March is a month of movement. It’s right there in the name – marching forward, stepping ahead, making progress. The cold grip of winter loosens, the first signs of spring appear and the world stirs with new life.

Maybe that’s why this time of year makes me think about momentum – the purposeful act of pressing on, in life and in faith. Christians can use this idea to serve as an encouraging reminder to march forward in faith while staying in step with God.

I’ve never been one to sit still for long. I spent my career teaching journalism, helping students find their voices and their footing. These days, I keep plenty busy singing in my a cappella chorus, working with my service group, teaching online, attending Bible studies, promoting my husband’s artwork, and generally staying connected to my North Louisiana community.

Life keeps moving, and so must we. But faith isn’t just about movement. It’s about direction.

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Joshua 1:9 reminds us of God’s words to Joshua: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

That verse speaks to me because I’ve had my own “wandering in the wilderness” moments – times of uncertainty, seasons where I wasn’t sure what was next, interludes where I was stuck in a pattern of doing exactly the wrong thing. I suspect many of us have.

The Israelites had walked for 40 years, but it wasn’t until that moment with Joshua that they truly began to move forward into God’s promise. Yes, they had been traveling, but the journey didn’t lead them to the place God had in mind. Their walking had to become intentional, trusting that God would lead them into something new and better.

I sometimes think about that when I sing with my chorus. In an a cappella group, you don’t have a piano or guitar to keep you on track. Instead, you listen – to the voices around you, to the rhythm, to the harmony. If you charge ahead or lag behind, the song falls apart. But when everyone listens and moves together, a perfect harmony emerges.

Faith is like that, too. Galatians 5:25 says, “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” It’s not just about forging ahead; it’s about walking in rhythm with God.

If you’ve ever walked with someone whose stride is much faster or slower than yours, you know how frustrating it can be. But when you adjust your steps – when you find that rhythm – the walk becomes easier, more natural. It becomes a shared journey instead of a solo effort.

That’s what God invites us into. A journey where he leads and we follow. Not rushing ahead in impatience. Not dragging behind in fear. Just walking with him, step by step.

And as we do so, there’s comfort in the realization that walking in step with God doesn’t mean we won’t face obstacles. It means we won’t face them alone. When the journey feels uphill and the path is rocky, he steadies our steps. When we grow weary, he provides rest. When we feel lost, he lights the way.

Maybe right now, you feel like you’re at a standstill, unsure of the next move. Or maybe you’re on the edge of something new, your heart pounding, wondering if you have the courage to step forward. Just remember: Wherever you are, you’re not alone. God is walking with you.

So this March, let’s march. Let’s take the next step. In faith. In trust. In step with him.

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Sallie Rose Hollis lives in Ruston and retired from Louisiana Tech as an associate professor of journalism and the assistant director of the News Bureau. She can be contacted at sallierose@mail.com.

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By T. Scott Boatright

 

GRAMBLING — Lincoln Preparatory School shook off a sluggish start Monday night before picking up the pace later in the second quarter as the second-seeded Panthers roared to a 65-34 win over 15th-seeded Covenant Christian in second-round action of the LHSAA’s Select School Div. IV Boys basketball playoffs inside the LPS gym.

In a game that Lincoln Prep led only 6-4 at the end of the opening stanza, the Panthers didn’t start heating up shot-wise until Trey Spann hit his first 3-pointer of the night at the 4:38 mark of the second quarter.

His second 3-pointer 32 seconds later extended the Panthers’ advantage to 14-9 as the Panthers finally started falling into an offensive groove.

Hudson said it was all about getting his team to remember that they use their defense to create their offense.

“(Covenant Christian) had the ball pretty much the first four-and-a-half minutes of the first quarter,” Hudson said. “Their coach called his first timeout and held it about a minute. I think their plan was to try to slow us down and keep the ball out of our hands as much as possible.

“So, for half the quarter they had possession. Our problem was defense. I told the team it’s kind of bamboozling because we had been going at it and doing well in practices on defense. One we started taking over the defensive aspect, forcing them into quick shots and forcing turnovers, and that’s what creates our offense.”

Frediron Payne also hit a key 3-point that extended the Panthers’ lead to 19-9 en route to a 23-13 halftime lead over the Lions.

Covenant Christian came out strong top open the second half, scoring the first seven points of the third quarter to cut Lincoln Prep’s lead to 23-20 before a pair of inside baskets by Devon Burton put the Panthers back on offensive track and they went on to build a 41-26 by the time that stanza ended.

Spann led the Panthers with 28 points, connecting on six 3-pointers with three of those coming in the final stanza, while adding five rebounds, five steals and four assists. 

“We all know how he can shoot,” Hudson said about Spann overcoming his slow offensive start. “He came in this afternoon and got some shots up and maybe he did it a little too close to game time. He and two or three other players came in around noon. That’s the kind of kid Trey is and the kind of work he puts in.”

Burton and Zion Hicks both double-doubled, with Burton totaling 11 points and 15 rebounds along with two assists and two steals while Hicks scored 10 and pulled down 10 boards while also notching three assists and a steal. 

“Zion rebounded the ball well tonight,” Hudson said. “I was pleasantly pleased with his energy around  the rim. He still has to finish around the rim some more offensively, but if he and Devin can dominate the boards and each one of them get 10-12 rebounds a night, it would definitely make a big difference for us in how far we go.”

Jabari Levingston also played a pivotal role off the bench for the Panthers, finishing with nine points, five rebounds, four steals and one assist.

“I’ve said it before — he’s going to be the next big-time player here,” Hudson said of Levingston. “He’s learning, but if he can just stay out of his own way and stop listening to everybody and just focus on doing what he’s capable of doing, he’ll be successful. When he plays within himself, he’s going to be amazing.”

Next up for Lincoln Prep (24-7) will be a home contest against the winner of tonight’s game pitting seventh seed JS Clark Academy against 10th seed Ascension Christian.

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by Malcolm Butler

Four more Lincoln Parish boys basketball teams will continue their playoff march tonight as Ruston High (Non-Select Division I), Cedar Creek (Select Division IV), Choudrant (Class B) and Simsboro (Class B) all face their next opponents.

Two of those teams — Simsboro and Choudrant — will square off for the third time this season as the No. 4 seeded Tigers (20-8) look to make it three-for-three against the No. 13 seed Aggies (17-14). Simsboro defeated Choudrant 72-49 on November 7 and 78-58 on January 10.

The game will be played at SHS Gym and tipoff is set for 6 p.m.

Simsboro earned a first round bye while Choudant defeated Episcopal of Acadiana 67-59 in its first round match-up. The winner will face the winner of No. 5 Hicks vs. No. 12 Doyline. 

No. 6 seed Ruston will host No. 11 seed South LaFourche at 6 p.m. at the RHS Gym. 

The Bearcats (17-5) advanced to the second round by virtue of a 56-22 win over No. 27 seed Destrehan last week while South LaFourche (21-5) defeated No. 22 seed Hahnville 63-59.

The winner of the match-up will advance to face the winner of No. 3 Denham Springs vs. No. 14 Westgate.

