Lincoln Prep coach Antonio Hudson (standing) had questions about the way his team played early on Monday night against Homer.(Photo by T. Scott Boatright)
By T. Scott Boatright
It wasn’t pretty.
In fact, for Lincoln Preparatory School basketball coach Antonio Hudson it was ugly.
But a win is a win, that’s what Hudson’s Panthers did Monday night as they rallied for a 54-26 home win over Homer.
And yes, Lincoln Prep had to rally back in this one despite the 28 margin of victory.
That’s because the Panthers found themselves trailing 16-10 at the half.
“With the expectation levels that we have and what we’re trying to do, we’re going to have to play better,” Hudson said. “And we have to sustain that level of play for a long period of time. We can’t have the mental lapses we have sometimes. The first and third quarters have been detrimental to us all season long.
“As head coach, I’ve got to figure out a way where we can not have those kinds of lapses in play that we’ve had.
The Panthers’ bench got some added work early after Hudson sat his starters down for the rest of the stanza around three minutes into the first quarter.
“We weren’t offensively effective starting the game and then we gave up three straight layups,” Hudson said. “Just on missed rotations, missed assignments — things of that nature that just really hurt us. I just felt that we weren’t ready to play so I just put a different look out there.”
Hudson realizes that maybe it was already winning a district championship and being the No. 1 team in Class B basketball could have played a role, but he also knows his team can’t let that happen at this point in the season.
“You can’t have those kinds of moments, especially this time of year,” Hudson said. “Regardless of whether you’re playing the 2000 Lakers or you’re playing an elementary school, that can’t happen. No matter who you play, you’ve got to come out with the same energy every night. It doesn’t matter.
“Sometimes we don’t play up to our full potential, and that can’t happen ever, but especially not this time of year.”
While Jabari Levingston didn’t do his usual scoring, finishing with six points, he added 11 rebounds and 10 assists while also recording two steals and blocking a shot.
“The thing they have to understand, especially our top three guys, is that it’s a misconception that the only thing that matters is scoring,” Hudson said. “You won’t be able to score every night, but every night you can affect the game in other ways, by rebounds and defending, and tonight Jabari did that. He wasn’t scoring the ball, but with 11 assists, he was getting his teammates involved”
Senior post player Zion Hicks led the Panthers with 20 points while adding a rebound and a blocked shot.
“When he figures out how to get out of his own way, he can be really good,” Hudson said of Hicks. “He’s going to be a key in how far we go because people are going to zone in on Trey (Spann) and they’re going to zone in on Jabari. So we’ve got to get that consistent third scorer to get us over the hump.”
Junior ZJ Combs played a key role for the Panthers, scoring 15 points and pulling down three rebounds.
“ZJ has different skill sets that he brings,” Hudson said. “It’s not like he’s incredibly athletic. He’s not going to jump out of the gym. But he uses his body well and puts himself in good position. It’s kind of like watching your uncle play. If you noticed, everything he shot was like, off the glass.
“It’s that fundamental, textbook stuff that he does. He’s been in the program for three years but is just not coming into his own. He’s definitely a sleeper for us.”
Spann added six points, six rebounds, five assists, two steals and a blocked shot for the Panthers, who will close our regular season play on Friday at home against Class 5A Parkway.
Each Monday through 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.
Wednesday, Feb. 18 7-8 a.m.: Veterans Coffee Club (PJ’s Coffee) 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: State of Education Luncheon (Davison Athletic Complex, LA Tech) 11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome 12-1 p.m.: Rotary Club meeting (Historic Fire Station) 6 p.m.: LA Tech baseball 6:30 p.m.: LA Tech men’s basketball
Thursday, Feb. 19 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Kiwanis Club lunch and program (Trinity Methodist Church fellowship hall) 2 p.m.: Ribbon cutting celebrating The Scullery Laundromat (413 W. Alabama Ave.) 4 p.m.: Tween Time: Mardi Gras Masks (Lincoln Parish Library) 4:30-5:30 p.m.: Free meal of baked chicken, twice-baked potatoes and more provided by LaTech Culinary Class and sponsored by 5 Loaves 2 Fish Ministry. Pick up at the Choudrant location of Origin Bank. All are welcome. 5 p.m.: Library Board of Control meeting (Lincoln Parish Library) 5:30-8 p.m.: Ruston Art Ramble (Downtown Ruston) 6 p.m.: Teen time: Bwa Masks craft (Lincoln Parish Library) 6 p.m.: Southern A’Chord Chorus rehearsal (Presbyterian Church fellowship hall, 212 N. Bonner St.; open to all women singers) 6 p.m.: LA Tech softball 6:30 p.m.: Books and Bites Book Club; registration required; call 318-513-5510 ( (Lincoln Parish Library at The Local)
Friday, Feb. 20 4 p.m.: Family Fun Friday: Tommy Teriffic, magician (Lincoln Parish Library) 6 p.m.: LA Tech softball
Saturday, Feb. 21 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market 10 a.m.: Master Gardeners present Bulbs and Blooms (Lincoln Parish Library) 2 p.m.: LA Tech softball 7-9 p.m.: Java N Jazz (The MARC, 504 E. Georgia Ave.)
