MOST WINS: Calvary Baptist posted the most wins the last 10 football seasons among Shreveport-Bossier schools. (Journal file photo)
By LEE HILLER, Journal Sports
Calvary Baptist’s 98 wins on the football field over the last 10 years tops the list of Shreveport-Bossier schools’ success in the last decade.
The Cavaliers have a 98-25 record with three state championships spanning the years 2014-2023. The school record for a 10-year period is 104-26 from 2006-15. Calvary also has the best playoff record with a 19-7 win-loss mark.
Benton is next with 76 wins, Byrd has 73 and Haughton 70. Benton’s best 10-year stretch is 97 wins from 1999-2008, while Byrd posted a 90-29 record from 2006-15. Haughton’s best 10-year span was from 2002-11 when it was 87-29.
Evangel Christian has the Shreveport-Bossier record for a 10-year stretch with a 133-13 mark from 1993-2002. The Eagles won eight of their 14 state titles over the 10-year period, another area best. Calvary’s 104 wins is second most followed by Benton and Woodlawn with 97 wins and Parkway with 92.
Here is the list of the 18 Shreveport-Bossier high schools with their record over the last 10 years. Magnolia Charter is not listed because it has only competed five years.
After a successful opening week, another round of high-stakes competition is nearing its pinnacle in the Diamond Youth Baseball World Series at Tinsley Park in Bossier City.
Play wraps up Wednesday evening with the championship rounds. After competition in the Division II brackets was completed last Thursday, Division I play began Friday.
The DYB World Series is expected to boost the local economy significantly, with an estimated economic impact of approximately $4 million, said Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission with Visit Shreveport-Bossier officials and local government leaders.
“On behalf of the City of Bossier City, we are honored to continue hosting this prestigious event,” said Mayor Tommy Chandler. “The turnout for Division II was phenomenal, and it’s heartwarming to see Diamond Youth Baseball participants enjoying our top-tier facilities at Tinsley Park.
“The Bossier Dixie Baseball community’s embrace of visitors from 11 states is truly remarkable. Many thanks to the Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission with Visit Shreveport-Bossier, Diamond Youth Baseball, and our dedicated Bossier Parks and Recreation Department for their hard work.”
The Diamond Youth Baseball World Series, formerly known as Dixie Youth Baseball, is a top-tier youth baseball event in the United States. This week’s focus is on the Division I category that includes 31 teams in three different categories: AAA, Majors and Ozone. Tournament host Bossier has teams in each bracket, while Louisiana state champions are from Girard (AAA, Majors) and Ponchatoula (Ozone).
This premier tournament, hosted by DYB, offers a structured and competitive platform for youth leagues and culminates in a series of state tournaments leading to the World Series.
“We’ve had a fantastic time this past week hosting hundreds of athletes and their families in Shreveport-Bossier,” said Sara Nelms, Director of Sports for the Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission with Visit Shreveport-Bossier. “The games have been outstanding, and visitors have been enjoying local attractions, restaurants, and hotels. The Bossier Dixie baseball family has warmly welcomed these traveling athletes and their supporters participating in Diamond Youth Baseball, creating a wonderful sense of community both on the field and in the stands. We look forward to doing it again this second week. Sports travel events continue to heavily benefit our community as a travel destination.”
The influx of over 3,000 attendees from 11 states is driving considerable spending across local hotels, restaurants, and retail stores. This event is not only benefiting local businesses but also enhancing the area’s appeal as a top choice for future sporting events and tourism. Many of the participants are extending their stay with family, turning their visit into a vacation and further contributing to the local economy.
“We had an incredible Division II World Series last week and are now gearing up for the Division I AAA World Series starting this Friday,” says Clay Bohanan, Director of Bossier Parks and Recreation. The town has been buzzing with excitement, and we’ve received numerous compliments about our facilities. Many have remarked that they are the best in the southeastern region.
“This week, we’re expecting even more participants than last, which will bring significant economic benefits to the entire city. A huge thanks to Bossier Dixie, the Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission with Visit Shreveport-Bossier, and the dedicated Bossier Parks and Recreation workers for their outstanding contributions to the success of the DYB World Series.”
A key factor in the event’s continued success is the extensive renovation of Tinsley Park in Bossier City. In 2019, the park underwent a multi-million-dollar upgrade, which included converting fields to turf, adding five new turf infields, a concession stand, playground, batting cage, ADA-compliant field, and improved parking with RV spots. The installation of a lightning detection system and enhanced LED lighting further supports the park’s ability to host major tournaments like DYB. These improvements have played a crucial role in attracting high-profile events and contributing to the local economy.
