BENTON, La. — Ruston High opened its 2025 outdoor track and field season at the Benton Tiger Relays last week, winning first place for both the boys and girls while garnering multiple top place finishes in a variety of events.
“I was really impressed with how our kids competed in their first outdoor competition of the year,” Ruston High Head Track Coach Trey Smith said. “We swept the sprint relays on both sides, Taylor Huddleston’s 800m, T’Avions Clark’s 200m, Hallie Hebert’s 3200m, and Josh Brantley’s performance in the javelin — those were just some of the highlights for me that let our staff know this young group of athletes are very well-rounded, and we can score at any time during the meet.
“Each week we will continue to challenge this group with new relay lineups and events as this March will lay the foundation for District play in April. I’m really looking forward to getting back to action next week at the Van Leigh Relays hosted by Neville High School and continue to see this great group raise the bar each week.”
See Ruston High School highlights below:
Boys: 1st – D’Joryen Jenkins, 100m 1st – D’Joryen Jenskins, 200m 1st – D’Joryen Jenkins, Josiah Morgan, Jeremiah Freeman, Jacob Miller, 4x100m relay 1st – D’Joryen Jenkins, Jeremiah Freeman, Malcolm Pierce, Kemondrick Hunter, 4x200m relay 1st – Bryson Drain, Malcolm Pierce, Taylor Huddleston, Kemondrick Hunter, 4×400 relay 1st – Jacob Miller, Long Jump 1st – Preston Parker, 3200m 1st – Josh Brantley, Javelin 2nd – Taylor Huddleston, 800m 3rd – Ben Boudreaux, 3200m 3rd – Gabriel Mhire, Preston Parker, Cooper Slate, Kellen Ketchum, 4x800m relay 3rd – Alex Hunt, 110m-hurdles 3rd – Marlcolm Pierce, 400m 4th – Cole Spurlock, 110m-hurdles 4th – Billy Rufleth, 3200m 4th – Jonathan Conner, Discus 5th – Josiah Finley, 1600m 5th – Jacob Miller, Triple Jump 5th – Patrick Byrd, Pole Vault
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, March 10 11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome 6 p.m.: Toastmasters International meeting (Louisiana Center for the Blind, 101 South Trenton Street) 6-9 p.m.: Creative Meetups (Creatives at Work, 301 N. Trenton)
Tuesday, March 11 3 p.m.: GSU softball 7 p.m.: Lincoln Parish police jury meeting (Lincoln Parish Courthouse)
Wednesday, March 12 Louisiana Tech spring quarter begins 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 4 p.m.: LA Tech softball
Thursday, March 13 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Kiwanis Club lunch and program (Trinity Methodist Church fellowship hall) 9:30 a.m.: Piney Hills Quilt Guild (Grace Methodist Church) 6 p.m.: Smith Family Farms Chef Night (Ruston Farmers Market) 6 p.m.: Southern A’Chord Chorus rehearsal (Presbyterian Church fellowship hall, 212 N. Bonner St.; open to all women singers)
Friday, March 14 2 p.m.: Ribbon cutting celebrating The Loft Barbershop (203 W. Alabama Ave.) 6-9 p.m.: Downtown Ruston beer crawl
Saturday, March 15 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market
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Louisiana Tech saw its basketball regular seasons end on a high note Saturday with both the Bulldogs and the Lady Techsters picking up victories.
The win meant a lot of things for the Bulldogs (20-11, 9-9 CUSA). It was win No. 20, a milestone the program has now reached in 11 of the last 13 seasons. It was a bounce-back win following a disappointing loss to New Mexico State two days ago. And it was a win that solidified a No. 6 seed and first-round bye in the CUSA Tournament.
“I was excited about the way we played,” said head coach Talvin Hester. “We had energy, passion, played hard. We owed our fans that. They come out and support us day in and day out. I felt like we came out and gave them what they deserved.”
Along with the five first-half three-pointers, the Bulldogs used stifling defense, limiting the Miners to just 28.1 percent shooting in the stanza and just one three-pointer out of 13 attempts enroute to a 34-22 halftime lead.
LA Tech kept its foot on the gas to start the second half, opening the stanza on a 12-2 run that was anchored in large part by Sean Newman Jr. and Amaree Abram. One of the nation’s top assist leaders dished out two of his five dimes during the stretch and added a jumper in the paint while Abram drilled two triples to help make it a 46-26 lead with 15:16 to play in the home finale.
“When Sean starts distributing, the basket opens up wide for him and others and we take advantage,” said Hester. “Amaree Abram came out and knocked down eight straight points. We were getting stops on the defensive end and scoring on the offensive end. It got choppy there in the middle when had different lineups out there trying to get rest, but we got it to where we could end the game the right way.”
The Miners meanwhile could just get to the foul line for the most part, making 15 second-half free throws. While UTEP was getting free throws, LA Tech was getting threes to put the Miners away. Green hit four more from beyond the arc in route to a game-high 20 points.
The Bulldogs earned the No. 6 seed and will take on No. 3 seed Middle Tennessee on Thursday, March 13 at 8 p.m. CT. It is the same scenario as last season when LA Tech swept MTSU during the regular season and then matched up with the Blue Raiders in the quarterfinals.
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The Lady Techsters closed the regular season with a 69-51 road win over UTEP on Saturday afternoon in the Don Haskins Center.
Paris Bradley scored 24 points for her fourth consecutive game of 20 or more to lead the Lady Techsters (15-14, 8-10). Jianna Morris had 15, and Averi Aaron finished with 11.
“I thought our guard group really set the tone for us today with their ball pressure and effort defensively,” said head coach Brooke Stoehr. “I’m very proud of the team’s response from Thursday night. Their focus and attention to detail on the scout was exactly what we needed. We’ve talked all year long about the things it takes to win on the road: defend, rebound and take care of the basketball.
“We did that for the most part today. We got the ball moving in the 2nd half and found shooters and delivered scoring passes. It’s great to go into the tournament with some momentum. Everyone is 0-0 at this point and we have to take it one game at a time.”
Bradley got her scoring going from the charity stripe, and Sydney Thomas connected on one of her three 3-pointers to give Tech the lead. UTEP would tie it up before Bradley hit a layup to give the Lady Techsters a 12-10 lead after one.
Tech led 24-22 at halftime and then 43-39 at the end of the third quarter. Louisiana Tech outscored UTEP 26-13 in the final stanza to close out the game. Aaron had seven points, Thomas hit two triples for six, and Bradley and Morris had five apiece during the quarter.
The Lady Techsters earned the No. 5 seed and will battle No. 4 seed New Mexico State on Thursday, March 13 at 11:30 a.m. CT. The two teams split the series during the regular season with each winning on their home court.
Grambling State saw its women’s team win and men’s team fall on the final day of the regular season as the Tigers and Lady Tigers now prepare for the upcoming SWAC Tournament.
The women closed out its regular season with a commanding 69-53 victory over Alabama State on Saturday afternoon at the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center. The Tigers took control in the second half, using a strong defensive effort and balanced scoring to secure the win.
With the win, the Tigers notched back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 2018.
Grambling State (15-14 overall, 12-6 in SWAC) outscored Alabama State 36-20 in the second half, turning a close contest into a comfortable victory.
The Tigers held the Hornets to just 20 percent shooting in the fourth quarter while converting at a 53.3 percent clip themselves.
Kahia Warmsley led Grambling State with 16 points, knocking down two three-pointers. Sharonica Hartsfield added 13 points, six rebounds, and four assists, while Shaniah Nunn contributed 10 points and five rebounds.
Lydia Freeman continued to dominate inside, scoring nine points and grabbing seven rebounds.
The Tigers dominance in the paint proved to be a key factor, outscoring Alabama State (6-24 overall, 4-14 in SWAC) 36-26 down low and outrebounding them 44-41. Grambling State also capitalized on turnovers, scoring 20 points off Alabama State’s 17 miscues.
Despite a strong effort from Alabama State’s Cordasia Harris, who led all scorers with 17 points, Grambling State’s defensive presence and depth kept the Hornets from making a late push.
