, Bill Patterson, Sallie Rose Hollis, Norlyn Hyde and Santoria Black.
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Pastor Charles “CeeJay” Johnson invoked a number of Grambling State University legends as he served as keynote speaker of GSU’s “Honoring Our Legacy: Inspiring Future Generations” Black History Program Thursday morning inside T.H. Harris Auditorium.
Marcus A. Kennedy, Grambling State University’s Director Campus Activities and Student Engagement said that “Honoring Our Legacy: Inspiring Future Generations” wasn’t only a theme for the program but a call to action directed at all in attendance.
“Today we are celebrating the remarkable contributions of our ancestors, whose sacrifices and triumphs have shaped the world we live in,” Kennedy said. “Their stories remind us of the resilience, the strength and creativity that defines our community.”
During his speech, Johnson paid tribute to the late Grambling football coach Eddie G. Robinson on the legend’s 106th birthday.
“There was one man by the name of Eddie G. Robinson who was the legendary football coach of Grambling State University and was a man of faith and passion,” Johnson said. “He coached here for 57 years, and he transformed Black men into leaders both on and off the field.
“He didn’t let segregation or limited resources stop him from doing what God had called him to do. He was a man who had a greater plan. He was a man with faith, and it’s important for us to understand that, like Coach Robinson, we must trust God’s plan, even when that plan seems not to be working.”
Shortly later, Johnson recalled former GSU quarterback Doug Williams, who was not only the first Black quarterback to start in a Super Bowl but also the first to win MVP honors in that annual NFL championship game.
“You had a man on this campus named Doug Williams, and he is Black history,” Johnson said. “And the reason he’s Black history is because he was the first Black quarterback to win a Super Bowl.
“I will tell you that you never know who’s sitting next to you. You may have the next scientist who learns and figures out how to cure cancer. You may have the next president of the United States next to you. You don’t know who’s sitting next to you because you’re on a historical campus called Grambling State University, where everybody’s proud to be a Tiger.”
Johnson said that Williams won a Super Bowl back in a time when racism was real.
“Well let me just say, it’s still real today,” Johnson said. “As long as you’re Black you’re going to have people jealous of you. You’re going to have people that hate on you for no reason. But you have to understand that as long as God has called you and equipped you, you can do what the prophet Jay-Z said. And he said, ‘I may have 99 problems, but a hater ain’t one of them.’”
As he continued, Johnson went on to mention journalist Harris Faulkner and singer/songwriter Erykah Badu, who both attended Grambling before going on to make their own indelible marks on the world.
Johnson told the crowd they have to have hope — the kind of hope Grambling graduate and basketball legend Willis Reed had as he led the New York Knicks to a Game 7 win over the Los Angeles Lakers to win the 1970 NBA championship.
“Willis Reed was an NBA Hall of Famer who had hope (while) playing through pain and injury in one of the most famous basketball games in history,” Johnson said. “What I’m telling you is that in life, you’re going to be let down. In life you’re going to face pain. In life, you’re going to cry.
“In life, you’re going to want to throw in the towel. In life, you’re going to want to quit. In life, some of your oldest friends are going to get on your nerves. In life, your family just may be your problem. In life, your professors may not be your favorite teachers. In life, you’re going to have all kinds of difficulties. But you have to know just one thing — you have to keep going. And not only do you have to keep going.”
Johnson said people have to keep going because of the legacies left to them by God.
“God has called you to a legacy of excellence, a legacy of faith, a legacy of perseverance, a legacy of hope and a legacy of leadership,” Johnson said. “You must understand that you just can’t read Black history, you all have to make some Black history.”
GSU Miss Cover Girl 2024 Brooke Steward served as Mistress of Ceremonies for the “Honoring Our Legacy: Inspiring Future Generations” Black History Program, which also featured Jhikiyah Jackson singing “Lift Every Voice,” Tylen Davis presenting the opening prayer, a song performed by Amari Gatewood-Peterson accompanied by Dr. Daniel Huey on piano, a welcome address by Student Government Association President Morgan Patton, an original spoken word piece by Austin Small, a performance by the Orchesis Dance Company, Miss Grambling State University Jess’lynn Sanders introducing Johnson and a performance by Grammy Nominated Gospel singer Carolyn Traylor.
The Diamond Dogs ended the opening weekend of the 2025 season with a perfect 4-0 record, clinching the sweep over the Maine Black Bears Sunday afternoon, 9-8.
Tech won Friday by a score of 14-3 and swept Saturday’s doubleheader 4-2 and 4-0.
On Sunday Maine came out of the gates early, putting up a quick run in the first inning before Louisiana Tech responded with a four-spot in the home half.
Garrison Berkley led off with a triple to the left field wall on the second pitch thrown by the Maine hurler. The very next at-bat, Michael Ballard tied it with a ripped double down the third base line for his third double on the weekend. After Colton Coates reached base on a walk, Ballard stole third to put runners on the corners with one out for Zeb Ruddell.
Ruddell reached base on a fielding error by Maine’s first baseman to bring Ballard across the plate and give the Bulldogs the lead. The scoring continued after Coates stole third along with Ruddell moving up to second to put two runners in scoring position for Eli Berch.
The Bulldog backstop drove a 2-1 pitch up the middle to score Coates and give the ‘Dogs a two-run advantage. Brody Drost then picked up an RBI to give LA Tech a 4-1 lead through the first frame.
After keeping the Black Bears at bay in the second, the ‘Dogs put two more runs on the board on a Ballard sacrifice fly and a Coates RBI double to right.
Maine answered back with four runs of their own in the third to cut their deficit to just one run and played a sly pitching game with the Bulldogs by not allowing a hit for 19 consecutive batters.
A Black Bear solo home run on the first pitch of the fifth inning tied the game at 6-6 before Maine would then record a double, a fielder’s choice and a groundout to take a one-run lead.
After being held at bay for four-straight innings, with one out on an 0-2 count Ruston native Cade Patterson drove his first career home run over the left field wall to even the game back up at 7-7. But the lead did not last long, as a hit-by-pitch and back-to-back singles put Maine back on top by one.
In the bottom of the eighth with two outs, Ballard knocked a base hit that was just high enough to get over the outstretched Maine second baseman. As Coates is in his at-bat, Maine’s pitcher balked to put Ballard in scoring position with a chance to tie late in the game. Down to his final strike of the inning, the LA Tech designated hitter slapped a single to the left-center gap for the second tied score in the last three innings.
Extra innings were played at the Love Shack for the first time in 2025 as neither team could get a run across in the ninth.
Blake Hooks kept the Black Bears in check in the top of the 10th. After allowing a leadoff single, he bounced back to get a pop up and a double play to give LA Tech a chance.
Berkley wasted no time singling through the right side before Ballard would move him to second on what was played as a sacrifice bunt, but there was no Maine fielder to cover first base to set the Diamond Dogs up with runners on first and second with no outs.
Coates flied out to left deep enough to advance Berkley and Ballard, which forced Maine to intentionally walk Trey Hawsey and load the bases for Patterson.
Patterson battled his entire at-bat, fouling off six-straight pitches before delivering the final blow with a ball hit to the right-center gap. The center fielder attempted to throw Berkley out at home, but the throw was too late as LA Tech notched its second-straight season with a 4-0 start.
The Bulldogs return to action on the road when they travel to Hattiesburg, Mississippi for a three-game series with the Southern Miss Golden Eagles at Pete Taylor Park.