“It’s incredible to witness the journey of 9,000 participating teams come down to 36 competing for the title of Diamond Youth Baseball World Series champions,” said Nelms. “For many teams, reaching this stage seems like a distant dream, and achieving it is truly amazing. Events like these are about the stories and memories made along the way; winning is just the icing on the cake. Shreveport-Bossier has excelled in creating a fun and competitive environment where participants are making unforgettable memories.”
On August 3, Captain John Rut sat down and wrote “in haste” a letter to the King of England in which he described the condition of his crew. “Pleasing your honourable Grace to hear of your servant John Rut, with all his company here in good health, thanks be to God and your Grace’s ship the Mary Gilford.”
A few months earlier, Robert Thorne, a Bristol merchant, convinced the king to finance an expedition to find a northwest passage to the Orient around or through the North American continent. Finding a new and quicker route to China, Thorne reasoned, would increase the king’s wealth as well as his own. The king agreed and put John Rut in command of two well-armed ships.
On June 10, the Mary Guildford, captained by John Rut, and the Samson, captained by a man known only as “Master Grube,” left Plymouth Harbor and sailed west across the Atlantic Ocean. For three weeks, the two ships sailed in calm seas and stayed within sight of each other. Then, on the night of July 1, a severe summer storm materialized. The crews of both ships fought the high, pounding waves through heavy rain to keep their ships afloat. Bolts of lightning lit up the skies for split seconds at a time, but the crews were too busy trying to survive to keep each other’s ship in their sights. Finally, the waves began to die down. The storm was letting up. John Rut and the crew of the Mary Guildford looked in all directions through their spyglasses, but they could not locate the Samson. John Rut wrote, “I trust in almighty Jesu to hear good news of her. And please your Grace, we were considering and a’writing of all our order, how we would wash us and what course we would draw, [and] so departed southward to seek our fellow.”
In the letter, John Rut explained that they changed course again. “[We] ran in our course to the northward … and there we found many great islands of ice and deep water; we found no sounding, and then we durst not go further to the northward for fear of more ice.” On August 3, the Mary Guildford entered into St. John’s harbor, Newfoundland. In the harbor, which John Rut referred to as “a good haven,” they encountered “eleven sail of Normans, and one Brittaine, and two Portugall barks, and all a’fishing, and so we are ready to depart toward Cape de Bas [as] shortly as we have fished, and so along the coast till we may meet with our fellow (the Samson), and [with] all the diligence that lies in me [as] we were commanded at our departing.”
Unfortunately, the crew of the Mary Guildford never located their fellow ship, the Samson. The Samson and its crew disappeared. Most people at the time, and modern historians agree, that they were probably victims of the brutal storm mentioned in the letter. John Rut ended the letter, “And thus, Jesu save and keep your honorable Grace, and all your honorable Rever(ences), in the Haven of Saint John, the third day of August. By your servant John Rut to his uttermost of his power.” Once John Rut completed the letter, he exchanged it with another ship’s captain, possibly one of the 14 fishing ships in St. John’s “haven.” At the time, captains on outbound voyages exchanged letters with captains of ships who were heading back toward the outbound ship’s port. Letters often passed between several ships before reaching their intended recipients. John Rut’s letter eventually made its way across the Atlantic Ocean to King Henry VIII and into its place in history. John Rut’s letter, portions of it which you have just read, was the first known letter mailed from the new world, the first letter sent from North America. John Rut wrote and mailed the letter on August 3, 1527.
Officials with the Bossier Parish Consolidated Waterworks/Sewerage District No.1 have issued a boil advisory for customers on the Village Water System who live in Princeton.
The boil advisory was issued after a water main ruptured during construction in the area. The Bossier Parish Highway Department hit the 4-inch main line while installing a culvert on Princeton Road.
This boil advisory will affect residents who live on Princeton Road, north of Drake Drive to HWY 157, Princeton Lane, Princeton Lane North, Princeton Lane South, Branch Drive, and Winfield Road from Fullwood Road, east to Princeton Road.
Water samples will be sent to the LA Dept. of Health Lab for testing after repairs on the line are complete. The advisory is expected to be in effect until Wednesday, Aug. 7.
