By ROY LANG III, Journal Sports

Today we complete our look at the area stars who play in the NFL.

A reminder: An area the size of Dallas/Fort Worth would have to boast more than 200 NFL players to match the per capita production of Northwest Louisiana. Los Angeles County would have to provide more than 400 players. There are only 1,696 players on the NFL’s 53-man rosters.

Thursday, we chronicled how eight locals in the NFC fared in 2021 and detailed their 2022 contract situations. Here is a look at the eight in the AFC (in alphabetical order).

L’Jarius Sneed, Kansas City (25, S, Minden)

Started career-best 15 games for the Chiefs and collected two interceptions. The fourth-rounder is now halfway through his rookie contract – four years, $3.929 million.

Marquez Stevenson, Buffalo (23, WR, Northwood)

Rookie played five games for the Bills and mainly served as a punt/kick returner when he saw action. He was inactive for both of Buffalo’s postseason games, but has just begun his four-year, $3.652 million rookie deal.

Trent Taylor, Cincinnati (27, WR, Evangel)

Terrific comeback story culminated in a Super Bowl appearance with the Bengals – he’d already been to one with San Francisco. Taylor hauled in the game-tying 2-point conversion in the AFC title game and was a rock for the Bengals as their punt returner. Former fifth-round pick of the 49ers played his first year in Cincinnati on one-year, $920,000 and will be an unrestricted free agent in 2022. Appears to be healthy and could be a force again.

Jerry Tillery, Los Angeles Chargers (25, DL, Evangel)

Played in 16 games (started 15) and posted a career-best 4.5 sacks. First-round pick in 2019 will play for another contract in 2022, the final segment of his four-year, $11 million rookie contract. There is a team option for a fifth year.

Ar’Darius Washington, Baltimore (22, S, Evangel)

The rookie signed with the Ravens as an undrafted free agent after the draft. The former Eagle made the team with an impressive preseason. He appeared in three games in 2021 and made one tackle before his season was cut short due to a broken foot. He’s set to enter Year 2 of a three-year, $2.44 million deal.

Tre’Davious White, Buffalo (27, DB, Green Oaks)

Recorded just one interception with the Bills in 2021, a career-low, but played just 11 games after he suffered a torn ACL against New Orleans on Thanksgiving. The two-time Pro Bowler completed the first year of a four-year, $69 million contract.

Greedy Williams, Cleveland (24, DB, Calvary)

After missing the entire 2020 season, Greedy played 16 games for the Browns in 2021 and collected his first two NFL interceptions. He also amassed 10 passes defended (tied for team-best) despite making just eight starts. Opposing quarterbacks had just a 74.0 rating when throwing toward the former LSU star. The former second-round pick seems to have found his stride and enters the final segment of a four-year, $6.458 million rookie deal.

Brandon Wilson, Cincinnati Bengals (27, DB, Calvary Baptist)

A bittersweet campaign culminated in a Super Bowl appearance for Wilson’s Bengals. The former Cavalier served as the team’s kick returner for nine games before his season ended prematurely with a torn ACL. Wilson made one start in the secondary in Week 4 vs. Jacksonville. In 2022, the former sixth-round pick will complete a two-year, $4.125 million contract.

What’s next for the area’s 16 NFL players (Part 1)

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High School Basketball

Girls Playoffs

CLASS 5A

Airline 86, H.L. Bourgeois 59
Captain Shreve 65, Barbe 63
Parkway 61, Acadiana 15
Southwood 62, Mandeville 32
West Jefferson 51, Haughton 39
West Ouachita 62, Benton 35

CLASS 4A

Huntington 76, South Terrebonne 15
Northwood 42, Peal River 35
Peabody 44, BTW 39
Salmen 52, Woodlawn 34

CLASS 3A

Loranger 60, Bossier 42

CLASS A

Plain Dealing 47, Haynesville 36

Division I Quarterfinal

John Curtis 72, Byrd 20

College Basketball

WOMEN

Incarnate Word 67, Northwestern St. 60
LSU 71, Mississippi St. 59
LSUS 84, Jarvis Christian 57
Louisiana Tech 77, UTEP 60

MEN

LSUS 91, Jarvis Christian 65
La-Lafayette 78, La-Monroe 77
Northwestern St. 88, Incarnate Word 64
UTEP 63, Louisiana Tech 60

High School Softball

Airline 11, Glenbrook 0
Benton 15, North Webster 3
Byrd 7, St. Mary’s 2
Pineville 13, Calvary 3

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By HARRIET PROTHRO PENROD, Journal Sports

Applying a stifling third-quarter defense, the Parkway Lady Panthers cruised to a 61-15 home victory over the Acadiana Lady Rams in the first round of the LHSAA Class 5A Girls’ Basketball Playoffs Thursday night at home.

After taking a 31-8 lead into the half, Parkway (30-2) came out of the locker room and put intense pressure on Acadiana. The Lady Rams (13-13) were able to put up just one point in the third quarter.

As dominating as the Lady Panthers were, however, they hope to improve defensively before they face Zachary in the second round on Monday.

Zachary, the No. 18 seed, walloped 15th-seeded Southside 69-40 on the road in Youngsville.

Despite the lopsided outcome, second-seeded Parkway has to be better, according to the Lady Panthers’ coach.

“It seemed like we were a half-second off at the beginning of the game,” said coach Gloria Williams. “We were efficient, but, as a whole, we want to execute better defensively for the entire game. Then our offense will get going.”

Parkway’s defense after halftime was overwhelming. After three straight baskets off steals to open the fourth quarter, junior guard Mikaylah Williams put Parkway up 57-9 before heading to the bench with three minutes remaining.

The Lady Panthers had three players in double figures.

Williams, who was recently named one of five finalists for the Jersey Mike’s Naismith High School Girls Trophy for the national player of the year, finished with a game-high 22 points. She got offensive help from Savannah Wilson (13 points) and Chloe Larry (10 points).

“I think Savannah really stepped up for us,” said the Parkway coach. “Chloe did what she usually does, and ‘Lucy’ (Ty’lissa Henderson) was all over the floor.”

The Lafayette-based visitors were topped by Zoe Spain with 8 points.

Photo by HARRIET PROTHRO PENROD

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By LEE HILLER, Journal Sports

Benton High School’s girls basketball team had been living the good life the last three years in the playoffs, having been to the state finals each year.

But issues with Covid hit the Lady Tigers for their first round Class 5A game Thursday with West Ouachita and the visiting Lady Chiefs hit a game-winning 3 at the buzzer to eliminate the Tigers 62-59.

The Lady Tigers saw a halftime lead vanish in the third quarter and trailed 59-55 with a little over a minute left in the game when Jada Stewart put back a missed shot to close the gap to 59-57.

The Tigers came up with the defensive stop and Ella Kate Malley drove to tie the game at 59. Off the inbounds pass, Benton’s backcourt pressure forced a turnover on the baseline with 22 seconds left but the Tigers turned the ball over themselves in the waning seconds. The Lady Chiefs hustled upcourt, and in transition hit an off-balance game-winning shot that bounced above the rim and dropped as time expired.

Stewart led Benton with 20 points, Marissa Schoth scored 13 and Malley and Chloe Bailey both had 8.

The Lady Tigers’ bitter ending left them with a 20-12 record after finishing as a Class 4A runner-up, Class 5A state champion and last year’s runner-up finish in 5A.

AIRLINE 86, H,L. BOURGEOIS 59: At Airline, the Lady Vikes (23-12) rolled past the Lady Braves as Kayla Hampton 33 poured in a game-high 33 points, grabbed 9 rebounds and dealt out 8 steals, Kori Rice added 18 points and 13 rebounds and Endia Pradier 16 points. Airline will travel to No. 1 Walker for the second round.

CAPTAIN SHREVE 65, BARBE 63: The No. 26 seed Lady Gators used a second-half rally on the road to upset the No. 7 Bucs. Shreve trailed 35-26 at the half but reduced the deficit to 51-46 entering the final quarter. For the Gators (14-16), Kyra Stokes led four in double digits with 16 points, Desiree Hudson poured in 15 and Carley Hamilton and Zoe Manning both scored 14. Barbe (21-7) had four in double figures as well, led by Aveil Williams’ 21 points. The Gators will host No. 10 Northshore in the second round.

SOUTHWOOD 62, MANDEVILLE 32: At Southwood (23-10), Jermesha Frierson led the Lady Cowboys with 22 points, Ma’Shaylen Pratt scored 14 and collected 10 rebounds, and Minnie Williams added 13 points.

WEST JEFFERSON 51, HAUGHTON 39: The Lady Bucs, who finished their turnaround season at 17-12, were led by freshman Dakota Howard’s 24 points on the road.

HUNTINGTON 76, SOUTH TERREBONNE 15: The host Lady Raiders (18-6) got a game-high 18 points from Zanyah Lefear,while Joycelyn Bell scored 14, Kalea Dean had 11 points, 12 rebounds and Asia Jones Reed added 10 points and 9 rebounds. The No. 5 Lady Raiders will host 12th seeded North Vermilion in the second round.

PLAIN DEALING 47, HAYNESVILLE 36: The Lady Lions (11-17) got 23 points from Za’Kiyah Williams to down the Tornado in a Class 1A first-round game at Plain Dealing. They will next be on the road to No. 1 Northwood-Lena, who had a first-round bye.