No. 12 seed Cedar Creek (14-9) will travel to face No. 5 seed Vermilion Catholic (14-3) tonight at 5 p.m. 

The Cougars won their opening round game 60-46 over Westminster Christian behind a 25-point performance by Jake Terry. Vermilion Catholic had a first round bye and has won 11 straight. VC defeated Westminster Christian twice during the regular season (73-53 and 59-52).

The winner of the game will face the winner of No. 4 Hamilton Christian and No. 13 Block.

 

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By Kyle Roberts

RUSTON, La. — Ruston High senior pitcher Eli Crawford was up at the facility Sunday getting some individual practice in and had no idea he was going to be getting the nod to start for the Bearcats on the mound the next night.

But after he found out, boy, did he make the moment count, as Crawford pitched a complete-seven innings, striking out eight batters and only walking one to lead the Bearcats (8-6) to a 5-1 home win over Tioga (8-5).

“He came into our office in early January and told us he could help the team if he moved to pitcher only,” Ruston High head coach Bryan Beck said. “And he’s a great pitcher, but he’s struggled a little bit — he’d get two quick outs and then he would walk a couple. He just been struggling with the pitching demons. And we told him that he was getting the ball tonight. We believe in him and his teammates believe in him.

“(Pitching coach Doc Wilkerson) has done a phenomenal job encouraging these kids and showing belief in them and what it’s like to be a great teammate. And Eli just went out there with a lot of confidence knowing his coaches and teammates believed in him, and he pitched incredibly tonight.”

Prior to first pitch, the teams honored a Tioga student who had passed away this weekend with a team prayer at home plate.

Ruston took a 1-0 lead after junior Nolan Parnell reached on an error on a bunt, scoring freshman Dalen Powell from second base. Senior designated hitter Jake Tyler scored on the next Bearcat at-bat after sophomore Sam Hartwell grounded out to the second baseman to extend the score to 2-0.

The Bearcats scored on another error in the bottom of the third inning after junior Hudson Wood stole two bases and then scored on a ground ball by Powell for a 3-0 lead.

Senior Kolby Sonnier then added an RBI single in the bottom of the fourth inning to score Hartwell and put Ruston up 4-0.

After the Indians finally got on the scoreboard in the top of the fifth, Ruston got one more insurance run in the bottom of the fifth inning off of a Tioga error on a Powell grounder, scoring Wood again for the 5-1 win.

In all, the Indians finished the game with four errors.

Beck said he was strategic with his lineup tonight based on the possibility of seeing a left-handed pitcher from Tioga.

“We decided we were going to stack our lineup with righties tonight,” Beck said. “It was a lineup we hadn’t seen all year. We really just got going quick and put some pressure on them with our running and stealing game. We didn’t have to bang the ball all over the yard tonight — we had some timely hitting and good run support for Eli. Tioga is a really good team, and they’re going to win a bunch of games. That was a big win for us.”

Beck also added he was pleased with his team playing well after a win, which came in a 9-1 victory over Archbishop Shaw in the last weekend game at the Jay Patterson Classic in South Louisiana.

“We’ve struggled this year winning games and then bouncing back to win the one behind it,” Beck said. “Our guys responded well to our lineup change. Everybody in the dugout believed in it; our coaching staff believed in it. We played baseball the way it was supposed to be played tonight, so I’m really happy for our team.”

The Bearcats are set return to action tonight at Parkway, though inclement weather could postpone the game. 

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by Malcolm Butler

Cedar Creek’s boys powerlifting team competed this past weekend at the North Regionals at North DeSoto High School with junior Blake Robinson earning a spot on the podium.

Head coach Jacob Angevine she he was pleased with his team’s performance, especially in light of graduating five key lifters from last year’s state title squad.

“We knew our boy’s team would look a little different this year after graduating five seniors from last year’s state championship team, but there is a good mix of experience and youth on the team,” said Angevine. “We have four seniors on the team this year, and for two of them it was their first regional meet to compete at, and both of them went nine-for-nine on their lifts with a lot left in the tank.”

Robinson earned a third place finish in the 242-pound weight class with a three lift total of 1,445 pounds. Although he was the lone Cougar lifter to earn a spot on the podium, Angevine pointed out a few other individual’s efforts.

“I was real proud of Aidan Woods who gained around 20 pounds to make the team, and I was excited for Kaleb Negrotto who had struggled the last two meets,” said Angevine. “As a team, we only had one guy get on the podium, but there are some absolute monsters in the North Region.”

Negrotto totaled 1,045 pounds in the 148-pound weight class while Woods totaled 1,165 pounds with his three lifts in the 242-pound weight class. 

The Cougars will now wait to see who qualifies for the state meet. 

“Our goal was to get 11 guys qualified for state, and I’m pretty sure all of them will qualify,” said Angevine. “The most exciting thing though was we only had eight missed lifts all day from 11 lifters. A 92 percent successful lift rate is pretty awesome. The guys are ready and know every day is an ‘Us vs Us’ mentality.”

Cooper Greer 123 645 total

Asa Singleton 123 800 total

Kaleb Negrotto 148 1045 total

Aidan Crosby 165 1095 total

Wyatt Gremillion 181 1315 total

Josh Robbins 181 1035 total

Logan Amidon 220 1255 total

Aidan Woods 242 1165 total

Blake Robinson 3rd place 242 1445 total

Kaden Williams 275 1350 total

Chandler Bullock SHW 1320 total

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Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications

Both the Louisiana Tech baseball and softball teams will play at home tonight as the Diamond Dogs host Nicholls State in the first of back-to-back midweeks with the Colonels while the Tech softballers host Stephen F. Austin.

First pitch for tonight’s baseball game is set for 6 p.m. CT at JC Love Field at Pat Patterson Park. The contest can be heard on 97.7 FM and seen on ESPN+.

Tech leads the all-time series with Nicholls State 19-15, including a 10-7 victory in the last meeting last season. Tech has won two straight against the Colonels.

The last time Nicholls beat Tech at the Love Shack was in 2023, when the Colonels shut out the ‘Dogs 8-0 despite Tech already having won the series. The last time Nicholls won consecutive games on the Bulldogs’ home field dates back to 2002, which Tech then followed with a seven-game winning streak in the series.

Nicholls enters the midweek series with a 5-7 record and are 0-3 in Southland Conference play. The Colonels have dropped their last five games after sweeping a weekend series at home against Little Rock in February. The ball club is led by first-year head coach Brent Haring who is also in his first year in a head coaching position.

The Colonels entered 2025 coming off a season where then-head coach Mike Silva led Nicholls to its second-straight 30-win season, as well as the program’s second-straight Southland Conference tournament title and third overall. Silva also led the team to back-to-back NCAA Regional appearances which were the program’s fourth and fifth all-time appearances.

Bulldog softball will host SFA at 6 p.m. at Dr. Billy Bundrick Field and the game can be seen on ESPN+.