Betty Douciere February 2, 1930 – August 2, 2024 Service: August 6, 2024, 2pm in the Chapel at The Oaks of Louisiana, Shreveport.
Charles Tebele November 26, 1954 — August 3, 2024 Service: Tuesday, August 6, 2024, 9am at Agudath Achim Cemetery, Shreveport.
John Marshall Chamberlin November 7, 1932 — August 4, 2024 Service: Wednesday, August 7, 2024, 10am at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, Pelican.
Charles Vernon Coleman August 5, 2024 Service: Wednesday, August 7, 2024, 11am at Heavenly Gates, Shreveport.
Dr. David Thomas Henry November 9, 1938 — August 2, 2024 Service: Thursday, August 8, 2024, 11am at Rose Neath Funeral Home, Shreveport.
Robert (Bob) Noble English March 4, 1945 — July 28, 2024 Service: Saturday, August 10, 2024, 10am at Rose-Neath Cemetery, Bossier City.
Michael J. Loftin February 13, 1956 — July 29, 2024 Service: Monday, August 12, 2024, 11:30 Northwest LA Veterans Cemetery, Keithville.
The Shreveport-Bossier Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. Contact your funeral provider or SBJNewsLa@gmail.com . Must be paid in advance of publication. (Notice of Death shown above are FREE of charge. You may email them to SBJNewsLa@gmail.com)
Each week, the Shreveport-Bossier Journal’s always-hungry reporter visits a different restaurant and tells you about the experience.
By ANON E. MUSS, Journal Services
I am as honest as the day is long, so I want you to know my recent visit to Giuseppe’s Pastacaffe (920 Pierremont Road, #110) wasn’t my first visit. A few years ago, a friend and I tried Giuseppe’s for lunch. We still laugh about the fact the servings were so small, we went somewhere else for lunch after we at lunch.
I had not been back until a recent Wednesday evening, when I thought it was time to give the restaurant a second chance. So, I invited a (different) friend, and hoped we would not have to go somewhere else for dinner after eating dinner.
Beforehand, however, I wanted to check out Giuseppe’s menu. So, I searched for their website, only to find the restaurant doesn’t have a website. I’ve said it before, and I will say it again – having a Facebook page is not the same as having a website. I found a couple of pictures of which were described as Giuseppe’s menu but had no idea if they were current. So, we arrived not knowing what Giuseppe’s had to offer.
First-time visitors should know that Giuseppe’s is not your typical sit-down and be-waited-on restaurant. You place your order at the front counter, where the menu is on two large rolls of paper hanging from the wall. For me, the writing was a bit difficult to read, so I asked for a hand-held copy. I was told there weren’t any left, because so many people had taken them.
Giuseppe’s basically offers four types of food – a soup, salads, pasta dishes, and Panini sandwiches. But goodness, if I’m at a place that bills itself as a “Pastacaffe”, there’s no way I’m not going to have pasta! So, I chose one of the eight offerings – Capellini Pomodoro. I could either get a small or a large portion. The difference, I was told, was that the small size is two bundles of pasta, and the large size is three bundles. There was only a three-dollar difference, so I went with the large serving ($15).
I also had the choice to add either spinach, shrimp, chicken, or a meatball. I chose shrimp ($6).
My friend really likes lasagna, so it didn’t take her long to order Lasagna Bolognese ($15), which came in one size. We both decided to have salads prior to our entrees. I chose the small Pastacaffe Salad ($7), and my friend ordered a small Caprese Salad ($7).
After receiving a number, and getting our drinks, we found a table in what I would call the “back” dining room. There were a handful of tables up front where you enter the restaurant and place your order, and a combination of nine two-tops and four-tops in a room that is more long than wide. The restaurant was busy, so to our surprise, we didn’t wait long before a server brought our salads.
My friend and I were very pleased with our choices. My Pastacaffe Salad passed the eye test. It came in a larger bowl than I expected for a small salad, filled with fresh-looking Arugula and Romaine lettuce, Shaved Grana Padano, Tomato, Focaccia, Croutons, Prosciutto, with a drizzle of lemon vinaigrette dressing.
My friend loved her Caprese Salad. She said it tasted very fresh, the cheese was thick, and the balsamic vinaigrette was refreshing. She said the tomatoes were good and juicy, and that she would order the salad again as a meal.
We were still eating our salads when our main dishes arrived. My Capellini Pomodoro was a hot, healthy serving of Angel Hair pasta topped with nine shrimp, and including fresh diced tomato, sauce, garlic, and basil. The sauce was more light than dark, which didn’t overpower the pasta or the shrimp.