SOFTBALL

BYRD 7, ST. MARY’S 2: The host Yellow Jackets were paced by Kate Shaw, who went 3-for-3 with two doubles and a triple. Morgan Cantrell was 2-for-4, with a double and an RBI. Jenna Smith got the win, striking out 11 in a complete game while St. Mary’s posted 9 hits.

BENTON 15, NORTH WEBSTER 4: At Benton, the Lady Tigers’ Olivia Burns turned in a 2-for-4 performance with 4 RBIs, while Christina Gegg had two hits, 2 RBIs and scored three times from her leadoff position. Megan Risher had a triple in two at bats.

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By LEE HILLER, Journal Sports

The district season continues for one more date for a couple of districts, but all have decided their champions and games are more or less to prepare for the coming playoffs.

LHSAA playoff pairings will be announced Monday with the games beginning the end of the week. A smattering of games will be played Saturday for teams to maybe improve on their power ratings but more importantly stay sharp and ready since the playoffs will be a week away. Teams with a rating of 16 or better will have a home playoff date in the first round.

District 1-5A has a normal, last playing date schedule and 1-4A has a couple of games.

Captain Shreve, the 1-5A champion, will take a 24-5 overall record and 12-1 district mark to Haughton and play the Bucs who are 15-14, 3-10. The Gators defeated Natchitoches Central in overtime 46-41 Tuesday to clinch the title while Haughton fell to Parkway 71-62.

Airline, the third-place team at 9-4 in district and 15-9 overall, will be at Benton (11-22, 4-9). The Vikings have a power ranking of 34.78 that puts them at No. 17 in Class 5A, just below Mandeville (21-11) who has a rating of 36.29. The Skippers have a non-district game with Covington (6-23) left on their schedule.

Southwood (15-16, 8-5) the fourth place in 1-5A will be at home and play Byrd (13-13, 5-8). The Cowboys are currently a 23 seed so they will be traveling the first round of the playoffs, but it could mean a difference in the bracket whether they are in the upper or lower part. Seeds 22 and 23 are in the lower and 24, 25 the upper.

Second-place Natchitoches (21-6, 10-3) will play host to Parkway (6-19, 1-12). The Chiefs are No. 7 in the rankings with Captain Shreve at No. 8. If those stay the same the two schools would be in opposite sides of the bracket.

District 1-4A champion Huntington (18-5, 10-1) is at home for their final regular season game against North DeSoto (3-19, 0-11). The Raiders have a power ranking of 5 in 4A and would host a team from south Louisiana the first round.

Woodlawn (24-9, 8-3) is coming off a big win over Evangel (44-40) and hosts Minden (5-24, 2-10) with a chance to finish in a tie for second place with Booker T. Washington. The Knights are assured a home playoff game the first round with a ranking of 9.

Bossier finished off its fourth consecutive undefeated district season Tuesday at 8-0 in 1-3A and takes a 23-7 mark to Monroe to face Neville. The Tigers are the District 2-4A champs (4-0) and have an overall record of 24-6. Bossier is ranked No. 2 in Class 3A while Neville is No. 6 in 4A.

Another non-district game has Northwood (14-15) playing at Plain Dealing (4-18). The Falcons are clinging on to a shot at the playoffs with a ranking of 32 which is the last spot on the bracket.

Photo by JOHN JAMES MARSHALL

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By ROY LANG III, Journal Sports

As this weekend’s three-game series at Wichita Falls inched closer, Shreveport Mudbugs head coach Jason Campbell knew his workhorse goaltender, Devin Bobak, was going to get a break. However, he didn’t envision a break coming earlier.

However, after Bobak allowed four goals in the first 40 minutes at Lone Star on Saturday, Simon Bucheler – who hadn’t played since Jan. 7 – got the nod to finish things up. Although the Mudbugs lost the game, 5-2, rust be damned, Bucheler blanked the Brahmas and stopped the 11 shots he faced in the final 20 minutes.

With the Mudbugs set to face one of the league’s hottest teams, and the squad in the fourth and final playoff position in the North American Hockey League’s South Division, Campbell has a more complex situation.

“It’s a hard decision,” Campbell told The Journal. “It’s pretty clear one (goaltender) isn’t going to play all three games.

Ride Bucheler’s hot hand in Friday’s opener? Go immediately back to Bobak, who has started 20 of the past 21 games, is the reigning NAHL Player of the Month and is tied for most shutouts (five) in the league?

Bucheler posted a 3-5-1 mark over the first two months of the season before Bobak secured his position as the No. 1.

“I’ll talk with (goaltenders) coach Rich (Parent) and come up with a game plan,” Campbell said.

Sunday’s game replaces one of those cancelled during the scheduled Oct. 22-23 series at Wichita Falls. The Mudbugs will travel to Wichita Falls for a single game March 23 to complete the season series.

No matter which netminder gets the nod during games this weekend, Shreveport needs their best. The Mudbugs enter the weekend in sixth place, six points off the Warriors’ playoff pace. Wichita Falls’ five-game win streak is currently the third longest in the league.

“(Wichita Falls) just had a slow start,” Campbell said. “Coming into the season, I thought they’d be really good. And here they are. They are pretty hot. It’s going to be a real tough challenge.”

Mudbugs at Wichita Falls

Friday (7:05 p.m.), Saturday (7:05 p.m.) and Sunday (6 p.m.)
Kay Yeager Coliseum, Wichita Falls, Texas

Season series, tied 2-2

Dec. 16, Mudbugs, 4-1 (George’s Pond)
Dec. 17, Mudbugs, 4-2 (George’s Pond)
Jan. 7, Warriors, 5-3 (George’s Pond)
Jan. 8, Warriors, 2-0 (George’s Pond)

Missing pieces

Campbell believes captain Garrett Steele and forward Niklas Miller will miss Friday’s game and could miss the entire weekend.

Photo by CHRISTI LANG

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By JERRY BYRD JR., Journal Sports

It’s not really fair to compare any distance runner to one of America’s legendary running figures, early 1970s superstar Steve Prefontaine. Not fair at all, especially for a kid from Benton, Louisiana. But you can’t overlook some common traits.

Benton’s Mason Haley looks the part. Mullet? Check. Mustache? Check.

It’s not just his appearance. Any wannabe can play dress up. Haley possesses the “I’m going to break your spirit” mindset that was standard for Pre, whose life story as a global sensation inspired two movies.

To Haley’s coaches, he is a great kid, a coachable kid, and a fierce competitor.

“You ask him to do something, and he is going to do it exactly like you ask him,” Benton head cross country coach Bryson Matthews said.

“There is nobody at practice who can run with him,” said Benton head coach Scott Reeder. “He has to go out every day at practice and do it on his own. He is just a great kid.”

Reeder regrets not putting Haley in the 1600 and 3200 meter races last spring. Instead, Haley was the District 1-5A champion in the 800 meters (2:02.32).

“We had a couple really good distance runners last year, so I just found a home with the 800,” Haley said.

One of those runners was Jacob Marcinkus, who continued his career by signing with UL Lafayette. Haley will be following Marcinkus’ path when he signs with the Ragin’ Cajuns on Tuesday.

It won’t be the first time Haley has followed Marcinkus’s lead.

“I got the bandanna from him,” Haley said. “The mustache? That’s all me. I like to stand out.”

He also has control issues. That’s why you’ll see the Benton Tiger usually on the lead in the opening laps.

It happened in his last time out. He wasn’t able to hold off the competition.

He is hoping that isn’t a problem when he takes the track on Saturday at the LHSAA State Indoor Meet in LSU’s Carl Maddox Field House.

While he is not a favorite, he not far off. Haley goes into the state meet ranked No. 6 in the 1600 meters (4:30.59) and No. 5 in the 3200 meters (9:48.23).

“I like being the underdog,” Haley said. “I like proving my doubters wrong.”

A front runner who wants to break the will of his opponent and runs with a chip on his shoulder? Sounds like a kid from Coos Bay, Oregon, who ultimately captivated the entire track and field world.

Pre!

The similarities are uncanny.

Photo by KYLE VALDEZ, Milesplit

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JOURNAL STAFF

EL PASO – Junior guard Keiunna Walker poured in a career-best 32 points Thursday night as Louisiana Tech thrashed UTEP 77-60 in a Conference USA women’s basketball contest.

The Lady Techsters (15-8, 7-6) moved a half-game behind Southern Miss for the C-USA West Division lead after Anna Larr Roberson contributed 18 points and 11 rebounds, the eighth double-double of the season for the Cedar Creek High product.

UTEP (13-11, 5-9) trailed by only 32-28 at the half, but an 11-2 third-quarter run by Tech created separation and the visitors widened the gap to 22 points in the final quarter. The Techsters hit 51 percent from the floor and sank 20 of 23 free throws while forcing 33 turnovers, a season high.

Tech won for the seventh time in its last nine league games.

MEN

LSUS 91, JARVIS CHRISTIAN 65: At the Dock for the first time in three weeks, the Pilots posted their third straight Red River Athletic Conference win. LSUS (18-7, 11-2) got 21 points off the bench from Kevin Norman, while Jeff Boyd scored 20, Leondre Washington 18 and Akeem White notched 16 points and 14 rebounds. The visitors dropped to 6-16, 2-12.