___________________________________
SOFTBALL
Seven runs across three innings propelled the Louisiana Tech softball team to a 7-4 win over Southern Miss on Sunday afternoon at Dr. Billy Bundrick Field. The Bulldogs finished the LA Tech Classic 2-2 after earning wins over ULM and USM and move to 4-5 on the season.
The Bulldogs had four players register two hits apiece in Elena Heng, Alexis Gilio, Alannah Rogers and Reagan Marchant. Paris Endris and Marchant led the team with two RBI each, while Gilio and Rogers plated one run each.
Allie Floyd earned her fourth win of the season and moves to 4-2 in the circle after tossing 4.0 innings of relief work and striking out seven while allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits. Floyd relieved Alyssa Martin who recorded a quality start after pitching 3.0 innings and allowing one run on three hits to go along with three strikeouts.
The Golden Eagles struck first in the final game of the LA Tech Classic as they plated one run in both the third and fourth inning to take a 2-0 lead. USM used an RBI single to score the first run and pushed a second across in the fifth after the second of the batter reached on an error and would score on a sac fly after getting into scoring position on a passed ball and a wild pitch.
The Bulldogs tied the game in the bottom of the fourth as Endris, who was making her first start of the season, recorded a two RBI single for her first hit of the season. Endris drove in Rogers who singled to start the inning and Raley who reached on a fielder’s choice.
LA Tech tacked onto its lead after plating four runs in the fifth inning to take a 6-3 lead. Allie Furr drew a pinch hit walk and advanced to second on a Gilio single. A throwing error advanced Gilio and Furr into scoring position which allowed Rogers to score Gilio on a single to left field to make it 5-3. Marchant hit her second home run of the weekend as she belted a ball to left center that brought the score to 6-3.
The Bulldogs scored one final run in the bottom of the sixth as Gilio tripled to right field to score Heng who reached on a fielder’s choice.
Southern Miss threatened in the bottom half as two runners reached base after a leadoff single, a strikeout and another single. Floyd who strike out the final two batters for her sixth and seventh strikeout of the night.
Tech will host Northwestern State Tuesday at 4 p.m.
A set of brown double doors stand out among the uniform halls of Howard Auditorium. Covered in old flyers and posters, they open to reveal a space no larger than a dorm room, most of which is taken up by two couches, a large chair and a desk facing the visitor. The walls are buried under flyers for past events, band posters and anti-online music streaming propaganda. The scene is blanketed in dim red and green lighting competing from opposite corners of the room, and ’80s alternative rock greets its guests. This is the home of KLPI.
Founded in 1967, KLPI-FM is Louisiana Tech’s student-run campus radio station and one of the university’s oldest clubs. Broadcasting on 89.1 FM, the station currently resides in Howard Auditorium, Room 306, and its only studio sits across the hall in an old music practice room that hardly fits three people.
In August of 2022, KLPI’s home of 40 years in a small building between Howard Auditorium and the Student Center was torn down. The refugee radio station was taken in by the School of Music, but the impacts of its uprooting are felt to this day. KLPI Librarian Noah Jose said the station has been left to rebuild what was lost in the wreckage.
“That’s been a monumental task. I feel like I talk about it like, oh yeah, we had a building come down, but we relocated it’s fine. I mean, we lost a lot of stuff while the building came down like a lot of just physical history, a lot of music that we lost, a lot of respect if anything,” said Jose.
The first step in reclaiming the voice of Louisiana Tech was making sure it was audible. General Manager Chris Colello arrived at KLPI just after the move.
“This whole place was held together with duct tape and bubblegum,” said Colello. “The overall theme of me being here is improvement and making sure we don’t fall apart again.”
Colello invested years of unused station funds, around $130,000, to purchase and install a new transmitter and replace the 1968 antenna atop Wyly Tower, which will boost KLPI’s signal strength from 20 watts to 4,000 watts. This new range will encompass all of Ruston and brings KLPI to licensed wattage for the first time in over 30 years.
“As a radio station we’re improving there. I mean, the transmitter, the antenna, a few years ago that was thought of as impossible — it will never happen. Well, I made it happen, and then, we’re growing as a club as well because that’s where our money comes from: the students. Yeah, we can be the best radio station in Ruston, but if students don’t like KLPI, well there goes our funding,” said Colello.
KLPI currently has over 30 active members. Like many student organizations, the station receives funding based on the number of students enrolled. Executive staff said the club has continued to grow following their relocation, but they haven’t lost the tight bond that makes KLPI special.
“We’re a little weird. I’m not gonna lie. We’re not for everybody, but we’ll have you. We accept everybody…If you want it, come here we’ll do it. We’ll train you. We can have some fun,” said Colello. “Radio’s kind of a niche market, and anything that we can do to make it a little bit more accessible, yeah let’s do it.”
In addition to a diverse group of members, Jose said the station features a variety of jobs to satisfy any interest. Positions include music, programming, production and public relations, not just on-air broadcasting.
“We go live and play music for the town of Ruston and talk to the town of Ruston via the radio station which appeals to a lot of the more extroverted students,” said Jose. “We have just a lot of stuff to do like managerial whatnots, and I feel like that attracts a lot of the more introverted students, just feeling a part of a decent cause.”
That cause, Jose said, is music. KLPI highlights new and local artists. Over its nearly 60 years of operation, KLPI has featured a variety of shows and genres and settled on an alternative rock format in the 90s. Despite its classification, listeners can find a lot more than just its signature genre on 89.1 FM. Senior members are given their own radio shows and allowed to pick their own programming.
“We’re not always playing alternative rock 24/7. That’d be boring. We have our own DJs. They come in here. I had one guy do a rave show, for the longest time we had a rap show,” said Colello. “You can play whatever you want…If you wanna play rap, play some rap, country, go nuts.”
KLPI’s assorted programming helps it appeal to its primary audience: Louisiana Tech students. In helping expand the club and recuperate the station’s image, KLPI has prioritized student outreach. This effort has been led by Public Relations Director Tucker Phillips.
“I want us to be played kind of just around campus regularly. Like, they play us sometimes in the bookstore. They’ll turn us on on the radio. It’s nice to like go in and hear our shows being played,” said Phillips. “I want that interaction. I really want us to thrive and to get the attention of the student body. I think it’s important to do that.”
Headlining the outreach effort will be Mayfest, KLPI’s annual concert festival ended during the pandemic that staff hopes to bring back this spring. Despite a tumultuous few years for the station, members are optimistic about KLPI’s future.
“I see the station doing pretty well within the coming years. I think that we’re definitely going to revitalize our name,” said Jose. “There’s just a lot of goodwill repair going on, but I think within the coming years that KLPI is gonna be known as one of the primary Tech organizations alongside Student Government and things like that through the rebuilding effort that we put a lot into.”
As for the media outlet, Colello said college radio isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
“We’re all student run. I mean, I could say play fart noises on the radio, and they’ll play fart noises on the radio. If you appeal to your audience, being goofy, being kind of silly while also respecting the rules of the FCC, I think we’ll be okay,” said Colello.
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More than 100 members of the Louisiana Tech community gathered for a unique memorial service for Valentine’s Day – to mourn the loss of a wooden bench.
“I think it was important to me to memorialize this bench because of its significance to so many people on campus,” said architecture assistant professor Kaden Beilman. “It was a beautifully worn-in bench, under one of the most lovely trees on campus, in a perfect location to watch the activities of the quad from the perimeter. I think we see benches being used less and less now-a-days, partly because of our society’s resistance to slowing down, but mostly because somewhere along the line we just forgot how to properly place a bench. This bench hit all the marks: under shade, on the perimeter of activity, protected from being snuck up on from behind, perfect materials, removed from the walking path.”