Grambling State now turns its focus to the Southwestern Athletic Conference Women’s Basketball Tournament, set to take place in Atlanta, Ga., at the Gateway Center Arena. Tournament play begins on Tuesday, March 11, with opening-round games and will conclude on Saturday, March 15, with the championship matchups.
Grambling State enters the tournament as the No. 5 seed and will face off against No. 4 seed Jackson State on Thursday, March 13.
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The Grambling State University men’s basketball team fell to Alabama State 59-47 on Saturday afternoon in its regular season finale on Willis Reed Court at the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center.
GSU’s James Flippin continued his hot streak, notching his fourth straight game reaching double figure scoring. The junior forward scored a game-high 19 points on 7-of-13 shooting and with four rebounds. He was the lone Tigers to score in double digits.
Neither team shot the ball particularly well with both squads shooting just under 35 percent from the field. GSU shot 32.7 percent (16-of-49) while ASU connected on 34.9 percent of its attempts (22-of-63).
Grambling State led for nearly the entirety of the first half, eventually carrying a 24-22 lead into the locker room.
The turning point of the game came with GSU holding a 29-24 lead with 17:52 remining in the game. Alabama State used a 22-4 run over the next 10:14 to grab a 46-33 lead.
A jumper by Louis Hutchinson with 1:26 to play got the Tigers within eight points at 55-47, but that was the last bucket GSU managed.
TJ Madlock led Alabama State with a 16-point, 10-rebound double-double. He also had two steals and an assist.
Grambling State heads to Atlanta, Ga. for the 2025 SWAC Men’s Basketball Tournament which begins on Tuesday, March 11. The Tigers enter the Tournament as the No. 8 seed and will take No. 9 seed Alabama A&M at the Gateway Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.
Funeral services for Mary Morris Williams, age 66 of Sailes, LA, are scheduled for 10:00 AM, Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at Owens Memorial Chapel with Bro. Shawn Beard and James Williams officiating. Burial will follow in Walnut Creek Cemetery in Simsboro, LA under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Ruston, LA.
Mrs. Mary Ann Morris Williams went to be with Jesus on Friday, March 7, 2025, surrounded by her family. Mary was born on July 23, 1958 in Arcadia, LA, to Harold and Dorothy Hughes Morris. She was raised in Simsboro, LA, and married Marty Ray Williams on August 24, 1974. Mary enjoyed gardening, taking care of her various animals, and spoiling her grandchildren. Known as “Mary,” “Mom,” or “Mammy,” she loved with her whole heart and was greatly loved in return. Mary always made everyone feel special, loved, and part of her family.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Dorothy Hughes Morris; father-and mother-in-law, Joseph and Bonnie Williams; sister, Johnnie Faye Morris Taylor; brothers, David and William Morris; nephew, Nick Morris and niece, Michelle Johnson.
Left to cherish her memory are her husband of nearly 51 years, Marty Ray Williams and their children: Mason Williams and wife Amanda of Sailes, LA, Marți “Sissy” O’Rourke and husband Dennis of Martin, LA, James ‘Pee Wee’ Williams and wife Carrie of Ruston, LA, and Megan Kidd and husband Josh of Mt. Lebanon, LA. She will be deeply missed by her grandchildren: Lexi Wheadon and husband Chris, Garrett Williams, Laila Kidd, Dustin O’Rourke, Hannah O’Rourke, Kaden Williams, Kenna Williams, Jordan Kidd, Kinsley Kidd, Katie Williamson, and Ally Williamson. She is also survived by six sisters: Shirley McDaniel, Dot Lee, Linda Bass, Kay Godwin, Connie Brazzel and Lula Skidmore; one brother, Ronnie Morris; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, as well as her former daughter-in-law, Melissa Carter and a host of friends.
Serving as pallbearers will be Dustin O’Rourke, Kaden Williams, Jordan Kidd, Blaze Bazar, Chris Wheadon, and Alex Walton. Honorary pallbearers will be Garrett Williams and Shane Skinner.
The family would like to thank everyone for their prayers, calls, visits, and food during this time. Visitation will be held from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM. Monday, March 10, 2025 at Owens Memorial Chapel. To leave an online memorial message for the family, please visit http://www.owensmemorialfuneralhome.com
Martha Bailey Smith November 29, 1944 – March 6, 2025 Visitation: Temple Baptist Church Chapel, Thursday, March 13, 2025, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Service: Ebenezer Baptist Church, Friday, March 14, 2025, 10:00 am
Mary Morris Williams July 23, 1958 – March 7, 2025 Visitation: Monday, March 10, 2025, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM, Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home Funeral Service: Tuesday, March 11, 2025, 10:00 AM, Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home Cemetery Committal, Tuesday, March 11, 2025, 11:30 AM, Walnut Creek Cemetery, 705 Walnut Creek, Church Road, Simsboro
Nancy L Brown June 28, 1949 – March 4, 2025 Visitation: Monday, March 10, 2025, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM, Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home Memorial Service: Monday, March 10, 2025, 2:00 PM, Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home
Avery Ryan had a double double in the state title game matchup with Southern Lab. (photo by Josh McDaniel)
By T. Scott Boatright
HAMMOND — The Lady Cougars fought from start to finish and had their chances late in the game.
But it wasn’t meant to be Saturday afternoon as top-seeded Southern Lab outlasted second-seeded Cedar Creek 67-57 in the championship game of the LHSAA Girls Division IV Select School playoffs inside Southeastern Louisiana’s University Center.
It’s the second straight state title for Southern Lab, which defeated Cedar Creek in the quarterfinals round of last year’s contest.
That game wasn’t close. But Saturday’s contest was an entirely different story — a thriller that kept Cougar fans hoping until the game’s final minute.
Cedar Creek came out firing on all cylinders to open the contest, going on a 7-1 run in the first 2:01 of play.
“That was our game plan — starting strong,” said Cedar Creek coach Katie Hall. “I didn’t know what their thoughts on us were going into the game, but they have had a lot of blowout wins. They blew us out last year.
“But we’re a different team than we were last year mentally, and I loved our chances. We believed the whole time. We believed leading up to this championship game. I think that’s why I’m so disappointed, because of how much I believe in our girls and this team. We were ready.”
But the Lady Cougars had already turned the ball over five times in the first three minutes in the first three minutes, something that would foreshadow how the game’s outcome would go, as Southern Lab committed only 13 turnovers on the day compared to 23 for Cedar Creek.
Cedar Creek led the entire first quarter, with Avery Ryan hitting the opening basket of the contest and Mary Grace Hawkins sinking a 3-pointer with 58 seconds on the clock that gave the Lady Cougars a 15-12 advantage heading into the second quarter.
Southern Lab opened the second quarter with a 4-0 run that gave the Kittens their first lead of the game at 16-15 42 seconds into the stanza, but Cedar Creek rebounded with a 5-0 run of its own.
The game was tied at 25-25 with 2:40 left in the first half, but Southern Lab closed out strong thanks to Kori Wesley nailing back-to-back 3-pointers.
Ryan hit the first of two free throw attempts with 19 seconds that cut the Lady Kittens’ lead to 31-26 heading into the locker rooms at halftime.
“That was huge,” Hall said of Wesley’s back-to-back treys in the final 1:28 of the first half. “It’s one of those things where we were just trying to pick our poison just trying to keep (the Lady Kittens) out of the paint because they’re so good at getting in the lane and either dishing off or finishing around the rim.
“So that was one of our gameplans going in — make them try the outside shots. But we also knew who their key shooters were, with (Wesley) being one of them. Once she hit those two we knew we had to get a little closer and close the gap on her. But those two shots were pretty big daggers.”
Southern Lab controlled the early part of the third quarter before the Lady Cougars went on a 6-0 run that cut the Lady Kittens’ lead to 40-36.
But momentum soon bounced the other way as Southern Lab closed out the quarter with a 12-2 run to build a 52-38 advantage heading into the final stanza.
The Kittens led 62-53 after a Forman layup with 2:35 remaining, but that was in the midst of a 10-2 run that helped the Lady Cougars cut the Southern Lab lead to five points at 62-57 with 1:55 on the clock.