My friend’s lasagna was served in an oblong dish and covered with Bolognese Meat Sauce, Bechamel, and Grana Padano Cheese.
“The lasagna had good consistency,” she said. “It was very thick, and served piping hot.”
One thing she wasn’t crazy about was the sauce.
“It could have been thicker,” she said. “It was little thin. Although it had a good taste, I like mine a little thicker, and I like meat sauce on top of my lasagna. I don’t think this had meat sauce.”
When ordering, we noticed a “Today’s Special” sheet of paper. A dessert item caught my attention – Sicilian Lemon Cannolis. They were described as “Traditional Cannolis with Orange Zest, Ricotta, and Powered Sugar, topped with Powdered Sugar & Chocolate Chips.” I knew early on that is what we would have for dessert.
What I didn’t know is by the time we finished our meal, the cannolis were all gone, as in sold out.
Obviously moved by the disappointing look on my face, the young lady at the counter suggested we try the homemade Tiramisu ($9). The word “homemade” was what made us take her advice, and she did not steer us in the wrong direction. The serving, while not particularly large, was cold and tasty, without leaving us feeling bloated.
The cost of our meal, before tax and tip, was $60.03. If you go, know that there is a small penalty for not paying cash.
I am happy to say my second visit to Guiseppe’s was much more pleasing than my first visit. In fact, I give Guiseppe’s Pastacaffe Four Forks. The food was really good, the prices reasonable for the quality and quantity we received, and the atmosphere was clean and comfortable.
I will return, go out of my way to do so, and not expect needing to eat a second dinner somewhere else.
1 Fork: Would rather eat a box of dirt 2 Forks: Will return, but only if someone else is buying 3 Forks: Will return and look forward to it 4 Forks: Will return and go out of my way to do so
The Caddo Parish School District welcomes Felicia O’Neal as new principal at Ridgewood Middle School. For the past 28 years, she has served in several leadership capacities with Caddo Schools.
O’Neal previously served as principal of Fair Park, where she honed her leadership skills and fostered a positive learning environment for students. She looks forward to leading Ridgewood to continued growth and guiding her teachers to lead the students to their fullest potential.
Caddo Fire District #4, C-Shift, was dispatched to 11210 Ridgehaven Drive on Aug. 1 around 12:30 pm for a report of smoke in a laundry room. Engine 411 arrived on scene within five minutes to find a double-wide mobile home with heavy smoke showing. Firefighters from CFD 4, Caddo Fire District #3, and Caddo Parish Fire District #6 made an aggressive push in nearly 100-degree temperatures to quickly extinguish the fire and prevent it from spreading throughout the home. All occupants were safely evacuated, and fortunately, no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
The Bossier Parish Highway Department will close a section of Princeton Road for repairs from Monday, Aug. 5, to Tuesday, Aug. 6.
The work crew will replace the culvert on Princeton Road, 1.7 miles north of HWY 80 and 1.1 miles west of HWY 157, just north of the intersection of Winfield Road.
Residents whose homes are between 100 and 1000 Princeton Road can be accessed from HWY 80, while addresses between 1045 and 1500 can be accessed from HWY 157.
The roadway is expected to reopen for regular traffic on Wednesday, Aug. 7.
A new state law went into effect on Aug. 1 allowing Louisiana students enrolled in an approved home study program to try out or apply for extracurricular activities and/or interscholastic athletics at the public school in which they are zoned.
In accordance with Act 715 of the 2024 regular session of the Louisiana Legislature, requirements to participate in Bossier Parish (SEE BELOW).
As the district gets ready to usher in the 2024-25 school year at Bossier Schools, the School Board wants parents and students to be aware of Act 313, a new cell phone law passed during the 2024 spring Louisiana legislative session that restricts students from using cell phones and other electronic devices during the instructional day.
Bossier Schools has revised its policy to reflect the new state law:
Cell phones must be turned off and stowed during instructional time, including from the time students get on/off the bus or in/out of a personal vehicle while on campus;
Electronic communication devices, including but not limited to personal computers, laptops, electronic instruments, iPads, iPods, tablet devices, e-readers or similar devices, must be powered off and properly stowed for the duration of the school day.
Each violation will result in the collection of the cell phone/electronic device. More information regarding disciplinary action can be found in school handbooks.