Sunday, Feb. 22 Noon: LA Tech softball
Monday, Feb. 23 11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome 6 p.m.: Video-led exercise class (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center) 6 p.m.: Toastmasters International meeting (Louisiana Center for the Blind, 101 South Trenton Street) 6-9 p.m.: Creative Meetups (Creatives at Work, 301 N. Trenton)
Tuesday, Feb. 24 10 a.m.: Storytime: Going to the Moon with storytime guest Rev. Dele (Lincoln Parish Library) 4 p.m.: Crafternoon: Moving Rocket Ships (Lincoln Parish Library) 6 p.m.: Memories of the Movement: Remembering Our Civil Rights Legacy panel discussion (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center) 6 p.m.: Adult Craft Night: Agamorgraph Black History Art Celebration; registration required by calling 318-513-5510 (Lincoln Parish Library) 6 p.m.: LA Tech baseball
Wednesday, Feb. 25 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 12-1 p.m.: Rotary Club meeting (Historic Fire Station) 3 p.m.: GSU softball
Thursday, Feb. 26 10 a.m.: Ribbon cutting celebrating The UPS Store (1735 Farmerville Hwy., Suite 12) 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Kiwanis Club lunch and program (Trinity Methodist Church fellowship hall) 4 p.m.: GSU men’s basketball 4 p.m.: Tween Time: Alma Thomas paintings (Lincoln Parish Library) 6 p.m.: Teen Time: Volunteer Opportunity (Lincoln Parish Library) 6-8 p.m.: 2026 BFA senior class from Louisiana Tech University’s School of Design will debut Introspective Narratives, a dynamic collaborative exhibition opening (Lincoln Parish Museum) 6 p.m.: Southern A’Chord Chorus rehearsal (Presbyterian Church fellowship hall, 212 N. Bonner St.; open to all women singers) 6:30 p.m.: LA Tech men’s basketball
Friday, Feb. 27 3:30 p.m.: LA Tech softball 6 p.m.: LA Tech softball 6 p.m.: LA Tech baseball
Saturday, Feb. 28 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Inaugural Black Expo (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center) 2 p.m.: LA Tech men’s basketball 4 p.m.: LA Tech baseball 6 p.m.: LA Tech softball 6:30 p.m.: GSU men’s basketball
Sunday, March 1 Noon: LA Tech softball 1 p.m.: LA Tech baseball
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Louisiana Tech softball’s Reagan Marchant was named Conference USA Player of the Week, the league office announced Monday on the eve of the Bulldogs home opener.
Tech (8-2) hosts Northwestern State (3-8) tonight at 6 p.m. in the home opener at Dr. Billy Bundrick Field with the game on ESPN+ with Malcolm Butler providing a call of the contest.
Marchant, the CUSA Preseason Player of the Year, found her rhythm at the plate, going 8-for-20 (.400) with nine RBI and three runs scored across six games. She hit three home runs during this past weekend’s Mardi Gras Mambo.
Marchant registered two multi-hit games, collecting two hits against Eastern Illinois and three against St. Thomas. She drove in two runs in the win over New Mexico and added three RBI in the victory over Georgia State.
The redshirt junior hit a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh inning against New Mexico to give the Bulldogs to a 4-3 walk-off victory over the Lobos.
Marchant was flawless defensively at first base, recording 40 putouts without an error over the six-game stretch.
She is batting .353 this season (12-for-34) with 10 RBI and seven runs scored. Marchant has registered five extra-base hits with three homers and two doubles.
Tech leads the all-time series against NSU 62-51, including two straight wins. The Bulldogs could be facing a former teammate tonight as NSU’s Mattison Buster, who transferred in the off-season, could ber called upon in the circle.
Grambling State University Athletics mourns the passing of Lady Tigers basketball staff member and longtime coach Michael Pittman.
Pittman served at GSU during the 1994-95 season as a student assistant coach, practice player, and film exchange coordinator, while also assisting with individual skill development and post game responsibilities.
He returned to the Grambling Statet this season as a member of the Lady Tigers basketball staff.
A native of New Orleans, La., Pittman began his coaching career in the Louisiana prep ranks. He got his start as an assistant at North DeSoto High School before earning his first head coaching position at Grambling Laboratory High School.
Most recently, Pittman served as Associate Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at McNeese State University (2024-25). His coaching career also included stops at Northwestern State University, Alcorn State University, and Paul Quinn College.
Grambling State Athletics extends its deepest condolences to the Pittman family, friends, former players and colleagues.
Down 3-1 and on the brink of defeat, Louisiana Tech stormed back to take down North Texas 4-3 on Monday afternoon at the Waranch Tennis Complex.
It was a similar situation last season in Ruston when LA Tech (5-2) trailed North Texas (3-4) who needed just one more point to capture the win and multiple matches were still on court. And for a second straight year, the Bulldogs dug deep, claiming four singles victories to sweep their road trip in Texas.
“Today was a hard-fought win and those are the ones that build us,” said head coach Amy Sargeant. “We came out too slow in doubles. Too many unforced errors. Too reactive instead of dictating. That is not our standard and we know it. In singles, it took time to settle in. We had to adjust to the wind, manage momentum swings, and recommit to our individual game plans. Once we locked in and trusted our work, thing shifted.”
The Mean Green came out swinging, jumping on top on all three doubles courts to eventually take the 1-0 lead with wins on courts one and two, each by a score of 6-3.
North Texas secured the first singles point as well, taking it in straight sets at the No. 2 position to go up 2-0, but Maria Tsironi quickly responded with a complete performance at No. 4, dismantling Marina Adati 6-1, 6-1 to put LA Tech on the scoreboard.
The Bulldogs suddenly had their backs against the wall after the Mean Green secured a straight sets victory at No. 5 to get them one point away from the win.
The tide started to turn with Zoie Epps. Cruising up 6-1, 5-3, her opponent Carolina Laydner fought back to ultimately force a tiebreaker on court one. With Epps down 3-1 in the breaker, the junior reeled off six straight points to take it 6-1, 7-6 (3).
Then came the comeback effort of the two newest Bulldogs, Diana Starodubtseva and Isabella Walker. Starodubtseva got down 3-0 in the first set and came back to win 7-5. The senior trailed in the second set too but pulled that one out 7-5 as well to tie the team match up at 3-all.