Tonight’s contest will be the 70^th all-time meeting between LA Tech and SFA. The two schools first met in 1980, with SFA winning the first three matchups. This will be the first game between the two schools since the 2022 season when LA Tech earned an 11-4 victory over the Lumberjacks in the Best on the Bayou Tournament in Monroe.

Tech (10-9) won three of five games this past weekend at the Southern Miss Black and Gold Challenge where the Bulldogs picked up two wins over UAPB, and one win over Southern Miss, while dropping two games to Lamar.

The Lumberjacks (9-10) posted a 5-0 record in the Mardi Gras Mambo in Youngsville this past weekend. SFA defeated Iowa State 4-3 in eight innings to start the event on Friday, followed by a 2-0 win over Monmouth on Friday evening. SFA took down Army 14-1 in five innings in their first game on Saturday and followed that up with a 13-0 win over West Georgia. The Lumberjacks won their fifth straight after defeating Maine 9-7 on Sunday.

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RUSTON, La. — The Ruston High Lady Bearcats (4-3) fell 12-2 Monday night at home against the D’Arbonne Woods Timerwolves (4-3) after five innings.

After falling behind 8-0 in the first three innings, Ruston High senior Morgan Foster hit a home run over center field, scoring junior Sage Tolar, who singled in the previous at-bat.

“It was a tough loss,” Ruston High head coach Lauren Garvie said. “D’Arbonne Woods hit the ball really well tonight— there is no denying that. We showed some grit and kept trying to make plays. We just have to take the mindset of work for first base and stay moving fast.”

The Lady Bearcats would not get any more runs for the remainder of the contest and would get run-ruled after the fifth inning.

Foster finished with two hits and two RBI’s for the Lady Bearcats, while freshman Aubrey Stoehr, Tolar, senior Jaiden Feeheley and senior Abby Holton all got a hit in the contest.

Tolar started on the mound for 3.0 innings, while senior Rilee Atwood and freshmen Skylar Bowers each pitched 1.0 innings apiece. The pitching committee combined to strike out two Timberwolves.

The Lady Bearcats were set to play Quitman on the road tonight: however, the game is postponed due to inclement weather in the forecast.

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.

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Courtesy of GSU Athletic Communications

Grambling State’s James Flippin scored a career-high 24 points and 11 rebounds as the Tigers fell to Bethune-Cookman 78-71 at Moore Gymnasium on Monday night. 

Flippin was 8-of-18 from the field, adding two rebounds and two blocks, in his first double-double effort of the year.  Kentavious Dozier was the only other Tiger to reach double-figures, scoring 18 points to go along with three assists and two board.

GSU (9-20 overall, 6-10 SWAC) trailed by as many as 19 points in the first half but battled back to make a game of it in the second half.

Grambling State struggled for much of the first half, finding itself in a 34-15 deficit with 6:44 remaining until halftime. 

The Tigers chipped away at the lead, eventually cutting BCU’s lead to 36-30 on an Emeka Nnaji layup with 2:17 on the clock. The Wildcats quickly pushed its cushion back to double digits, going up 43-30 with 1:01 left in the half.

Louis Hutchinson buzzer-beating layup to close the half got the Tigers back within single digits, 43-34, heading into the locker room. 

Grambling State began the second half with a 10-3 run, capped by a free throw by Flippin, to cut the BCU’s advantage to 47-44 with 14:24 to play. However, no matter how close GSU got to snagging the lead, the Wildcats would create distance on the scoreboard. 

After Bethune-Cookman (15-15, 12-5) pushed its lead back to 13 points, 64-51, with 5:29 to go, GSU made one final dash for the lead. With 1:39 on the clock, Dozier knocked down a deep three to make pull the Tigers back with four, 71-67. 

With the Wildcats ahead 75-67, a put back dunk by Flippin followed by a steal and fast break dunk by Chilaydrien Newton made it 75-71 with 30 seconds to go. BCU was able to fight off the Tigers with clutch free throws down the stretch to hand GSU the loss. 

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Kevin Delane Brown, age 65, of Dubach, LA, was born December 4, 1959 to Norman “Shorty” Brown and Annie Mae Havins Brown. He was the youngest of seven children.  Kevin passed from this life on Tuesday, February 18, 2025 at his home in Dubach surrounded by his family.

Kevin is preceded in death by his parents; his wife Barbara Ann Sisemore; his sisters: Betty Lee Brown, Daniel and Catherine Louise Brown Durrett; his brothers: Norman Eugene, Clyde Lavon, and James Terral Brown.

Those left to cherish his memory are, his daughter, Melissa Brown Arrant; Grandson, Wyatt Arrant; chosen son, Joshua Butler Ratcliff and Kelsey; grandson, Tristin, and Granddaughter, Phoenix; his brother Charles Quain Brown and wife Dorothy; his brother- in-law John Henry Daniel; sisters-in- law Jean, Ann, and Liz Brown. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.

Kevin was a graduate of Dubach High School. He was employed with Pabco and Willamite, but being behind the wheel of an 18-wheeler was his true joy. His work took him places he’d never been before, and breath-taking scenery filled his days on his long hauls. When Kevin wasn’t at work, he loved hunting and fishing, and was a member of Crossroad Hunting Club. He loved working in his shop, that he had designed and built himself. It wasn’t unusual to find him tinkering on his Jeep inside that shop when time allowed. He found time for his four- legged fur babies; his dachshund’s, Lucy, Rowdy, Sissy and Rocky.

Visitation is scheduled for Saturday, March 8, 2025, from 1:30-2:30 PM at Dubach First Baptist Church gymnasium. A graveside memorial service will follow at the Henry Cemetery in Hico, La. at 3:00 PM. Officiating the service will be his nephew, Bro. Roger Brown, and lifelong friend, Bro Ricky Houck. The family offers a special thank you to lifelong friend, Bro. Reagan Colvin, who was with Kevin during his last days; and to his special niece, Tammy Cark.  The family wishes to express their appreciation for the services offered by, Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Ruston, LA; Louisiana Hospice & Palliative Care of Monroe, La.; and hospice nurses: Rebecca, Nicole, and Angela.

Donations can be made in Kevins name to the Dubach Senior Food Pantry.

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Linda Sue Clark 
November 9, 1945 – March 1, 2025  
Visitation: Kilpatrick Funeral Homes – West Monroe, Wednesday, March 5, 2025, 9:00 am – 10:30 am 
Service: Kilpatrick Funeral Homes – West Monroe, Wednesday, March 5, 2025, 10:30 am 
Cemetery: NELA Veteran’s Cemetery, Wednesday, March 5, 2025 

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by Malcolm Butler

The main agenda item for tonight’s Ruston City Council meeting is the vote for the appointment for the new police chief for the Ruston Police Department.

Following Steve Rogers retirement in February, Ruston mayor Ronny Walker appointed Deputy Chief Chad Hamlin in an interim role February 19 as the process for the permanent replacement continued to unfold.

Walker said Thursday that he was happy with the interview process as he and a team of city staff members who have helped in management level interviews in the past met with each candidate over the last 10 days. 