Hawkins’ spinning layup followed by Taylor Martinez taking it to the basket were the final two baskets of Cedar Creek’s run before Southern Lab’s Clark stopped and popped a short jumper in the lane to push the Kittens’ lead back to seven at 64-57 with 1:29 remaining.
“We called a timeout and I told them they had four minutes left to do a little gut check and put everything on the line,” Hall said. “We changed up our defense to apply more pressure and that gave us a little boost of energy and showed the girls they still had a little gas left in the tank.”
Cedar Creek had one final chance after the Kittens committed an over and back turnover with 46.5 seconds left on the clock.
But the late comeback wasn’t meant to be this time.
“Unfortunately they hit a couple of easy baskets where the 50-50 ball went their way and then we missed a layup,” Hall said. “I think that if that could have swung things and given us a chance (to pull off the late win). But I was proud of our effort in not quitting.”
Cedar Creek had one final chance after the Kittens committed an over and back turnover with 46.5 seconds left on the clock.
Martinez led Cedar Creek’s balanced offensive attack with 13 points with Ryan and Alivia Lee chipping in with 12 points each and Caroline James and Hawkins both adding 10 points.
“She’s a clutch player for me,” Hall said about Martinez’ performance. “No moment is too big for her. I know she had a tall task with the defenders on her like they were. That’s hard. I experienced that as a point guard. She may have nightmares about that tonight, because (Southern Lab) is a good defensive team and they focused on her.”
In the end, that 23-13 turnover margin proved to be one of the biggest factors in the game’s outcome.
“That was one of our keys — I knew that if we could keep the turnovers down we would have a chance,” Hall said. “I figured that the total number of turnovers committed by the end of the game would determine whether it was going to be a win or loss.
“I’m proud of this team. I’m proud of their effort. But I’m still disappointed because we had a chance. It just didn’t happen.”
Pictured is Lincoln Prep coach Antonio Hudson and his Panthers ready to celebrate in the final seconds of Friday night’s game against JS Clark Leadership Academy. (Photo by T. Scott Boatright)
By T. Scott Boatright
GRAMBLING — Here come the Panthers, knocking on that door again.
The Lincoln Preparatory School boys basketball team has spent the past three seasons knocking on the door of a state championship, reaching at the semifinals if not finals in the Louisiana High School Athletic Association playoffs.
On Friday inside the LPS gym, the second-seeded Panthers earned a fourth-straight to Marsh Madness with a 67-37 win over seventh-seeded JS Clark Academy to make it six straight years Lincoln Prep will be heading to Lake Charles and Division IV Select School Final Four.
Lincoln Prep dominated from start to finish, leading 19-10 at the end of the opening stanza and 40-21 at the half.
Panthers coach Antonio Hudson credited that to being because his team stuck to the gameplan they had going into the contest.
“That was a good team we just beat and that coach is going to be a really good coach,” Hudson said. “He’s young. He just started. But he’s going to be really good.
“We’re just blessed that we stayed with the game plan and got their top player (LaDamien George, who finished with eight points) into foul trouble, because he really can play. I think it was doing and holding him down in scoring that was what made the difference in the game tonight.”
But that doesn’t mean Hudson was pleased with everything he saw from his Panthers.
“The thing is, we were losing the boards in the first half,” Hudson said. “We talked about that at halftime and focused on that. But our guys played hard. They stuck to the gameplan and they played their tails off.”
Unsurprisingly, Trey Spann led the Panthers in scoring as he so often does, finishing with 21 points on the night.
“He’s been playing since he was in the eighth grade and came up with great players, too, so he’s been around championship-level players all of his life,” Hudson said. “But the main thing with Trey is that he puts in the work, and it shows.
“That’s exactly what happened tonight. In the first quarter they kind of focused on him and he didn’t get a shot off. But as soon as they left him in single-coverage, he knocked that shot down and went on from there.”
Devin Burton added 20 points for the Panthers while also chalking up four rebounds, two assists, two steals and a blocked shot while Zion Hicks double-doubled, totalling 10 points and 11 boards along with two assists and two steals.
Hudson credited his bench players for playing a vital role against JS Clark.
Zeterrious (Owens) came in and played well, Daylon Edwards came in and played well,” Hudson said. “And that’s what I expect. I don’t care which player does it, as long as someone is doing it. And that’s what a deep team is all about.”
Hudson said that while he didn’t exactly predict another Marsh Madness trip for his Panthers before the season began, he knew that potential was there.
“I was at a friends’ house playing dominoes last summer, and I told him that this team could be really special,” Hudson said. “Not just because of one player, but because we’re deep. We’re playing without a starter right now and we just keep moving on. We’re still playing well.
“On any given night, we don’t know what kind of stats our players will give you because so many of them can play big in all roles and categories on any given night. And that’s a good thing, to be that deep. So we can afford to get into foul trouble and switch lineups around.”
So now for a fourth straight year, the Panthers prepare for Marsh Madness.
Hudson hopes past lessons will pay off for his team this time around.
“Here’s the thing — we’re young overall, but a lot of these guys have been down there (to Marsh Madness) on multiple occasions. They know what it feels like going down there and coming back empty handed.
“So that’s been something we’ve been focusing on — unfinished business. They want a championship just as much as I do. This senior class had been (to Marsh Madness) every year. They’ve played in Lake Charles every year. And that means it’s up to them. It doesn’t matter how bad I want it, want it for me or for them. It’s about how much they want it, and now they just have to go get over that hump.”
Lincoln Prep (25-7) will next take on third-seeded Southern Lab in Division IV Select School semifinals action next week at Burton Coliseum in Lake Charles.
Pictured is Simsboro coach Adam Wodach and his team celebrating during the final seconds of Friday night’s game against Hicks. (Photo by T. Scott Boatright)
By T. Scott Boatright
SIMSBORO — Hall of Fame football coach Vince Lombardi would have been proud of the Simsboro High School boys basketball team Friday night.
The coach the Super Bowl Trophy is named for (after he coached the Green Bay Packers to win the first two of those championship contests) is famous for saying, “It’s not whether you get knocked down; it’s whether you get up.”
Well, the fourth-seeded Simsboro Tigers got punched in the mouth early on in their Class B quarterfinals boys basketball playoff game before getting up off the floor and turning the tables on fifth-seeded Hicks to punch their tickets to Marsh Madness next week in Lake Charles as they roared to a 77-63 win over the Pirates inside the SHS gym.
Hicks opened the game on an 11-3 run before the Tigers stumbled back onto their feet to tie the contest at 15-15 on a Jakleb Modest 3-pointer at the 1:25 mark of the opening stanza.
Modest drew the opportunity to try an “and 1” free-throw attempt that failed to fall through the nets as Hicks held a 17-15 advantage heading into the second quarter.
But the Tigers finally regained the lead at 25-23 on an Ahmad Smith 3-pointer with 4:51 left in the first half before going on a 10-0 run to close out the second quarter to take a 40-29 advantage into the locker room at intermission.
“We played as a team tonight, a special team that played really well together,” Wodach said. “You saw winning basketball from every player that was on the court tonight.
“The thing is, we would have lost that game earlier in the year. But we’ve learned how to finish.”
Wodach said that learned confidence is how his team overcame its early knockdown to battle back for the convincing win.
“It’s a tribute to our growth and our willingness to stay together,” Woodach said. “I don’t think there was ever a panic. I don’t think we ever panicked. I think we had moments where we let our feet off the gas, but I don’t think we ever panicked.”
Simsboro led from start to finish in the second half. But that didn’t mean the Pirates gave up their fight.
Trailing 59-47 heading into the fourth quarter, Hicks pulled within five points of the Tigers at 59-54 with 5:12 left on the clock on a Micah Merchant 3-point.
But that’s as close as the Pirates as the Tigers earned their first Marsh Madness berth for the first time since 2022.
Modest led the Tigers with what Wodach termed “a quiet” 31 points while Smith added 23.
But it was Simsboro’s other Smith — the senior known as “Man-Man,” Trumarion Smith — that guided this team through tough conditions early on and kept their offense on track, finishing with 18 points on the night.
“He has the heart of a champion and has the will to just refuse to lose, and you saw that tonight,” Wodach said of Trumarion Smith. “Having a coach on the floor is like, I don’t have to call anything. Just get the ball in his hands and something good is going to happen.
