By RON HIGGINS, Journal Sports

BATON ROUGE — Players ejected, technical fouls on both head coaches, both teams scoring 100 or more points in regulation for the first time in SEC history, bodies flying everywhere like a kung-fu flick.

“I guess it was entertaining for the fans,” LSU head coach Kim Mulkey said.

Well, yes it was.

And when it gets that chaotic, when the No. 7-ranked Tigers are about to blow a 24-point lead, it’s the moment LSU sophomore and former Parkway All-American Mikaylah Williams relishes.

“I just know what my number is called, I’m always ready for the moment,” Williams said.

Because when she waved over teammate Aalyah Del Rosario to set a screen she calmly ducked behind to hit her seventh 3-pointer of the game with 24 seconds left – the dagger that started a 6-0 game-ending run to secure a 107-100 SEC victory over Oklahoma Thursday night – it was a shot she has taken thousands of times in the solitude of honing her stroke in empty gyms.

It capped a 37-point performance by Williams – 12 of 20 field goals including 7 of 12 3’s, 6 of 7 free throws, 7 rebounds and 5 assists – that saved LSU’s bacon after most of her teammates folded against Oklahoma’s 1-2-2 press.

The Tigers (22-1, 7-1 SEC) were leading 72-48 with 4:13 left when they started crumbling. From that point until the last of their game-total 19 turnovers with just over four minutes left, they coughed up 11 turnovers including 5 by Flau’jae Johnson, 3 by Shayeann Day-Wilson, 2 by Morrow and 1 by Williams.

“We’re sitting over there like how could we lose a 24-point lead?” Mulkey said. “I went from Shayeann to K.G. (Kailyn Gilbert) to Mikaylah. You turn the ball over and a good team will capitalize on that.”

Oklahoma, which fell to 16-5, 4-4 SEC, boasts a record that doesn’t reflect its talented roster. The Sooners return 98 percent of their scoring from last year’s team that won the Big 12 Conference regular season championship.

The 13^th-ranked Sooners have veteran outside snipers, like former Louisville guard Payton Verhulst who was last year’s Big 12 Newcomer of the Year in her OU debut. She ripped LSU for 26 points.

When Verhulst wasn’t killing the Tigers, 6-4 junior widebody center Raegan Beers could not be stopped by any of LSU’s thinner, mostly shorter post players. She scored 20 points, hitting all 8 of her field goal attempts by simply pinning whatever Tigers’ defender tried to guard her and catching the ball a step away from the rim.

LSU starting center Sa’Myah Smith and Oklahoma forward Liz Scott were ejected with 4:10 left in the first quarter.

Oklahoma center Beatrice Culliton was battling for position with Smith when they tangled. Culliton moved her arm to create separation and Smith retaliated by pushing her to the ground. Scott, also in the paint area, responded by shoving Smith.

It put LSU at a huge disadvantage for the rest of the game.

Still, with Johnson and Morrow scoring the bulk of their 25 and 21 points in the first 2½ quarters, LSU was able to build a lead that looked invincible.

Until it almost wasn’t.

Even though Oklahoma outscored LSU 52-35 after trailing by 24, Williams countered with 15 points in that same time frame.

None was bigger than after Oklahoma’s Verhulst hit a 3-pointer to slice LSU’s lead to 101-100 with 1:08 left. On the Tigers’ next possession after they collected offensive rebounds off a missed Williams’ 3-poiner and a missed follow shot by Morrow, LSU regrouped by again putting the ball in the hands of Williams.

“I knew we’d be in our pick and roll, and we wanted (OU center) Reagan Beers to be in it,” Williams said. “I knew when she would be guarding Aalyah, I sent her (Aalyah) to come up (to set the screen). I knew she (Beers) was going to be sagging off, so I was just prepared to shoot the ball. And I was having a good game tonight, so I was very confident about it falling in.”

Williams’ final 3 of the night was followed 12 seconds later with Johnson scoring on a breakaway layup off a blocked shot by Del Rosario to snuff OU’s comeback.

Afterward, when Mulkey assessed LSU’s all-time scoring output in an SEC game and gushied over the Tigers’ season-high 12 3-pointers made, she reserved her highest praise for Williams.

“She will play any position I need her to play, and she’s been doing that for a month or so,” Mulkey said. “She’s willing to do whatever we need. I love that kid. She just wants to do right. She just wants to win. Every day, she just wants to get better.”