UTEP 63, LOUISIANA TECH 60: In Ruston, the Miners (15-10, 8-5) pulled a mild Conference USA surprise as the Bulldogs (18-7, 9-4) shot a season-low 34 percent from the floor, missed 14 free throws and made 16 turnovers while posting a season scoring low. The game had 14 lead changes, the last in a 9-0 UTEP burst after Tech moved up 53-49 with three minutes to go. Cobe Williams scored 19 to pace the ‘Dogs, with Kenneth Lofton Jr. posting 12 points and 16 rebounds.

NORTHWESTERN STATE 88, INCARNATE WORD 64: A 27-6 outburst over the first 11 minutes after halftime blew open a tight Southland Conference contest in San Antonio as Captain Shreve product Kendal Coleman posted 20 points and 10 rebounds for the Demons (8-19, 4-6). UIW (5-22, 1-9) made only 2 of its first 18 shots after halftime. NSU sank 58 percent overall and outrebounded the Cardinals by 11.

UL LAFAYETTE 78, ULM 77: In Monroe, ULM overcame 19 unanswered first-half points by the Ragin’ Cajuns and led 77-75 with 49 seconds left, but lost on a Kobe Julien free throw with two seconds to go. ULL (11-13, 6-8) tied it at 77 on a pair of free throws by 26-point scorer Jordan Brown at the 0:37 mark, then the Warhawks (13-14, 5-10) failed to score on their next possession. Andre Jones produced 26 points, his fifth straight 20-point total, on 11 of 16 shooting for ULM, and snagged 9 rebounds.

WOMEN

LSUS 84, JARVIS CHRISTIAN 57: The Lady Pilots enjoyed their return home to the Dock, setting a single-game school record with 11 blocked shots. Chelsea White had 6 of the rejections and topped LSUS with 19 points and 11 rebounds as the visitors (4-14, 3-11) were stymied all night.

INCARNATE WORD 67, NORTHWESTERN STATE 60 (OT): In San Antonio, the Lady Demons led most of the night but UIW surged with 10 straight points in the late stages of overtime. NSU (10-11, 3-7 Southland) was outrebounded 55-38, allowing 14 second-chance points off the offensive boards, and gave up 17 points on turnovers. UIW (8-13, 4-6) got 28 points from Jaaucklyn Moore. Candice Parramore’s 13 points led Northwestern. The teams combined for only 14 points in the third quarter and just 19 in the fourth.

Photo by KYLE KAVANAUGH

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Friday

High School Basketball (boys)

Airline at Benton
Byrd at Southwood
Captain Shreve at Haughton
Parkway at Natchitoches Central
North DeSoto at Huntington
Minden at Woodlawn
Bossier at Neville
Northwood at Plain Dealing

High School Softball

Minden at Byrd
Calvary at Sam Houston
Plain Dealing at Bossier
North Caddo at Stanley

College Baseball

LSUS at Texas A&M-Texarkana, 2 p.m.
Wichita St. at Louisiana Tech, 6 p.m.
Southern Illinois at La-Monroe, 6 p.m.
Stephen F. Austin at Northwestern St., 6:30 p.m.
Maine at LSU, 6:30 p.m.
Grambling St. vs. Jackson St., at New Orleans, 7 p.m.

College Basketball

Centenary men at Southwestern (Texas), 5:30 p.m.
Centenary women at Southwestern (Texas), 7:30 p.m.

College Softball

Houston Baptist vs. ULM, at Hattiesburg, Miss., 10 a.m.
Tennessee Tech vs. Northwestern St., at Chattanooga, Tenn., 2 p.m.
Northwestern St. at Chattanooga, Tenn., 4:30 p.m.

Saturday

College Basketball

Northwestern St. women at Texas A&M-CC, 1 p.m.
LSUS women at Texas College, 2 p.m.
Louisiana Tech women at UTSA, 2 p.m.
Kilgore at Bossier Parish women, 2 p.m.
Centenary men at Texas Lutheran, 2 p.m.
LSU men at South Carolina, 2:30 p.m.
LSUS men at Texas College, 4 p.m.
Bossier Parish men at Navarro, 4 p.m.
Centenary women at Texas Lutheran, 4 p.m.
Northwestern St. men at Texas A&M-CC, 5 p.m.
UTSA at Louisiana Tech men, 6 p.m.
La-Monroe at La-Lafayette, 7 p.m.

College Baseball

LSUS at Texas A&M-Texarkana, DH, noon
Bossier Parish at Tyler JC, DH, 1 p.m.
Maine at LSU, 1:30 p.m.
Stephen F. Austin at Northwestern St., 2 p.m.
Wichita St. at Louisiana Tech, 2 p.m.
Grambling St. at New Orleans, 4 p.m.
Southern Illinois at La-Monroe, 6 p.m.

College Softball

Tulsa at Louisiana Tech, 10 a.m.
Sam Houston at Louisiana Tech, 12:30 p.m.
Northwestern St. vs. Purdue-Fort Wayne, at Chattanooga, Tenn., 11 a.m.
Centenary vs. Hendrix, at Conway, Ark., 11 a.m.
Northwestern St. vs. SIUE, at Chattanooga, Tenn., 2 p.m.
Alvin CC at Bossier Parish, DH, 3 p.m.
Centenary vs. Westminster (Mo.), at Conway, Ark., 4 p.m.
Jacksonville St. vs. ULM, at Hattiesburg, Miss., DH, 4:30 p.m.

Sunday

College Basketball

Florida at LSU women, 3 p.m.

College Baseball

Maine at LSU, 1 p.m.
Stephen F. Austin at Northwestern St., 1 p.m.
Wichita St. at Louisiana Tech, 1 p.m.
Southern Illinois at La-Monroe, 1 p.m.
Grambling St. vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff, at New Orleans, 3 p.m.

College Softball

Centenary vs. Westminster (Mo.), at Conway, Ark., 11 a.m.
Miss. Valley vs. ULM, at Hattiesburg, Miss., 11 a.m.
Tulsa at Louisiana Tech, 12:30 p.m.
Sam Houston at Louisiana Tech, 3 p.m.
Centenary vs. Hendrix, at Conway, Ark., 4 p.m.
ULM at Southern Miss, at Hattiesburg, Miss., 2 p.m.

Note: The above schedule is subject to cancellations or reschedule

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Bossier Parish

Larry Baker House
September 26, 1946 – February 13, 2022
Services: 4:00 pm Saturday, February 19, 2022, at The Stable at 2195 Swan Lake Rd in Bossier City

James Tillon Parker, Sr.
May 19, 1929 – January 20, 2022
Visitation: Saturday, February 19, 2022 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. prior to the service
Services:  Saturday, February 19, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2500 Southside Dr., Shreveport

Loy Beene Moore
July 2, 1937 – February 10, 2022
Services:  First United Methodist Church Bossier City, 201 John Wesley Boulevard, Bossier City, LA at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, February 18, 2022

Daniel “Danny” P Bell
April 13, 1948 – February 9, 2022
Services:  2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 19, 2022 at Cypress Baptist Church, 4701 Palmetto Road, Benton

Loy Beene Moore
July 2, 1937 – February 10, 202
Services:  First United Methodist Church Bossier City, 201 John Wesley Boulevard, Bossier City, LA at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, February 18, 2022

Caddo Parish

Velma Dean Johnson
June 12, 1934 – February 11, 2022
Services: Friday, February 18, 2022 12:00 PM Paradise Baptist Church 1706 Hollywood Ave. Shreveport

Erick Demone McCarter
May 3, 1971 – February 9, 2022
Visitation:  1pm to 8pm Friday Night at Good Samaritan
Services:  Saturday, February 19, 2022, 11am in the Chapel of Good Samaritan Funeral Home

Fannie Lee Williams
December 18, 1934 ~ February 15, 2022
Visitation:  Friday February 18, 2022 11:00 PM to 5:00 PM Heavenly Gates, 1339 Jewell St. Shreveport
Services:  Saturday February 19, 2022 2:00 PM Lincoln Memorial Cemetery 6915 W 70TH ST
SHREVEPORT

Ronnie Simmons
November 3, 1949 ~ February 10, 2022
Visitation:  Friday February 18, 2022 11:00 PM to 5:00 PM Heavenly Gates, 1339 Jewell St. Shreveport
Services:  Saturday February 19, 2022 1:00 PM Lincoln Memorial Cemetery 6915 W 70TH ST
SHREVEPORT

John White, Jr.
September 7, 1949 ~ February 11, 2022
Visitation:  Friday February 18, 2022 11:00 PM to 6:00 PM Heavenly Gates, 1339 Jewell St. Shreveport
Services:  Saturday February 19, 2022 11:00 AM Mt. Bethel MBC #1 12535 Mansfield Rd Keithville

Alice Jackson
February 7, 1929 ~ February 11, 2022
Visitation:  Friday February 18, 2022 11:00 PM to 5:00 PM Heavenly Gates, 1339 Jewell St. Shreveport
Services:  Saturday February 19, 2022 11:00 AM Galilee Baptist Church Colquit Rd Keithville

Cora Yvonne Thomas
August 10, 1936 ~ February 11, 2022
Visitation:  Friday February 18, 2022 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM Winnfield Funeral Home – Shreveport
3701 Hollywood Avenue
Services:  Saturday February 19, 2022 11:00 AM Fairview Baptist Church 3567 Fairview Park Rd
Elm Grove

Charlsie Ford DePingre
February 9, 1939 – February 15, 2022
Visitation:  Friday, February 18, 2022 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2500 Southside Dr from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m
Services:  Thursday, February 24, 2022 at the Northwest Louisiana Veterans Memorial Cemetery at 2:00 p.m.