“In a game like this, with this incredible atmosphere, you can’t call anything because they’re not going to hear you above the crowd. It was an incredible environment. The Simsboro fans were just spectacular. But my players didn’t need to be able to hear me because Trumarion is such a special kid and player.”
Simsboro won its 2022 state title in then Coach Josh Brown’s final season with the Tigers.
In 2023 the Tigers fell in the second round of the playoffs under a new coach, who resigned at the end of the season, opening the door for the “Adam Wodach Era” for Simsboro boys basketball.
But while being proud of what his team has accomplished since he’s been their head coach, making it to the quarterfinals last year before falling to eventual Division V Nonselect School champion Zwolle, he’s not accepting credit for the quick turnaround in returning the Tigers to one of the top teams in Louisiana.
“It’s not about me, man,” Wodach said. “It’s about these kids and what this program stands for. I’m just lucky to be a part of it. My staff and I and my assistants and our principal and teachers can put these kids in a position to succeed, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned in my career, it’s that player’s win games.”
Next up for Simsboro will be a semifinals game against top-seeded Lacassine (which defeated nine-seeded Stanley 67-25 Friday night) next week at Burton Coliseum in Lake Charles.
Jake Terry scored 19 points in Friday night’s loss to Hamilton Christian. (Photo by Darrell James)
by Malcolm Butler
Jake Terry scored 19 points and Cannon Robbins and Cameron Temple each added 12 points as Cedar Creek saw its season come to a close with a 67-48 loss at Hamilton Christian in Select School Division IV quarterfinal action Friday night.
Javon Vital scored a game-high 28 points for No. 4 seed Hamilton Christian (18-7), including 15 points in a first half that saw the Warriors build a 34-20 halftime advantage.
Hamilton Christian led 17-11 after the opening quarter of action as Terry netted four points for the Cougars (15-10). The Warriors then outscored Creek 17-9 in the second stanza with Terry adding four more points.
Terry hit a trifecta of three-pointers in the third quarter and Temple added five points but Cedar Creek wasn’t able to cut into the deficit as Hamilton Christian extended its lead to 53-38 heading into the fourth.
Robbins ended his high school career with a pair of three-pointers in the fourth quarter.
Jack Bell and Landon Hall also suited up for the final time for Cedar Creek in the loss.
The Cougars advanced to the quarterfinals overcoming numerous injuries to key contributors in the second half of the season.
Hamilton Christian will face No. 1 seed Crescent City, a 67-50 winner over ML King Charter.
WALKER, La. — Ruston High dug as deep as possible on the road Friday night, hoping for a third consecutive trip to the semifinals.
Unfortunately, it would not prove enough for the scoreboard as No. 3 Denham Springs (28-3) downed the No. 6 Bearcats (18-6) 53-50, ending Ruston’s season in a physical ballgame on the campus of Walker High School.
Down 53-50 with under ten seconds remaining, Ruston High had a few opportunities, including a three-point attempt by sophomore Keshun Malcolm that did everything in the rim except go through the basket. The shot was set up by a great defensive stop on an inbound pass by the Yellow Jackets that ended up in a jump ball situation to give the Bearcats the ball back. Ruston would not score again and the season would end in the quarterfinal loss.
“I think our team did everything they were supposed to do tonight,” Ruston High acting-head coach Corey Deans said. “I didn’t do a good job of settling us down early. Then the foul-trouble bug got us. (Denham Springs) ran their sets and were more patient than I have ever seen them. So that’s a shout-out to them. They executed their offense better, and I didn’t have an answer for it tonight.”
The Yellow Jackets opened up with a quick basket to take an early 2-0 lead at the 7:20 mark of the first, and the Bearcats responded with a three-pointer by sophomore Keshun Malcolm put Ruston up 3-2 with 6:59 to go in the quarter.
After a Ruston time out, sophomore Ahmad Hudson would account for the Bearcats’ next six straight points including an alley-oop slam from senior Joran Parker to put the ‘Cats up 9-4.
Denham Springs would hit a three with 3:40 to play in the first, cutting the lead to 9-7. Parker answered with a basket on the next possession to put Ruston back up 11-7. The Jackets answered again on the following possession to cut the lead by to two at 11-9, but Hudson would answer with a dunk off of his own missed shot for a 13-9 edge.
Parker would score the last basket for Ruston in the first quarter on a layup with 1:10 to go in the quarter, adding to Ruston’s lead at 15-9. The Yellow Jackets would end the quarter on a 5-0 run, and the Bearcats led 15-14 going into the second quarter.
Denham Springs would find life in the second, outscoring Ruston 14-8 in the stanza. The Yellow Jackets took the lead early in the quarter with a quick bucket at the 7:35 mark of the first half, but Ruston’s defense held the Yellow Jackets scoreless for nearly three minutes. Senior Aidan Anding knocked down a couple of free throws and Parker hit a layup in transition to put Ruston up 19-16 near the five minute mark of the first half.
Denham Springs, however, would outscore Ruston 12-4 for the remainder of the half. Anding would account for a basket at the 4:15 mark, while Parker would get another layup in transition after a steal by senior Zheric Hill to cut the Yellow Jacket lead to 28-23 going into the halftime locker room.
Hudson would pick up his third foul quickly in the third quarter, but Deans kept him in the basketball game. It was the right call, as Hudson would get a block and find Parker on an outlet pass for another layup for a 28-25 score with 7:22 on the clock in the third quarter. Malcolm would add another basket on the next possession to cut it to 28-27.
After a Denham Springs basket, Ruston would get four quick points, including a coast-to-coast layup from Anding to get back up 31-30. Hudson would score Ruston’s final five points of the quarter to put the ‘Cats ahead 36-35 heading into the fourth.
“We had a lot of fight in us,” Deans said. “We came back, but I wish we hadn’t gotten down like that. We got a little rattled. I used every timeout we had. I just have to find a different way to calm us down, or maybe schedule more road games in hostile environments like this.”
Shortly after Denham Springs three-pointer, Hudson would pick up his fourth foul of the night with 7:39 to play in the game. After getting down 41-36, Malcolm knocked down a three-pointer to cut the lead to 41-39. For the next four minutes, Ruston would outscore Denham Springs 8-3 to take a 47-44 lead with 3:52 to play. After a Ruston timeout, Denham Springs put together a 8-0 run to get the lead back with less than two minutes to play.
Ruston’s final basket would come from a three-pointer in the corner by Hudson, who led all scorers with 22 points and 16 rebounds. Parker finished the night with 12.
The night ends the Bearcat careers for Anding, Hill, Parker and seniors C.J Malone and Fabian Stringfellow. Deans believes the team will be returning a very talented team into next year.
“The future is bright for this program,” Deans said. “Everything is bright, even with this tough loss tonight. But this programs has a lot of studs in it.”
Katie Hall took over the reins of the Cedar Creek program following the retirement of Gene Vandenlanengberg following the 2023 season. (photo by Josh McDaniel)
by Malcolm Butler
When Katie Hall steps onto the University Center court Saturday at noon to coach her Cedar Creek team in the Select School Division IV state title game, she may pause for a moment before tipoff and take it all in.
And no one can blame her.
Just two short years ago, Hall was enjoying a pretty flexible life: a mom of four, a wife to husband Lance, and owner of Hall of Hoops Basketball Service. Oh, and coaching a little middle school girls hoops on the side at Cedar Creek.
Nothing too strenuous.
Longtime and highly successful Lady Cougars coach Gene Vandenlangenberg had the girls’ varsity program rolling, highlighted by a trip to the school’s first ever state title game in 2022.
And then, overnight, things changed.
Following the conclusion of the 2023 season, Coach Van – as he is affectionately known at the school – announced his decision to retire from coaching girls’ basketball. It was a move that took everybody by surprise, including Katie.
“When (Gene) unexpectedly retired … nobody saw that coming; me included,” said Hall. “I was trying to change (the junior high) practice plans to get ready for his lingo and the terminology that he used (on the varsity level).
“In all honesty in my own mind I was ready to get out of coaching the junior high once (my daughter) Kennedy moved on to high school.”
Not so fast, Coach Katie.