Contact Ron at ronhigginsmedia@gmail.com

By JOHN JAMES MARSHALL, Journal Sports

You’d think that after being involved in putting on three Super Bowls in New Orleans that things would get easier for former Shreveporter Jay Cicero this time around.

Think again.

“It’s been pretty frantic,” said Cicero. “We are trying to accomplish a lot more than we did in 2013. The event has grown tremendously since then and we challenged ourselves to do something that we could grow. It’s created a lot of work but we think it’s going to be great.”

For example, a parade has been added to the festivities on Saturday before the game because the league wants the atmosphere to feature that host city flair. “The NFL encourages you to do something that is representative of the local culture and a parade will certainly do that,” he said.

Rest assured, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell hasn’t spent any time discussing whether to turn left onto Poydras or take a right on St. Charles.

He’ll leave that to Cicero, who is the President and CEO of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, and chairman of the New Orleans Super Bowl Host Committee. That organization basically takes care of all things Super Bowl – except the actual game.

Cicero has been a part of the Super Bowl preparations in 1997, 2002 and 2013. The 2002 game was memorable because it was the first after the 9-11 attack. The 2013 game was memorable for the light failure that hit the Superdome during the third quarter.

The events of earlier this month are just another layer to deal with. “Certainly the terrorist attack on January 1 (on Bourbon Steet) has added an extra level of planning for security,” he said.

There are other significant events that are tying the NFL and New Orleans together – a light show at St. Louis Cathedral is another example (with an eye toward getting a head start on a $50 million renovation of the building).

All of that has been in the planning stages for months, if not years. And Cicero was well staffed to handle that with the No. 2 man at the GNOSF set to oversee many of those duties.

Until he left to take another job.

So Cicero knew he had two options. He could try to find somebody who understood New Orleans and had the experience to bring all of this together.

Or he could just do it himself.

He chose Plan B.

“I’ve stepped in to both roles, but I feel like I’ve been rejuvenated because it’s really exciting to be involved in all of this,” he said. “We have some staff members who have been through this before, but to guide them through this again has been really rewarding.”

Cicero looks back at 1997, his first Super Bowl, and borrows the term that his father often used as baseball coach at Jesuit (now Loyola) to describe an easy fly ball. “That was a can of corn compared to now,” he said. “There were 3,000 members of the media back then and now there are 6,000. The security level wasn’t what it is now. Street closures, parking displacements are all issues.”

With a week to go and the pressure sure to increase, the obvious question for Cicero would be this: Is he looking forward to the game or looking forward to the game being over?

“Every day I look forward to the game,” he said. “I still love the game itself. On the day of the game, we have a brunch and walk to the Superdome, just like it’s a Saints game, and our job is done. The NFL runs everything on that day. The next day there is a handoff ceremony (to next year’s host San Francisco) at 8 a.m. and I’ll breathe a sigh of relief once that’s done. But I’ll miss the hustle and bustle. It’s that type of excitement and that type of feverish pace that has been our lives for the last several months.”

Contact JJ at johnjamesmarshall@yahoo.com

When it comes to Southern sayings, there are two that hit the tape at the same time for me: “If you’re waiting on me, you’re backing up” and “This ain’t my first rodeo.”

As for the first one, I have multiple family members who simply don’t understand what that is supposed to mean, but that’s on them. To me it’s fairly obvious, but then again, not everybody spent four years in Lincoln Parish like I did.

Which brings us to the second one. Though I am about as cityboy as they come – I don’t hunt, have never milked a cow – when it comes to things I might never have seen before, it is truly not my first rodeo.

Yes, I have been to a rodeo.

And, I might add, loved every manure-smelling minute of it.

The best part of the story is that this wasn’t some large-scale production with national competitors flying in to have a shot at a sizable purse money.

It was much — MUCH – more low key than that.

Upon arriving at Louisiana Tech in the late 1970s, I quickly discovered what a great melting pot of culture I found myself in. My fraternity had guys so country they used words that I had (1) never heard of or (2) couldn’t understand due to their accents.

For some reason I still can’t explain, the fraternity sponsored an annual rodeo. It was either in Pea Ridge or on Pea Ridge Road – does it really matter? – which seemed like a perfect setting.