Organized by Beilman, the memorial began with a procession from Hale Hall to the small triangular plot of land the bench once sat, in front of Wyly Tower, accompanied by music chosen for the event. Beilman gave a short eulogy emphasizing the importance of the bench and its impact on the lives of those on campus.
There was a moment of silence, which actually turned into a moment of singing along with Charlie Puth’s “See You Again” as it played on the speaker. Afterwards, attendees placed flowers, left notes and exchanged stories about the bench before heading their separate ways.
“I like sitting down on benches. I wanted to memorialize this bench to encourage others to consider how much value a good bench can bring to our lives,” Beilman said. “Seeing over 100 people gather in the bitter cold gives me confidence I’m not the only one who feels their impact.
“I think the bench being removed got such a reaction, particularly from the Architecture and Interior Design departments, because it’s classically been used as a break spot for the first-year architecture and interior design students, who have their studio on the 13th floor of Wyly Tower. A lot of students had memories attached to the bench from their first year of school.”
Beilman announced the memorial on his Instagram, and posters requested attendees wear black to the event as well. He gave remarks about the bench, stating that those gathered were not only to mourn but in deep gratitude.
“Under the shade of a magnificent tree, this bench was our quiet refuge,” Beilman said. “It witnessed our study sessions, our conversations, our moments of waiting and our silent observations of the world passing by
“As we stand here united, you might wonder: Where is the family? To whom do we offer our condolences?”
He then answered that everyone in attendance was the bench’s family.
“The whole thing was about the bench,” said Lex Buchanan, a freshman architecture major. “It was purely about the bench and how it will be missed. It was a beautiful speech.”
Buchanan was one of the attendees and said the bench had been a stable source of ease for students and faculty.
“It was just a staple by that tree; a bunch of people who worked in Wyly sat and took breaks there,” Buchanan said. “I’ve found it a few times just to collect my thoughts, and it was a comfy bench. And it was nice, facing towards the Quad and underneath the tree. It was a relaxing spot to be, and we just miss it. I immediately noticed when it wasn’t there.”
As far as the future – Beilman said he has hope.
Administrators confirmed that a new bench is coming — one that will honor Frank Barber, former groundskeeper at Louisiana Tech who passed away in 2024.
“I can say there is a future for the site,” Beilman said, “one which I believe will make a great impact.”
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(Ruston’s Talan Billberrypitched Game 2 against Haughton. Photo by Marla Freeman)
By Kyle Roberts
RUSTON, La. — Ruston High (2-1) split two games Thursday night with the Haughton Buccaneers, dropping the first game 3-1 before coming back and winning game two 6-3.
Due to the weather forecast, the schedule was shuffled to put game three on Friday, which was rained out and will be postponed indefinitely.
Ruston High head coach Bryan Beck said he was proud of the team for not only how they responded after losing game one, but also for the chaotic schedule changes due to the weather.
“I was proud of our kids for rebounding after the first game,” Beck said. “(Haughton) pitched a lefty on the mound against us (in the first game) that was giving us trouble to get timely hits. And then we made some mistakes with the ball that really cost us some runs. It was just kind of a weird game; we just couldn’t get the hits we needed, even after having runners in scoring position and a chance to tie.”
Haughton got up 2-0 in the top of the first inning, scoring first off of a passed ball and then a line drive single. The Buccaneers added another run in the top of the third inning on a single to third base to get the 3-0 lead.
The Bearcats scored in the bottom of the sixth inning after sophomore Dillon Williams came into to pinch hit, singling into right field to score senior Peyton Martin, closing the lead to 3-1.
Ruston’s batters were able to get eight hits on the night, while senior pitcher David Griep pitched four innings, giving up only four hits and one earned run. Griep also struck out five Buccaneer batters.
Sophomore Colt Lary came in to relieve Griep in the top of the fifth and did not surrender a single hit.
In between games, the Bearcats honored first responders, including Bearcat alum Steve Rogers, who will be retiring as Chief of Police of the City of Ruston. Lincoln Parish Sheriff Stephen Williams threw out the ceremonial first pitch, while Chris Taylor brought out the National Guard, which included some Bearcats that are currently serving.
Senior Talan Billberry took to the mound, and threw five total innings, striking out six and only giving up one earned run, leading Ruston to the 6-3 win to even the series.
“We came out in game two with really good energy,” Beck said. “Talan got on the bump for us and absolutely shoved them around. It was really good to see him come out and dominate on the mound like he did. He had a strict pitch count, and we pulled him when we were up 6-0. He was really, really good.”
Ruston scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the second inning on a suicide-squeeze bunt by junior Kenden Freeman to score both Williams and sophomore John Parker Moak. Williams would follow with a triple in the bottom of the third inning to score sophomore Michael Brisco, giving Ruston a 3-0 lead.
The Bearcats would get three more runs in the bottom of the inning after Haughton’s pitcher walked junior Lander Smith with the bases loaded to score sophomore Sam Hartwell. Williams would then ground into a fielder’s choice to score senior Jake Simmons. Moak then hit a sacrifice fly into center field to score junior Jackson Lee, putting Ruston up 6-0.
Haughton would get three total runs in the final two innings, but it would not be enough to overcome Ruston’s 6-3 score.
“We really need to be able to split after (Haughton) got the first game,” Beck said. “To do that was really exciting. I told them it’s better to be 2-1 rather than 1-2, so we’ll take it.”
Ruston returns to action Monday, Feb. 17, at 7 p.m. at J.C. Love Field on the campus of Louisiana Tech to take on C.E. Byrd.
(Sophomore Ahmad Hudson goes through the legs for an electric dunk. Photo by Reggie McLeroy)
Bearcats pick up season finale win over Rebels
By Kyle Roberts
WEST MONROE, La. — Stopping Ahmad Hudson is the primary scout for any Ruston opponent.
Despite West Monroe knowing the gameplan, the sophomore forward proved unstoppable against, scoring 38 points in a 71-60 Bearcat win (16-5; 4-1 District 2-5A) over the Rebels (12-13; 2-3 District 2-5A) to close out the regular season.
“We scored the ball well tonight,” acting-head coach Corey Deans said. “I thought we ran some good action offense. (Ahmad) had some really good put-backs. West Monroe pressed a lot, so he got the ball to the middle, and he attacked one-on-one defenders. He got a lot of a rebounds and took them coast-to-coast pretty much all night.”
The Rebels held close in the first quarter as Ruston took a 19-18 lead by the end of the period. Hudson scored seven first quarter points, while senior Aidan Anding score five. Senior Joran Parker knocked down a three-pointer in the first, and sophomore Keshun Malcolm added three points, as well.
Ruston extended the lead to 34-26 going into halftime after 11 points from Hudson and four from Anding.
Anding and junior Zaterrion Sutton would both knock down three-pointers in the third to go alongside 10 more from Hudson to give Ruston a 52-43 lead going into the fourth. Hudson added 10 more in the the final period, while Anding added six more.
Hudson’s 38 led all scorers, while Anding finished the night with 18.
“I think we still have a lot of work to do,” Deans said. “Obviously, the playoffs is one loss and you go home. I know we can execute for 32 minutes; we just haven’t done it yet. We’ve got a week off to practice and fine tune some things — if we do, I think we’ll have a really good chance.”