The match would come down to court six between a pair of freshmen in LA Tech’s Walker and UNT’s Giulianna Ciangherot. Walker dropped the first set but took complete control from then on, dropping just three more games to secure the 2-6, 6-2, 6-1 victory to stun the Mean Green.
“It was not pretty,” said Sargeant. “It was not perfect. But toughness rarely is. What separates us is our heart and our grit. We train to be fitter and stronger. We train to outlast and outcompete and today, that showed. When things were not going smoothly, we leaned into resilience.”
Sandra D. Spivey Saturday 11/22/1952 — Tuesday 02/10/2026 Visitation: Thursday 02/19/2026 3:00pm to 6:00pm at King’s Funeral Home Celebration of Life: Friday 02/20/2026 11:00am at King’s Funeral Home Private Burial
Revell Jackson Saturday 08/27/1932 — Sunday 02/01/2026 Visitation: Friday 02/20/2026 3:00pm to 6:00pm at King’s Funeral Home Celebration of Life: Saturday 02/21/2026 11:00am, Countyline Baptist Church, 7246 Highway 146, Ruston Interment : Saturday 02/21/2026 Following Service, Grambling Memorial Garden, Hwy. 80 West, Grambling
No. 4 Cedar Creek (20-9) will have a first round bye after earning the No. 4 seed. The Lady Cougars will face the winner of No. 13 Opelousas Catholic vs. No. 20 St. Frederick in the second round. The contest will be Monday (Feb. 23) at 6 p.m. at The Brickhouse. A potential quarterfinal match-up against No. 5 seed Edmund would also be played in Ruston. Creek is coming off a state championship game run last year and hopes to make another run this year.
Non-Select School Division I
No. 14 Ruston High has a familiar District 2-5A foe for the the Lady Bearcats as they finished the regular season 12-7 overall and will host the No. 19 Lady Lions of Ouachita Parish High School Thursday, Feb. 19 at 6 pm. Ruston fell to the Lions 50-38 earlier on the road during the regular season in district play, and a follow-up matchup was cancelled last week.
Class B
No. 8 Choudrant (24-7) earned a first round bye after a successful regular season that saw the Lady Aggies win their district title. Choudrant will face No. 9 Anacoco (17-14) in the second round game that will be played at CHS Gymasium. Date and time are TBD. The winner of that contest will travel to face No. 1 seed Bell City (23-2).
Class B
No. 19 Simsboro (8-16) won’t have far to travel as they will face No. 14 seed Weston (18-11) Thursday, Feb. 19, at 5:30 pm. The two teams met in late January with Weston defeating Simsboro 56-52. The winner of this contest will then travel to face No. 3 Fairview (25-9).
A ninth person has died in connection with the brutal ice storm that hit north Louisiana on the weekend of January 23-26.
A Pineville man working in Ouachita Parish was killed Tuesday while he was engaged in clearing damaged tree from Winter Storm Fern.
According to the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a reported death at a residence in the 200 block of Elmwood Drive on February 10. They found 26-year-old Hunter Ray, of Pineville, LA, deceased in the backyard of the residence.
Ray was part of a tree removal crew working to clear damaged trees from Winter Storm Fern, OPSO said.
According to OPSO, witnesses on the scene told deputies that efforts were being made to control the direction of the tree’s fall using ropes and a skid steer. During the cutting process, the tree shifted and fell in an unintended direction and stuck Ray. Ray attempted to move away but was unable to avoid the falling tree.
The investigation is continuing, OPSO said.
Other deaths related to the storm include a car crash on an icy road, several cases of hypothermia, and oxygen deprivation due to a power outage.
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Vocal clinician Robin Curtis works with singers during a coaching session.
Women from across North Louisiana are invited to take part in a free, one-day vocal workshop, “Find Your Voice: Empowering Women Through Song,” set for Saturday, March 7, in Ruston.
The workshop, hosted by Southern A’Chord Chorus, is made possible through a state arts grant and will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the fellowship hall of the Presbyterian Church of Ruston, located at 212 N. Bonner St.
Led by nationally recognized vocal coach Robin Curtis of Texarkana, the event will focus on healthy vocal production, ensemble singing and skill-building for women singers of varying experience levels. The day will include large-group instruction as well as smaller breakout sessions.
Curtis has decades of successful vocal coaching in her background and currently teaches voice in Texarkana, where her focus is on pop and pageant preparation. She has also worked with multiple choruses and quartets that have won numerous medals in competition from regional to international levels. One of her most recent accolades is serving as education director for the national women’s singing group, TRU Harmony A Cappella.
“Group singing can have amazing health benefits for all ages, both physical and psychological,” Curtis said. “If you can carry a tune, then you can learn new vocal skills to improve and reap those benefits.”
While the workshop itself is geared toward participants, the public is invited to attend the concluding portion of the day, when singers will share what they have learned during the session through a short performance.
Pre-registration by Feb. 28 is encouraged, though walk-ins will be welcomed as space allows. Open to women ages 16 and older, the workshop includes lunch for all participants. To pre-register, go to bit.ly/women-sing.
For more information about Southern A’Chord, interested singers are encouraged to visit the website southernachordchorus.org or the Facebook page Southern A’Chord Chorus. The women’s a cappella community chorus was formed in 2024 and draws members from several parishes.
“Even though Southern A’Chord is based in Ruston,” said director Candice Bassett, of Grayson, “we consider the community we serve much bigger. We are hoping to reach women who are looking for a way to find their voice, gain confidence and be part of something that can empower them to do even more. Singing together bridges gaps and breaks down barriers, helping us see we are more alike than different.”
The workshop is supported by a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, the Office of Cultural Development, and the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council, as administered by the Northeast Louisiana Arts Council. Funding has also been provided by the National Endowment for the Arts.