One of the great truths that has stood the test of time is that a college student without anything to do on a Saturday night will do just about anything. Going to a rodeo in rural Lincoln Parish certainly qualified.

I didn’t really know what was going on and really didn’t care. It was an atmosphere that I had never seen before and this great mixture of man with/against animal was fascinating. I remember sitting on the fence at the end of the arena and enjoying the spectacle that was playing out before me.

At least I didn’t fake it. My head was not made for a cowboy hat. I’ve only worn boots in weather-related circumstances. A flannel shirt and jeans (no, not Wranglers) was about as much as I could Cowboy Up and still maintain some degree of self-dignity.

I hope you are not counting on some great punchline to this story. There isn’t one. I didn’t get picked to be a guest barrel racer. I wasn’t gorged by a bull with some kind of ferocious name.

Of all the people there that night, I’m probably the only one who remembers it. This was about nothing more than experiencing a slice of life that I would have otherwise never done.

I’m not sure how many nights I spent in Ruston in four years, so why is this one so memorable? Maybe it’s because it was outside of the rinse/repeat lifestyle that we all tend to lead as we find our way along life’s path.

Quite often when I’m driving around in this area in search of a Friday night football game or a golf course, I’ll see one of these small, backroad rodeo arenas. Warped wooden bleachers. Creosote light poles. An elevated perch for the PA announcer.

It will take me back to a time when I completely stepped outside of myself to see that there’s more to competition than just box scores and 3-on-2 fast breaks.

At some point in our lives, retracing our steps seems to take on a special significance. Maybe it’s a place where you took a vacation as a kid or taking a tour of your old school. It’s never a bad idea to re-live a time when the world was just as you wanted it to be, if only for a March night in north Lincoln Parish.

Given the opportunity, one day I hope to bring back that decades-old scene that I have played out in my mind countless times.

And when I do, I’ll also look forward to telling everyone who asks that it is literally not my first rodeo.

Contact JJ at johnjamesmarshall@yahoo.com

JOURNAL SPORTS

PEBBLE BEACH, Cal. – Sam Burns started the 2025 PGA Tour campaign with a solid 4-under 68 Thursday in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

The Shreveport native and Calvary Baptist graduate, an All-American and collegiate player of the year at LSU, carded three birdies in his first seven holes at Pebble Beach Golf Links before a bogey on the tough par-4 8^th hole that PGA Tour legend Fred Couples recently called “the toughest hole in golf.”

Burns, now living in Choudrant and playing out of Squire Creek Country Club, carded 34 on both sides. He birdied the iconic 18^th hole, reaching the green in two, to finish tied for 23^rd on the leaderboard after the opening round.

The 28-year-old will tee off at 10:48 a.m. CST (8:48 PST) today at Spyglass Hill, paired with J.T. Poston and their amateur playing partners in the unique format that was hosted for decades by entertainer Bing Crosby. The tournament began in 1937 with Crosby as the anchor for 40 years.

Burns is doubtlessly enjoying his partner – country music superstar singer and songwriter Eric Church, a 15-handicap. Amateurs pay about $70,000 to play in the tournament.

Golf Channel will have live coverage from 3-7 p.m. today with CBS picking up coverage Saturday and Sunday.

Zachary Blythe has been promoted to Assistant Vice President. He was born in Mt. Pleasant, Texas. After graduating high school, he joined the United States Army and did three and half years in the infantry. After the military he moved back to the Shreveport/Bossier City area and became a police officer for five years.

Zach began his career with City Bank & Trust Co. on January 18th, 2022, as a credit analyst and was promoted to a loan officer six months later. He serves on the board of First Responders Support Team, a local non-profit, as its secretary. Zach is married to Roxanna Blythe, and they have two children, Owen and Landry. In his spare time, he enjoys spending it with his family and friends.

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Art has the profound ability to move us, inspire us, and connect us with our innermost emotions. From the strokes of a painter’s brush to the rhythm of a dancer’s feet, art transcends barriers and speaks a universal language. Each year on January 31, Inspire Your Heart with Art Day invites us to reflect on the emotional impact of art and its ability to shape and enrich our lives.

This day isn’t just about observing art but about engaging with it—whether through creating, exploring, or simply appreciating the beauty around us. Let’s delve into the significance of art, its emotional and cultural resonance, and ways to incorporate it into our daily lives.