James H. Wynne, III
May 7, 1945 – February 15, 2022
Visitation:  Sunday at the funeral home from 12:00 p.m. until service time.
Services:  Sunday, February 20, 2022 at 12:30 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2500 Southside Dr., Shreveport

Dr. Milton Charles Chapman
September 26, 1929 – February 12, 2022
Visitation: Saturday, February 19, 2022 beginning at 10:00 a.m. at Broadmoor United Methodist Church, 3715 Youree Dr, Shreveport
Services:  11:00 a.m. following visitation

Terence Tyone Carthren
November 17, 1972 – February 9, 2022
Visitation:  1pm to 8pm Friday Night at Good Samaritan
Services:  Saturday, February 19, 2022, 3pm in the Chapel of Good Samaritan Funeral Home

Rosie Walker Coleman-Crawford
November 15, 1946 – February 10, 2022
Visitation: 1pm to 8pm Friday Night at Good Samaritan Funeral Home
Services: Saturday, February 19, 2022 11:00 AM New Life Missionary Baptist Church 1870 Jewella Ave
Shreveport

Patricia Ann Diggs
November 10, 1954 – February 6, 2022
Visitation: 1pm to 8pm Friday Night at Good Samaritan Funeral Home. 
Services: Saturday, February 19, 2022 11:00 AM Faith Lutheran Church 4175 Lakeshore Drive Shreveport

Shaundowain Markqee Whitehead
June 7, 1994 – February 7, 2022
Visitation: 1pm to 8pm Friday Night at Good Samaritan
Services:  Saturday, February 19, 2022, 1pm in the Chapel of Good Samaritan Funeral Home

Betty Ruth Corley
July 20, 1933 – February 13, 2022
Services:  Friday, February 18, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at Gray Cemetery, 150 FM 727 in Gray, Texas

Joyce Raylene Hays
December 17, 1942 – February 12, 2022
Services:  Friday, February 18, 2022 at Forest Park West Cemetery, 4000 Meriwether Rd., Shreveport, Louisiana at 10:00 a.m.

Jeffrey Lee Homan
October 12, 1954 – February 12, 2022
Visitation:  prior to the service from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Services:  3:00 p.m., Saturday, February 19, 2022, at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 1815 Marshall Street
Shreveport

Robert Wayne Parker
July 1, 1970 – January 26, 2022
Visitation: Saturday, February 19, 2022 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. prior to the service
Services:  Saturday, February 19, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2500 Southside Dr., Shreveport

Michael Johnson
September 24, 1986 ~ February 1, 2022
Visitation:  11 to 5 p.m., Friday at Heavenly Gates
Services:  1 p.m., Saturday, February 19, 2022 in the Chapel of Heavenly Gates

Rosemary Glass
July 14, 1966 ~ January 31, 2022
Visitation:  11 to 5 p.m. Friday at Heavenly Gates.
Services:  Saturday February 19, 2022 1:00 PM Lincoln Memorial Cemetery 6915 W 70TH ST
SHREVEPORT

Dorothy Fortune
April 8, 1941 ~ February 10, 2022
Visitation:  11 to 5 p.m., Friday at Heavenly Gates.
Services:  Saturday February 19, 2022 11:00 AM Heavenly Gates, 1339 Jewell St. Shreveport

Willie Lee Sharp
March 7, 1942 ~ February 9, 2022
Visitation:  11 to 5 p.m., Friday at Heavenly Gates
Services:  11 a.m., Saturday, February 19, 2022 at Lincoln Cemetery

Bobbie B. Corner
May 9, 1939 ~ February 8, 2022
Visitation:  11 to 8 p.m. Friday at Bethlehem
Services:  11 am., Saturday, February 19, 2022 at Bethlehem B.C. 

Kelvin O Jackson
September 7, 1958 ~ February 10, 2022
Services:  Friday February 18, 2022 2:00 PM Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery 7970 Mike Clark Road
Keithville

Bettie McMillian
March 22, 1946 ~ February 9, 2022
Visitation:  Friday February 18, 2022 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM Winnfield Funeral Home – Shreveport 3701 Hollywood Avenue
Services:  Saturday February 19, 2022 10:00 AM Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery 6915 W. 70th Street
Shreveport

George Green, Jr.
August 5, 1965 ~ February 9, 2022
Services:  Friday February 18, 2022 11:00 AM Winnfield Funeral Home – Shreveport 3701 Hollywood Avenue

Ronald “Ron” Coleman
May 7, 1946 – February 12, 2022
Services:  Friday, February 18, 2022, at 12:00 p.m. at Shreveport Community Church at the Rodney Duron Chapel, 5720 Buncombe Rd., Shreveport

Teresa Hall Hamm
November 3, 1979 ~ February 7, 2022
Visitation:  Friday February 18, 2022 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM Winnfield Funeral Home – Shreveport
3701 Hollywood Avenue
Services: Saturday February 19, 2022 1:00 PM Bethlehem Baptist Church #2 5697 LA-5 Gloster

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By J.J. MARSHALL JR., Journal Sports

Kenny Hunter is a role model. The former Huntington standout was the top-rated recruit in Shreveport for his class and committed to Louisiana Tech early in his recruitment process.

After a year learning the ropes of D-1 basketball from the bench, he’s become a lynchpin of the second unit for Tech following the early season-ending injury of preseason All-Conference star Isaiah Crawford.

Hunter and the Bulldogs tip off a two-game homestand tonight in Ruston at the Thomas Assembly Center with a 6:30 matchup against UTEP; Saturday’s UTSA game is at 6 p.m.

“Since Isaiah went down, we really had to come together more as a team,” Hunter said. “He made a lot of things easier for us on the floor. We had to find a different way, we had to become even closer.”

His impact isn’t always necessarily felt in the box score. Hunter has found the key to success quicker than most athletes: know your role and be a good influence.

“It was a humbling experience coming from my time in high school, where I’d never come out of the game and had started since I was a sophomore,” Hunter said. “When I came to Tech, I really had to work for what I got.”

It helps that coach Eric Konkol has built such a stable program at Tech. Hunter valued learning through osmosis. Being around great players showed him the right way to approach the game.

“To play with so many other great players, I just got to sit back and learn my first year,” Hunter said. “Then, I worked my butt off when the summer came.”

Former team captain JaColby Pemberton took Hunter under his wing and showed him the way. That first year for high school studs entering college and adjusting to a lack of playing time can be a make-or-break juncture in their careers.

“JaColby told me to just keep working,” Hunter said. “It can be frustrating, but he told me that my time was coming and I had to be ready. He told me that everyone gets their shot.”

Hunter’s lack of insecurity is not an act, something clear after only a few conversations with the 6-10, 235-pound 4A All-State and All-City big man. He is quick to praise his peers, he loves to hoop, and he just wants to win. He’s the ideal teammate for this Tech team, and fitting into the team the way he has should set him up for great success as his career continues.

“I had to find a way to stand out, do something special,” Hunter said. “So I knew that my rebounding helped me; it’s something I do that makes me stick out. Playing hard on the defensive end helps fuel my game, and that can turn into offense for me.”

Tech hopes to break through into the NCAA Tournament this season. With an All-American stud like Kenny Lofton Jr. at the helm, quality coaching and a capable, deep roster, the Bulldogs currently sit at 18-6 (9-3), good for third in Conference-USA West, two games back of leader North Texas. The Bulldogs are in the top 90 for RPI with six games left to go as they work to position themselves for a postseason bid. It’s been a successful season, without a doubt — the sort of culture-defining set of circumstances that propels programs into the next echelon.

Fans focus on Lofton, but the dirty work is often performed by guys like Hunter.

“I do whatever the team needs me to do: rebound, block shots, finish plays,” Hunter said. “Whatever it takes, whatever I need to do to get on the floor, I’ll do it.”

Good advice to any high school player who wants to play at the next level?: Just watch Kenny. He fights. He rebounds. He laughs and smiles when he’s on the court. His personality is infectious.

He waited for his chance. He didn’t bolt for the transfer portal at the first sign of struggle. He is a kid of his word, and it shows.

“I’m learning a lot from (Lofton) about the keys to being a great post player,” Hunter said. “I’m learning footwork from him. Taking moves from his game helps me a lot. But right now, I’m a role player; that’s my job.

“I’m going to come in, give great energy, and do whatever it takes to help us win,” said Hunter, defining his role. “I don’t care about points right now. Even if I’m just setting screens to get someone else open, that’s a win for me. I just want to be a difference maker.”

 Photo by DARRELL JAMES

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By ROY LANG III, Journal Sports

For decades, Northwest Louisiana has stocked the NFL with talent, including plenty of superstars. The Los Angeles Rams’ victory against Cincinnati in Super Bowl LVI on Sunday made one Shreveporter, former Fair Park star Robert Rochell, a world champion.

Incredibly, Rochell is just one of 16 locals on NFL rosters during the 2021 season. For reference, an area the size of Dallas would have to boast more than 200 NFL players to match the per capita production of this area. Los Angeles County would have to provide more than 400 players.