*Please note the revised policy does not apply to students who have an Individualized Education Program (IEP)/Individualized Accommodation Plan (IAP), Section 504 plan or Individualized Health Plan that requires use of an electronic telecommunication device.
The district appreciates understanding and cooperation to comply with state law to protect instructional time by minimizing distractions.
Reading proficiently by the end of third grade is a crucial marker in a child’s educational development. It is why Louisiana law now mandates that students in traditional public schools meet specific literacy proficiency standards to be promoted to the fourth grade.
This third grade literacy proficiency flier (SEE BELOW) details what is required for third grade promotion and how students will be assessed. Parents play a key role in their child’s educational success and Bossier Schools looks forward to a shared partnership in supporting literacy development.
BATON ROUGE — One of the great all-time entrepreneurial stories belongs to a pair of LSU basketball walk-ons.
While riding the end of John Brady’s bench hand-checking the water cooler as a pair of non-scholarship basketball guards, Jack Warner and Brandon Landry had a dream to open their own sports bar after graduation.
They used LSU road trips as opportunities to visit sports bars across the nation, especially the South, for design and menu ideas.
In 2003, they opened Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux, a sports bar/restaurant within walking distance of Tiger Stadium. It gradually earned the honor of the nation’s best sports bar from ESPN in 2012.
Today, there are 78 Walk-On’s in 15 states. Walk-Ons even sponsored Shreveport’s Independence Bowl from 2017 to 2019.
Yet all of the above may have never happened for Warner and Landry if upcoming NCAA legislation expected to be rubberstamped in time for the 2025 recruiting calendar year had been in place.
The NCAA is getting taken to the woodshed every time it gets sued. It first resulted in a transfer rule fit for gypsies and made them paid mercenaries thanks to NIL deals with no enforceable parameters.
The latest NCAA white flag-waving surrender – dramatically increasing scholarships in all sports while lowering roster limits – will make success stories like walk-ons Warner and Landry extinct.
College football now has a limit of 120 players on its roster including 85 on scholarship, meaning there is ample roster room for walk-ons though they may never play or eventually earn a scholarship or even dress out for games.
All indications are major athletic conferences are signing off on NCAA legislation that caps the roster at 105 while awarding 20 more scholarships (from 85 to 105), meaning every player on the roster would be on scholarship.
Scholarship increases filling rosters in every sport with scholarship-only athletes would eliminate walk-on programs. Thus, the post-college business success stories of overlooked or late-developing athletes like walk-ons Warner and Landry won’t happen under the new legislation.
Clemson head football coach Dabo Swinney is another former walk-on. He played two years at Alabama as a walk-on wide receiver under head coach Gene Stallings before receiving a scholarship.
It led to a coaching career for Swinney, who has won two national titles at Clemson.
“If (he) Stallings doesn’t see me (as a walk-on), I can’t imagine how different things would have been,” Swinney said recently at the Atlantic Coast Conference media days.
“Walk-ons just want to be part of the team. They want to help you practice. Last season, Florida State had so many players opt out of its bowl game it would have had to forfeit if it wasn’t for all the walk-ons available for the game.”
Current LSU running back Josh Williams first joined on their 2019 national championship team as a walk-on.
“I bet on myself,” said Williams, who earned a scholarship in 2020 and enters his sixth season as Tiger having played in 47 games with 10 starts and 1,011 career rushing yards and 11 TDs.
While it seems like a scholarship increase should create more opportunities for walk-ons to earn free college rides (a misnomer term considering the sweat equity invested by non-scholarship athletes), that’s not necessarily so.
Why?
Because of the NCAA’s inability to lasso any common sense and set parameters for its transfer and NIL rules which have worked hand in hand to professionalize college sports overnight.
It has forced head coaches to increasingly shop in the transfer portal for immediate, experienced talent if they can’t sign their share of blue-chip high school recruits.
It means a barely recruited player, like two-star rated 2017 football recruit Justin Jefferson, probably these days don’t even get the chance to sign a Division 1 scholarship.
Yes, the same former LSU record-breaking wide receiver about to start a fifth NFL season with the Minnesota Vikings after signing a four-year, $140 million contract ($110 million guaranteed) in June.
Current LSU head coach Brian Kelly said he has been in discussions with his recruiting staff and general manager Austin Thomas about operating under the expected increase of scholarships.
“Do you all of a sudden start throwing out 30 more scholarship offers (to sign 20 players)?” Kelly said. “I don’t know that I’m comfortable doing that at this point because we’ve evaluated a lot of players and offered scholarships to several players.