Additional local funding comes from Century Next Bank, Jonesboro State Bank, Origin Bank and the CPA firm of Kenneth D. Folden & Co. in Jonesboro.
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 local man wanted on warrants and found narcotics in his bed with the sleeping suspect Wednesday.
Matthew Zachary Upchurch, 41, was arrested February 11 at a Goose Creek Lane residence on several warrants and narcotics found in his possession at the time of the arrest.
Deputies went to the residence seeking Upchurch to serve arrest warrants on four charges. They were directed to a bedroom by a family member where they found Upchurch sleeping.
Upchurch was placed under arrest and advised of the warrants. Deputies found a homemade smoking pipe commonly used to consume methamphetamine in the bed. The pipe contained suspected methamphetamine residue. Also found in the bed was a prescription bottle in another person’s name for clonazepam. The bottle contained 10 suspected clonazepam tablets and one more Lortab (hydrocodone) tablet.
Upchurch was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center on warrants charging him with two counts of simple burglary and two counts of misdemeanor theft. He was also booked for possession of Lortab, a Schedule II controlled substance; possession of clonazepam, a Schedule IV controlled substance; and possession of drug paraphernalia.
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 City of Ruston announces, weather permitting, that E. Texas Ave. between S. Bonner St. and S. Sparta St. will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026, beginning 8:00am until further notice.
This closure is necessary for utility repair(s).
The City of Ruston regrets any inconvenience this necessary work may cause residents and motorists. We appreciate your patience, and any questions can be received by the Public Works Department at (318) 242-7703.
The Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested a local man after allegations he assaulted his girlfriend.
Kielyn Combs, 20, of Simsboro, was arrested on February 11 after a report of domestic abuse.
A deputy met a woman at the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office to investigate a domestic disturbance. The woman said she and her boyfriend, Combs, got into a verbal altercation that turned physical. He allegedly pushed her onto a bed and placed a pillow over her face for approximately one minute. The woman said she struggled and was able to get out from under the pillow.
According to the deputy’s report, the woman said Combs left the bedroom and took her Hyundai vehicle from the residence without her permission.
Deputy found Combs at the woman’s Madden Road residence. He was arrested for domestic abuse battery and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. He was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center.
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.
BLUSTERY BIRDIE: Sam Burns pulled on a windbreaker over his sweater on the short par-3 seventh hole Sunday as weather conditions deteriorated at Pebble Beach, but he rolled in a 7-foot birdie putt to grab the lead at 19-under.
JOURNAL SPORTS
PEBBLE BEACH, Cal. – Choudrant resident Sam Burns charged up the leaderboard Sunday in the final round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, and spent time tied for the lead at 20-under on the back nine before a three-putt par and a bogey on the 17th sank him to sixth in the first star-studded field of the 2026 PGA Tour season.
Burns was high on the leaderboard all four rounds, starting with a 63 on Thursday, and finished at 19-under par 269 on the iconic Pebble Beach Golf Links. He shot 67 on Friday, holed out on the first and last hole Saturday in a rocky even-par 72, and shot a closing 67 Sunday.
Collin Morikawa, a Bay Area native, followed a sensational 62 on Saturday with a closing 67 that featured a back nine run to the winning 22-under total.
In his third start of the season, in a “signature event” field with 42 of the world’s top 50 players, Burns made an early run Sunday with five front-nine birdies in erratic, often challenging weather conditions. He birdied holes 2-4 and 6-7 to move into the lead at 19-under, staying in the top four until a birdie at 13 pushed him back on top at 20-under.
But down the stretch, with winds off the Pacific Ocean impacting the field, Burns three-putted the par-5 14th to miss a birdie chance, then bogied the penultimate hole, the par-3 17th, which was into the teeth of the wind.
He was fifth in the field in putting for the four rounds, although he missed a six-footer for birdie on the 11th Sunday along with an 8-footer for birdie on 14.
In the first round, Burns poured in seven birdies on the back nine, posting a closing 29 that made him only the second pro since 1983 to go that low on Pebble Beach’s closing holes. He sank nearly 160 feet of putts.
Burns, a Shreveport native and former LSU All-American who plays out of Squire Creek Country Club, collected $690,000 of the $20 million purse. He will join the rest of the Tour’s top players in Los Angeles for next weekend’s Genesis Open at Riviera Country Club.
RUSTON, La. — The newly renovated grandstands opened Friday for Ruston High (2-2) as the Bearcats took the opening game of a series on Thursday over Haughton before dropping two close ones on the road on Friday to the Buccaneers back at their home field.
The Bearcats got a 5-3 victory in game one after taking a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning when senior Jackson Lee scored thanks to a ground ball hit by senior Nolan Parnell. After Haughton scored two in the top of the second inning for a 2-1 lead, the Bearcats would get two more in the bottom of the fourth inning after junior JP Moak doubled to left and scored both senior Jackson Burroughs and junior Keilan Davis to put Ruston back on top 3-2.
Haughton would tie the game 3-3 in the top of the fifth inning, but Ruston would get its two go-ahead runs when Tucker Patterson and senior Kenden Freeman crossed home plate in the bottom of the fifth for the final 5-3 score.
“Obviously, it started off good for us Thursday night with our home opener,” Ruston High Head Coach Bryan Beck said. “We were able to pull out a win over a really tough Haughton team, and it was tough for most of the game. Moak was a big force with a couple runs batted in to kind of break it open for us.”
The Bearcats got a quality start from junior pitcher Tyler Roach, who struck out five batters and only had one earned run in his 3.0 innings pitched. The Bearcats also saw action from junior Peyton Nations, Moak, junior Hunter Soto and Lee due to early season pitch count limits.