“Lance heard some rumblings that they were putting a committee together to approach me about the varsity job,” said Katie. “It was Mrs. (Cindy) Hampton that brought me in along with some other board members. They said, ‘Whatever it takes, we want you to take this over.’”
The answer was easy.
“It was a hard no for me,” said Katie.
According to Katie, her husband had predicted all this way before it all unfolded.
“Lance said, ‘You know they are going to ask you about the high school job,’” said Katie, referring to when she started coaching junior high at Creek. “And I was like, ‘Nope. I’m never doing that.’
“It was a hard no because I knew I would be all in and consumed and stressed out.”
Although no one will doubt her passion for both the sport of basketball and for teaching young people the game, Katie simply wouldn’t allow herself to think of taking the varsity position.
That is until a conversation with her husband.
“It was Lance,” said Katie. “He said, ‘I think you should consider it.’ I did a double take because he was the one who was even more hard no then me because it would be him stuck with the two twins at home.
“But he said, ‘I think you should. I think it’s a great opportunity to be with your (oldest) daughter and make those memories. We will make it work.’
“It was that moment that I allowed my brain to start picturing it. Until then, I never did.”
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Caroline James and Zoey Venters remember the day in March of 2023 when they were officially told that Coach Katie was replacing Coach Van.
According to both, it was the worst kept secret.
“We kept hearing rumors,” said Zoey.
Rumors quickly turned into reality as one day all the varsity basketball players were called out of class to go to the gym.
“I remember looking up and seeing (Coach Katie) standing in the balcony, smiling,” said Caroline. “I knew then.”
Both young ladies were already familiar with Coach Katie. James had played one year of middle school basketball for her as well as Hall of Hoops experience. Venters said she had attended a camp run by her.
And both say they were ecstatic to learn the news.
“I was excited,” said Zoey, one of only two seniors on this year’s Lady Cougars team. “It was rumored when Coach Van stepped down. Everyone was like, ‘Who is going to coach us?’
“Everyone’s first option was Coach Katie. I went to one of her camps and loved the way she taught me what to do. She wanted to see each one of us grow as basketball players.”
“I was thrilled,” said Caroline. “I had played for Coach Katie before. Loved her. I knew how she coached. She is a great coach. Moving on from a great coach like Coach Van … having a coach that was equally as great was so reassuring.”
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When asked how she got to where she is today in regard to leading Cedar Creek varsity on the hardwood, Katie takes zero credit.
“I think it was God’s plan,” said Katie. “I really felt like my whole path even going back to running camps for Coach Barmore at Louisiana Tech to finding the love for Hall of Hoops … I just think it was setting me up for this.
“It wasn’t my plan. It was definitely His.”
Katie has always had a passion for the sport of basketball. Starting at an early age and running through her days at C.E. Byrd High School where she led the program to a pair of Louisiana Class 5A state titles in the mid-1990s. She was named the MVP of the 1993 state title game the year Byrd was ranked No. 1 in the USA Today Top 25 poll.
Following high school, she made the 60-mile trip east to Ruston to play for a legendary coach at a legendary program.
“I am so proud of Katie,” said Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Coach Leon Barmore. “She is a classy lady. When I recruited her from Byrd (High School), I got exactly what I wanted. I got a really solid guard.”
During Katie’s four years with the Tech program, the Lady Techsters posted a 121-15 record and won four Sun Belt Conference titles and played in the 1998 national championship game against Tennessee.
Even today, more than 25 years after finishing her college career, Katie points back to her time at Tech.
“Being connected to Coach Barmore is something I will always value and treasure,” said Katie. “I hope that my girls one day can look back and go, ‘Wow. Coach Katie taught me some life lessons.’ That’s what Coach Barmore did for me.
“That impact is something I’ve always loved about basketball. You can have an impact on people in so many ways.”
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Cedar Creek enters Saturday’s title game against No. 1 seed Southern Lab with an impressive record of 29-3.
The Lady Cougars captured the District 1-1A title this year. They have recorded a number of marquee wins against the likes of Benton, West Monroe, Arcadia, Summerfield, Hamilton Christian, and JS Clark Academy.
And as impressive as all of that is … it’s not what’s important, according to both Katie and her players.
So, what is?
“I think back to when Caroline was playing on Hall of Hoops teams,” said Max James, dad of Caroline James. “From the time that Caroline was at an early age, Katie’s message to them was ‘the game is fun. It should always be fun. It’s a game. We are going to have fun playing it, and we are going to have fun learning it.’
“She knows how to coach kids appropriately at each stage of life. When she came over and started coaching at Cedar Creek and then moved to the varsity ranks, she knew it was a much more competitive atmosphere. It was a much more intense atmosphere.
“So, she adjusted her coaching to that. But at the center of everything, it’s still a game and it’s all about having fun. It’s all about developing yourself as a person and learning how to handle intense situations.”
Anyone who has watched Cedar Creek play this year can see that the Lady Cougars are having fun.
Of course, winning is fun. But even in tough times and tough moments, the Cedar Creek players embrace each other and the game.
And they credit that to their head coach.
“Her coaching style is a perfect mixture of a hard coach who pushes you to be better than you ever thought you could be, but it’s also where you know if you mess up or aren’t understanding something she will break it down and help you,” said Zoey. “She isn’t going to just throw you in the deep in and make you figure it out. She shows you what to do and how to become the players that we have all become.”
“She is always encouraging and uplifting,” said Caroline. “She always has faith in us. She makes an environment that is so fun to be in even during a hard day. You know she has your back.”
__________________________
“I love the challenge. I love the reward,” said Katie.
Although Katie is quick to say that the reward isn’t winning a district title or even playing for a state championship title.
All of that is fun. But it’s not the ultimate reward for her as a coach.
On the bus ride home from Hammond on Wednesday following the Lady Cougars dramatic 47-44 win over JS Clark Academy, Katie said she reaped the rewards.
“I sat on the front of the bus and listened to the girls belt out worship music,” said Katie. “I listen to their laughter. I listen to the things that they repeat that I say. I know they are listening. I love the culture that we are building.
“As I say all of this it has nothing to do with basketball. It’s about impacting kids’ lives.”
And impact them she has according to those close to the program and school.
“She puts other people first in everything,” said Max James. “She is creating a culture.”
Zoey may have paid the ultimate compliment to Coach Katie.
“She has become like a second mother to me,” said Zoey. “Anytime I need something, she is one of the first people I would call. She has almost adopted all of us like we are her true daughters. You don’t see very many coaches who take their players and turn them into their actual family and treat us like we are her own.”
Caroline agrees.
“Coach Katie has cultivated this environment,” said Caroline. “She has made this team into a family. Her biggest thing is she wants to let us grow as people. So, she impacts us as players, but she also impacts us in our personal lives. When we walk out of the gym we are trying to make the world a better place.”
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Cedar Creek faces a tall task Saturday.
Southern Lab has won three of the past four state championships and is loaded with talent. They dismantled former Creek district rival OCS 68-16 in Wednesday’s second semifinal.
However, anyone who has seen the Lady Cougars play this year knows better than to count them out before the final horn sounds.
One thing is for certain. Creek will be prepared.
“I think what I have seen with her teams, they are defending,” said Barmore, who came to Creek practice this past Sunday and spoke to the players. “They mix their defenses up. Playing a little zone press, a little man.
“For what she does and who she is, she’s perfect for those kids. I think if you scream and holler at (players these days), I’m not sure that works. I’m sure she gets on them at times, but I think it’s her mannerisms. I think it’s her organization. I just think she (outcoaches) a lot of teams. It’s pretty obvious she is coaching at a really high level.”
High praise from one of her true mentors.
Katie had numerous goals when she took over the varsity program at Cedar Creek two years ago to this month. One of them was to continue the winning tradition.
“It wanted to continue to grow what Coach Van had laid the foundation for and not let him down after what he built here,” said Katie.
Consider that goal accomplished. Now she has an opportunity to help this year’s team make history.
The Lady Cougars have won 17 games in a row. Win No. 18 straight and 30 overall would be the first state championship title in girls’ basketball since the school joined the LHSAA ranks in the 1980s.