“We have to be very, very intentional in how we do this. We’re going to have all options vetted and be ready to move strategically when and if it gets to that final ruling by the courts.”
Since athletic departments have to pay their schools for scholarships, paying for 20 is another added expense piled on the plate of athletic directors who soon will have to deal with revenue sharing by athletes as well as begging rich donors for cash to stockpile in collectives to buy athletes.
It means wading into every gushing fountain of cash possible, maybe tapping into past forbidden advertising revenue sources such as corporate sponsor logos sewn on school jerseys.
Maybe a future LSU uniform will contain a logo created from Shreveport’s old SPAR Stadium which had my all-time favorite signage on one of its outfield walls.
CADDO RADIATOR WORKS. . .BEST PLACE IN TOWN TO TAKE A LEAK.
BACK AT IT: James Simon and his teammates at reigning state Select Division III champion Calvary Baptist gets going on preseason camp today at 5 p.m. (Journal photo by KEVIN PICKENS)
JOURNAL SPORTS
From dawn nearly to dusk today, nearly all of the 19 local high school football teams are kicking off preseason camp.
A handful will get going on their first day of school Thursday.
Huntington, since the Raiders did not stage a spring practice, got started last week and will be in full pads ahead of the competition this week.
Some schools open workouts at 6 a.m. today, while others are waiting a bit later and many won’t take the field until the early evening.
The regular season starts Thursday, Sept. 5 with two games, Benton at Northwood and Loyola going to Monroe to face St. Frederick. The rest of the local teams kick off a night later on Sept. 6.
Jamboree action is on the final Thursday, Friday and Saturday in August.
ON A ROLL: Evangel enters the 2024 season with a Shreveport-Bossier record 33 straight playoff appearances. (Journal file photo)
By LEE HILLER, Journal Sports
Evangel Christian enters the 2024 football season with a Shreveport-Bossier record 33 straight playoff appearances, making the postseason every year since 1991.
The Eagles are followed by Calvary that has a 19-year streak that began the first year it was eligible for the LHSAA playoffs.
Byrd leads public schools with 14 consecutive, third overall, and Loyola is not far behind on the local overall count at 11. The Yellow Jackets’
current streak is a school record. The Jackets have made the playoffs 25 times since 1993. The Flyers’ school record is 15 straight from 1991-2005.
Haughton had its Bossier Parish record of 26 consecutive appearances stopped last season. Bossier held the previous parish record of 20 from 1990-2009.
Benton has a current streak of three and is third on the parish list, with 16 straight from 1996-2011. Airline has been playing extra games in November the past two seasons. Its school mark is 10 straight (2008-17).
Parkway is currently on a three-year streak and on the overall consecutive playoff seasons list locally, is tied with Plain Dealing with nine straight. The Panthers’ school-record stretch of playoff appearances was from 2005-13 while the Lions’ best extended run went from 2011-19.
Northwood is the next Caddo Parish school (still in existence) behind Byrd with a school-record seven straight playoff appearances. Captain Shreve and Huntington follow with best strings of six straight postseason appearances. For the Raiders it is a school best while the Gators’ longest playoff season streak of eight came from 1979-86.
North Caddo had its school record of nine straight playoff appearances stopped last season.
Woodlawn’s record is eight and came from 1984-91. It also has two other stretches of seven consecutive, the last occurring from 2012-18. Green Oaks has been the last two seasons and has a school record of seven in a row (1979-85).
Booker T. Washington made the playoffs last season for the first time in seven years. The Lions’ school record for back-to-back-to back postseason appearances is five (2004-08).
Southwood’s last trip to the postseason came in 2004. The Cowboys’ longest streak was a run six straight times from 1973-78.
The current leaders statewide for consecutive appearances also are expecting to expand their state record, 49 straight by John Curtis and Kentwood. Haynesville is next with 45, Oak Grove 40 and St. Thomas More 36. Evangel and Lutcher both have streaks of 33 straight playoff appearances.
CHAMPS: LSUS basketball coach Kyle Blankenship and his two young daughters celebrated with the Lady Pilots, who had captured the Red River Athletic Conference championship at home and ultimately completed a 22-0 league record and RRAC Tournament crown. (Photo courtesy LSUS Athletics)
JOURNAL SPORTS
NEW ORLEANS — LSUS basketball coach Kyle Blankenship’s amazing double duty in the 2023-24 season earned him a prime spot in the annual Allstate Sugar Bowl’s Greater New Orleans Sports Awards show this weekend.