Lee was able to get his first save of the year, as well.
“I thought our pitchers did phenomenal,” Beck said of Thursday’s game.
Haughton, however, responded on Friday with two wins in a double-header — first 4-2 in a 10-inning game where the ‘Cats committed six errors overall, and then a close 5-4 win right afterward.
“We battled really hard in both games,” Beck said. “Max Pyles started that game — a lefty sophomore force— and he pitched his tail off, and unfortunately, we had to pull him due to pitch count. Hudson Wilkerson came in the ball game and pitched well for us. He’s another sophomore.”
The Bearcats got one run in both the tops of the third and eighth innings – first when Lee scored on a steal to home and then again thanks to a double by Moak to score senior Hudson Wood to go up 2-1 in extras. Haughton would tie the game 2-2 in the bottom of the eighth and then win on a two-run walk-off home run in the bottom of the tenth.
The ‘Cats then lost 5-4 in the second game of the double-header despite a fierce rally in the top of the seventh.
Ruston scored two in the top of the second to go up 2-0 after Lee singled into centerfield and scored Freeman. Moak then hit a sacrifice fly to center field to score senior Michael Brisco. After Haughton took the lead 5-2 going into the seventh, the Bearcats brought in two more runs after Parnell doubled to score Moak first, followed then by Wood scoring on a ground-out by Soto. It would not be enough, unfortunately, as Haughton held on for the 5-4 victory.
“Our pitching staff was phenomenal this weekend and I was really, really proud of those guys and happy to see what they did on the mound,” Beck said. “They gave us a chance to be in every ball game and to win every game. Our bullpen came in and kept us in the ball games — we just were really anemic and we’ve just got some timing and issues on offense right now. And I think that’ll come as we continue to play, and I felt like we had a really good practice today.”
Ruston returns to action today at J.C. Love Field on the campus of Louisiana Tech University to take on Captain Shreve at 4 p.m.
“We have a really tough schedule for the next few weeks,” Beck said. “But we’re excited and looking forward to what’s ahead.”
Lincoln Prep’s Jabari Levingston is pictured focusing before shooting free throws with 24.2 seconds left to help the Panthers defeat Arcadia. (Photo by T. Scott Boatright)
By T. Scott Boatright
ARCADIA — Lincoln Preparatory School captured its first district title since the 2023-24 season as the Panthers held on for a 48-43 win over Arcadia High School Saturday in front of a packed house inside the AHS Gym.
The back and forth contest played in an electrically raucous atmosphere saw neither team lead by more than eight points in the second half — Lincoln Prep’s 25-17 advantage to start the third quarter — to finish at 6-0 in District 1-1A, the same record the Panthers posted in 2023-24 in 2-1A district play before eventually falling to Crescent City in the Division IV Select School semifinals.
Emotions ramped up in the third quarter with a pair of plays that sent an already fired up crowd into a frenzy.
At the 4:33 mark of the third quarter, Arcadia’s Kristopher Jackson, who led all scorers with 18 points, made a thunderous two-handed dunk that cut Lincoln Prep’s lead to 28-24.
Jackson was back at it a little more than two minutes later as he launched himself into the air for a running one-handed slam dunk to tie the game at 28-28 with 2:07 left in the stanza as the crowd erupted even bigger than before.
Saturday’s game featured eight lead changes, with the last one coming with 5:06 remaining in the game when Lincoln Prep senior Zion Hicks took an inbounds pass and put the short, dead-on jumper through the nets to put the Panthers on top 39-38.
From there the Panthers moved as far in front as five points on a Trey Spann 3-pointer with 2:31 left on the clock that put Lincoln Prep on top 45-20.
The final two minutes became a game of keep away for the Panthers, who gave up multiple shot opportunities to continue passing the ball and milking the clock, trying to force Arcadia to foul.
“We’re district champions, and that’s the big thing — that was the goal,” said Panthers coach Antonio Hudson. To come on the road and get a win in this kind of environment is always a plus.
“But we make it hard sometimes. We just make it hard, and I don’t get it. I’m glad we were able to get the win. But I don’t understand why it has to be so hard after leading like we did (25-17) at halftime.”
Hudson said he was proud of the way his team played keep away in the final two minutes, trying to draw fouls and go to the free throw line.
“We get caught up in emotions sometimes, things like stats,” Hudson said. “And the only stat that matters is the win and loss column — that’s the only one. But we ended up regaining enough poise to execute and take time off the clock and just get out of here with the win.
“I always tip my hat to the other coaches and (Travious Fielding) is going to be a helluva coach. He’s young and he’s going to be one helluva coach.”
Hudson also admitted that trying to handle the 6-6, 215-pound senior Jackson as well as the Hornets’ other twin tower, 6-5, 210-pound senior Christian Jackson, was a tough task for his Panthers.
“I’m glad (Kristopher Jackson) is graduating,” Hudson said. “I can say that. (Christian Jackson) hasn’t been playing that much. I don’t know what’s going on with that. But with their size, when they’re on the court together with the way they rebound and alter shots defensively — you know, they’ve got a good chance (at a state title), too.”
In the end, it was Lincoln Prep’s Jabari Levingston who made the plays when the Panthers needed them most, hitting the second two free throws after missing his first attempt to push the lead to 46-42.
But Kristopher Jackson hit the first of his two free throw attempts on the other end to make it a one possession, three-point game at 46-43 with 16 seconds remaining.
Levingston received a long inbounds pass on their final possession, but before trying to make a pass to run out the clock spotted a wide-open Braylen Ross standing alone under the basket, so Levingston fired the pass to Braylen who bounced it off the glass through the nets as the Lincoln Prep celebration began.
“My deal is the type of shots we take,” Hudson said. “I don’t mind taking shots (like the final one), but it’s about the timing. And that was the right time and the right opportunity.”