As of Friday night, Ruston was ranked No. 7 unofficially in the power rankings and will wait the end of the regular season to see where they will land in the bracket.
(Photo by Reggie McLeroy)
Lady Bearcats’ playoff hopes alive after West Monroe win
WEST MONROE, La. — It now comes down to power points.
But Ruston High (13-13, 1-4 District 2-5A) closed out the season winning both of its games this past week, first at Ouachita and then Friday at West Monroe (10-16, District 1-4 District 2-5A) by a final score of 45-35 in the final game of the regular season.
The Lady Bearcats entered the contest No. 29 in the power rankings and will need to finish one seed higher after the regular season concludes in Louisiana to see if they’ll play in the postseason.
“The girls truly stepped up to the challenge today,” Ruston High head coach LaShanda Cooper said. “We emphasized the importance of not underestimating this team, as they were fighting for a playoff spot just like we were. While our offense wasn’t quite on target, we were determined to apply strong defensive pressure, force turnovers, and ultimately secure the win.”
Ruston jumped out to an early 10-2 lead in the first quarter, thanks to a pair of early baskets by sophomore Bailee Harrison and another basket by senior Kiersynce McNeal. Sophomore Gioia Tatum added three free throws, while sophomore Angelica Green added one.
Ruston extended its lead to 23-13 going into the halftime locker room after McNeal scored seven points in the quarter, including a three-pointer. Senior Jasmine Summerford added a pair of baskets, while Green scored a bucket as well.
Harrison led the Lady Bearcats in the third quarter with four points, while senior Samiya Lewis knocked down two free throws. Both Tatum and Green added baskets, putting Ruston up 33-25.
A seven-point effort by Lewis in the fourth quarter propelled Ruston across the finish line as Ruston would close out to get the 45-35 win.
McNeal led the team in scoring with 10 points, while Lewis added nine.
Ruston now waits to see if the final week’s effort will be enough to get into the postseason in Cooper’s first year as head coach.
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Pictured is Lincoln Prep’s Trey Spann (1) launching one of his two crucial 3-pointers Friday night against Arcadia. (Photo by T. Scott Boatright)
By T. Scott Boatright
GRAMBLING — It’s probably good that the LPS gym is only a couple of years old or the atmosphere inside might have blown the roof off the place Friday night.
Anytime Lincoln Preparatory School and Arcadia meet in boys high school basketball action, go ahead and throw the records out the winner.
That wasn’t necessary Friday as the Panthers and Hornets both ended their District 1-1A finale with only one league loss each.
And the rivalry lived up to its billing as Lincoln Prep hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer in regulation play before holding on for a 57-52 overtime win over the Hornets before a raucous packed house inside the LPS Gym.
“It just amplifies the atmosphere,” Hudson said about Lincoln Prep vs. Arcadia games. “They always travel well coming here, and they’re good, so that made it even bigger. I knew it was going to be rocking. So it was what I expected. I really didn’t want the blood pressure attack, but other than that we’re good.”
Lincoln Prep started strong, building a 12-4 lead by the end of the first quarter and 24-13 at halftime.
But this was Lincoln Prep vs. Arcadia and both teams, along with the packed house crowd, knew what was coming.at 33-31 with 1:16 left in the stanza.
The Panthers’ Trey Spann left the game briefly in the first half after taking an elbow that opened a nasty cut over his left eye.
And late in that third quarter, Spann had to leave the game again, and the Hornets took advantage of Panthers’ missing one of their key players.
“The band-aid kept coming off and he was bleeding, so it took a while to get one to stick so he could get back in the game,” Hudson said of the second time Spann had to leave the game.
Arcadia tied the contest at 35-35 23 seconds into the final stanza and then moved out on top 39-35 with 6:08 left on the clock.
Spann returned to the game with 2:56 remaining and hit a key 3-pointer from the left wing with 41 seconds left in the fourth quarter to cut Arcadia’s lead to 48-46.
The fact his Panthers stayed within reach of the Hornets for that period without Spann wasn’t lost on Hudson.
“That’s what makes this team good,” Hudson said about having to play without Spann at a crucial part of the contest. “On any given night there’s four to six people that can give you 12-15 points and make a difference, and that’s what’s so special about this team.
“One thing we all know is that when Grambling — Lincoln Prep — plays Arcadia, you can throw the records out the window, you can throw the teams out the window, it’s going to be a show no matter what. I tip my hat to Trey. I’m proud of him. He’s going to be one helluva coach. He’s a helluva coach right now.”
Arcadia hit a free throw with 32.9 seconds remaining to build a three-point lead and had a chance to put the game away with 6.6 seconds remaining with a pair of shots from the charity stripe.
But both those attempts bounced off the rim. The Panthers rebounded the second attempt and quickly pushed the ball upcourt before senior Frediron Payne launched a long 3-pointer with a little more than a second left.
It went through the net just before the buzzer sounded as the crowd exploded after realizing the Panthers had someone pushed the game into overtime.
“He’s really a freshman because this is his first full year playing,” Hudson said about Payne. “But ever since he was younger he practiced against some of our former greats like Chance Robinson and Fred Payne and Meci (Payne). But it just happened to be the COVID year and we didn’t have eighth grade basketball and we couldn’t get much done, and he kinda got out of the groove of it all.
“But his basketball I.Q. is through the roof. His confidence is through the roof. I’m actually mad because he should have already shot one. He should have shot one that he passed to Amarje (Young). But he tries to be unselfish and do exactly what we ask him to do. But tonight he just made a play. He’s always been capable of that.”
Lincoln Prep opened scoring in the extra stanza when Young laid the ball up and in.
The Panthers never trailed after that.
Young led the Panthers with 17 points on the night.
“What I told him earlier today is that he’s been making plays for years,” Hudson said. “The only thing I have to make sure of is that we get him out of the way of himself. If he just relaxes and plays the game the way he can play and not try to do what somebody else can do, he’s a special player.
“He made plays the last time we played (Arcadia). He makes big plays every game. We just have to make sure he stays within what he can do.”
Devin Burton added 12 points and five rebounds for the Panthers while Payne totaled 10 points, five steals and four assists.
Spann finished with eight points (including two huge 3-pointers) along with six rebounds, two assists and two steals.
“We didn’t quit coming, even when it got tight,” Hudson said. “And that’s what I was proud to see, especially going into the playoffs. You’ve got to get those types of wins because in the playoffs you’re not going to get blowout wins. Nothing’s going to be easy.
“So you have to work for it. We didn’t give up. We kept fighting, kept pushing, and so did Arcadia, too.”
The Panthers finished the district season tied with Ringgold at 6-1, but the Redskins technically took the 1-1A regular season title with a head-to-head win over the Panthers.
Next up for Lincoln Prep, which stands at 22-7 on the season, will be a home game against Union Parish on Tuesday.
Senior Synniah Spann (22) led Lincoln Prep with five points Friday night against Arcadia. (Photo by T. Scott Boatright)
Lady Panthers close out season vs. Arcadia
By T. Scott Boatright
GRAMBLING — Growing pains continued for Lincoln Preparatory School’s Lady Panthers Friday night as they fell 51-11 to Arcadia inside the LPS gym to close out their 2024-25 season.
Lincoln Prep went 2-18 overall this season and 1-6 in District 1-1A play.
The big loss to the Lady Hornets wasn’t a shock by any means as Arcadia stands at 25-4 heading into the Division IV Nonselect School playoffs and finished at 6-1 in district play.