Saturday evening, he was officially presented the Jimmy Collins Award by the organization for the likely unprecedented feat of coaching both the women’s and men’s LSUS teams to outstanding seasons, and most notably, national tournament victories on the same day in March.
The honor was prompted when Blankenship collected 65 percent of public votes cast earlier this summer on the Sugar Bowl’s website, while Jay Clark, who steered the LSU women’s gymnastics team to the NCAA championship, was a distant second at 30 percent. Down the list of public voting were Jeff Willis, who coached the LSU Eunice baseball team to a junior college national championship, and McNeese basketball coach Will Wade, the former LSU coach who led the Cowboys to 30 wins, the NCAA Tournament, and the biggest single-season turnaround in NCAA Division I history.
A week after the online voting closed, Clark was a deserving choice of a selection committee for the Sugar Bowl’s Outstanding Collegiate Coach for Louisiana in 2023-24, getting the nod over Blankenship, Wade and Willis. The top collegiate coach award has been presented since 1961 and is among eight annual honors issued by the organization, highlighted by the Jim Corbett Awards for the best male and female amateur athlete of each year in the state.
During Saturday’s ceremony, LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels and Tigers gymnast Haleigh Bryant were recognized for winning the Corbett Awards. Former Saints guard Jahri Evans – a 2022 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame inductee – former Duke basketball standout Chris Duhon from Salmen and a trio of Tulane athletes — football’s Matt Forte (a 2023 LSHOF inductee), and basketball’s Carmen Jones and Paul Thompson — were inducted into the Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame.
The Jimmy Collins Award is not presented annually, but only in remarkable cases, named for the New Orleans sportswriter who launched the Sugar Bowl’s awards in 1958. Blankenship’s recognition began with a video feature package produced by KTAL-TV sports director Tim Owens.
Blankenship, coach of the LSUS men’s team since 2012, stepped into an interim head coach role with the women’s program last October. The Pilots had another superb season, going 28-5 and reaching the NAIA Sweet 16. The Lady Pilots had an even more impressive regular season, going 22-0 in the Red River Athletic Conference and 30-3 overall, upset in the second round of the NAIA Tournament. Each team had only one first-team All-RRAC selection.
The Department of Water & Sewerage announces ongoing water main repair work affecting the Southeast Pressure Zone. This area includes customers south of East Bert Kouns, subdivisions along Linwood Avenue south of Bert Kouns, and the region southeast of the Interstate 49 and 3132 interchange. As a precaution, we are issuing a VOLUNTARY BOIL ADVISORY effective immediately. Our team is working diligently to complete the necessary repairs and restore full service as quickly as possible. Once satisfactory laboratory test results confirm the water is safe, the Department of Water & Sewerage will, with approval from the Louisiana Department of Health, rescind the Boil Advisory. We will then immediately inform all customers of the water’s safety.
Recommended Precautions: We advise all customers in the affected area to disinfect water before consumption, which includes drinking, making fountain drinks, brushing teeth, food preparation, or rinsing foods.
To ensure safety, please follow these guidelines:
Boil Water: Boil water for one full minute in a clean container. Start timing after the water has reached a rolling boil.
Improving Taste: If boiled water tastes flat, improve the flavor by shaking the water in a clean bottle or pouring it back and forth between two clean containers.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this precautionary measure to ensure public health. For more information and updates, contact the Department of Water & Sewerage at 318-673-7600. You can also visit our website: http://www.shreveportlawater.org/.
Check out your local Whataburger this week as they gear up to celebrate National Whataburger Day on Thursday, August 8.
Restaurants across America are decorated this week to show their customer appreciation in honor of the annual celebration.
In 1950, Harmon Dobson and Paul Burton opened the first Whataburger restaurant in Corpus Christi, Texas. The name ‘Whataburger’ was chosen to convey the immense size and deliciousness of their hamburgers. To stand out from other fast food places, they wanted a name that would make customers say ‘What a burger!’ hence the birth of the term.
Whataburger spicy ketchup debuted as a limited time only menu item in 2012 and became part of the permanent menu in 2013. Whataburger’s Spicy Ketchup, along with eight other signature Whataburger sauces, can now be found on grocery store shelves across the country.