Is this the best era for locals in the NFL? That’s fodder for another time, but over the next two days, we take a look at how our current NFLers (in alphabetical order) fared in 2021, and we peer into their 2022 contract situations.

Up first, the eight locals who play in the NFC.

Henry Black, Green Bay (25 years old, DB, Woodlawn)

Played in all 17 games for the Packers this season. Recorded two passes defended, one interception and a forced fumble. Just completed a two-year, $1.39 million contract and is now an exclusive rights free agent (ERFA). That is used for a player with fewer than three accrued seasons and an expired contract. If his original team offers him a one-year contract at the league minimum (based on his credited seasons), the player cannot negotiate with other teams.

Terrace Marshall Jr., Carolina (21, WR, Parkway)

Second-round pick by Panthers played 13 games as a rookie and hauled in 17 passes for 138 yards. Season ended with a foot injury. Expect to see an expanded role as TMJ enters second year of his rookie contract – four years, $5.729 million.

Israel Mukuamu, Dallas (22, S, Parkway)

Played four games for Cowboys as a rookie after he was selected in the sixth round. Missed the postseason game with a hamstring injury. Enters second year of four-year, $3.61 million contract.

Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys (28, QB, Haughton)

Recovered from a devastating injury in 2020 and posted a career-high 37 touchdown passes in 2021. The Cowboys’ offense led the NFL in points, but Dallas was bounced in the first round of the playoffs. This capped the first segment of his four-year, $160 million contract.

Robert Rochell, Los Angeles Rams (23, DB, Fair Park)

The rookie played 11 games (started five) for the Rams and collected one interception before he found himself on injured reserve. The fourth-round pick will enter the second year of his four-year, $4.17 million deal.

Devin White, Tampa Bay (23, LB, North Webster)

Played every game this season (first time in his career) for the Buccaneers. The former first-rounder collected 3.5 sacks and amassed 128 tackles en route to the Pro Bowl. He enters the final season of his rookie contract – four-years, $29.315 million — and the Bucs have until May 2 to decide whether they will pick up White’s fifth-year option (would be worth about $11 million in 2023).

Rodarius Williams, New York Giants (25, DB, Calvary)

After he was drafted by the Giants in the sixth round, “LeeLee” played five games for the G-Men in 2021. However, his season came to an end when he tore an ACL against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 5. Enters Year 2 of a four-year, $3.653 million contract.

Donovan Wilson, Dallas Cowboys (26, S, Woodlawn)

Injury-plagued campaign caused Wilson to play in just nine games (three starts) in 2021. Drafted by the Cowboys in the sixth round in 2019. He’ll play the final season of a four-year, $2.657 million contract.

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The message simply said: “Tell her the band is getting back together.” Pun intended, it was music to my ears.

I joined the band back in 1987. Well, not really joined the band. To be truthful, the sports editor at the Shreveport Journal was told by editor Stan Tiner to “take this girl back to sports and give her something to do.” Actually, I was thrown into the band, without the musicians taking a vote.

“This girl” had just moved back from Dallas after spending my first five post-college graduation years working in the big city. I was glad to be back home but had no idea what I would do for a living.

So, on a whim, I typed up my bleak resume (on an actual typewriter) and went downtown to Tiner’s office. He had known my mom, who’d passed away a couple of years before, so I gave it a shot.

The “resume” was sparse: college graduate, former college athlete, degree in journalism, looking for a job. I’d like to think it was one of those accomplishments that caught the editor’s eye. I’m sure, however, the fact that Stan was a friend of my mom’s had more to do with it. Whatever the reason, Sports Editor Nico Van Thyn walked me back to the far, back left corner of the Shreveport Journal open newsroom and introduced me to “the band.”

Turns out Gary West, the paper’s Louisiana Downs beat writer, had left so, technically, there was an opening in sports. Or suffice it to say, an empty desk.

Over my stint at the Shreveport Journal, I shared the stage with Nico, (big) Jerry Byrd, John James Marshall, Teddy Allen, Scott Ferrell, and a few more who came and went. But, for me, the guys mentioned made up the original band.

Nico gave me something to do, for sure, starting with typing scores in the agate page and taking phone calls. Then came my first assignment covering high school football. After that, I was given the opportunity to write about high school basketball, softball, soccer, college basketball, some NFL games and even a Super Bowl, to name only a few assignments.

There were triathlons, tractor pulls, columns, local tennis and golf tournaments, all-nighters putting the sports pages together, traveling together to cover games. There were feature stories on swimmers, coaches, rugby players. Relationships were forged with media colleagues all over the state – Doug Ireland at NSU, TV guys Ed Baswell, Tony Taglavore, Tim Fletcher, Bob Griffin…

Like all good things that must come to an end, the original band broke up when owner Charles Beaird announced the Journal would cease operations on March 20, 1991. Declining circulation and critical advertising revenues were cited as reasons. Truth was, people were not subscribing to afternoon newspapers anymore.

Lucky for some of us, we were hired on at The Times. New bandmates included Kent Heitholt, Lee Hiller, (good old friend) Russell Hedges. Just some more guys who took me under their wings and not only taught me what it meant to be a sportswriter, but also showed me that the old adage was true: “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”

Unfortunately, my time at the morning newspaper was brief. Family duties called me back to Dallas and, upon my return five years later, things had changed. Scott and I got married and were blessed with a beautiful daughter, McAuley. Here’s another lesson I learned from one of my bandmates: Scott taught me that parents who are no longer married can not only get along but, with help from family, can also raise an incredible child together and remain close friends.

After a few years as editor of The Forum, I decided I wanted to get my teaching certificate. To be honest, I wanted a job where I would be on the same schedule as my daughter (holidays and summers off). So, for the past 20 years, I have been teaching school – third graders, fifth graders, ninth graders.

So, while I enjoy teaching, I’ve missed my writing days. I’ve missed the band. I’m back.

And the beat goes on…

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Boys   Basketball
DISTRICT 1-5A	Dist.	All
Captain Shreve (8)	12-1	24-5
Natchitoches (7)	10-3	21-6
Airline (18)	9-4	15-9
Southwood (23)	8-5	15-16
Byrd (Div. 1 – 9)	5-8	13-13
Benton (39)	4-9	11-22
Haughton (37)	3-10	15-14
Parkway (45)	1-12	6-19
DISTRICT 1-4A	Dist.	All
Huntington (5)	10-1	18-5
BTW (12)	9-3	21-8
Woodlawn (9)	8-3	24-9
Evangel (Div. II – 6)	7-4	18-8
Northwood (32)	4-8	14-15
Minden (41)	2-10	5-24
North DeSoto (49)	0-11	3-19
DISTRICT 1-3A	Dist.	All
Bossier (2)	8-0	23-7
Mansfield (22)	4-3	11-10
Green Oaks (29)	3-4	10-17
Loyola (Div. II – 15)	4-4	12-17
North Webster (44)	0-8	7-21
DISTRICT 1-2A	Dist.	All
J-Hodge (7)	5-1	17-5
North Caddo (26)	5-1	12-14
Lakeside   (52)	2-4	2-20
D’Arbonne Woods (42)	0-6	9-15
District   1-1A	Dist.	All
Calvary   (Div IV – 3)	7-0	21-7
Lincoln   Prep (4)	6-1	21-9
Arcadia   (11)	5-3	9-16
Ringgold   (12)	4-3	12-17
Homer   (13)	3-5	6-11
Plain   Dealing (25)	3-5	4-18
Glenbrook   (Div IV – 23)	1-6	6-13
Haynesville   (30)	1-7	2-17
Magnolia   (22)	0-0	1-13
Magnolia   has cancelled rest of season

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JOURNAL STAFF

Loyola used a second-half rally to claim a 53-45 non-district win at Red River Wednesday night.

The Flyers and Bulldogs battled through a sloppy first half with the two teams combining to score 36 points as Red River took a 23-13 lead into the locker room at the break.

Jacob Lafitte hit his stride for Loyola in the third quarter, scoring eight of his 15 point,s and the Flyers limited the Bulldogs to just two points to take a 29-25 lead into the final period.

Cage Van Norman scored all 9 of his points for Loyola in the fourth quarter and the Flyers hit on 12 of 14 free throws to hold off a Bulldog push, outscoring the hosts 24-20.

“It was a great comeback,” Loyola coach Ben Schonfarber said. “It was a big win for us. We’ve won three straight now. Our guys played well inside, and they hit from outside, and that brought the victory.”

Tray Taylor was also in double-digits for Loyola with 11 points.

Loyola is now 13-17 and will travel to Baton Rouge for the start of the playoffs next week. Schonfarber said he thought they would play either University Lab or Liberty.

For Red River (14-14) A. Williams scored all 12 of the Bulldogs points in the first quarter and finished with 23. Devin McDonald scored 11 with 8 of those coming in the fourth quarter.

GIRLS

Loyola had a tough time getting on track in its Division II first round playoff game in New Orleans as Ursuline prevailed 53-34.

The fifth-seeded Lions led 22-14 at the half and outscored the Flyers 14-2 in the third quarter to take control of the game.

Loyola, the 12 seed, was led in scoring by Genevieve Carmody with 11 points and Tiffany Siharath and Kate Fortune both tossed in 8 points. The Flyers finished their season with a 15-14 record.