“The committee and I interviewed each of the nine candidates, but this is an appointment that I will make,” said Walker. “But ultimately, I don’t have a vote. All I do is appoint somebody, and the City Council has to approve or disapprove (the candidate that I appoint).

“We met with three on (February 20), three on (February 21) and three on (February 24). We had one candidate that stood out in our eyes. I am very excited, and I think our city will be very excited with who the council approves.”

Walker said he is meeting individually today with each candidate that interviewed to let them know the direction that he decided to go with the appointment.

Eleven candidates originally took the exam with 10 receiving passing scores, including eight current RPD members and two external candidates, both of whom served with RPD in the past. Only nine of the 10 who passed the test decided to go through the interview process. 

Hamlin is one of the nine eligible candidates who interviewed for the permanent job including seven internal candidates: Lieutenants Kayla Loyd, and Stephen Morace, both 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.

Walker said that the interview process also allowed him to gain new insight on the future direction and leadership of the Ruston Police Department. 

“I was impressed that all the applicants had ideas for things that they would do,” said Walker. “New ideas. I am not a policeman so things I never thought about. We got a lot of insight from those interviews.”

Walker said he expects to have a press conference this week to formally introduce the next Ruston Police Chief and that he will have a better idea late this week of when that individual will be sworn in. 

 

 

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Courtesy of LA Tech University Communications

Louisiana Tech University is adopting a groundbreaking research experience for freshmen biology students through the Tiny Earth Program, becoming the only institution in north Louisiana to incorporate the international initiative.

Tiny Earth is a Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) featured in the BISC 133 biological diversity lab course. This program provides a hands-on opportunity for students to participate in the search for effective antibiotics amidst the antibiotic resistance crisis.

Tiny Earth connects students with a global network of researchers dedicated to discovering new antibiotics by studying soil bacteria. Louisiana Tech is the only public research university in the state to offer the program to freshmen.

“With Tiny Earth, students don’t just study biology; they get to participate in cutting-edge research that can have real-world implications,” Tech biology instructor Rebecca Hodnett said. “This hands-on experience makes our freshman lab course unique, allowing students to make direct contributions toward solving one of the most urgent health challenges of our time. This crisis could affect our population and healthcare in the next 25 years.”

Tiny Earth allows students to take ownership of their research projects, providing a platform to develop critical laboratory skills such as micro pipetting, PCR and gel electrophoresis, and microbial culturing techniques. The experience also fosters cognitive and communication skills, preparing students for future internships, summer research opportunities, or graduate studies. These are valuable skills that can bolster their resumes and career prospects.

The program also enhances students’ self-efficacy, making them more engaged with the science they are learning and promoting deeper interest in research. As part of their involvement, student groups manage their projects from start to finish, making decisions that allow each project to be distinct and personally meaningful.

“By participating in Tiny Earth, students gain more than just research experience,” said Hodnett. “They develop the confidence and skills necessary to engage in more advanced research, apply for internships, and present their findings at conferences and symposia.”

In addition to offering real-world experience, Tiny Earth plays a crucial role in promoting student retention in science programs. By immersing students in research during their first year, the program encourages them to continue in the sciences and pursue careers in research and the broader science workforce.

Aligned with Tech’s commitment to be the exemplar in experiential learning, Tiny Earth is integrated into the Biological Diversity lab, a required course for biology majors and some other science-related disciplines. Through the program, students will engage in vital scientific research, making it an attractive opportunity for prospective students interested in starting their academic careers with hands-on, impactful research.

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by Wesley Harris

 

During the first half of the 20th century, the people of Ruston and Lincoln Parish looked forward to the arrival of new entertainment. Although motion picture theaters arrived as early as the 1920s, new amusements drew huge crowds. The circus, the influx of visitors to the annual Chautauqua meetings, military convoys, visiting ball teams, and air shows were among the highlights enthralling the masses.

In March 1932, the local American Legion post announced an “air circus” was coming to Ruston. McFarland Post #2, named after a local boy killed in World War I, sponsored the fundraiser at the Ruston airport on Sunday, March 10.

Missing from the initial announcement was the female act of the air circus. Nineteen-year-old Almeda Fielden of Gilmer, Texas, married George Babcock, a daredevil parachutist, in 1929 after meeting him at a Tyler air show. Babcock performed parachute stunts across the country. His specialty was a complex maneuver that entailed opening and then discarding up to four parachutes as he hurdled toward earth before opening a last chute just in time to land safely.

Babcock performed the act many times, often with his young wife in attendance. But, on August 24, 1930, at an amusement park in Minnesota, in front of a large crowd that included Almeda, Babcock’s fourth parachute did not deploy correctly, and he plunged into a lake to his death. 

Today, parachuting is not the awe-inspiring feat that it was in the 1930s. Several informal parachuting groups exist in north Louisiana, and parachutists have served as pregame entertainment at local football games and air shows. Parachuting can be viewed on YouTube, but for 1932 Ruston, attending an air show and seeing a person falling from a plane was a unique and thrilling opportunity. 

And if the initial announcement did not stir the locals to attend the upcoming air circus, surely the full-page newspaper announcing Almeda Babcock, now 25, quite beautiful, and herself an experienced parachutist, would perform.

Three thousand people, possibly the largest crowd to attend any event in Ruston up to that time, flocked to the airport to watch the air circus. Frank Jones of the legendary Dawn Patrol carried up many passengers during the afternoon for brief rides for the princely sum of $1, enough money to buy lunch in a Ruston cafe every day for a week. The daredevil barnstormer from Fort Worth thrilled the spectators with aerobatics such as an aerial ribbon cutting, power dives, outside loops, bursting balloons and barrel rolls. 

But Almeda, billed as “America’s Parachute Queen,” served as the featured closing act. At about 6:30, as the sun was setting over the field, Almeda joined her pilot in her new Spartan plane and flew into the clouds high over the airport for her twin chute jump.

While not as daring as her husband’s stunt, climbing out on the left wing of the plane was dangerous enough. And deploying two chutes increased the risk of static lines becoming entangled and collapsing both. 

She stepped into space and fell for a few seconds before opening her first parachute. Soon after the chute unfurled, she opened the second one and floated gracefully to the ground at the far end of the airfield. The audience was thrilled.

Babcock and the other performers left Ruston early the next morning to travel to Monroe where they presented a similar show.

Almeda had never made a jump before her husband died, but she had packed his parachutes and watched his every move. But after deciding to take up aerobatic parachuting, she had to search far and wide for a pilot willing to take her up. She only found one to agree after she lied and told him she had jumped before.

After George’s death, Babcock was left with few assets except one of his undamaged parachutes. With those as her sole capital, she started out to make her own living with singular success. 

In 1934, Almeda announced a world tour and subsequent book on her experiences, tentatively titled “Earthward Ho.” By the time Almeda left for Europe, she had completed nearly 270 jumps with two close calls. She visited an air show in Paris on June 8 and a second in Milan on June 30. She intended to journey to the Balkans, Germany, Russia and possibly China, but Almeda apparently cut the trip short. A passenger ship list shows Almeda returned to New York City from Italy in August 1934. She went back to skydiving at air shows across the eastern half of the U. S.