The Emotional Power of Art

Art has a unique capacity to evoke emotions, whether it’s joy, sorrow, wonder, or nostalgia. Psychologists have long studied the relationship between art and emotion, finding that viewing or creating art can reduce stress, enhance mood, and even improve mental health.

• Painting and Visual Art: A vibrant painting can lift our spirits, while a dark, moody canvas might invite introspection. Take Vincent van Gogh’s Starry Night, for instance, which has captivated generations with its swirling skies and emotional depth.
• Music: A symphony or a simple melody can evoke tears or energize us with happiness. Songs have the power to bring memories to life and provide solace during difficult times.
• Dance: Movement has a way of expressing feelings words cannot. The fluidity of a dancer can tell stories of struggle, triumph, and everything in between.

Art is a mirror reflecting the complexities of human experience. Whether it provides comfort in hard times or celebrates life’s joys, its ability to touch our hearts is unmatched.

Inspiring Stories of Art

Art has inspired countless individuals and communities throughout history. Consider the story of Frida Kahlo, whose self-portraits expressed her physical and emotional pain while empowering generations of women. Or the role of music during the Civil Rights Movement, where songs like We Shall Overcome became anthems of hope and resilience.

Closer to home, local art scenes across Louisiana have transformed neighborhoods and communities. Murals in towns like Lafayette and New Orleans not only beautify public spaces but also celebrate the state’s rich culture, history, and heritage.

The Role of Art in Everyday Life

Engaging with art doesn’t require a trip to a museum or concert hall. Everyday moments can be filled with creativity and inspiration:

• Journaling: Writing poetry or prose can help process emotions and reflect on personal experiences.
• Photography: Capturing the beauty of nature or a bustling cityscape allows us to see the world through a new lens.
• Cooking: Yes, even cooking can be an art form. The way we combine flavors, plate a dish, or experiment with recipes reflects our creativity.
• DIY Projects: From knitting to furniture restoration, hands-on activities allow us to create something meaningful.

Art is everywhere—in the colors of a sunset, the arrangement of flowers in a garden, or the melody of wind chimes. By paying attention, we can find artistic inspiration in the most unexpected places.

How to Celebrate Inspire Your Heart with Art Day

1. Visit a Local Art Gallery or Museum: Louisiana is home to many artistic treasures, such as the Ogden Museum of Southern Art in New Orleans and the Alexandria Museum of Art. Immerse yourself in exhibits that showcase regional talent and diverse perspectives.
2. Support Local Artists: Attend a craft fair, purchase handmade goods, or follow local artists on social media. Supporting creators in your community helps keep art alive and thriving.
3. Take a Class: Explore a new medium, such as watercolor painting, pottery, or photography. Many community centers and art studios offer beginner-friendly workshops.
4. Host a Movie or Music Night: Watch a film that showcases artistic expression or listen to a genre of music you’ve never explored before.
5. Create Something: Dedicate time to an art project, no matter how small. Whether you sketch, bake, or write, the act of creating can be deeply rewarding.

Art in Louisiana: A Cultural Celebration

Louisiana’s vibrant arts scene is a testament to the state’s rich cultural tapestry. From the lively jazz music of New Orleans to the intricate craftsmanship of Cajun quilts, art in Louisiana reflects a blend of traditions and stories.

• Mardi Gras Parades: The floats, costumes, and masks are a stunning display of creativity and community spirit.
• Creole and Cajun Music: Instruments like the accordion and fiddle bring stories of resilience and joy to life.
• Cultural Festivals: Events such as the Louisiana Art & Science Museum’s art markets or local crawfish festivals often feature artisans showcasing unique works.

Exploring these local treasures not only supports artists but also strengthens our connection to the culture that makes Louisiana so unique.

The Lasting Impact of Art

Art isn’t just something to admire—it’s something that shapes who we are. It teaches us empathy by allowing us to see the world through another’s perspective. It provides a sense of community by bringing people together. And it gives us a way to express ourselves when words fall short.

This Inspire Your Heart with Art Day, take a moment to pause and appreciate the creative beauty around you. Whether it’s a favorite painting, a song that moves you, or a handmade gift from a loved one, art has the power to touch our hearts and inspire our souls.

By embracing art in all its forms, we celebrate not only creativity but also the shared human experience that binds us all.