And although that fact isn’t lost on her, Katie already knows this team has succeeded regardless of what the scoreboard may read Saturday afternoon.
“Success isn’t the wins or the championships,” said Katie. “It is more about the memories that these girls are making. That’s the success for me. It’s not about wins and losses. This (type of season) is just icing on the cake.”
Pictured is Grambling Planning and Zoning Committee Chair Mark Hunter. (Photo by T. Scott Boatright)
By T. Scott Boatright
Grambling has revamped its Planning and Zoning Committee with Mark Hunter taking over as the new chair as announced by Mayor Alvin Bradley during Thursday’s City Council meeting for the month of March.
“One of the things that we’re going to do is be more proactive,” Hunter said of the changes within the city’s Planning and Zoning Department. “I have spoken to the mayor about being approached by people wanting to build more townhouses in Grambling.
“So, we’ll be looking at areas where multi-living verbiage can include townhomes and design them as townhouse communities where we’ll have businesses as well as the townhouses that will be part of it. Those are just some of the thing’s we’ll be looking at with Planning and Zoning wanting to be proactive in bringing things to this city as well.”
Hunter also announced three new members joining Grambling’s Planning and Zoning Committee — Col. Ewing Collier, Jamie Williams, and Joyce Jiles.
“Ms. Williams is a former engineer and Ms. Giles is a former accountant/banker by trade, so we have a wide variety of individuals on Planning and Zoning for the City of Grambling,” Hunter said. “And like I said, we’re going to be more proactive rather than reactive.
“That’s one of the things we’re looking to help Grambling grow so that we can get more people to invest in Grambling, because there are a lot of young people not living in Grambling and working from home in others that actually want to move back home (to Grambling) but the problem they’re finding is available houses. A lot of them want to invest in homes they can come back to periodically, so we have to look at it from that standpoint and bringing more businesses to Grambling.”
Public Works Director Eric Caldwell told the City Council that they’ll be seeing quite a bit being done on city streets in the near future.
“We’re going to be repairing sewer lines on the north end of town on RWE (Jones Drive), Main Street, MLK (Drive) and Washington Street, so I’m asking our citizens to be very cautious going through those areas where work is occurring. They have completed 12 of the project and have six more repairs to do on the sewer line, but they still have 12 or 13 manholes they have to refurbish in the process.
“Also, expect Stadium (Drive) to be closed in about three weeks from here on Rose Lane, right at the old credit union, because we have to repair the roadway and replace the storm drain there. If you notice coming through, there’s a sag there. It is on our to-do list to be repaired.”
Caldwell encouraged all Grambling residents to sign up for the Civic Ready notification to keep up with road closures as well as other crucial things to know. Those wishing to join Grambling’s CivicReady notification list can do so here: Public Signup (alertsense.com
Grambling’s City Council also received updates from Bradley and Councilman Jerry Lewis on the search for a fire chief, with Bradley saying he’s encouraging a pair of younger firefighters to complete their officer certifications in order to apply.
“Young guys like that are already working hard and investing in the city, and we’d like to see them build a lifelong career here if they want to continue heading in that direction,” Bradley said.
Lewis, a retired firefighter himself, said he has been talking with a pair of retired firefighters from the surrounding area that might be open to taking on a fire chief role on a part-time basis to potentially fill the void while younger firefighters continue working to move their way up the leadership ladder.
Bradley also spoke of talks the city has had involving the potential reopening of the video bingo hall at the south end of city limits in between the Tarbutton Road four-way stop and the Stadium Townhouses on Kennon Lane in Ruston.
“There are some questions we’re trying to get answers on the (financial) percentages that will be paid to the city as well as the charities they’re supposed to use at the bingo hall. And thirdly, Councilwoman (Kathy) Giles has suggested that we should have security down there.
“So those are the things myself and (city attorney Ronald Lattiere) will be talking about when we forward an email to that group with our opinion, and hopefully they and we can all come to terms to get that bingo hall open.”
Grambling’s City Council also passes a motion to bring back former police dispatcher Sharon Mills to fill the void left by another dispatcher being out on maternity leave.
“She left in good standing after 19 years with us,” said Grambling Police Chief Tommy Clark. “She’s good to go right now and is certified on both the police and the fire sides of the job.”
Grambling State University has been recognized as a CASE Standards Contributor, a distinction awarded to institutions that actively engage in key CASE Insights benchmarking surveys.
This recognition highlights Grambling State’s commitment to transparency, data-driven decision-making, and advancing best practices in philanthropy and alumni engagement.
By contributing insights that inform national and global standards, Grambling State reinforces its leadership in institutional advancement. The university’s participation in CASE benchmarking not only strengthens its own fundraising and engagement strategies but also helps shape the broader landscape of educational philanthropy.
Grambling State’s impact in the advancement space is backed by strong data:
First-Time Investors – The university has seen a 31% increase in net new investors over the past fiscal year, reinforcing its leadership in HBCU fundraising.
Investor Retention – Grambling State has achieved an 89% increase in investor retention, reflecting strengthened relationships with philanthropic partners.
Alumni Engagement – With an alumni giving rate of 69%, Grambling State is setting the benchmark for sustained alumni support in the HBCU community.
Endowed Scholarship Growth – The number of new endowed scholarships has grown by 114% in the last fiscal year, ensuring long-term sustainability for scholarships and institutional priorities.
Scholarship Impact – The university has achieved a 192% increase in the number of scholarships awarded, expanding access to educational opportunities for deserving students.
Corporate and Foundation Partnerships – The university has experienced a 71% increase in corporate partnerships, fueling investments in key academic and student success initiatives.
“Our participation in CASE Insights reflects our strategic approach to philanthropy and engagement,” said Brandon A. Logan, Vice President of University Advancement, and Innovation. “This recognition highlights our commitment to not just meeting industry standards, but actively contributing to the future of educational advancement. We welcome opportunities to collaborate with others who share our vision for data-driven impact.”
Gregory Smith, who was successful for 44 years as an accountant, implemented two ERP systems with JD Edwards and SAP (System Applications and Products). He enjoyed his time seeing familiar faces and reflected on how he chose his profession.
“My first assignment was to go to the library and look in the occupational handbook.” “The first occupation I saw was accounting,” Smith said. “I was good at bookkeeping so I decided on accounting as my major and I do not regret it,” Smith said.
Smith also expressed his inspiration from motivational speakers and moments that have changed his life.
“The guest speakers were the best experiences for me. We had Angela Davis, Dick Gregory, and Vine Deloria Jr,” Smith said. “My first year of college 10 football players were drafted into the NFL. Eddie Robinson and President Emerson Jones put Grambling on the map.”
As the day ended, the beginning of a beautiful night began. The Golden Graduates danced the night away at The Golden Experience. A night of smiles, laughter, and new memories were added to their Grambling experience.
Ethyl Moy-Moore is a successful tax accountant in Monroe, Louisiana. She was thrilled to see the innovative changes made at Grambling State University.
“Being an educator or a secretary were the only options for women during my time. My goal was to finish high school, go to trade school, and get a job,” Moy-Moore said.
When Moy-Moore recognized that she had top grades in her class during high school. A teacher recognized her excellence and pushed her to consider college. Her teacher’s husband was a professor at tech, where she was accepted but Moy-Moore was interested in Grambling College.
“I told my teacher if I was going to a college I was going Grambling,” Moy-Moore said.
The teacher’s husband connected with professors at Grambling which led to her acceptance and success.
“I did not plan on being at Grambling long, but when I finally got there I quickly changed my mind,” Moy-Moore said. “I pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. During that time Accounting was a male-dominated major,” Moy-Moore said. “The dean wanted to meet me and Minnie Ethridge-Beal, the two women graduating at the top of accounting. He told us usually no one has graduated in accounting less than 5 years, he was not sure if we could graduate. After three years and two summers, I and Ethridge-Beal completed accounting with magna cum laude and cume laude.”
Remonia Hudson, a native of Grambling, Louisiana, raised three daughters during her years as a GSU student. After the workforce, Husdon decided to further her education by attending Grambling College. Being a non-traditional student while being a mother, Hudson pledged Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., graduated cum laude, and received two master’s degrees.