The book was never published. Twenty-five years passed after the European trip before mention of the book reappears in the media. In January 1960, Almeda was back in Texas, living with her second husband in Grand Prairie. An artist living in nearby Irving created a portrait of Almeda to appear on the book jacket. The portrait was displayed at the Irving Art Association and appeared in the Irving News-Record. But a search of all the relevant book databases and library systems failed to show any evidence Almeda completed and published the book. 

The disposition of the portrait is unknown. It could have passed to her son, the only one of the three children she and her husband M. L. Roberts adopted who lived to adulthood.

Almeda Fielden Babcock Roberts died on July 26, 2004, in Gilmer, Texas, her hometown, at the age of 94. Her husband, M. L. Roberts, had died in 1980. At the time of her death, she was survived by her son, a grandchild, and three great grandchildren.

The 1932 air circus proved a successful fundraiser for the American Legion post which sponsored another air show in Ruston in 1935. Gene Lee, “automobile hell driver,” and Harold Bell, well-known professional stunt pilot and other members of the air circus visited Ruston for a four-hour show.

“These performers do everything in the air, and on the ground,” the show announcement read. “Lee is one of the oldest parachute jumpers in the country in experience, and his performances provide real thrills of the spine-tickling variety.”

“They will do his famous death car stunt,” the notice continued, “which consists of driving his specially built car through a solid board wall which is set on fire at the terrific speed of 60 miles an hour.”

And Ruston again flew to the airfield with anticipation of a great show.

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Courtesy of GSU Communications

They came, they saw, and they conquered.

It all happened on the Grambling State University (GSU) campus recently as 90 high school students from across the region attended and competed in the 24th Annual Clayton A. Wiley Engineering Week High School Day.

The Department of Engineering recently held an event with students from regional high schools attending to learn more about GSU and its engineering program.

The theme of this year’s Engineering Day was “Design Your Future!” The attending students from Math, Science, and Technology (STEM) classes at Arcadia, Gibsland-Coleman, Lincoln Preparatory, and Simsboro high schools participated in onsite competitions including Bridge Design and Building Project Computer Activities, Drone Flight Activities, and Mechanical Puzzles. 

Coinciding with the nationally recognized engineering week — the third week of every February — GSU’s event was named in honor of the late Clayton A. Wiley to serve as a tribute to the 40 years of devoted service that he gave to the Engineering Technology department at Grambling State as well as the endowment the Wiley family made to the Engineering Technology program.

“The annual Clayton A. Wiley Engineer’s Week High School Day has always been a very important and productive event for the students visiting from the area high schools,” said GSU Department of Engineering Technology Interim Director Dr. Edwin Thomas. “It is a very valuable recruiting and outreach program for the department and other academic STEM areas on campus. Several students who have participated in the competition activities in the past later became students at the university.

“We would like to acknowledge our department student mentors, they play a huge role in ensuring that our High School Day was successful. Acknowledgment also goes out to the Engineering faculty and staff for facilitating the event as a whole and the different competitions.”

While the event is organized and hosted by GSU’s Department of Engineering, the day began with an opening program where Provost and Vice-President for Academic Affairs Dr. Connie Walton, College of Arts and Sciences Dean Dr. Stacey Duhon, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs Associate Dr. Roshunda L. Belton-Cardoza, Leveraging Innovation and Discovery for STEM Success Interim Director Stacy Cassius, Enrollment Marketing and Communications Specialist Lauren Washington, Financial Literacy and Scholarship Counselor Anthony Drayton and Army ROTC  Recruiting Operations Officer Antonio Tims talked about the numerous options and learning experience GSU can offer incoming students.

“You’re going to get a chance today to engage in competitions, show off some of your STEM skills that are in engineering technology, mathematics, and others,” Walton said. “We hope that by the end of your time here today that you will see some of the things Grambling State University has to offer you.

“And we hope that you’ll consider other opportunities that we have at Grambling State University, whether it’s our High Ability Program we offer every summer for rising (high school) seniors, or our Cybersecurity program that we offer to high school students in the summer where they get paid for coming here for one week. We want you to look at all the opportunities that Grambling State University has to offer. Hopefully, I’ll look up one day and realize that I remember a student from participating in the Clayton Wiley Engineering Week celebration.”

It’s that “on campus” experience that Department of Engineering Technology faculty member John Frazier, who oversaw the Drone Flying competition, said is critically important for both the high school students and Grambling State University as a whole.

“When you can get a young student on campus and have them see things like the kinds of different drones that we build and get a chance to actually fly the drones we use in the flying competition — those things are the kinds of things that can really make an impact on them,” Frazier said.

“They also get to experience the campus — what the classrooms are like and all of that. And it’s those kinds of things that can leave a lasting impression on them. It’s a chance for them to have fun and an opportunity for those of us here at GSU to tell them about their futures and how GSU can play an important role in those futures.”

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Louisiana State Police arrested a Gulfport, Miss., man last week after he ran a red light in downtown Ruston and marijuana and a gun were found in his vehicle.

Stephen M. Biggs, 21, reportedly ran the flashing red light at the intersection of North Trenton Street and West Alabama Avenue about 2 a.m. Feb. 22. The trooper who stopped Biggs found him to be overly nervous and shaking profusely. When asked if he had any contraband in the vehicle, Biggs delayed answering and then said he had a firearm.

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A drug detection dog from Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office came to the scene and performed an open air sniff around the vehicle and alerted to the presence of drugs. A search located approximately 16.8 g of suspected marijuana and a pistol inside the vehicle.

Biggs was arrested for possession of marijuana, illegal carrying of a weapon in the presence of a controlled substance, and running a red light. Bail was set at $3,000.

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 Sheriff’s Office arrested a woman on drug charges after investigating her presence at a dumpster site about 10 p.m. last Sunday night.

Caitlan Elyse Craig, 30, of Ruston, was found parked at a dumpster side on La. Highway 3005. Craig had four children in the vehicle ranging from 18 months old to 11 years old.

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Craig said she was dumping a washing machine and produced a license showing a Bossier City address. A deputy told her she had to possess Lincoln Parish residency to use the dumpsters and it was illegal to leave a washing machine there. She stated she had moved to Ruston but had failed to change her driver’s license.

A check of the license plate on Craig’s Honda was shown to be issued to a Nissan. Craig admitted taking a family member’s license plate and putting it on her own car.

A search of the vehicle located a plastic bag containing methamphetamine and a glass smoking pipe with suspected methamphetamine residue.

Craig was arrested and booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance in the presence a persons under 17, and switched license plate. Her bail was said at $4,000.

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.

By Kyle Roberts

BATON ROUGE, La. — Ruston High’s (7-6) trip southward got off to a bit of a rocky start this past Thursday well before the squad took to the diamond.

Heading southbound on a charter bus, Bearcat head coach Bryan Beck and the team heard a loud bang and saw smoke coming in the back of the bus. Turns out, a back tire had completely come off while the bus was on the road near Winnfield, La., setting the median on fire, and forcing the team to wait for nearly 90 minutes for a replacement bus to arrive.