By DAVID ERSOFF, Journal Sports

The LHSAA boys soccer state playoffs begin this week, with Shreveport-Bossier well represented among the traditional state powers, especially in Division III.

The Loyola Flyers earned the top seed in that bracket and the Bossier Bearkats are No. 3. They played to a scoreless tie at Bossier Monday night.

There are no first-round games that are a rematch of local teams playing during the regular season. Today’s bad weather might impact two local teams but both Airline and Evangel are playing in New Orleans where no heavy rain or storms are expected.

Captain Shreve opens the Division I playoffs at home Friday as the repeat champions of the Shreveport-Bossier Journal Coaches Poll of local teams.

Division I

No. 7-seeded Captain Shreve – No. 1 in the final Shreveport-Bossier Journal Coaches Poll — will host No. 26 Woodlawn of Baton Rouge Friday at 6 o’clock at Lee Hedges Stadium. If the Gators advance, they will face the winner of 10^th seeded Brother Martin and No. 23 Airline.

The Airline-Brother Martin contest in the Crescent City kicks off at 4:30 today at LaFreniere Park.

No. 15 Byrd will host H.L. Bourgeois (18^th seeded) Saturday morning at 10:30 on campus. If the Yellow Jackets advance they will likely go to New Orleans to play No. 2 Jesuit, likely to dispatch No. 31 Ponchatoula in the first round.

No. 20 Benton travels to No. 13 Lafayette, game date and time still TBA as of Wednesday evening. If the Tigers pull the upset, they will face the winner of No. 4 Catholic of Baton Rouge and No. 29 Destrehan

Division II

No. 16 Northwood will host No. 17 Riverdale Saturday at 6. The winner will probably collide with top-seeded Teurlings Catholic which hosts No. 32 Tioga in the first round.

Caddo Magnet, seeded 23^rd, will travel to New Orleans for a meeting Friday at 3 agaisnt No. 10 Archbishop Rummel. The Mustangs aim for the upset and a shorter second-round trip to either No. 7 Prairieville and No. 20 Comeaux.

No. 27 Parkway heads to No. 6 Pineville for a Saturday 11 a.m. contest. A Panthers’ surprise would advance them against either No. 11 Ben Franklin or No. 22 South Terrebonne.

Division III

Friday at 6 at Messmer Stadium, top-seeded Loyola will host No. 32 Washington-Marion. Barring an upset loss, the Flyers will host the winner of the 16-17 matchup between De La Salle and Livingston Collegiate.

Another state championship contender, No. 3 Bossier, opens at home against No. 30 Buckeye on Friday at 5. A win moves the Bearkats forward against either 19^th-seeded Minden or No. 14 Parkview Baptist.

Division IV

Calvary gets a home game and the 13^th seed hosts No. 20 Lycee Francais de la Nouvelle Orleans at 3:30 Friday. The Cavaliers have a potential Round 2 matchup at No. 4 Ouachita Christian, which plays No. 29 Highland Baptist in the first round.

Evangel, seeded 23^rd, has a 7 p.m. contest tonight at Pan Am Stadium in New Orleans against No. 10 Sarah T. Reed. Next would be likely be another trip south to visit No. 7 Covenant Christian, which has No. 26 Houma Christian to open the playoffs.

Gators rule final SBJ Coaches Poll again

Captain Shreve used a 2-0 victory over Loyola and a Monday night 1-1 tie against Byrd to repeat as champion of the Shreveport-Bossier Journal Boys Soccer Coaches Poll. They were voted at the top of the inaugural poll last season.

The question of settling the Nos. 2 and 3 spots was not answered as Bossier and Loyola played to a 0-0 draw Monday night at Bossier. The Bearkats and the Flyers have been flipping the second spot all season long. We could get the final answer in the state finals, with Loyola seeded first and Bossier at No. 3. In the SBJ poll, they finished, fittingly enough, tied for second.

The remainder of the Coaches Poll remained the same, despite a few results that could have resulted in changes. Byrd had a good finish, beating Benton 5-2 and the tie with Shreve got the Yellow Jackets closer, but not enough to crack the top three. Northwood survived a scoreless tie with Magnet to stay in the sixth spot.