Lincoln Prep coach Demetria Johnson’s team faced an uphill battle from the start. Johnson took over coaching duties just before the season began, inheriting a team that had little experience or even much understanding of basketball fundamentals.
But despite the way the 2024-25 season went, Johnson feels a much brighter future is in store for her team and that the experience gained this season by players who will return next season will make for a significantly stronger team.
“I know the future is going to be better because we’re raising a lot of young students who are going to help us get better,” Johnson said. “We’re training a lot of our elementary school students and they will be our future along with the players who return and only began building their basketball I.Q. this season.”
Lack of fundamental knowledge showed early on against Arcadia as the Lincoln Prep struggled greatly to even get the ball past halfcourt, turning it over time and time again.
That led to Arcadia building an 18-1 lead at the end of the first quarter, with the Lady Panthers’ lone point coming on a Skyla Wimberly free throw with only 25.9 seconds left in the stanza.
The Lady Hornets backed off their pressure defense late in the second quarter, allowing Lincoln Prep’s Zakyah Wimberly to hit a 3-pointer before Arcadia kept scoring to build a 33-4 halftime advantage.
A running clock that started in the second quarter made the last two quarters fly by.
Synniah Spann led Lincoln Prep with five points, banking a 3-pointer off the glass in the third quarter before adding a running jumper with 2:35 remaining for the Lady Panthers’ final points.
Jamekia Scott added two points for the Lady Panthers when she grabbed an inbounds pass inside the paint and hit a short jumper at the 4:27 mark of the fourth quarter.
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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, Feb. 17 President’s Day 11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome 4:30 p.m.: GSU men’s basketball 5:30 p.m.: Ruston Planning and Zoning meeting (Ruston City Hall) 6 p.m.: Toastmasters International meeting (Louisiana Center for the Blind, 101 South Trenton Street) 6-9 p.m.: Creative Meetups (Creatives at Work, 301 N. Trenton)
Tuesday, Feb. 18 1 p.m.: GSU softball 6 p.m.: The Sounds of Black History (Lincoln Parish Library) 6 p.m.: Free kitchen class from LSU Ag (Ruston Farmers Market) 6 p.m.: LA Tech softball
Wednesday, Feb. 19 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, Feb. 20 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Kiwanis Club lunch and program (Trinity Methodist Church fellowship hall) 5:30-8:30 p.m.: Ruston Art Ramble (Downtown Ruston) 6:30 p.m.: Lady Techster basketball
Friday, Feb. 21 7 p.m.: Mardi Gras Mambo and Parade (Louisiana Tech)
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.
Louisiana Tech and Jacksonville State went down to the wire for the season time this season, and again the Bulldogs suffered a two-point loss to the Gamecocks, falling by a final score of 70-68 on Saturday afternoon inside the Thomas Assembly Center.
LA Tech (17-9, 6-7 CUSA) found itself down by nine with 2:44 to go but got it to within one point on three separate occasions. A halfcourt heave by Kaden Cooper with a couple of seconds remaining was off the mark, giving league-leader Jax State (18-8, 10-3 CUSA) the series sweep.
“We came with effort today and gave ourselves a chance,” said Tech head coach Talvin Hester. “But, I don’t think we played with maturity in a lot of different ways. I thought in the first half when we got a lead and started to pull away, we got a little selfish. Guys started doing their own thing, which decreased out lead. Then we started turning the ball over and took some selfish shots against their zone.
“In the second half, we adjusted for the negative. We would set things in the wrong place or move differently. We were not being as patient as we were in the first half. We had a great start to our season but somewhere down the line things have changed, and we have started to separate. I have to find a way to get this team back together.”
The Bulldogs had the momentum in the first half, using a 12-0 run to take a 25-17 lead while forcing a timeout by the Gamecocks. The run was provided mostly by Amaree Abram who buried two three-pointers and made two tough buckets at the rim for 10 of his 16 points.
The lead got to as much as nine with 6:33 to go in the first half following three straight points by Will Allen, but the Gamecocks responded with a 9-0 run to tie the game up at 28-28. Two more ties followed before Jordan Crawford sank a three from the top of the arc to give the ‘Dogs a 36-33 advantage going into the locker room.
LA Tech was not as successful on offense in the second half, scoring just 10 points in the first 11 minutes of the stanza. Meanwhile, one of the top scorers in the country Jaron Pierre Jr. anchored Jax State as the visitors pulled ahead and started to pull away.
Pierre Jr. strung together seven straight points for the Gamecocks, giving them a 10-point cushion with 5:51 remaining in the game. Jax State lived at the foul line the remainder of the game (last 15 points of the contest were free throws)
Meanwhile, Daniel Batcho started to come alive again scoring eight of his team-high 19 during the late stretch. It was a fastbreak layup by Abram that got the ‘Dogs within one point with 35 ticks remaining.
While Pierre Jr. tallied 34 points, it was Quel’Ron House making six consecutive free throws in the final 30 seconds that kept the Gamecocks ahead for good.
LA Tech shot a better percentage from the field (42.9 percent) and from three-point range (41.2 percent), but Jax State took 12 more free throws (made 26 of their 30 attempts at the charity stripe).
________________________________________
WOMEN
Robyn Lee became the 45th Lady Techster to score 1,000 points in her career against Jacksonville State. However, that was not enough, as LA Tech fell 68-55 Saturday afternoon in the Pete Mathews Coliseum.
“The response today was not one we wanted to see to close out the road trip,” said head coach Brooke Stoehr. “We didn’t compete with the effort and concentration we needed to or expect from this group.
“When we miss easy shots around the rim or don’t run to correct spots in transition, we have to fight that much harder to get an offensive board or find a way to get a stop on the other end. We have to find a way to get this group playing with the fight and effort they’re capable of consistently.”
Louisiana Tech (13-11, 6-7 CUSA) didn’t score until a minute and a half to go in the first quarter off two Paris Bradley free throws. After an Autumn Smith three 30 seconds later, the Lady Techsters only trailed 15-5 to Jacksonville State (10-14, 4-9) at the end of one.
Lee came into the game needing just two points to reach the milestone. On Tech’s first possession of the second quarter, the grad student drove to the left and pulled up from just outside the block to get what she needed.
A Bradley layup would be the only other basket for the Techsters in the first half. Tech would shoot 9-10 from the charity stripe to only be down 34-18 heading into the locker room.
The second half went in the favor of the Lady Techsters 37-34. However, every time LA Tech cut into the lead, JSU would respond.
Louisiana Tech finished 12-48 from the field and 5-19 from long range. The Lady Techsters got to the free throw line 34 times and connected on 26. Jianna Morris led the way with 16 points, 12 in the third quarter. Paris Bradley added 14, and Jordan Marshall finished with 11 rebounds.
Jax State shot 18-54 from the field, 8-31 from behind the arc, and 24-26 from the charity stripe. Valentina Saric finished with 19 points on 6-11 shooting from three. Asia Barclay had a double-double with 12 points and 13 boards.
Grambling State took down SWAC-leading Texas Southern with a commanding 71-46 victory on Saturday afternoon at the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center.
The win improves Grambling State to 11-13 overall and 8-5 in SWAC play, while Texas Southern falls to 12-12 overall and 11-2 in conference action.
Kahia Warmsley led the charge for Grambling State with 17 points, six rebounds, and two steals.
Lydia Freeman registered a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds, while Shaniah Nunn also posted a double-double, contributing 11 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists.