“It was a wild Thursday,” Beck said. “I told our kids that it’s just part of the trip and we’re not going to make excuses. It is what it is when you’re traveling to play baseball. Our driver Warren Post did an incredible job to take care of us and make sure we got off the bus.”

Thankfully, everyone was safe after the brief stop to replace the tire, and the Bearcats arrived safely to their destination to start the Jay Patterson Shootout in Baton Rouge, La.

Thursday, Feb. 27 – Destrehan 8, Ruston 3

The Bearcats opened the shootout with the Destrehan Wildcats for an afternoon matchup, with the Wildcats ultimately coming out on top 8-3.

“We got off the bus, got dressed in the parking lot, and went on the field to play,” Beck said. “I felt like we had a chance early to put something together. We took an early lead, but we just went flat after that. We have to have better pitching and timely hits.”

The Wildcats opened up 1-0 lead in the top of the second, and the Bearcats answered on a line drive single by junior Lander Smith to score sophomore infielder Dillion Williams and tie the game 1-1. Smith then stole second to get into scoring position at junior Hudson Wood’s ensuing at bat. Wood would get a sacrifice bunt to advance Smith to third, and a single to right field by junior Jackson Burroughs would score Smith to take a 2-1 lead.

Destrehan answered with four runs in the top of the third, and added two more in the top of the fourth for a 7-2 lead. The Wildcats added on more in the top of the sixth, and Ruston junior Jackson Lee took a walk in the bottom of the eighth to score freshman Dalen Powell with two outs to cut the lead to 8-3.

Smith led Ruston with two hits, while Lee, Smith and Burroughs all finished with an RBI. Senior David Griep got the start and struck out four in 2.1 innings pitched. Senior Sam Specht then came on in relief for 1.1 innings and sophomore Colt Lary then entered for 2.1 innings and only surrendered one hit and one earned run.

Lee finished out the game on the mound for the Bearcats and pitched the whole seventh.

Friday, Feb. 28 – Ruston 5, Dutchtown 3

The Bearcats bounced back quickly the next day, beating a good Dutchtown team on their home field 5-3, thanks in large part to sophomore pitcher Peyton Nations coming in to relieve sophomore Tyler Roach after 2.2 innings pitched.

“Peyton came out of the bullpen and just shut them down,” Beck said. “Just an incredible job. We had some timely hits by both Lee and (senior Jake) Simmons to sneak out of there with a win. That was huge for us.”

The Bearcats got a 2-0 lead after the second inning, thanks to a sacrifice fly by Burroughs to score Williams from third, which was followed by junior Kenden Freeman hitting a ground ball to shortstop, reaching on an error and scoring senior Carter Love.

Dutchtown got all three of its runs in the bottom of the second and third innings, taking a 3-2 lead before Nations came in to relieve Roach. Ruston got all the runs it needed in the top of the fourth inning after Lee doubled to left field to score Parnell and sophomore Michael Brisco. Simmons then singled on a ground ball to right field and scored Lee from third.

Lee led Ruston in the Dutchtown win with a hit and two RBI.

Saturday, March 1 – East Ascension 10, Ruston 0/Ruston 9, Archbishop Shaw 1

In the first game of the Saturday double-header, Ruston was 10-run ruled by East Ascention after five innings, surrendering multiples runs in the bottom of the first, fourth and fifth innings and totaling seven errors for the game. The loss led Beck to start some players that normally do not start, and the Bearcats took the second game 9-1.

“We felt good about winning both games (on Saturday), but we just woke up not ready to play,” Beck said. “We made some lineup changes, because I believe we owe it to our community and the name across our chest to play the game better. We put out a lot of junior varsity guys out there.”

Love got the start for Ruston, and pitched all seven innings, striking out two and only giving up one hit and one run on the day.

After the Eagles got up 1-0 in the top of the first, Love singled to second base to score sophomore John Parker Moak and tie the game 1-1.

Ruston added four runs in the bottom of the second inning, with Williams reaching on an error by the second baseman and scoring junior Brooks Brown. Powell would ground into a fielder’s choice in the next at-bat for Ruston to score Parnell, and Moak would follow with a ground out to score Williams. Smith would cap the Ruston runs with a single to second that scored Powell, putting Ruston up 5-1.

In the bottom of the fourth, Powell hit a sacrifice fly into right field, which scored Williams and put the Bearcats up 6-1.

Moak would then double to right field in the bottom of the sixth to score Williams, while Love would single into center field to score both Moak and Wood for the 9-1 final score.

Both Smith and Love finished with multiple hits in the win, with Love driving in three runs. Both Moak and Powell finished with two RBI.

Ruston returns to action tonight and will host Tioga.

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By Kyle Roberts

MONROE, La. — Ruston High (4-2) grabbed two out of three games in the Polar Bear Softball Classic with an opening night win and then the second game of a double-header on Saturday.

Despite the loss in the middle, Ruston head coach Lauren Garvie was pleased overall with how well her team got the bat on the ball in the tournament.

“I think we hit really well this weekend,” Garvie said. “We came to the plate and looked for a lot of extra bases, and we got them. We ended up with six home runs over the weekend, so the girls showed off a little bit in that area. There’s still room for growth.”

Friday, Feb. 28 Ruston 19, Downsville 0

Ruston got all the runs it needed in just two innings, scoring nine the bottom of the first and then 10 in the bottom of the second to run-rule Downsville after the top of the third.

“We just got in a rhythm in this one,” Garvie said. “And it’s pretty hard to stop them once they get there. I even had to tell the girls to stop being so aggressive and take a beat to work on some things. But they just wanted to go and go and go — I mean that’s great.”

Junior Sage Tolar pitched two innings of a no-hitter, and freshman Skylar Bowers hopped in for a no-hit top of the third.

“Both of them pitched beautifully,” Garvie said.

Ruston freshman Aubrey Stoehr scored the first run after Tolar hit a single into center field. After getting to two outs, Ruston would add eight consecutive runs, starting with senior Jaiden Feeheley doubling to center and scoring Tolar. Sophomore Aubree Lohman then singled on a bunt to score Feehleley two batters later for a 3-0 lead. Senior Abby Holton then reached on an error that scored sophomore Jayla Spear, and sophomore Grace Underwood followed with a ground ball that scored Lohman to extend the lead to 5-0.

Stoehr then came back to single into center field and score Holton from second base. Following a Downsville pitching change, Underwood scored after an error by the catcher. Tolar then singled into center to score both Atwood and Stoehr for a 9-0 lead.

After amassing two early outs in the bottom of the second, Holton doubled into centerfield and scored freshman Za’Meriah Jones to go up 10-0. Three batters later, Atwood singled into center to score both freshman Skylar Bowers and Holton. Stoehr scored on the next at-bat after Tolar reached on an error by the shortstop to put Ruston up 13-0.