Final 2025 SBJ Coaches Boys Soccer Poll

Rank      Team (1^st)                          Record                  Pts          Last week

1             Captain Shreve (8)           17-5-4                  62           1            

T2           Loyola                                   16-2-6                  47           2

T2           Bossier                                  15-6-2                  47           3

4             Byrd (1)                                12-5-3                  41           4

5             Benton                                 11-11-1                 27           5

6             Northwood                        11-2-3                  16           6

7             Airline                                   10-5-3                  9             7

Also receiving votes — Magnet (1), Calvary (1), North DeSoto (1)

Contact David at dersoff@bellsouth.net

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By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports

Five of the six area Division I college basketball teams are home at least once in the coming days.

The women’s teams at Grambling and Northwestern State play home games tonight, when it will be good to be indoors during a rainy evening.

Louisiana Tech’s men are home Saturday, and four miles away Grambling hosts an attractive SWAC doubleheader against Jackson State.

The NSU and Grambling men are on their homecourts Monday night. Only the Lady Techsters are not home in the next several days and they have a great chance to pick up their first Conference USA road win Saturday.

MEN

Louisiana Tech (15-6, 4-4 CUSA)

Next: home Saturday at 3 vs. Sam Houston State (8-13, 1-7)

Last game: won 75-69 last Saturday at home over Middle Tennessee State

Notes: No surprise as to the top two ‘Dogs in Conference USA contests: center Daniel Batcho, the preseason CUSA Player of the Year, is averaging 17.4 points, 7.3 rebounds and shooting 70.6 percent from the field, while point guard Sean Newman Jr. produces 10.4 points himself and issues 7.8 assists per game in league action … a pair of two-point losses settled in the closing seconds at Jacksonville State and Kennesaw State have the Bulldogs mired in the middle of the conference standings despite their overall record.

Northwestern (9-11, 6-4 Southland)

Next: at East Texas A&M (2-19, 0-10) Saturday, 2:15; Monday, 6:30, home vs. UT-Rio Grande Valley (12-9, 4-6)

Last game: lost 69-59 Monday at Lamar

Notes:  in Southland Conference games, junior forward Addison Patterson leads the Demons with a 13.5 scoring average and is at 6.4 rebounds per game … junior point guard Micah Thomas averages 12.8 points and has hit 89.5 (34-38) of his free throws in league play … at the halfway point in the SLC race, Northwestern has a pair of two-point wins and a one-point loss.

Grambling (6-14, 3-4 SWAC)

Next: home Saturday, 4:30, vs. Jackson State (5-15, 5-2), home Monday, 8:00, vs. Alcorn State (4-16, 4-3

Last game: won 81-77 Monday at UAPB

Notes: The Tigers have won 3 of their last 4 and are one bizarre second from a possible four-game streak, losing by 67-60 at league-leading Southern two Saturdays ago when a last-second foul call on Grambling in a 1-point game sparked three technical fouls on the Tigers and a game-ending seven-point spree at the line for the Jags … Antwan Burnett tops GSU in SWAC games with a 13.2 scoring average and a 7.0 rebounding rate … Kintavious Dozier is averaging 10.3 points and hitting 84 percent (21-25) on the free throw line in league games … three more Tigers are averaging 9 points in SWAC games.

WOMEN

Louisiana Tech (11-8, 4-4 CUSA)

Next: at Sam Houston (8-10, 1-7) Saturday at 2

Last game: lost 61-43 Saturday at Middle Tennessee

Notes:  The Techsters have a great chance to shake off their winless CUSA road record when they visit the league’s last-place team Saturday in Huntsville, Texas … Paris Bradley tops Tech in CUSA play with her 14.8 scoring average and has hit 48.8 percent of her shots … Robyn Lee is scoring 12.8 in league play, and getting 5.9 rebounds per game … Jianna Morris averages 11.5 points in CUSA contests … the Techsters haven’t had a nailbiter yet in league play, with their closest margin a 7-point win over Jacksonville State.

Northwestern (8-10, 5-4 Southland)

Next: home vs. UT-Rio Grande Valley (10-11, 5-5), 6:30 tonight, Saturday, noon at East Texas A&M (4-14, 1-8)

Last game: lost 59-55 at Lamar Monday

Notes:  The Demons lost twice in the final minute in their last two games at Stephen F. Austin and at Lamar … Northwestern has the Southland’s top two scorers in conference games – senior point guard Mya Blake (18.4 points per game) and freshman Vernell Atamah (17.1) … the Demons have two SLC losses by two points and another by four … their closest win was 46-42 at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.