“I had my first child at 16,” Hudson said. “After getting married and having two more children I worked for four years. After nickeling and diming from my job I decided that that lifestyle was not for me and my family. My routine became going to class, seeing my children, and going to work,” Hudson said. “It was not easy but with family support, support from my sorority, and the grace of God I made it through. I have always told my children that getting an education is a guaranteed way to success. Grambling has allowed me to go farther. Age, gender, and circumstances do not limit you to what you can do.”
Hudson’s daughter De’Varia Ponton was elated to stand beside her mother to celebrate the 50th anniversary of her college graduation.
“She started a legacy for us. She was the first to graduate in the family,” Ponton said. “We are all graduates with advanced degrees and I can thank my mom for blazing that path. She has a granddaughter here at Grambling now that crossed Delta Iota.” “It is not if you go to college, it is where and Grambling is the place to be.”
Seeing their wives, husbands, children, and grandchildren who were not present 50 years ago made those hours of traveling worthwhile. Their families watched a line of Golden achievers walk in and take their place in Grambling State University’s Spring 2024 Commencement Exercise.
Louisiana State Senator Cleo Fields presented the graduates with an impactful and encouraging speech. The moment finally came when everything the graduates overcame and conquered was worth it as they received their commemorative 50th anniversary degrees. Including a granddaughter participant accepting a diploma on the behalf of her late grandmother Carolyn Collier.
The graduates ended their Golden experience at McCall Dining Hall with a Luncheon presented by SodexoMagic. While some graduates won gift cards from SodexoMagic, the greatest award was the $17,590.00 gift given by the Class of 1974 to their alma mater.
Rainbow Blue Dog on a rainbow. Starry Night Blue Dog. Cop Blue Dog. Whatever the subject, Blue Dog was the center.
Area young artists gathered in the lobby of Lincoln Parish Library Thursday afternoon to celebrate their talents and showcase their art at the annual Blue Dog Art Show in honor of Louisiana artist and Blue Dog series creator George Rodrigue.
Renee Hunt, art teacher at The Art House, teaches all of the 50 artists who displayed their Blue Dogs, and she said this is an event nearly 20 years in the making and always celebrated.
“It’s so much fun,” Hunt said. “It’s part of Louisiana history. That’s why we work on them in February because February is a big Louisiana history month because of Mardi Gras. We always tie it into that.”
The artists, who range in age from 3 years old up to students in the eighth grade, work about a month on their canvas creation.
“They choose whatever they want to do,” Hunt said. “They can use one of George Rodrigue’s works from one of the many books we have in The Art House for inspiration, or they can go totally random out of their own imagination. As you can see, this year, the children used their own imagination. A lot of them have told stories with their works this year. You can tell the ones who have done that. There are a lot of real intricate stories going on here.”
Ruston resident Jenn Kilpatrick said all four of her children have participated in the Blue Dog art show throughout the years.
“I love this exhibit so much,” Kilpatrick said. “They always get to show their personalities. Each of these kids will just show off who they are in some way and connect it to Blue Dog.”
Over the years, Kilpatrick said she has collected around 15 Blue Dog paintings from her children.
“We’ve had Blue Dogs walking iguanas, doing paintings — some really unusual ones in my house,” she said. “Once they come down (from the library), we put them on display in our house. We usually get them out every year.”
The reception will last throughout the month, and Hunt said she encouraged the community to come out to see the exhibit.
“It’s important for the kids to show their work,” Hunt said as a crowd gathered in the library lobby for the opening reception. “They’re really proud of their work. It brings so much color to the lobby of the library, and they work hard to do their very best.”
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.
A traffic stop for running a red light led to the arrest of a Grambling man for possession of a machine gun in Ruston.
Kemillion Payne, 19, was arrested by Ruston Police last Sunday after the juvenile driver of the car in which Payne was a passenger ran the red traffic signal at West Alabama Avenue and North Trenton Street.
A RPD officer followed the car with his emergency lights on until it stopped at Marbury Alumni Center at Louisiana Tech. Tech Police who were assisting found a pistol in plain view on the driver’s floorboard.
Officers continued searching and found a black Glock 30 .45 caliber pistol with an extended magazine behind the driver’s seat. The gun had a device attached that converted it from semiautomatic to a fully automatic machine gun.
During a frisk, Payne was found with a bag of marijuana.
Payne told police he was charged as a 15-year-old with several gun violations during a traffic stop. He was arrested for possession of a machine gun and booked into the Lincoln Parish Detention Center. His bail was set at $50,000.
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.
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
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High Schools
Ruston
It’s a busy week in Bearcat Nation!
Today and tomorrow (3/07 – 3/08) softball will travel to compete in a tournament at Choudrant!
Monday (3/10), JV baseball will travel to play West Monroe at 5:00 pm! Also, the golf team will compete in a tournament at Trails End Golf Course in Arcadia, starting at 3:00 pm!
Tuesday (3/11), softball will travel to play ASH; JV at 4:00 pm and varsity at 5:30 pm!
Wednesday (3/12), JV baseball will travel to play Loyola at 5:00! Thursday (3/11), softball will play Pineville at home; JV at 4:30 pm, varsity at 6:00 pm! Also, varsity will play Ouachita Parish at 6:00 pm!
Congrats to our teacher of the week, Ms. Oliphint! Ms. Oliphint is in her first year of teaching! She teaches Environmental Science and is the assistant softball coach! Thank you for all you do Ms. Oliphint!
Simsboro
Thank you to both the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs and the Lady Techsters for coming to the Boro to read to our students and encourage them during Read Across America Week!
Elementary Schools
Dubach
Dubach had a fun Read Across America Week, kicking it off with the Twin Club from Grambling State University coming to read to our classes. This year we have 3 sets of identical twins. They were excited to see so many other twins.
Tuesday, March 11th is our fourth and final Parent’s 2 Night School of the school year. Adopt-a-School Partner, First Guaranty Bank will present information on financial literacy and budgets. Adopt-a-school partner, Calvary Baptist Church of will provide dinner for our families who attend. We started Parent’s 2 Night School last school year (2023-2024) and each session has grown. Parent’s come and share ideas, learn from each other and gain information from experts on topics that they would like to learn more about. This year the overall theme has been: The Big Picture of parenting.
Lincoln Parish Early Childhood Center
LPECC students ended the month of February by “Letting the good times roll” with a Mardi Gras parade. Each class dressed as their own Krewe and threw beads and candy or played instruments as their families watched. This week, students helped celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday with various dress up days and special guest readers. We want to send a very special thank you out to Dr. Humphries, Mrs. Deborah Lynch, Mrs. Carolyn Smith, Mrs. Kim Shackleford, and Officer Randy for reading to some of our students this week!
Ruston
Ruston Elementary School would like to thank Coach Fobbs (University of South Alabama), Coach Hester (Louisiana Tech University), and Deputy Chief Hamlin (Ruston) for speaking with and inspiring our students during Black History Month! The students enjoyed each and every moment with these remarkable men!
RUSTON, La. — Ruston High (9-6) finished with a 17-7 run-rule victory Thursday night over the Winnfield Tigers (4-5) in a final home matchup before district play begins next week.
“Any win is a good one,” Beck said. “We got up 9-1, and we needed to finish early in a run-rule situation. We got some young guys in and it didn’t go well in the top of the fifth , then reentered the starters and ended up getting the run-rule win.”
After a one-out triple by senior Peyton Martin in the bottom of the first, senior Jake Simmons would take a walk to put runners on both first and third for sophomore John Parker Moak. He would then get a triple of his own to score both both runners, giving Ruston a 2-0 lead. Junior Lander Smith would record a sacrifice bunt in the next at-bat to put Ruston up 3-0 heading into the top of the second.
A pair of singles by both juniors Hudson Wood and Jackson Lee in the bottom of the second put Martin back at the plate, who would then single on a bunt to score both runners for a 5-0 lead.
Martin then recorded another RBI with a sacrifice-fly into center, scoring Martin for a 6-0 lead.
Winnfield would get a run across in the top of the third inning, but Ruston answered with a line drive single by junior Nolan Parnell, scoring senior Carter Love after stealing second. Lee would hit into a fielder’s choice two batters later with the bases loaded to score Parnell for an 8-1 lead. Simmons then grounded out two batters later to score Wood from third base to go up 9-1.