Atwood then scored after stealing home on an at-bat by senior Morgan Foster. Spears added a two-RBI single two batters later to score both Tolar and Foster and put Ruston up 16-0. Jones scored on the next at-bat after Lohman reached on an error, and junior Malena Listle doubled next up to left field, scoring Spears.

Ruston got the final run of the day after Bowers singled to short and scored Lohman for the 19-0 victory.

Stoehr, Tolar and Spears all had multiple hits in the win, while Tolar led the team with three RBI’s.

Saturday, March 1 Weston 8, Ruston 5/Ruston 13, Mangham 4

In the first game of a Saturday double-header, Ruston fell to the Weston Wolves 8-5.

“The girls were fully aware of this loss,” Garvie said. “We got back on the bus after that game, and the girls said “Yeah, Coach, we’re sorry.” We just got a little settled, but the girls know they’re better than that. It’s exciting to see the maturity out of that.”

Ruston took and early lead in the top of the first, with Tolar hitting a sacrifice fly in to right field to score Atwood from third. Foster hit a home run down the left field side to put the Lady Bearcats up 2-0.

Spears added a home run in the top of the second to center field, putting Ruston up 3-0.

After Weston tied the game 3-3 in the bottom of the second inning, the Lady Wolves added five runs in the bottom of the fourth and go up 8-3.

Atwood would double in the bottom of the seventh inning to score both Underwood and Stoehr, but it would not be enough as Ruston would take the loss.

Both Spears and Foster would get solo home runs. Atwood led the team with two RBI in the loss.

Ruston immediately rebounded with a 13-4 win over Mangham, where the Lady Bearcats would get four home runs in the outing.

Ruston posted three runs in the bottom of the first, led off by Stoehr’s first of two home runs on the night to put Ruston up 1-0. The Lady Bearcats then scored on two consecutive steals at home, first by Atwood and then Tolar.

“We were very aggressive,” Garvie said. “Sage did a great job recognizing a ball was floating back to the pitcher, and she got a good beat and got in there for the run. We both saw the throw and Sage looked back and asked for the green light. She took it upon herself to do that, and it was great to see.”

The Lady Bearcats added two more runs in the bottom of the second on a line drive single that scored both Holton and Underwood. Tolar then homered in the bottom of the third to put Ruston up 6-0.

Atwood then hit a two-out single in the bottom of the fourth to score Stoehr from third base, and Atwood would cross the plate on the next at-bat after a center field single from Tolar, putting the Lady Bearcats ahead 8-0.

Mangham got all four of its runs in the top of the fifth inning to cut the lead to 8-4, but Ruston answered with a five run bottom half of the inning, started by a ground-out to short by Feeheley, which scored Spears and put the Lady Bearcats ahead 9-4.

Jones then singled two batters later to score Holton, and Stoehr followed with her second homer of the night and scored two more runs for a 12-4 lead. Atwood put the finishing touch on the night with a center field home run in the next at-bat for the 13-4 win.

Stoehr led the team with five RBI for the night, while Tolar had four hits in four appearances. Stoehr, Atwood and Holton all finished with multiple hits.

The Lady Bearcats return to action tonight and will host D’Arbonne Woods at home.

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By Kyle Roberts

RUSTON, La. — There was no doubt about this one after the first quarter.

A stingy defense from No. 6 Ruston (17-5) put any effort by No. 27 Destrehan (16-17) well out of reach after the Wildcats were only able to get three points in the first quarter and only five more by halftime, leading to a Bearcat final score win of 56-20.

And it’s that defense that acting-head coach Corey Deans knows he’ll need to get from this squad if they’re looking to make a playoff push into the month of March.

“The only way we can make a playoff run is if we play defense,” Deans said. “We did a good job of switching defenses and keeping them off-balance. They run a flex offense — it could have been a pretty potent offense, but we kept switching defenses on them and kept them out of their sets.”

Add to that mix a 21-point performance by sophomore Ahmad Hudson and Ruston never had to look back.

Ruston jumped out to a 14-3 lead after the first quarter on three-point baskets by seniors C.J. Malone and Joran Parker and then eight points from Hudson with two made shots and four free throws.

Ruston’s junior Zaterrion Sutton hit a three-pointer in the second quarter, while senior Aidan Anding made his first basket of the night in the stanza. Sophomore Keshun Malcolm hit a three-pointer and four free throws to add seven for Ruston, while Hudson added seven points, as well, on three baskets and a free throw. The Bearcats would take a 33-8 lead into the halftime locker room.

The Bearcats held the Wildcats to eight in the third quarter, while both Anding and senior Fabian Stringfellow would add a three-pointer apiece. Senior Zheric Hill got on the board with a basket and a made free thrown, while Malcolm added a free throw of his own. Hudson would get four more points on a basket and two made free throws, while sophomore Kohl Gray would add his only basket of the night and put Ruston ahead 49-16 heading into the fourth quarter.

Stringfellow added another basket, as did both Stringfellow and Hudson in the fourth quarter to give Ruston the final 56-20 score for the win.

Hudson’s offensive performance was made even better with his terrific free throw shooting after he only missed on from the line all night.

“He’s been getting more shots up in games and in pregame,” Deans said of Hudson. “He’s in better condition right now.”

Ruston will host the winner of No. 11 South Lafourche and No. 22 Hahnville on Tuesday night. Game time has yet to be determined.

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.

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By T. Scott Boatright

 

CHOUDRANT — In a close, competitive basketball game, especially during prep postseason play, a game can often come down to one single shot.

Fortunately for the Choudrant High School boys basketball team, the Aggies have junior sharpshooter Carson Carrico on their side.

Carrico led the way with 28 points Thursday night as 13th-seeded Choudrant defeated 20th-seeded Episcopal School of Acadiana (ESA) 67-59 in the opening round of the Class B boys basketball playoffs inside the CHS gym.

That win sets up a Lincoln Parish showdown on Tuesday when the Aggies will play at fourth-seeded Simsboro.

Choudrant opened the game against ESA with a 7-0 run, thanks to a Parker Batterton layup, Carrico’s first of the six 3-pointers he hit on the night, and a putback by Jackson Ambrose.

ESA’s first score came at the 4:23 mark of the opening stanza as Semar Flugence hit a short jumper for the first two of his 25 points on the night.

The Falcons cut the Choudrant lead to one point at 7-6 with 2:03 left in the first quarter, but the Aggies closed out the stanza with a 6-3 run to build a 13-9 advantage heading into the second quarter.

Choudrant built a five-point lead at 17-12 on a Carrico layup 58 seconds into the second quarter, but ESA countered with an 8-0 run of its own to take a 20-17 with five minutes remaining in the first half.

The Aggies tied the game on a 3-pointer by Carrico, who followed that with two free throws to put Choudrant back on top 22-20 with 3:05 left in the second quarter.

Choudrant then turned things up and closed out the stanza with a 14-8 run to take a 36-28 — into the locker room at halftime.

“I’m fortunate to have two great assistant coaches who encouraged me to get the team to pick up the pace there late in the second quarter,” said Aggies coach Ryan Smith. “This was an exciting, competitive game with a great crowd, and that was an important few minutes of the game.