Grambling (7-11, 4-3 SWAC)

Next: home tonight, 6:30, vs. Alcorn State (5-13, 4-3); home Saturday, 2:00, vs. Jackson State (8-10, 6-1)

Last game: won 69-62 last Saturday at Mississippi Valley State

Notes: Grambling hasn’t had a nailbiter in SWAC play, with a six-point loss at Southern as its closest game … Kahia Warmsley is the team’s top player in conference games with averages of 15.6 points and 6.1 rebounds.

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com

JOURNAL SPORTS

TYLER, Texas – Braylan McNeal exploded for 28 points Wednesday night, leading Bossier Parish Community College to a 76-69 victory at Tyler Junior College in Region XIV basketball, giving coach J.A. Anglin’s squad a season sweep over the Apaches.

The Cavaliers rose to 14-6 overall and evened their Region XIV record at 6-6. Tyler JC lost for only the third time in 11 home games, dipping to 11-9 overall and 5-7 in league play, including an earlier 80-77 loss at BPCC.

X’Zaevion Barnett added 12 points and Ajang Tong had 10 for BPCC, which is home Saturday afternoon at 2 aiming for for its third straight win. Navarro visits Billy Montgomery Gym owning an 80-78 decision Dec. 7 over the visiting Cavs.

Mother Nature can do some strange things. She can send us enough heat in August to make us think we’re in the Sahara Desert. She can send us a drought as serious as folks have been experiencing in California; she can drench us with floods that virtually cover lakeside homes and wash out bridges on country roads.

It’s in winter, though, when she saves her neatest tricks. A plethora of song birds respond to the cold icy weather as having high metabolism they’re born with, they need plenty of food to keep their little motors running. My bird watching had gotten a bit boring during the mild winter so far. I love the cardinals, titmice and chickadees that visit my feeders every day but I eventually got tired of looking as I saw no other birds except for these three species.

Let the weather turn icy though like we’ve lived through for the past week or so, and the thickets give up the variety of birds where until now, they find all the comfort they need. Put out feed and here they come – purple finches, gold finches, blue jays, woodpeckers, fox sparrows and the occasional towhee. When we had a big snow a couple of winters ago with snow and ice covering my feeders, I put out feed on the floor of my back porch and it was like a zoo. My wife was less than enthusiastic about the mess the birds left as they gobbled down the seeds I had scattered on the porch, thanking me by leaving their droppings to be cleaned up.

When I was a kid growing up out on the rural route, getting to see and experience snow and watching the big flakes flutter down was a special treat. Goldonna seldom got snow but on those rare occasions when we did, it was like Christmas.

One particular snowfall remains in my memory to this day. I don’t know what year it was but I was maybe 12 years old and we got a serious one. Next to our home was a pine thicket and the tender pine branches were bent to the ground with the weight of a foot of snow.

We had neighbors living just on the other side of the thicket with a path that led from our house to theirs. I dug through my photo files and found a photo of me standing on the path next to one of the snow-laden pines.

Enough about the past. Let’s look at what has been going on around our state with this recent artic blast. Although I don’t get as excited today as I once did at the prospects of getting to see snow, I admit I was just a tad disappointed when the weather folks said that north Louisiana might see a dusting of snow, if any at all, and that’s how it played out. I still enjoy watching big feathery flakes drift down, provided it’s all gone by tomorrow.

The rare phenomenon forecast for the southern part of our state was fantasy come to life when up to a foot of snow fell as far south as the Gulf Coast.

Beginning last Tuesday morning, the little kids in places like Houma, New Iberia, Hackberry et al got to play and romp in snow, something many of them had never seen.

My daughter, Cathy, lives just outside Baton Rouge in the city of Central and she sent me a video of their snow-covered yard with big feathery flakes still floating down. Six inches had fallen in her yard with another three inches forecast. I saw a photo of two guys on skis on snow-covered Bourbon Street, of all places! They actually had blizzard warnings for areas along the coast. Crazy weather for sure and all we have up here is a drab landscape to look at and frigid temperatures — but lots of birds.

I pledge to never complain about hot, dry weather again. I’m so ready for spring.

Contact Glynn at glynnharris37@gmail.com