The first quarter was evenly matched, with both teams locked at 13-13 heading into the second period.
Grambling State pulled ahead in the second quarter, using efficient scoring to outpace Texas Southern 19-13 and take a 32-26 lead at halftime.
The third quarter saw Grambling State take complete control, holding Texas Southern to just nine points while erupting for 22 of their own.
The dominance continued in the fourth, as Grambling State outscored Texas Southern 17-11 to seal the convincing win.
Defensively, Grambling State was relentless, forcing 19 turnovers and capitalizing with 25 points off those miscues. The team also won the rebounding battle, securing 40 boards compared to Texas Southern’s 38.
Texas Southern was led by Aylasia Fantroy, who scored a team-high 14 points, while Treasure Thompson added eight points and four rebounds.
______________________________________
MEN
It was a tale of two halves on Saturday on Willis Reed Court at the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center as the Grambling State men’s basketball team fell to Texas Southern 67-60.
GSU (8-17 overall, 5-7 SWAC) led by seven points at halftime, but couldn’t hold off a second half surge by TSU (11-14, 8-4). The G-Men struggled offensively in the final 12 minutes of the contest, going 4-of-20 from the floor and 2-of-14 from behind the arc during that span.
Antwan Burnett led the way for GSU with 15 points, seven rebounds, an assist and a steal. Kintavous Dozier added 14 points, nine rebounds, an assist and a steal.
With Texas Southern leading 8-7 with just over 15 minutes remaining in the first half, Grambling State embarked on a 17-4 run to grab a 24-12 advantage, it’s largest of the game, with 8:07 on the clock.
Grambling took a 37-30 lead into halftime.
GSU maintained the lead until the 13:58 mark when TSU’s Jaylin Jackson-Posey drained a 3-pointer to give TSU a 46-45 advantage.
PJ Eason responded with a layup, putting GSU back in front 47-46. After Grambling State grew its cushion to 52-46, TSU began to seize control of the game. Texas Southern outscored GSU 21-8 over the final 11:11 to pull off the come from behind win.
Texas Southern was paced by Jackson-Posey and Kavion McClain who both scored 13 points.
Frances Sue Jones was born November 9, 1944, to Reginald and Mamie Young of Lisbon, LA as the fifth of six siblings. She passed from this world into the presence of Christ on February 14, 2025. Sue was raised in a close and loving family that loved each other and the Lord. Sue believed in and confessed Jesus Christ as her Savior and Lord at a young age. At Rocky Springs Baptist Church she played piano, taught Sunday School, and found a faith that defined her life. Sue was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of seven. While this affected her life, it was her determination to beat the odds and live a full life honoring Christ that defined her. She turned this diagnosis into a way to help others, mentoring juvenile diabetics and teaching them to manage this disease. Sue graduated as Salutatorian from Lisbon High in 1962.
Sue graduated from Louisiana Tech University with a degree in Home Economics with a minor in English and earned a Master’s plus 30 in English. Sue was a 4-H agent in Bienville Parish and then began her career in education at Linear Middle School in Shreveport, LA. Sue taught at Glenview Junior High and then Ruston Junior High School for 26 years. She helped start the Gifted and Talented program, started the Reading Enrichment program, and wrote the grant for the first computer lab. Her favorite student was the one that could not read but wanted to. She firmly believed if a person learned to read, they were free to learn for themselves. Seeing a student gain that freedom was, for her, great joy.
Richard and Sue Jones married on April 8, 1966. God blessed them with a beautiful life together for almost 59 years that has been an example to all their children and others. Sue was an excellent cook, incredible mother, and life-changing wife. She and Richard have three children: Denise Matthews, and husband Keith of Ruston, LA, Rachel Jones of Aledo, TX, and Kirk Jones and wife Wendy of Prairieville, LA. Her greatest legacy in life is her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. They all “stand at the gate and honor her” for she was indeed “far more precious than jewels.” Richard and she have 9 grandchildren – Tori Hinds and husband David, Caroline Monroe and husband Landry, Jeferson Matthews, Stephen Canady, Ashley Canady, Faith Canady, Daniel Jones and wife Cassidy, Melanie Jones, and Kara Jones. They have also been blessed with one great grandchild Emma Hinds and have another due this year. Sue’s five brothers and sisters were important and precious in her life. She also had a great love for her 22 nieces and nephews and was very proud of who they have become and the families they are now raising.
The Jones family has been an active part of Cook Baptist Church since 1975. Sue taught Sunday School, went on weekly evangelism visits, taught children’s discipleship, started and led a youth clown ministry, mentored and discipled young wives through Apples of Gold, mentored young ladies through Apple Seeds, and went on many mission trips – she especially loved serving on the Navajo Reservation. She was deeply proud that Cook helped start Kirk and Wendy’s church, Fellowship Church in Prairieville, LA in 2001. Seeing what God has done in the many lives changed through this work is one of her great joys in Christ.
She is survived by her husband, children, and grandchildren listed above, her brother Steve, sister-in-law Ursula Young, sister-in-law Debra Young, brother-in-law Jimmy Jones and wife Esther, sister-in-law Penny Guynes, and many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews. She is preceded in death by her mother and father, sister Gerry Aycock, brother Bud Young, sister-in-law Mary Lynne Young, brother Allen Young and wife Anita, brother Dr. Sidney Young, brother-in-law Buck Guynes, nephew LDWF Agent Kenneth Aycock, and three great grandchildren lost before birth.
Visitation will be Saturday, February 15 from 5-7 PM at Cook Baptist Church in Ruston, LA. Her funeral service will be at 2:00 PM Sunday, February 16 at Cook with visitation before the service beginning at 1:00 PM. Officiating will be Rev. Kirk Jones and Dr. Joseph Fowler.
The Pallbearers are Stephen Canady, Daniel Jones, Jeferson Matthews, David Hinds, Landry Monroe, and Baron Cosey.
In lieu of flowers consider making a donation to Fellowship Church for South Africa Missions or to Cook Baptist Church for Casa Aleluya – the wonderful orphanage God used to bless her family with her grandson Jeferson.
Funeral services for Ronnie N. Holloway, age 77 of Ruston, LA, will be held at 2:00 PM, Monday, February 17, 2025, at Temple Baptist Church Chapel with Dr. Reggie Bridges officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Ruston, LA under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Ruston, LA.
Ronnie was born May 15, 1947, in Ruston, Louisiana to Clifton and Mary Holloway, and he left this earth Thursday, February 13, 2025, surrounded by his family. He was preceded in death by his parents. Ronnie is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 53 years, Debbie Gabel Holloway; son, Rod Holloway (Kara); daughters: Leigh Ann McCorkle (Jim) and Katie Roberson (Jason); brother: Keith Holloway (Peggy); sister: Susan Holloway McKee; grandchildren: Tyler and Colin McCorkle; Hayden, John Walt, Gray and Brock Holloway and Lola Stortz; numerous nephews and nieces, and a host of other family and friends.
Ronnie graduated from Ruston High School, Class of 1966, and attended Louisiana Tech University before joining the United States Navy in 1968. After he honorably served in Vietnam, he started his career as a telephone service technician at South Central Bell/Bellsouth, where he made numerous lifelong friends. After retiring from AT&T in 2007, Ronnie helped his wife with her in-home daycare for another 16 years, where he was lovingly known as “Pepaw.”