Spann led the Panthers with 13 points, 11 rebounds, two steals and two assists while Levingston added 12 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and five steals.
Hicks also scored in double figures with 10 points along with six rebounds and an assist.
Lincoln Prep (24-3 and the No. 1 team in Class 1A) will close out the regular season with a home game against Homer on Monday before hosting Class 5A Parkway on Friday.
“Parkway’s going to be tough being a 5A opponent,” Hudson said. “They’re playing well right now. But that’s the kind of challenge we want heading into the playoffs.”
Lincoln Prep girls basketball coach Lakeia Williams-Brown (center) is pictured drawing up a play during Friday’s game at Arcadia. (Photo by T. Scott Boatright)
By T. Scott Boatright
Lincoln Prep Lady Panthers coach Lakeia Williams-Brown realized how the game would go before their opening tip of Saturday’s regular-season finale at Arcadia High School.
And she knew it would be a learning experience for her team.
When the team faced Arcadia on Jan. 8, Lincoln Prep stayed competitive in the first quarters before the Lady Hornets, who were missing a pair of key players in that contest, pulled away for a big win over the Lady Panthers.
But this time it was over before it started with Lincoln Prep’s primary weapon — junior point guard Kayla Ferguson — out due to illness as Arcadia blanked the Lady Panthers in the opening stanza en route to a 63-5 win inside the AHS Gym.
Trailing 26-0 at the end of the first quarter, the Lady Panthers did score the opening points of the second period after senior Zakyah Wimberly connected on a plus-one free throw after laying the ball up and into the basket only nine seconds into the stanza.
Lincoln Prep’s other two points after Hannah LeBron grabbed a loose ball and hit a running jumper to cut Arcadia’s lead to 48-5 with 5:34 remaining in the third quarter.
The Lady Panthers’ season ended at 4-19, with two of those wins coming in February before they lost Ferguson for the remainder of the season.
Despite what they faced, Brown said she’s proud of the fight her team showed from season’s start to finish and believes that bodes well for the future.
“They learned how to play through adversity,” Brown said of the Lady Panthers. “They learned it at the very beginning of the year. But as the season went on, they learned to have confidence in themselves and how to keep fighting no matter how things might be going. One thing I can say is that they never gave up. They kept on fighting until the end.”
Brown said it ended up being a learning season for her, too.
“I learned patience,” Brown said. “Patience and that this is a very young team who are still growing — still only beginning to learn the game. This season was only the beginning for nearly all of these girls. Kayla was the only player we had with any kind of real, major experience. We only had two seniors (Wimberly and Londyn Barnes). So this season was a learning experience for all of them.
“We’ll get better. But right now we’re still taking baby steps, and that means a lot of stumbling and falling right now. We’re going to keep pushing forward and getting better.:
And that means the Lady Panthers focusing on basketball year round.
“We’re going to start offseason work soon, going to the very beginning and focusing on fundamentals and really learning the game,” Brown said. “I’m going to give them a week off and then we’re going to start right back at it — conditioning and learning.
“This team is going to get better. Kayla will be back better than ever. We have some new players coming in that have a little more knowledge about the game that will help us get better. This team learned a lot this season, about the game and about themselves. We’re going to build on that and keep moving forward.”
Each Monday through Friday, the Lincoln Parish Journal will post a list of non-for-profit upcoming events happening in the parish. If you would like to add your event to this list or advertise your for-profit events, please email us at lpjnewsla@gmail.com.
Monday, Feb. 16 President’s Day 11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome 5:30 p.m.: Ruston Planning and Zoning meeting (Ruston City Hall) 6 p.m.: Toastmasters International meeting (Louisiana Center for the Blind, 101 South Trenton Street) 6-9 p.m.: Creative Meetups (Creatives at Work, 301 N. Trenton)
Wednesday, Feb. 18 7-8 a.m.: Veterans Coffee Club (PJ’s Coffee) 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: State of Education Luncheon (Davison Athletic Complex, LA Tech) 11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome 12-1 p.m.: Rotary Club meeting (Historic Fire Station) 6 p.m.: LA Tech baseball 6:30 p.m.: LA Tech men’s basketball
Thursday, Feb. 19 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Kiwanis Club lunch and program (Trinity Methodist Church fellowship hall) 2 p.m.: Ribbon cutting celebrating The Scullery Laundromat (413 W. Alabama Ave.) 4 p.m.: Tween Time: Mardi Gras Masks (Lincoln Parish Library) 4:30-5:30 p.m.: Free meal of baked chicken, twice-baked potatoes and more provided by LaTech Culinary Class and sponsored by 5 Loaves 2 Fish Ministry. Pick up at the Choudrant location of Origin Bank. All are welcome. 5 p.m.: Library Board of Control meeting (Lincoln Parish Library) 5:30-8 p.m.: Ruston Art Ramble (Downtown Ruston) 6 p.m.: Teen time: Bwa Masks craft (Lincoln Parish Library) 6 p.m.: Southern A’Chord Chorus rehearsal (Presbyterian Church fellowship hall, 212 N. Bonner St.; open to all women singers) 6 p.m.: LA Tech softball 6:30 p.m.: Books and Bites Book Club; registration required; call 318-513-5510 ( (Lincoln Parish Library at The Local)
Friday, Feb. 20 4 p.m.: Family Fun Friday: Tommy Teriffic, magician (Lincoln Parish Library) 6 p.m.: LA Tech softball
Saturday, Feb. 21 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market 10 a.m.: Master Gardeners present Bulbs and Blooms (Lincoln Parish Library) 2 p.m.: LA Tech softball 7-9 p.m.: Java N Jazz (The MARC, 504 E. Georgia Ave.)