As of 2024, Whataburger continues to thrive with over 1000 locations in fifteen states. Besides the sauces, the chain has introduced various menu items and collaborations to cater to changing tastes and trends, while still staying true to its original ‘Whataburger’ concept.
This year they are celebrating #NationalWhataburgerDay with the limited Birthday Shake. Customers can order the free birthday cake-flavored shake on August 8 by downloading the Whataburger app.
“The Birthday Shake tastes like fun,” Whataburger SVP and Chief Marketing Officer Scott Hudler said. “With its signature orange color, whipped cream, and sprinkles, it looks like a party in a cup. The icing on the shake is that Whataburger Rewards program members can celebrate this milestone with us by getting their shake entirely for free, no purchase necessary. It’s like inviting hundreds of thousands of your closest friends to your birthday party!”
In addition to the free shake, Whataburger is celebrating with its communities by fulfilling $74,000 worth of teacher supply wish lists throughout August as part of the Whataburger Feeding Student Success charitable giving program. Do you know a teacher who could use a little love? On Aug. 8, Whataburger will post on “X” (formally Twitter) asking its followers to nominate teachers in their lives who could use some help buying school supplies for the new year. The brand will fulfill wish lists until $74,000 is spent!
Jeanni Ritchie is an orange-loving former educator who is delighted in this year’s Whataburger celebration! She can be reached at jeanniritchie54@gmail.com.
Betty Douciere February 2, 1930 – August 2, 2024 Service: August 6, 2024, 2pm in the Chapel at The Oaks of Louisiana, Shreveport.
Dr. David Thomas Henry November 9, 1938 — August 2, 2024 Service: Thursday, August 8, 2024, 11am at Rose Neath Funeral Home, Shreveport.
Robert (Bob) Noble English March 4, 1945 — July 28, 2024 Service: Saturday, August 10, 2024, 10am at Rose-Neath Cemetery, Bossier City.
Michael J. Loftin February 13, 1956 — July 29, 2024 Service: Monday, August 12, 2024, 11:30 Northwest LA Veterans Cemetery, Keithville.
The Shreveport-Bossier Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. Contact your funeral provider or SBJNewsLa@gmail.com . Must be paid in advance of publication. (Notice of Death shown above are FREE of charge. You may email them to SBJNewsLa@gmail.com)
Shreveport Police property crimes detectives are requesting the public’s help in locating a man responsible for multiple acts of vandalism over recent months in the 600 block of Jordan Street.
Detectives have obtained video footage of the suspect and are releasing it to the public in hopes of identifying the individual.
If you recognize this person, please contact the Shreveport Police Department immediately.
Remember you can also contact Shreveport Caddo Crimestoppers with any tips if you would like to stay anonymous.
Congratulations to Amy Williams, the new Principal at Fairfield Elementary Magnet.
Williams has over 19 years of teaching experience in Caddo, as well as her roles as Global Studies Coordinator and French Immersion Program Coordinator at Fairfield. With 10 years of experience at Fairfield, she feels confident in the foundation she has built with the students, staff, parents, community stakeholders, and leaders at other schools in the area, which will ensure the continued success of the students.
She understands the traditions that have been built at Fairfield in the last 20 years with supporting student success, faculty success, and parental relationships and she is ready to take on the responsibility of leading Fairfield to further success.
Violent Crimes Abatement Team members, along with the Shreveport Police Department, the Shreveport City Marshal’s Office, and Caddo Parish Juvenile Services, collaborated on a warrant operation on July 30-31. The purpose of this operation was to execute arrest warrants issued by the Caddo Parish Juvenile Courts against parents and guardians who have neglected to bring their children to scheduled juvenile court appearances.
Law enforcement officers targeted specific locations within the City of Shreveport where violent and juvenile offenses have been on the rise. The operation was part of an ongoing effort to ensure accountability and compliance with the juvenile justice system.
The following individuals were arrested during this operation:
Minnie Mouton – Felony
Jalisa Little – Felony
LaShonda Perrow – Felony
Shacorey Williams – Felony
Crystal Jones – Felony
Tiffany Davis – Misdemeanor
Isaac Darrentine – Felony
Antonio Coleman – Felony
Chief Wayne Smith believes that by holding parents and guardians accountable, SPD will address and reduce the rates of juvenile delinquency and ensure that young offenders receive the necessary judicial oversight. This operation underscores our commitment to upholding the rule of law and maintaining public safety in our community. Some MUGSHOTs were not available at this time.