Ronnie loved his family more than anything, and he enjoyed a lifetime of camping, spending most summers at the Buffalo River. He loved to hunt and fish with his brother and carry on the tradition of his Dad by having fish fries with his whole family. In later years, he enjoyed visiting numerous National Parks with his wife and trips to Disney World. He always looked forward to spending time with his kids and grandchildren, and he had an infectious laugh that his family will remember and cherish.
Ronnie valued the fellowship and friends in the Adult 8 Sunday School Class at Temple Baptist Church. He was a Christian and loved the Lord.
Pallbearers will be Tyler McCorkle, Colin McCorkle, Hayden Holloway, John Walt Holloway, Gray Holloway and Jason Roberson.
A visitation is scheduled from 3:00-5:00 PM Sunday, February 16, 2025, at Owens Memorial Chapel. To leave an online memorial message for the family, please visit: http://www.owensmemorialfuneralhome.com
Ronnie Holloway May 15, 1947 – February 13, 2025 Funeral Service: Monday, February 17, 2025, 2:00 PM, Temple Baptist Church Chapel Cemetery Committal: Monday, February 17, 2025, Forest Lawn Cemetery, 2500 West California Ave, Ruston
James Reginald “Reggie” McKinney August 5, 1949 – February 11, 2025 Visitation: Kilpatrick Funeral Homes – Ruston, Monday, February 17, 2025, 10:00 am – 11:30 am Service: Kilpatrick Funeral Homes – Ruston, Monday, February 17, 2025, 11:30 am Cemetery: Edmonds-Gayla-Traina Memorial Cemetery, Monday, February 17, 2025
Pictured is Lincoln Prep’s Trey Spann (1) launching one of his two crucial 3-pointers Friday night against Arcadia. (Photo by T. Scott Boatright)
By T. Scott Boatright
GRAMBLING — It’s probably good that the LPS gym is only a couple of years old or the atmosphere inside might have blown the roof off the place Friday night.
Anytime Lincoln Preparatory School and Arcadia meet in boys high school basketball action, go ahead and throw the records out the winner.
That wasn’t necessary Friday as the Panthers and Hornets both ended their District 1-1A finale with only one league loss each.
And the rivalry lived up to its billing as Lincoln Prep hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer in regulation play before holding on for a 57-52 overtime win over the Hornets before a raucous packed house inside the LPS Gym.
“It just amplifies the atmosphere,” Hudson said about Lincoln Prep vs. Arcadia games. “They always travel well coming here, and they’re good, so that made it even bigger. I knew it was going to be rocking. So it was what I expected. I really didn’t want the blood pressure attack, but other than that we’re good.”
Lincoln Prep started strong, building a 12-4 lead by the end of the first quarter and 24-13 at halftime.
But this was Lincoln Prep vs. Arcadia and both teams, along with the packed house crowd, knew what was coming.at 33-31 with 1:16 left in the stanza.
The Panthers’ Trey Spann left the game briefly in the first half after taking an elbow that opened a nasty cut over his left eye.
And late in that third quarter, Spann had to leave the game again, and the Hornets took advantage of Panthers’ missing one of their key players.
“The band-aid kept coming off and he was bleeding, so it took a while to get one to stick so he could get back in the game,” Hudson said of the second time Spann had to leave the game.
Arcadia tied the contest at 35-35 23 seconds into the final stanza and then moved out on top 39-35 with 6:08 left on the clock.
Spann returned to the game with 2:56 remaining and hit a key 3-pointer from the left wing with 41 seconds left in the fourth quarter to cut Arcadia’s lead to 48-46.
The fact his Panthers stayed within reach of the Hornets for that period without Spann wasn’t lost on Hudson.
“That’s what makes this team good,” Hudson said about having to play without Spann at a crucial part of the contest. “On any given night there’s four to six people that can give you 12-15 points and make a difference, and that’s what’s so special about this team.
“One thing we all know is that when Grambling — Lincoln Prep — plays Arcadia, you can throw the records out the window, you can throw the teams out the window, it’s going to be a show no matter what. I tip my hat to Trey. I’m proud of him. He’s going to be one helluva coach. He’s a helluva coach right now.”
Arcadia hit a free throw with 32.9 seconds remaining to build a three-point lead and had a chance to put the game away with 6.6 seconds remaining with a pair of shots from the charity stripe.
But both those attempts bounced off the rim. The Panthers rebounded the second attempt and quickly pushed the ball upcourt before senior Frediron Payne launched a long 3-pointer with a little more than a second left.
It went through the net just before the buzzer sounded as the crowd exploded after realizing the Panthers had someone pushed the game into overtime.
“He’s really a freshman because this is his first full year playing,” Hudson said about Payne. “But ever since he was younger he practiced against some of our former greats like Chance Robinson and Fred Payne and Meci (Payne). But it just happened to be the COVID year and we didn’t have eighth grade basketball and we couldn’t get much done, and he kinda got out of the groove of it all.
“But his basketball I.Q. is through the roof. His confidence is through the roof. I’m actually mad because he should have already shot one. He should have shot one that he passed to Amarje (Young). But he tries to be unselfish and do exactly what we ask him to do. But tonight he just made a play. He’s always been capable of that.”
Lincoln Prep opened scoring in the extra stanza when Young laid the ball up and in.
The Panthers never trailed after that.
Young led the Panthers with 17 points on the night.
“What I told him earlier today is that he’s been making plays for years,” Hudson said. “The only thing I have to make sure of is that we get him out of the way of himself. If he just relaxes and plays the game the way he can play and not try to do what somebody else can do, he’s a special player.
“He made plays the last time we played (Arcadia). He makes big plays every game. We just have to make sure he stays within what he can do.”
Devin Burton added 12 points and five rebounds for the Panthers while Payne totaled 10 points, five steals and four assists.
Spann finished with eight points (including two huge 3-pointers) along with six rebounds, two assists and two steals.
“We didn’t quit coming, even when it got tight,” Hudson said. “And that’s what I was proud to see, especially going into the playoffs. You’ve got to get those types of wins because in the playoffs you’re not going to get blowout wins. Nothing’s going to be easy.
“So you have to work for it. We didn’t give up. We kept fighting, kept pushing, and so did Arcadia, too.”
The Panthers finished the district season tied with Ringgold at 6-1, but the Redskins technically took the 1-1A regular season title with a head-to-head win over the Panthers.
Next up for Lincoln Prep, which stands at 22-7 on the season, will be a home game against Union Parish on Tuesday.
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Senior Synniah Spann (22) led Lincoln Prep with five points Friday night against Arcadia. (Photo by T. Scott Boatright)
By T. Scott Boatright
GRAMBLING — Growing pains continued for Lincoln Preparatory School’s Lady Panthers Friday night as they fell 51-11 to Arcadia inside the LPS gym to close out their 2024-25 season.
Lincoln Prep went 2-18 overall this season and 1-6 in District 1-1A play.
The big loss to the Lady Hornets wasn’t a shock by any means as Arcadia stands at 25-4 heading into the Division IV Nonselect School playoffs and finished at 6-1 in district play.
Lincoln Prep coach Demetria Johnson’s team faced an uphill battle from the start. Johnson took over coaching duties just before the season began, inheriting a team that had little experience or even much understanding of basketball fundamentals.
But despite the way the 2024-25 season went, Johnson feels a much brighter future is in store for her team and that the experience gained this season by players who will return next season will make for a significantly stronger team.
“I know the future is going to be better because we’re raising a lot of young students who are going to help us get better,” Johnson said. “We’re training a lot of our elementary school students and they will be our future along with the players who return and only began building their basketball I.Q. this season.”