Photo by JOHN BREWER

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If ever there was a creature on God’s green earth that runs the gauntlet from good to bad to ugly, it has to be the vulture, or what most of us call the buzzard.

First, the good. I have enjoyed sitting in my warm, cozy home on a cold, windy day and watching buzzards seemingly having the time of their lives. If you haven’t done so lately, sit and watch how graceful these big birds are riding the wind currents, drifting so eloquently with the breeze. Effortlessly drifting with the wind, a sudden change in altitude and direction seems second nature for these majestic birds. They are fun to watch in midair.

Buzzards are also known for cleaning up road kill and carcasses of dead animals. They provide us a service in doing this because nobody wants to have to endure the stink of something dead rotting away of its own accord. Buzzards not only enjoy the feast but when several are gathered, a carcass can be quickly reduced to bare bones.

In our part of the world, the largest buzzard is the turkey vulture. With a wing span of near six feet, the bald head and reddish face is characteristic. The flight of the turkey vulture is more graceful than that of its cousin, the black vulture, which is easily recognized not only in its smaller size but when you watch one fly, wing beats are more rapid and the tail is shorter than the turkey vulture.

Both species are known for excellent eyesight with an uncanny sense of smell. This brings to mind when once I brought home a sack full of collard greens and my wife insisted that I cook them outside, so I set up my cooker on the driveway a few feet from the house.

As the greens began cooking with steam rising, I noticed moving shadows along and over the driveway. Half a dozen buzzards were circling overhead, apparently mistaking the aroma of my collard greens for a road-killed possum. Pointing out this interesting activity to my wife, she opted for a sandwich for lunch.

Now, for the bad. Buzzards seek out sheltered areas for nesting, primarily hollow logs or cavities. They also love to nest in vacated deer stands when the unthinking hunter leaves a window open on his box stand after season ends.

Before season opened one year, I went out to check my stand, one in which I had carelessly neglected to secure a window, and I don’t have to tell you what I found. Although my sense of smell is not as acute as that of a buzzard, I began picking up unsavory whiffs of stink before I got to the stand.

Fearing the worse, I climbed the ladder and opened the door and to make a long, stinky story short, the mess that a nest of buzzards had left in the stand meant a cleaning job I never want to repeat.

Now let’s talk about the ugly. As graceful as buzzards are when they are airborne, getting a close-up view of a buzzard withdrawing his head from the inner portions of a three-day-old road killed deer is a sight you hope doesn’t catch your children’s attention. Bald, reddish with a beak designed for doing what it does, that’s a sight you’d like to avoid, or at least soon forget.

I learned another interesting fact about buzzards. Groups of different species of animals and birds are given names. A flock of geese, a herd of elephants, a sounder of feral pigs, for example.

With the current political climate being what it is, it may be a somewhat appropriate name for a bunch of buzzards. Whoever came up with their name years ago was a visionary. They are called a “committee” – a committee of buzzards.

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College Basketball

Men

LSU 84, Georgia 65
Trinity Valley 79, BPCC 77

College Softball

Grambling St. 19-8, Texas College 0-0
Northwestern St. 3, Louisiana Tech 2

High School Basketball

Girls Division II First round playoffs

Ursuline Academy 53, Loyola 34

Boys

Loyola 53, Red River 45

High School Softball

Captain Shreve 15, Evangel 8

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JOURNAL STAFF

BATON ROUGE – LSU scored 17 unanswered points late in the first half Wednesday night and pounded Southeastern Conference basketball cellar-dweller Georgia 84-65 as the Tigers won their third straight.

Tari Eason provided a team-best 21 points and nine rebounds for LSU (19-7, 7-6), which got 15 points and 12 boards by Darius Days, and 15 points from Brandon Murray. Georgia (6-21, 1-13) suffered 26 turnovers turned into 31 points by LSU, which nabbed 16 steals.

Point guard Xavier Pinson issued a career-best 10 assists for the Tigers.

TRINITY VALLEY 79, BOSSIER PARISH 77: Quevian Adger’s put-back dunk with 2.2 seconds left was the final margin as the Cardinals came away with the Region XIV win to snap a six-game losing skid. TVCC called time out with 15.4 seconds left to set up a Jakevion Buckley 1-on-1 matchup. Buckley’s driving attempt was off the mark but Adger was there in front of the rim for the put-back. Jaeden Marshall led BPCC (14-11, 8-8) with 26 points and Derick Hamilton added 18 in the paint. Buckley topped TVCC (11-14, 6-10) with 26 points and 9 assists.

SOFTBALL

NORTHWESTERN STATE 3, LOUISIANA TECH 2: In Ruston, Lady Demon pitchers scattered three hits and struck out 12 Techsters to ruin the homefield debut of first-year coach Josh Taylor. NSU (4-1) got a strong start by freshman Sage Hoover, who fanned nine in five innings, and an impressive two-inning save by Kenzie Seely, who didn’t give up a hit while recording the final six outs. Tech (4-2) got the leadoff runner on in the bottom of the seventh at Dr. Billy Bundrick Field, but lined into a game-ending double play.

GRAMBLING 19-8, TEXAS COLLEGE 0-0: In Tyler, the Lady Tigers slugged to a dominating sweep, upping their record to 5-2. It came on the heels of a 17-2 pounding of Jackson State in a tournament on Sunday.

Photo courtesy LSU ATHLETICS

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Thursday

College Basketball

Jarvis Christian at LSUS women, 5:30
Northwestern St. women at Incarnate Word, 5:30 p.m.
LSU women at Mississippi St., 6 p.m.
UTEP at Louisiana Tech men, 6:30 p.m.
La-Lafayette at La-Monroe men, 6:30 p.m.
Northwestern St. men at Incarnate Word, 7:30 p.m.
Jarvis Christian at LSUS men, 7:30
Louisiana Tech women at UTEP, 8 p.m.

High School Basketball

Girls Playoffs

CLASS 5A

(31) Acadiana (19-14) at (2) Parkway (29-2), 6 p.m.
(22) Mandeville (18-13) at (11) Southwood (22-10), 6 p.m.
(21) West Ouachita (20-10) at (12) Benton (20-11), 6 p.m.
(17) H.L. Bourgeois (16-8) at (16) Airline (22-12), 6 p.m.
(20) Haughton (17-11) at (13) West Jefferson (20-7), 6 p.m.
(26) Captain Shreve (13-16) at (7) Barbe (21-6), 6 p.m.

CLASS 4A

(28) South Terrebonne (13-17) at (5) Huntington (17-6), 6 p.m.
(18) Booker T. Washington (21-12) at (15) Peabody (15-13), 6 p.m.
(19) Northwood (18-13) at (14) Peal River (20-10), 6 p.m.
(25) Woodlawn (15-14) at (8) Salmen (18-9), 6 p.m.

CLASS 3A

(24) Bossier (8-12) at (9) Loranger (18-6), 6 p.m.

CLASS A

(17) Haynesville (9-18) at (16) Plain Dealing (10-17), 6 p.m.

Division I Quarterfinal

(8) Byrd (11-16) at (1) John Curtis (18-5), 5:30 p.m.

High School Softball

Airline at Glenbrook
North Webster at Benton
St. Mary’s at Byrd
Pineville at Calvary
Southwood at Carroll
Wossman at Green Oaks

Friday

High School Basketball (boys)

Airline at Benton
Byrd at Southwood
Captain Shreve at Haughton
Parkway at Natchitoches Central
North DeSoto at Huntington
Minden at Woodlawn
Bossier at Neville
Northwood at Plain Dealing

High School Softball

Minden at Byrd
Calvary at Sam Houston
Plain Dealing at Bossier
North Caddo at Stanley

College Baseball

LSUS at Texas A&M-Texarkana, 2 p.m.
Wichita St. at Louisiana Tech, 6 p.m.
Southern Illinois at La-Monroe, 6 p.m.
Stephen F. Austin at Northwestern St., 6:30 p.m.
Maine at LSU, 6:30 p.m.
Grambling St. vs. Jackson St., at New Orleans, 7 p.m.

College Basketball

Centenary men at Southwestern (Texas), 5:30 p.m.
Centenary women at Southwestern (Texas), 7:30 p.m.

College Softball

Houston Baptist vs. ULM, at Hattiesburg, Miss., 10 a.m.
Tennessee Tech vs. Northwestern St., at Chattanooga, Tenn., 2 p.m.
Northwestern St. at Chattanooga, Tenn., 4:30 p.m.

Note: The above schedule is subject to cancellations or reschedule

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Price: $2 – $10.99

Starting with hot coffees, the baristas at Rhino Coffee can brew up a creamy, rich cup of deliciousness from the daily roasts (all roasted in Shreveport), to Cafe au Lait, Macchiato and an Undertow, which is a layered short vanilla drink made with espresso and half & half.

Try anything hot or iced and don’t forget to check out the wide selection of teas and drinks. How about an Arnold Palmer with housemade lemonade or an Italian Soda with housemade cream soda? The 318 is a local take on an Italian Soda with the sweet bubbles of a Dr. Pepper, raspberry, and a dash of cream. The Bumblebee is the perfect pick-me-up featuring sweet, refreshing hot tea with honey, lemonade and Smith Tea Peppermint Leaves.

