by Malcolm Butler
Cedar Creek has released its 2026-27 varsity basketball schedules as the Cougars and Lady Cougars prepare for the upcoming season.
The annual Brickhouse Bash team introduction event is set for November 17 before the regular season begins for both, including a number of tournaments and non-district contests leading into district play in late January.
The Lady Cougars enter the season following a 22-9 campaign that ended with a 69-29 loss to eventual state champion Southern Lab in the Select School Division IV state semifinals.
It marked the second straight trip to the state semifinals for coach Katie Hall’s program after Cedar Creek advanced to the state championship game in 2024-25.
Hall will have a roster that includes seven seniors, including returning starters in Kennedy Hall, Mary Grace Hawkins, and Alivia Lee.
“I’m really excited about this upcoming season,” Hall said. “This senior group is especially meaningful to me because we’ve been together since they were in seventh grade — with some of them, even longer than that.
“They’re a great group of young ladies who have grown into tremendous leaders, not only for our basketball program but on our campus. I’m excited to watch them enjoy their senior year and see how they lead this team.”
The Lady Cougars will play in the OCS tournament Nov. 23-25 and the Quitman Tournament Dec. 3-4 before Cedar Creek hosts the Neill Killgore Tournament Dec. 10-12. One of the highlights of the girls schedule will be a trip to Orlando, Florida, for games Dec. 27-31.
The Cougars will take a much younger roster into the season under coach Todd Martinez, who enters his second season at Cedar Creek.
Rhett Bridges is the lone senior on the 16-player roster and will serve as team captain. Juniors Luke Easley and Bridger Reynolds are the only other upperclassmen.
“This group is a lot of fun to be around and works very hard,” Martinez said. “We have a young team with outstanding leadership from our only senior, Rhett Bridges. Rhett’s game has really gone to another level through the spring and summer.
“Having junior Luke Easley back from injury this season is huge for us. Jase Martin and Fletcher Boyet have also had really good fall camps. We are looking to take a big step forward this season.”
The Cougars will play at Sterlington during Thanksgiving week and will join the Lady Cougars in the Quitman, Neill Killgore and St. Frederick tournaments.
District play begins Jan. 29 when Cedar Creek hosts Glenbrook. The Cougars and Lady Cougars will then travel to Arcadia and Haynesville before hosting Lincoln Prep on Feb. 9 and Plain Dealing on Feb. 12. The Plain Dealing games will also serve as Senior Night.