Sunday, Feb. 22 Noon: LA Tech softball
Monday, Feb. 23 11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome 6 p.m.: Video-led exercise class (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center) 6 p.m.: Toastmasters International meeting (Louisiana Center for the Blind, 101 South Trenton Street) 6-9 p.m.: Creative Meetups (Creatives at Work, 301 N. Trenton)
Tuesday, Feb. 24 10 a.m.: Storytime: Going to the Moon with storytime guest Rev. Dele (Lincoln Parish Library) 4 p.m.: Crafternoon: Moving Rocket Ships (Lincoln Parish Library) 6 p.m.: Memories of the Movement: Remembering Our Civil Rights Legacy panel discussion (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center) 6 p.m.: Adult Craft Night: Agamorgraph Black History Art Celebration; registration required by calling 318-513-5510 (Lincoln Parish Library) 6 p.m.: LA Tech baseball
Wednesday, Feb. 25 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 12-1 p.m.: Rotary Club meeting (Historic Fire Station) 3 p.m.: GSU softball
Thursday, Feb. 26 10 a.m.: Ribbon cutting celebrating The UPS Store (1735 Farmerville Hwy., Suite 12) 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Kiwanis Club lunch and program (Trinity Methodist Church fellowship hall) 4 p.m.: GSU men’s basketball 4 p.m.: Tween Time: Alma Thomas paintings (Lincoln Parish Library) 6 p.m.: Teen Time: Volunteer Opportunity (Lincoln Parish Library) 6-8 p.m.: 2026 BFA senior class from Louisiana Tech University’s School of Design will debut Introspective Narratives, a dynamic collaborative exhibition opening (Lincoln Parish Museum) 6 p.m.: Southern A’Chord Chorus rehearsal (Presbyterian Church fellowship hall, 212 N. Bonner St.; open to all women singers) 6:30 p.m.: LA Tech men’s basketball
Friday, Feb. 27 3:30 p.m.: LA Tech softball 6 p.m.: LA Tech softball 6 p.m.: LA Tech baseball
Saturday, Feb. 28 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Inaugural Black Expo (Lincoln Parish Library Events Center) 2 p.m.: LA Tech men’s basketball 4 p.m.: LA Tech baseball 6 p.m.: LA Tech softball 6:30 p.m.: GSU men’s basketball
Sunday, March 1 Noon: LA Tech softball 1 p.m.: LA Tech baseball
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Lady Techsters 68, Missouri State 67 (Saturday in Ruston)
Louisiana Tech hit six fourth-quarter three-pointers to come back from an eight point deficit to win their 12th straight in conference, beating Missouri State 68-67 in Ruston.
Tech trailed by as many as nine in the second half before outscoring Missouri State 24-15 in the final frame.
“I am incredibly proud of the toughness and resilience our group showed today in that fourth quarter,” said head coach Brooke Stoehr. “Give Missouri State credit. I thought they played very well and played with a greater sense of urgency for a majority of the game today. This team never waived from their belief in each other and found a way to get stops when we needed them and got the ball moving to find open shooters at critical times.
“Saturdays are about toughness, and we found it within ourselves to get back to doing the little things that allowed us to get stops and score the ball. I am just so proud of how we responded and did it together today. We have to get some things cleaned up on film and practice before we hit the road again next week. I know this group will approach it the right way and will be ready to compete in two tough games on the road.”
The Lady Techsters offense rolled to start the game, scoring the first seven points of the frame and leading by 10 twice. A Lady Bear basket would close the gap to eight, giving LA Tech a 19-11 lead after the first quarter. Jordan Marshall scored almost half the Lady Techsters points, pouring in nine points with two boards.
Missouri State fought back early in the second quarter, sparking an 8-0 run to force a Louisiana Tech timeout as the Lady Bears tied the game 21-21. The Lady Techsters offense could not find rhythm, only mustering nine points in the frame, tying the least amount of points for LA Tech in a quarter during conference play. Despite being outscored 16-9, Louisiana Tech took a one point lead into the locker rooms, 28-27. The Lady Techsters shot 2-14 in the frame, 1-9 from downtown.
In the first half, Louisiana Tech was outrebounded 22-11 and were shooting 32.1 percent from the field. The Lady Techsters were 7-7 from the free throw line and forced 12 turnovers. Missouri State, who are sixth in the country in free throws made per game, did not shoot a single free throw.
The Lady Bears exploded in the third quarter. Two three pointers would cap a 10-3 run that gave Missouri State a 40-33 lead, forcing a Louisiana Tech timeout. The Lady Techsters could not guard string together stops, letting the Lady Bears score 25 in the frame. MoState lead by as much as nine, tying the largest deficit LA Tech has faced in conference play this season. The Lady Techsters shot 63.6 percent from the field, but Missouri State was 4-7 from the three point line and 5-5 from the charity stripe.
Paris Bradley ignited the Louisiana Tech offense, making two three pointers to cut the lead down to two. Missouri State strung together good possessions, getting the lead back up to eight with seven minutes to play. Two more big three pointers from Louisiana Tech would cut the lead down to three two separate times, with Kaleigh Thompson nailing a huge three pointer from the right corner with 2:18 left to play.
It was the first Louisiana Tech lead in nearly 16 minutes. Both teams would struggle to score until Lainie Douglas broke through for the Lady Bears to take a 67-66 lead with 20 seconds to play. With the game on the line, Paris Bradley would be fouled on her layup attempt with six seconds left to play, allowing the Preseason Player of the Year to shoot two free throws.
Swish, swish.
Missouri State would call a timeout, advancing the ball and forcing Louisiana Tech to defend the halfcourt. The Lady Techsters forced the Lady Bears to shoot a contested shot for the win.
Airball.