Who wants All-Day Breakfast?! Keep it simple with Cinnamon Toast or a freshly baked Rhino Biscuit with egg and cheddar. Go big with a Rhino Burrito with your choice of protein, the delicious Spinach Quiche, or build your own breakfast bowl.

Of course you can never go wrong with the Bagel + Salmon, featuring house smoked salmon on an Everything Bagel topped with dill cream cheese, red onion, capers, and tomato.

Let’s talk about lunch. Lunch features classic wraps and sandwiches with your choice of chicken salad, San Francisco Salmon, Tomato Pesto, Southfield Avocado or BBQ Smoked Chicken. The salads feature mixed greens and spinach as the base with a fresh selection of toppings. Try the Strawberry Spinach Salad with spinach, strawberries, feta cheese, walnuts and balsamic vinaigrette.

There’s also BBQ Chicken or Tomato Pesto Flatbread and a House-Made Hummus Plate with fresh vegetables and pita chips.

How about the flavors for Rhino’s locally roasted coffee??? Praline, Hazelnut, Brown Sugar, Peanut Butter, Raspberry, Lemongrass, Praline, Cola, Toasted Marshmallow, Green Apple, Sweet Lemon, Grapefruit. What flavor combination do you enjoy in your fresh cup of steaming coffee? Whether you’re looking for single origin, decaf, single-serve-sachets, or anything in between, Rhino Coffee has what you need. You can even order a bottle of Cold Brew Concentrate through their website.

Psst! Rhino Coffee also offers a subscription service so you never have to run out of fresh coffee again. Just sign up and have your favorite Rhino Coffee delivered right to your door!

It gets better! Rhino coffee has an Uptown (721 Southfield Road) and Downtown (624 Texas Street) location in Shreveport. These community hubs are great spots to grab a bite to eat, meet with a friend, or just relax and read a good book.

Rhino Coffee wants these cafes to be your go-to place for quality conversation, coffee, and experiences. Both locations are open 7 days a week from 7 am – 6 pm.

Location:
Downtown
624 Texas St.
Shreveport, LA.
Uptown
721 Southfield Rd.
Shreveport, LA.
Hours:
Monday-Sunday; 7a–6p
Menu: Click Here
Call: 318-828-2671

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Fat Calf Brasserie

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Ferrier’s Rollin’ in the Dough

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Herby K’s

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Ki’ Mexico

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Lowder Baking & Doc’s Sandwich Shop

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Rhino Coffee

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Other Options – Shreveport-Bossier

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Bodacious Bar & Q

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Frank’s Louisiana Kitchen

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Grub Burger Bar

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Port City Barbecue

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Strawn’s Eat Shop

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Superior Grill

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The Oyster Bar & Grille

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Shreve Memorial Library is celebrating Black History Month with a series of virtual programs and art exhibit. The 2022 Black History Month theme is “Black Health and Wellness,” focusing on the contributions and breakthroughs of African American scholars, physicians, and medical practitioners in the world of Western medicine. In addition, the theme acknowledges the work of others in the African American community such as doulas and herbalists as well as rituals and initiatives in the Black community that foster a sense of wholeness, community and well-being. In celebration of Black History Month, Shreve Memorial Library will host an exhibit of the works of local folk artist MC “5 Cents” Jones and a series of virtual programs focusing on various themes of health and wellness in the Black community.

Now through February 24, the Gilliam Branch of Shreve Memorial Library is hosting an exhibit featuring the works of MC “5 Cents” Jones. Jones (1912 – 2003) was an American folk artist who lived in the Gilliam area his entire life. His ink and watercolor paintings depicted rural farm life as well as religious themes and Bible stories. His work has been displayed at numerous galleries and museums including the Smithsonian American Art Museum. The exhibit can be viewed at the Gilliam Branch, 12797 Main Street in Gilliam, during normal business hours of Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Masks are required to enter the library.

On Thursday, February 17, the Hollywood/Union Avenue Branch, in partnership with the LSU AgCenter, will present a virtual program highlighting Soul Food and ways to make the traditional dishes a little healthier. “A Healthier Way to Feed Your Soul” will teach teens and adults how to create healthy alternatives to traditional Soul Food cooking. The program will be led by Leona Campbell of the LSU AgCenter and will begin at 1:00 p.m. via Zoom.

The Mooretown Branch will host its annual African American Heritage program on Saturday, February 19 at 1:00 p.m. The virtual program will focus on the national theme of “Black Health and Wellness.” Presenters Shannon Armstrong, Darryl Gates and Rev. Patrick Dennis will each share insights into historical breakthroughs and achievements as well as current issues and concerns affecting health and wellness in the African American community. The program will also take place via Zoom.

Shreve Memorial Library will conclude its Black History Month virtual programs on Monday, February 21 with a virtual program entitled, “Addressing Black Fatigue,” presented by Tiffany Lacy Clark, COO of Behavioral Health Response. Clark will discuss the phenomenon of Black fatigue, the intergenerational impact of systemic racism on the physical and psychological health of Black people. Clark will teach strategies for self-care and support related to Black fatigue. The program will begin at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom.

About Shreve Memorial Library
Shreve Memorial Library transforms Caddo Parish lives with resources, services and support to create a better world. Focusing on service priority areas of creating and maintaining young readers, stimulating imagination, providing lifelong learning, information fluency, and ready references, and informing citizens, Shreve Memorial Library’s 21-branch system is maintained by a parish-wide property tax millage to support the informational, educational and recreational needs of its constituents. 

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Bossier Parish

Larry Baker House
September 26, 1946 – February 13, 2022
Services: 4:00 pm Saturday, February 19, 2022, at The Stable at 2195 Swan Lake Rd in Bossier City

Carl Wayne Benson
October 30, 1957 – February 10, 2022
Visitation:  6:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2201 Airline Drive, Bossier City

James Tillon Parker, Sr.
May 19, 1929 – January 20, 2022
Visitation: Saturday, February 19, 2022 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. prior to the service
Services:  Saturday, February 19, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2500 Southside Dr., Shreveport

Loy Beene Moore
July 2, 1937 – February 10, 2022
Visitation:  4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 17, 2022, at Rose-Neath Funeral Home Bossier City
Services:  First United Methodist Church Bossier City, 201 John Wesley Boulevard, Bossier City, LA at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, February 18, 2022

James “Jay” Jones
February 16, 2022
Services:  10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 16, 2022, 2201 Airline Drive, Bossier City

Daniel “Danny” P Bell
April 13, 1948 – February 9, 2022
Services:  2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 19, 2022 at Cypress Baptist Church, 4701 Palmetto Road, Benton

Loy Beene Moore
July 2, 1937 – February 10, 202
Visitation: 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 17, 2022, at Rose-Neath Funeral Home Bossier City
Services:  First United Methodist Church Bossier City, 201 John Wesley Boulevard, Bossier City, LA at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, February 18, 2022

Caddo Parish

Velma Dean Johnson
June 12, 1934 – February 11, 2022
Visitation:  1pm to 8pm Thursday Night at Good Samaritan Funeral Home
Services: Friday, February 18, 2022 12:00 PM Paradise Baptist Church 1706 Hollywood Ave. Shreveport

Erick Demone McCarter
May 3, 1971 – February 9, 2022
Visitation:  1pm to 8pm Friday Night at Good Samaritan
Services:  Saturday, February 19, 2022, 11am in the Chapel of Good Samaritan Funeral Home

Fannie Lee Williams
December 18, 1934 ~ February 15, 2022
Visitation:  Friday February 18, 2022 11:00 PM to 5:00 PM Heavenly Gates, 1339 Jewell St. Shreveport
Services:  Saturday February 19, 2022 2:00 PM Lincoln Memorial Cemetery 6915 W 70TH ST
SHREVEPORT

Ronnie Simmons
November 3, 1949 ~ February 10, 2022
Visitation:  Friday February 18, 2022 11:00 PM to 5:00 PM Heavenly Gates, 1339 Jewell St. Shreveport
Services:  Saturday February 19, 2022 1:00 PM Lincoln Memorial Cemetery 6915 W 70TH ST
SHREVEPORT

John White, Jr.
September 7, 1949 ~ February 11, 2022
Visitation:  Friday February 18, 2022 11:00 PM to 6:00 PM Heavenly Gates, 1339 Jewell St. Shreveport
Services:  Saturday February 19, 2022 11:00 AM Mt. Bethel MBC #1 12535 Mansfield Rd Keithville

Alice Jackson
February 7, 1929 ~ February 11, 2022
Visitation:  Friday February 18, 2022 11:00 PM to 5:00 PM Heavenly Gates, 1339 Jewell St. Shreveport
Services:  Saturday February 19, 2022 11:00 AM Galilee Baptist Church Colquit Rd Keithville

Cora Yvonne Thomas
August 10, 1936 ~ February 11, 2022
Visitation:  Friday February 18, 2022 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM Winnfield Funeral Home – Shreveport
3701 Hollywood Avenue
Services:  Saturday February 19, 2022 11:00 AM Fairview Baptist Church 3567 Fairview Park Rd
Elm Grove

Charlsie Ford DePingre
February 9, 1939 – February 15, 2022
Visitation:  Friday, February 18, 2022 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2500 Southside Dr from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m
Services:  Thursday, February 24, 2022 at the Northwest Louisiana Veterans Memorial Cemetery at 2:00 p.m.