After neither team scored in the fourth inning, Winnfield put together six runs in the top of the fifth to cut the Bearcat lead to 9-7.
Lee would then score on a wild pitch during Smith’s at-bat in the bottom of the fifth. Smith then singled on a ground ball to centerfield, scoring both Martin and Simmons for a 12-7 lead. Ruston added another run, thanks to a home plate steal by freshman Dalen Powell to go up 13-7 heading into the top of the sixth.
Sophomore Sam Hartwell would single in the bottom of the sixth to score junior Jackson Burroughs from third base, putting Ruston ahead 14-7. Simmons would get a triple two batters later to score both sophomore Michael Brisco and Hartwell.
Finally, Smith singled into left field to score Simmons and give Ruston the run-rule 17-7 win.
Senior David Griep got the start on the mound for Ruston, striking out four batters and giving up no runs nor hits. Martin led Ruston with three hits on the day, while Smith finished with 4 RBI to lead Ruston. Both Simmons and Moak added 3 RBIs, as well.
The Bearcats will host North DeSoto on Tuesday, March 11 before opening district play against Ouachita.
“We are going to enjoy the weekend off and get ready to open up district play next week,” Beck said in conclusion.
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Rusty Wilfong and members of the Ruston Rotary Club will be holding a jambalaya fundraiser March 27.
The Ruston Rotary Club will host the Third Annual Jambalaya Fundraiser in the Super 1 Parking lot, March 27, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. A meal of Jambalaya, corn and green beans is just $10 and will help the Ruston Rotary Club raise funds for our community service projects.
Some of these projects include Coats for Kids, dictionaries for third graders, student scholarships, Christmas gift bags for nursing home residents and food backpacks for food insecure students.
Rusty Wilfong, Chair of the Jambalaya Cooking team, said,” It is that time of the year to enjoy some great food and help Ruston Rotary raise funds for the less fortunate in our community all just $10.”
The Ruston Rotary Coats for Kids program donated 226 coats in October for elementary students in Lincoln and Jackson parishes in coordination with The Children’s Shoppe and Jonesboro State Bank. In May, the Ruston Rotary club will give out four $2,000 scholarships for high school students attending college in the fall.
Rotarians pick up food backpacks every Thursday during the school year at Super 1 and drop them off at Hillcrest Elementary for needy students to take home on Friday for meals over the weekend. During the fall, Rotarians give Lincoln Parish third grade students their very own dictionary to keep in the classroom or at home. Rotarians are also involved in the Med-Camp Fall Halloween Bash held at Camp Alabama every year the Saturday before Halloween with the Rotarians dressed up as Wizard of Oz characters.
Kevin Smith, President of Ruston Rotary said, “This is an opportunity to receive and give at the same time, just by eating lunch. He added, “It is not often you get a chance to be a part of making a difference in our community just for $10.”
Each meal features jambalaya, corn and green beans. Jambalaya trays can be ordered for delivery to your business or organization between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on March 27. You may buy a plate for $10 or a quart container of jambalaya for $15, a half pan for $100 for 10 servings and a full pan for $200 for 20 servings. You can also walk up on March 27 at the Super 1 parking lot to purchase a meal or a quarter of Jambalaya.
You may order ahead by calling Rusty Wilfong at 318-265-0985 or Jerry Pye at 318-282-5278 or any Ruston Rotary member.
A Farmerville man was arrested last week in Lincoln Parish after he was stopped for a traffic violation and was found to be wanted by Arkansas authorities.
A deputy pulled over TR Juvell Johnson, 19, for driving with no headlights on La. Highway 33 just after midnight on the morning of March 2. While interacting with Johnson, the deputy detected the odor of burnt marijuana coming from the vehicle.
A records check showed Johnson was wanted by Clay County, Arkansas on a warrant charging him with second degree battery. During a search for weapons, a deputy found a plastic bag containing suspected marijuana.
Johnson was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for possession of marijuana. possession of drug paraphernalia and the Arkansas warrant. The bail amount on the local charges was not available at publication time.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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RUSTON, La. — Ruston High (5-3) held on in a wild game Thursday night to win 16-15 against the Lakeside Warriors (9-2) in a midweek matchup, thanks in part to two homers by freshman Aubrey Stoehr in the same inning.
“We started explosive and changed our mindset to get on base then any ball in the hands of the defense that could be pushed we did,” Ruston High head coach Lauren Garvie said. “Stoehr starts off hitting a home run dead center on a 2-strike at bat and then we just kept going. The girls did a great job tonight. I’m proud of seeing adversity and calming themselves down to push through. As much as we don’t want to throw that many pitches, it’s good for our girls to know they can.”
After getting down 3-0 in the top of the first, Stoehr hit her first shot in the leadoff spot over center field for a 1-0 lead. Senior Morgan Foster added an RBI single two batters later to score senior Rilee Atwood from second base to cut the lead to 3-2.
Senior Jaiden Feeheley added a two-RBI single into centerfield to score both Foster and junior Sage Tolar to give Ruston a 4-3 lead. Stoehr then took a bases-loaded grand slam over left field, putting Ruston up 8-3 after scoring Feeheley, sophomore Grace Underwood and senior Abby Holton.
Lakeside added two more runs in the top of the second to cut Ruston’s lead to 8-5. Ruston responded with a four-run inning in the bottom of the second, starting with a one-out single by Feeheley to left field to score Foster. Underwood singled two batters later to score Feeheley, and an errant throw at the plate scored both Holton and freshman Skylar Bowers, giving Ruston a 12-5 lead.
The Warriors would tie the game 12-12 after one run in the third, three in the fourth and three more in the fifth. Feeheley responded in the bottom of the sixth on a one-out line drive single to centerfield, scoring Bowers. Freshman Annaliese Doss singled in the next at-bat to score Foster and give Ruston a 14-12 lead. Holton then singled to score Feeheley, extending the lead to 15-12. Finally, Underwood flew out to center field to score Doss and put the Lady Bearcats up 16-12.
Lakeside rallied to cut the lead to 16-15 before the final batter grounded out to Stoehr at shortstop to end the game.
Ruston is scheduled to return to action today against Calvin at 4:30 p.m.
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Ruston High’s girls soccer team had multiple players named to the All Division I and II – Northeast Regional team, including a Defensive Most Valuable Player award.
Senior goalie Rilee Atwood took home the Defensive MVP award, while both senior Morgan Foster and freshman Bridget Crittenden both earned first team honors. Seniors Mia Tapia and McKenzie Oakley were both named honorable mention.
“These players that have been recognized are a group of amazing talent and strong leaders on our team,” Ruston High head coach Jacquelyn Bean said. “The hours they’ve put in since last June have lead to this recognition. As they say, the price of winning is high, but so are the rewards. The talent in the list of All Regional First Team players this season are a group of really strong candidates.”
Atwood recorded 101 saves for the Lady Bearcats in 16 games played, with standout performances against Parkway, North DeSoto and Neville. Foster added four goals and two assists in nine games as defender, while Crittenden finished with 17 goals and 10 assists.
“I’m so proud of Rilee receiving the Defensive MVP,” Bean said. “This was only her second season ever to play soccer, to be recognized in this way is a testament to her athleticism. She and Morgan Foster are two of the most dominant defensive players in all of Division II. We’re going to miss them both terribly, they’re leaving big shoes to be filled.
“It’s says a lot about Bridget’s work ethic and talent when she is voted on the All Regional First Team as a freshman, but also the only freshman. She reminds me of my own daughter who went on to play college soccer for the past five years. Bridget has a bright future ahead of her. I can’t wait to see what she can do next season.”
Tapia finished with 10 goals and 12 assists for the Lady Bearcats, as well, while Oakley finished with three goals and one assist as a defender and midfielder. Oakley was also the first Lady Bearcat to score a goal this season.
“I’m proud of Mckenzie and Mia for their Honorable Mentions,” Bean said. “They have done so much for our team in their time at Ruston High. I am honored to have been able to coach them since they were in sixth grade during my years coaching at Ruston Junior High.”
