By Kyle Roberts
RUSTON, La. — Ruston High School has released its 2026-27 varsity basketball schedules, and both the Bearcats and Lady Bearcats are set to face some of the state’s top programs before district play arrives.
Lady Bearcat head coach LaShanda Cooper said her team returns experience and leadership, and the underclassmen have stepped into their roles.
“I’m excited about this season and the experience and leadership we return,” Cooper said. “Our younger players have embraced their roles, and a strong summer helped build our chemistry and confidence. Our focus this year is simple: Believe. We are challenging our players to overcome adversity and grow.”
The Lady Bearcats open the regular season Nov. 30 at Logansport before hosting El Dorado on Dec. 3 in a doubleheader with the boys’ varsity team. Ruston plays in the ASH Tournament on Dec. 8-9, the Benton Tournament on Jan. 8-9 and the Green and Gold National Basketball Classic on Jan. 16.
A major highlight of the home slate is the Sheila Ethridge Classic on Jan. 23.
“I’m also excited about the Sheila Ethridge Classic, where we’ll honor a Ruston legend while bringing together some of the state’s top teams for a great day of competitive basketball,” Cooper said.
The Lady Bearcats also host the MLK Classic on Jan. 18 and a GEO Next Generation event on Jan. 30. Other home dates include Airline (Dec. 15), Bossier (Dec. 22), Arcadia (Dec. 30), Natchitoches Central (Jan. 5), Wossman (Jan. 19), Franklin Parish (Jan. 26), Union (Feb. 8) and West Monroe (Feb. 12).
On the boys’ side, Bearcat head coach Marcus Jackson said the goal was to build on last year’s approach.
“Last year, we tried to get it as competitive as possible,” Jackson said of his schedule. “This year, the same set up.”
Ruston will have the chance to visit Arkansas a couple of times: the Bearcats will travel tot Texarkana for the Red River Hoopfest on Dec. 5 and have a tournament in Arkansas set for Dec. 28-29.
Jackson pointed to a pair of home-and-away series as key additions. Ruston hosts Bossier on Dec. 22 and travels to Bossier on Feb. 18, and the Bearcats play Calvary at home Jan. 26 and on the road Feb. 9.
“We’ve added a home-and-away with Bossier, which I think finished in the top four, in the semifinal,” Jackson said. “Adding them, adding a home-and-away with Calvary, also getting Madison Prep on the schedule this year, along with Country Day. Madison Prep always makes a run for it.”
Ruston also returns trips to Ferriday on Jan. 5 and Marksville on Jan. 12.
“Our return games (to two state champions), Ferriday and Marksville, really beef it up a little bit for us,” Jackson said.
The Bearcats head to the Madison Prep Tournament on Dec. 18-19, an event Jackson said brings in “some of the best teams in the state.” Ruston hosts Madison Prep on Feb. 13 and meets Country Day at the JS Clark Tournament on Feb. 20, the final date on the schedule.
District play brings a new opponent in Peabody, which both Ruston teams visit Jan. 22.
“Adding Peabody to our district has also made this district much stronger,” Jackson said.
Both teams share the floor for doubleheaders against El Dorado (Dec. 3), Airline (Dec. 15), Bossier (Dec. 22), Pineville (Jan. 15), Ouachita (Jan. 29) and West Monroe (Feb. 12) at home, and at Peabody (Jan. 22) and ASH (Feb. 5) on the road.
Click the link below for a PDF with the complete schedule.