James H. Wynne, III
May 7, 1945 – February 15, 2022
Visitation:  Sunday at the funeral home from 12:00 p.m. until service time.
Services:  Sunday, February 20, 2022 at 12:30 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2500 Southside Dr., Shreveport

Dr. Milton Charles Chapman
September 26, 1929 – February 12, 2022
Visitation: Saturday, February 19, 2022 beginning at 10:00 a.m. at Broadmoor United Methodist Church, 3715 Youree Dr, Shreveport
Services:  11:00 a.m. following visitation

Terence Tyone Carthren
November 17, 1972 – February 9, 2022
Visitation:  1pm to 8pm Friday Night at Good Samaritan
Services:  Saturday, February 19, 2022, 3pm in the Chapel of Good Samaritan Funeral Home

Rosie Walker Coleman-Crawford
November 15, 1946 – February 10, 2022
Visitation: 1pm to 8pm Friday Night at Good Samaritan Funeral Home
Services: Saturday, February 19, 2022 11:00 AM New Life Missionary Baptist Church 1870 Jewella Ave
Shreveport

Patricia Ann Diggs
November 10, 1954 – February 6, 2022
Visitation: 1pm to 8pm Friday Night at Good Samaritan Funeral Home. 
Services: Saturday, February 19, 2022 11:00 AM Faith Lutheran Church 4175 Lakeshore Drive Shreveport

Shaundowain Markqee Whitehead
June 7, 1994 – February 7, 2022
Visitation: 1pm to 8pm Friday Night at Good Samaritan
Services:  Saturday, February 19, 2022, 1pm in the Chapel of Good Samaritan Funeral Home

Betty Ruth Corley
July 20, 1933 – February 13, 2022
Visitation:  Thursday, February 17, 2022 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2500 Southside Dr., Shreveport
Services:  Friday, February 18, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at Gray Cemetery, 150 FM 727 in Gray, Texas

Joyce Raylene Hays
December 17, 1942 – February 12, 2022
Services:  Friday, February 18, 2022 at Forest Park West Cemetery, 4000 Meriwether Rd., Shreveport, Louisiana at 10:00 a.m.

Betty Jean Hardy Farmer
September 24, 1930 – February 14, 2022
Visitation: Thursday, February 17, 2022 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home
Services:  Friday, February 18, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2500 Southside Dr., Shreveport

Jeffrey Lee Homan
October 12, 1954 – February 12, 2022
Visitation:  prior to the service from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Services:  3:00 p.m., Saturday, February 19, 2022, at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 1815 Marshall Street
Shreveport

Robert Wayne Parker
July 1, 1970 – January 26, 2022
Visitation: Saturday, February 19, 2022 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. prior to the service
Services:  Saturday, February 19, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2500 Southside Dr., Shreveport

Michael Johnson
September 24, 1986 ~ February 1, 2022
Visitation:  11 to 5 p.m., Friday at Heavenly Gates
Services:  1 p.m., Saturday, February 19, 2022 in the Chapel of Heavenly Gates

Rosemary Glass
July 14, 1966 ~ January 31, 2022
Visitation:  11 to 5 p.m. Friday at Heavenly Gates.
Services:  Saturday February 19, 2022 1:00 PM Lincoln Memorial Cemetery 6915 W 70TH ST
SHREVEPORT

Dorothy Fortune
April 8, 1941 ~ February 10, 2022
Visitation:  11 to 5 p.m., Friday at Heavenly Gates.
Services:  Saturday February 19, 2022 11:00 AM Heavenly Gates, 1339 Jewell St. Shreveport

Willie Lee Sharp
March 7, 1942 ~ February 9, 2022
Visitation:  11 to 5 p.m., Friday at Heavenly Gates
Services:  11 a.m., Saturday, February 19, 2022 at Lincoln Cemetery

Bobbie B. Corner
May 9, 1939 ~ February 8, 2022
Visitation:  11 to 8 p.m. Friday at Bethlehem
Services:  11 am., Saturday, February 19, 2022 at Bethlehem B.C. 

Kelvin O Jackson
September 7, 1958 ~ February 10, 2022
Visitation:  Thursday February 17, 2022 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM Winnfield Funeral Home – Shreveport
3701 Hollywood Avenue
Services:  Friday February 18, 2022 2:00 PM Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery 7970 Mike Clark Road
Keithville

Bettie McMillian
March 22, 1946 ~ February 9, 2022
Visitation:  Friday February 18, 2022 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM Winnfield Funeral Home – Shreveport 3701 Hollywood Avenue
Services:  Saturday February 19, 2022 10:00 AM Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery 6915 W. 70th Street
Shreveport

George Green, Jr.
August 5, 1965 ~ February 9, 2022
Visitation: Thursday February 17, 2022 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM Winnfield Funeral Home – Shreveport 3701 Hollywood Avenue
Services:  Friday February 18, 2022 11:00 AM Winnfield Funeral Home – Shreveport 3701 Hollywood Avenue

Ronald “Ron” Coleman
May 7, 1946 – February 12, 2022
Visitation:  Thursday, February 17, 2022, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2500 Southside Dr., Shreveport
Services:  Friday, February 18, 2022, at 12:00 p.m. at Shreveport Community Church at the Rodney Duron Chapel, 5720 Buncombe Rd., Shreveport

Teresa Hall Hamm
November 3, 1979 ~ February 7, 2022
Visitation:  Friday February 18, 2022 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM Winnfield Funeral Home – Shreveport
3701 Hollywood Avenue
Services: Saturday February 19, 2022 1:00 PM Bethlehem Baptist Church #2 5697 LA-5 Gloster

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By JOHN JAMES MARSHALL, Journal Sports

HAMMOND – At halftime with his team trailing 1-0 in the Division III girls soccer state championship game Tuesday, Loyola coach Mark Matlock was the least concerned person on the Flyers bench.

As far as you know.

“That’s the message I was trying to get across, but when you are down 1-0 that doubt starts to creep in,” Matlock said. “I told them that everything was OK. I didn’t want them to get emotional and start making mistakes. I knew our chances were going to come.”

They came sooner than Matlock and the Flyers probably imagined. Loyola put in an all-out assault on the back of the net in the second half to take a 4-1 championship win over Archbishop Hannan (Covington).

Two minutes after halftime, Mary Helen Burford, the Flyers’ center defender, came up for a corner kick from Madalyn VanDevender and headed it into the goal to put Loyola on the board.

“I just saw it coming and knew it was my time to knock it in for the team,” Burford said.

Four minutes later, senior Kennedy Jarrett had an excuse-me goal on a seemingly harmless shot that deflected off the Hawks’ goalkeeper, then rolled slowly into the net.

At that point, the Flyers smelled blood in the water.

Senior Erin Campbell, who scored a goal as a freshman on the last Flyer state championship team in 2019, beat a defender 1-on-1 to make it 3-1 with 27 minutes left – the Flyers’ third goal in 13 minutes. The Flyer continued to apply pressure, and VanDevender knocked one home with eight minutes left.

Time to start dusting off a space in the Loyola trophy case.

“I think we were all just excited and nervous in the first half,” Jarrett said. “We finally got our heads in the game. I think we all needed to realize that we needed to trust each other, that we weren’t going to make mistakes.”

“Coach (Matlock) just told us to keep the pressure on in the second half,” VanDevender said. “We’ve worked our butts off all season and we knew we were the better team.”

“Our pressure in the second half made the difference,” said Burford, who was named the game’s MVP. “We just wanted it more and we were going to go get it.”

“We really didn’t give them any chances in the second half because we kept possession of the ball,” Matlock said. “I wanted the wind (in) the second half and we did a pretty good job withstanding their pressure in the first half when they had the wind.”

Loyola becomes the first Shreveport-Bossier team (boys or girls) to win multiple state soccer championships.

Visits to Strawberry Stadium left a bitter taste for the Flyers in the last two years. In fact, Loyola hadn’t scored a goal in 190 minutes of regulation or overtime in Hammond. Two years ago it was a 1-0 loss to University Lab, and last year was a penalty-kick loss, again to the Cubs.

“It’s always in the back of your mind of whether we are going to have another one like before,” Matlock said. “And when you go down 1-0, that’s the first thing that creeps into your mind.”

The blended stories of the four Loyola goal scorers is interesting – Campbell and Jarrett were significant contributors as freshman on the Flyers’ previous state title team while Burford and VanDevender were managers for last year’s state finalists, due to being ineligible as transfer students.

This was the fourth straight state championship game appearance for Loyola’s girls, and the seventh since 2013. Only in 2019 did the Flyers celebrate afterward.

There have been years in which the team didn’t have enough experience to win a state championship match. Years in which the Flyers simply weren’t the better team. Or the opponent just had one player who was a difference maker.

There have been years in which a controversial goal made the difference. One that resulted in the ultimate agony – a loss on penalty kicks.

And there was that year in which the Flyers did come away with the championship, though even that carried a small asterisk.

The lesson here is that no matter how many times you get to a state championship match, some kind of unique challenge awaits.

The previous state crown came in Division IV, the state’s smallest classification, where the

Flyers landed that year after playing in finals in both Divisions II and III. A title is a title, but Tuesday’s dashed doubts about whether or not Loyola could win in a higher classification.

“This is what I might consider my most complete team,” Matlock said. “I’m so proud of the girls for keeping their composure and getting back into it in the second half.”

Photo by JOHN JAMES MARSHALL

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