Lack of fundamental knowledge showed early on against Arcadia as the Lincoln Prep struggled greatly to even get the ball past halfcourt, turning it over time and time again.
That led to Arcadia building an 18-1 lead at the end of the first quarter, with the Lady Panthers’ lone point coming on a Skyla Wimberly free throw with only 25.9 seconds left in the stanza.
The Lady Hornets backed off their pressure defense late in the second quarter, allowing Lincoln Prep’s Zakyah Wimberly to hit a 3-pointer before Arcadia kept scoring to build a 33-4 halftime advantage.
A running clock that started in the second quarter made the last two quarters fly by.
Synniah Spann led Lincoln Prep with five points, banking a 3-pointer off the glass in the third quarter before adding a running jumper with 2:35 remaining for the Lady Panthers’ final points.
Jamekia Scott added two points for the Lady Panthers when she grabbed an inbounds pass inside the paint and hit a short jumper at the 4:27 mark of the fourth quarter.
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(Ruston’s Talan Billberrypitched Game 2 against Haughton. Photo by Marla Freeman)
By Kyle Roberts
RUSTON, La. — Ruston High (2-1) split two games Thursday night with the Haughton Buccaneers, dropping the first game 3-1 before coming back and winning game two 6-3.
Due to the weather forecast, the schedule was shuffled to put game three on Friday, which was rained out and will be postponed indefinitely.
Ruston High head coach Bryan Beck said he was proud of the team for not only how they responded after losing game one, but also for the chaotic schedule changes due to the weather.
“I was proud of our kids for rebounding after the first game,” Beck said. “(Haughton) pitched a lefty on the mound against us (in the first game) that was giving us trouble to get timely hits. And then we made some mistakes with the ball that really cost us some runs. It was just kind of a weird game; we just couldn’t get the hits we needed, even after having runners in scoring position and a chance to tie.”
Haughton got up 2-0 in the top of the first inning, scoring first off of a passed ball and then a line drive single. The Buccaneers added another run in the top of the third inning on a single to third base to get the 3-0 lead.
The Bearcats scored in the bottom of the sixth inning after sophomore Dillon Williams came into to pinch hit, singling into right field to score senior Peyton Martin, closing the lead to 3-1.
Ruston’s batters were able to get eight hits on the night, while senior pitcher David Griep pitched four innings, giving up only four hits and one earned run. Griep also struck out five Buccaneer batters.
Sophomore Colt Lary came in to relieve Griep in the top of the fifth and did not surrender a single hit.
In between games, the Bearcats honored first responders, including Bearcat alum Steve Rogers, who will be retiring as Chief of Police of the City of Ruston. Lincoln Parish Sheriff Stephen Williams threw out the ceremonial first pitch, while Chris Taylor brought out the National Guard, which included some Bearcats that are currently serving.
Senior Talan Billberry took to the mound, and threw five total innings, striking out six and only giving up one earned run, leading Ruston to the 6-3 win to even the series.
“We came out in game two with really good energy,” Beck said. “Talan got on the bump for us and absolutely shoved them around. It was really good to see him come out and dominate on the mound like he did. He had a strict pitch count, and we pulled him when we were up 6-0. He was really, really good.”
Ruston scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the second inning on a suicide-squeeze bunt by junior Kenden Freeman to score both Williams and sophomore John Parker Moak. Williams would follow with a triple in the bottom of the third inning to score sophomore Michael Brisco, giving Ruston a 3-0 lead.
The Bearcats would get three more runs in the bottom of the inning after Haughton’s pitcher walked junior Lander Smith with the bases loaded to score sophomore Sam Hartwell. Williams would then ground into a fielder’s choice to score senior Jake Simmons. Moak then hit a sacrifice fly into center field to score junior Jackson Lee, putting Ruston up 6-0.
Haughton would get three total runs in the final two innings, but it would not be enough to overcome Ruston’s 6-3 score.
“We really need to be able to split after (Haughton) got the first game,” Beck said. “To do that was really exciting. I told them it’s better to be 2-1 rather than 1-2, so we’ll take it.”
Ruston returns to action Monday, Feb. 17, at 7 p.m. at J.C. Love Field on the campus of Louisiana Tech to take on C.E. Byrd.
WEST MONROE, La. — It now comes down to power points.
But Ruston High (13-13, 1-4 District 2-5A) closed out the season winning both of its games this past week, first at Ouachita and then Friday at West Monroe (10-16, District 1-4 District 2-5A) by a final score of 45-35 in the final game of the regular season.
The Lady Bearcats entered the contest No. 29 in the power rankings and will need to finish one seed higher after the regular season concludes in Louisiana to see if they’ll play in the postseason.
“The girls truly stepped up to the challenge today,” Ruston High head coach LaShanda Cooper said. “We emphasized the importance of not underestimating this team, as they were fighting for a playoff spot just like we were. While our offense wasn’t quite on target, we were determined to apply strong defensive pressure, force turnovers, and ultimately secure the win.”
Ruston jumped out to an early 10-2 lead in the first quarter, thanks to a pair of early baskets by sophomore Bailee Harrison and another basket by senior Kiersynce McNeal. Sophomore Gioia Tatum added three free throws, while sophomore Angelica Green added one.
Ruston extended its lead to 23-13 going into the halftime locker room after McNeal scored seven points in the quarter, including a three-pointer. Senior Jasmine Summerford added a pair of baskets, while Green scored a bucket as well.
Harrison led the Lady Bearcats in the third quarter with four points, while senior Samiya Lewis knocked down two free throws. Both Tatum and Green added baskets, putting Ruston up 33-25.
A seven-point effort by Lewis in the fourth quarter propelled Ruston across the finish line as Ruston would close out to get the 45-35 win.
McNeal led the team in scoring with 10 points, while Lewis added nine.
Ruston now waits to see if the final week’s effort will be enough to get into the postseason in Cooper’s first year as head coach.
The Ruston Police and Fire Civil Service Board met Thursday morning to review scores from a police chief exam given in January due to the impending retirement of Ruston Police Chief Steve Rogers.
The board officially certified an eligibility list from which Mayor Ronny Walker can select a candidate to recommend to the City Council to replace Rogers.
Walker said he had hoped to have a new chief in place before Rogers officially retires on February 21. However, delays in the board receiving the test scores from the Office of State Examiner has made that impossible.
Walker said, “I will appoint an interim chief Tuesday and over the next two weeks interview the candidates who passed the test.”
The interim chief will serve until Walker can interview and select a candidate to recommend to the city council at its March 3 meeting. Council members will then vote to approve or disapprove Walker’s recommendation.
“It’s up to the council,” Walker said.
Candidates were being contacted to set up the interviews with the mayor within hours of the civil service board certifying the eligibility list. The applicant pool included both internal and external candidates. Several sources told the Lincoln Parish Journal that 10 of the 11 applicants who took the exam passed.
The ten eligible candidates are Deputy Chief Chad Hamlin, serving as patrol division commander; Lieutenants Matthew Joerg, Kayla Loyd, and Stephen Morace, all patrol team supervisors; Sergeant Jessie Dylan Castaneda, a patrol supervisor; Officers Chris Davis, Arthur Eleam, and Hannah Laborde, all assigned to criminal investigations.
The two external candidates are former RPD officers. Lt. Brian Vann retired in 2021 after nearly 33 years with the department. Eric Watson served as a patrol officer for several years in the 1990s while attending Louisiana Tech. He recently retired from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
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