“Give (ESA) credit, they came to play from start to finish. But getting that halftime lead gave us confidence that we would need down the stretch.”

ESA battled back in the third quarter, cutting Choudrant’s lead to two points at 45-43 on a Colby Hoffman layup with 1:58 left in the period.

But the Aggies countered that with a 5-1 run to close out the stanza to take a 50-44 advantage heading into the final eight minutes of play.

The Falcons opened the fourth quarter with five straight points to tie the contest with 5:57 left on the clock.

Choudrant’s Brayden Pye then hit a short jumper but missed on the “and 1” free-throw opportunity to put the Aggies on top 52-50 at the 4:27 mark of the final stanza, but the Falcons had a sharpshooter of their own as Jesse Lejune nailed a long 3-pointer that put ESA on top 53-52 with 3:49 remaining.

Carrico then put Choudrant back on top 55-53 with a 3-pointer to set up that one single shot that determined the final outcome.

Covered tightly by an ESA defender, Carrico launched a 3-point try while falling backwards and being fouled. 

That shot fell through the nets with Carrico sitting on the court watching with 3:12 remaining, and his ensuing free throw put the Aggies on top 59-53.

The Aggies then hit on eight of 11 free throw attempts from there — with Carrico, who finished with a game-high 28 points, 18 of which came in the first half, fittingly hitting the final two with 28 seconds remaining —to seal the opening round playoff win.

“That was huge,” Smith said of Carrico’s four-point play. “It came at such a critical point in the game, and to make the ‘and 1’ shot made it even more remarkable. 

“The whole team gave it all they had and I’m proud of each and every one of them. But Carson showed early on during his high school career that he has a knack for making 3-pointers, especially at big moments. He spends a lot of time in the gym working on his long-range shooting and he was on again tonight.”

Carrico said he was confident about his game-sealing shot from the get-go.

“I put a lot of work into my 3-point shooting and I have trust in my ability to make them,” Carrico said. “That one felt good as soon as it left my hands. I knew it was going in.”

Pye added 11 points for the Aggies while Clarence Menyweather chipped in with 10 and Ambrose with seven.

Flugence led ESA with 25 points while Lejune added 23, sinking seven 3-pointers in the process.

The Aggies (17-14) now turn their attention to Simsboro, which defeated Choudrant 78-58 on Jan. 10 inside the SHS gym.

“That’s going to be something,” Smith said. “(SHS) Coach (Adam) Wodach has a great team and they showed us when we played them earlier this season. That’s a game that should have every basketball fan around excited. I expect most of Lincoln Parish to be there.

“I think we’re a better team now than the last time we played them, so we’ll see what happens.”

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by Malcolm Butler

Over the last month of the regular season, the Cedar Creek Cougars were a walking MASH unit.

Friday night at the Brickhouse in their first round playoff match-up against Westminster Christian, that didn’t change. 

Already down its leading scorer in Cannon Robbins who missed the last month of the season due to injuries to both elbows, Cedar Creek (14-9) appeared to lose second leading scorer Jake Terry less than two minutes into the game.

Terry suffered a broken hand with 6:15 to play in the first quarter, but came back into the contest at the start of the second stanza and proceeded to score a game-high 25 points to lead the Cougars to a 60-45 victory.

With the win, Cedar Creek will advance to face No. 5 seed Vermilion Catholic Tuesday at 5 p.m. 

However, the story of the night was the Cougars perseverance in overcoming yet another challenge and keeping their season alive. 

“It was a real gutty performance,” said head coach Lance Waldron. “We trailed the entire first half. Jake went out in the first period with a broken hand. It was bad, bad, bad. His hand looks terrible. The doctor was there and fixed him up and he went back in the game.”

With Terry sidelined for much of the first half, the Cougars found themselves trailing 15-12 at the end of the first quarter and 23-18 at halftime.

However, the second half was a different story.

“We came out in the second half and took over the game,” said Waldron. “It was a really gutty performance. Jake had most of his points after he broke his hand. It was something to see. He just gutted it out.”

Terry, who scored six points in the first half, scored nine points in the third quarter while Jack Bell added seven and younger brother Brett Bell netted six points as the Cougars outscored Westminster Christian 22-10 during the eight-minute period. 

Waldron credited much of the second half success to the Cougars changing their defense. 

“Defensively, we didn’t do that great in the first half,” said Waldron. “We were playing man. We did hold them to 25 in the first half. About a minute before the start of the third quarter, we decided to go to a diamond and one. We stayed in that he rest of the game and that made a huge difference.”

The Cougars used the gimmick defense to guard Tyler Spraggins, who after draining a pair of three-pointers in the opening quarter only scored two points (both free throws) the rest of the night. 

And while Westminster Christian (19-14) was struggling to score, Terry wasn’t … broken hand and all.

The junior guard scored 10 points in the decisive fourth quarter that saw Cedar Creek outscore their opponent 20-12. 

Waldron said he was amazed how Terry shot his free throws with his non-shooting hand due to the injury as Terry connected on 8-of-11 from the charity strip. 

“Jake shot his free throws left handed,” said Waldron. “And made them.”

Another storyline was the return of Cannon, who was able to play limited minutes in the fourth quarter and recorded a steal and a bucket for his only points of the night. 

In addition to Terry’s game-high 25 points, Jack Bell added 16 points and Brett Bell chipped in with 10. 

 

 

 

 

 

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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, March 3
11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome
5:30 p.m.: Ruston City Council meeting
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)

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Tuesday, March 4
Mardi Gras
5 p.m.: Lincoln Parish School Board meeting
6 p.m.: LA Tech baseball
6 p.m.: Free kitchen class with LSU Ag (Ruston Farmers Market)
6 p.m.: GSU baseball
6 p.m.: LA Tech softball

Wednesday, March 5
Ash Wednesday
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
6 p.m.: LA Tech baseball
6 p.m.: GSU baseball 

Thursday, March 6
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Kiwanis Club lunch and program (Trinity Methodist Church fellowship hall)
4:30 p.m.: GSU men’s baseball
5-6 p.m.: Free meal from 5 Loaves 2 Fish Ministry (Ruston Housing Authority, 901 MLK Dr., Ruston)
6 p.m.: Charcuterie and wine tasting (Ruston Farmers Market)
6:30 p.m.: GSU women’s basketball
6:30 p.m.: LA Tech men’s basketball

Friday, March 7
3 p.m.: GSU softball
4 p.m.: LA Tech baseball
6 p.m.: LA Tech softball

Saturday, March 8
8:30-11:30 a.m.: Hazardous Waste Material Collection and Recycling (2609 Farmerville St.)
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market
Noon: GSU softball
Noon: LA Tech baseball
2 p.m.: LA Tech softball
2 p.m.: GSU women’s basketball
2 p.m.: LA Tech men’s basketball
4:30 p.m.: GSU men’s basketball

Sunday, March 9
Daylight Saving Time
1 p.m.: LA Tech softball
1 p.m.: LA Tech baseball

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