The Lady Techsters hang on to win 68-67, their 12th win in a row.
Louisiana Tech shot 6-8 from deep in the third quarter, scoring 18 of their 24 points with triples. The Lady Techsters lead for only 2:40 in the second half. Paris Bradley bookended the frame, scoring the first six and the last two, a key component in the Lady Techster’s victory.
Missouri State outrebounded Louisiana Tech by 13 and outassisted by 4. The Lady Bears also scored more points in the paint (36-28) and off the bench (24-11). It is the first time Louisiana Tech has been outassisted since playing #5 LSU in December.
Alexia Weaver led the Lady Techsters in scoring for the third straight game with 14 points. Joy Madison-Key dished six assists and committed only one turnover off the bench.
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FIU 77, Bulldogs 64 (Saturday in Miami)
Louisiana Tech was on the verge of collecting a road sweep, but the Bulldogs ran out of gas the latter part of the second half in a 77-64 loss to FIU on Saturday afternoon inside the Ocean Bank Convocation Center.
LA Tech (14-11, 7-7 CUSA) was clicking on all cylinders through the first eight minutes of the second stanza, building a five-point lead over FIU (12-13, 5-9 CUSA). However, the Panthers controlled the rest of the ball game on both ends, outscoring the Bulldogs 30-12 the rest of the way.
“Rebounding was a major factor in the game,” said head coach Talvin Hester. “We did not rebound. We have been good on the glass both offensively and defensively, but we did not have it today. The first 10 minutes of the second half we were really good.
“But I do not think the ball moved enough. When we got the ball in the paint, FIU did a good job putting pressure on the ball which led to a lot of turnovers. It is frustrating when team’s just take the ball from you. We did not have it today.”
The ‘Dogs dug themselves a hole right out of the game as the Panthers scored the first 11 points of the ball game. LA Tech would claw back, tying the game at 26-26 and 28-28 before ultimately facing a 33-31 halftime.
It was the combination of AJ Bates and DJ Dudley which got LA Tech rolling at the start of the second half. The tandem scored 16 of the team’s first 21 points of the stanza to build that five-point advantage with 11:45 to play.
Things started to slowly unravel for the Bulldogs though because of turnovers and FIU’s rebounding prowess, pulling down 40 boards that included 17 offensive which was turned into 17 second-chance points. Meanwhile, LA Tech was limited to a season-low 24 boards.
Bates led the way in scoring for the Bulldogs with 14 points, followed by Dudley with 13 and Kaden Cooper with 10.
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Texas Southern 82, Tigers 79 (Saturday in Houston)
Grambling State battled to the final horn but came up just short in an 82-79 road loss to Texas Southern on Saturday afternoon at the Health & Physical Education Arena in Houston, Texas.
The contest featured eight ties and eight lead changes as both teams traded momentum throughout the afternoon.
Jamil Muttilib delivered a standout performance for the Tigers, pouring in a game-high 26 points on 8-of-18 shooting, including three three-pointers, while adding two rebounds and two steals in 36 minutes of action. Muttilib was aggressive from the opening tip, scoring in transition and from beyond the arc, and repeatedly answered Texas Southern runs to keep GSU within striking distance. He also went 7-of-8 from the free throw line, showing poise in key moments.
Grambling State (11-13 overall, 5-6 SWAC) opened the game efficiently on the offensive end, shooting over 53 percent in the first half and building a 39-36 lead at the break. Muttilib scored in multiple ways during the opening half, including a pair of fast-break layups and a deep three-pointer, helping the Tigers maintain a slim advantage despite Texas Southern’s early scoring bursts.
Roderick Coffee III added 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting and chipped in four assists and five rebounds, while Rickey Ballard contributed 11 points with three three-pointers. Jimel Lane provided a strong presence off the bench with 11 points and a team-high 11 rebounds, giving the Tigers a boost on the glass.
Texas Southern (8-15, 6-6) surged early in the second half, shooting over 62 percent in the period and taking a double-digit lead midway through the half. Grambling State responded with timely baskets and defensive stops, with Muttilib continuing to attack the basket and knock down perimeter shots to cut into the deficit. The Tigers tied the game late and had multiple chances to take the lead in the closing minutes, but Texas Southern made key plays down the stretch and sealed the game at the free throw line.
Grambling State finished the game shooting 50.9 percent from the field and scored 32 points in the paint, while also adding 14 fast-break points. The Tigers forced 15 turnovers and converted them into 21 points, but Texas Southern’s efficiency from three-point range and late-game execution proved to be the difference.
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Lady Tigers 73, Texas Southern 50 (Saturday in Houston)
Grambling State University delivered a dominant performance Saturday afternoon, rolling to a 73–50 Southwestern Athletic Conference victory over Texas Southern University inside the Health & Physical Education Arena.
Grambling State opened the game in strong fashion racing to a 20–9 lead after the first quarter and setting the tone defensively.
The Lady Tigers carried that momentum into the second period, taking a 34–26 advantage at halftime.
The Tigers pulled away in the third quarter, outscoring Texas Southern 21–13 to build a commanding 55–39 lead entering the final frame.
Grambling State maintained control in the fourth quarter adding 18 more points to secure the 23-point road victory.
Shaniah Nunn led Grambling State with 17 points, seven rebounds, two steals, and a block. Douthshine Prien provided a major spark off the bench, pouring in a game-high 19 points on 6-of-9 shooting. D’Mya Griffin added nine points, while Zaria Johnson chipped in nine more.
Grambling State dominated the interior, scoring 42 points in the paint and winning the rebounding battle 48–33.
The Lady Tigers also received a strong contribution from their bench which accounted for 45 of the team’s 73 points.
Texas Southern was led by Ayanna Jackson, who finished with 17 points.
