SERIOUS STROKE: Calvary’s explosive offense has outscored opponents 380-45, and the Lady Cavaliers are 34-1 as three-time defending state champions heading into today’s home regional-round playoff game. (Journal photo by GAVEN HAMMOND, landgphoto.com)
JOURNAL SPORTS
Does Caddo-Bossier prep softball have staying power? Benton and Calvary hope to reach next weekend’s LHSAA state tournament by dispatching visitors in quarterfinal contests today.
Calvary (34-1), the top seed in Select Division III and aiming for its fourth straight state title, hosts No. 9 Bunkie (18-11) at 5 p.m.
Benton (27-5) is home, also with a 5 o’clock first pitch, as the No. 2 team in Non-Select Division I going against seventh-seeded Walker (21-8).
After earning byes in the first round , Benton and Calvary notched homefield victories Tuesday in the regional round. Calvary, averaging more than 10 runs per game this season, hammered Fisher 16-1 in three innings while Benton rallied past Destrehan 4-2.
POSITIVE MINDSET: Jared Jones and the seventh-ranked LSU baseball team aren’t dwelling on Tuesday’s run-rule loss to Northwestern State as the Tigers prepare to host defending national champion Tennessee this weekend at Alex Box Stadium. (Photo by BRANSON PHILLIPS, LSU Athletics)
By RON HIGGINS, Journal Sports
BATON ROUGE – It sounds odd when you say LSU’s 2025 baseball season is about to get real for the No. 7-ranked Tigers.
After all, they’ve already won four of their six league series in a 16-team SEC projected to earn 13 NCAA tournament bids, four top 8 seeds, and seven schools hosting regionals.
But how often can seven-time national champion LSU say it will play both College World Series finalists from a year ago in the next two weekends? And then face a team currently ahead of the Tigers in the national polls and the SEC race?
Before LSU (34-8, 12-6 SEC) travels to 2024 CWS runners-up Texas A&M next weekend followed by home series against No. 5 Arkansas, it has a gargantuan battle in Alex Box Stadium vs. 2024 national champs No. 6 Tennessee (34-7, 12-6 SEC) starting with tonight’s 6:30 series opener.
“If there was a (ESPN) College Baseball GameDay, they’d probably be here,” Tigers’ fourth-year head coach Jay Johnson said of the enormity of anticipating one of the nation’s best matchups of the regular season.
Maybe so.
Yet the wear and tear of the weekend-to-weekend grind in college baseball’s undisputed toughest league has the Tigers and Vols fading a bit in the last two or three weeks.
After LSU’s series sweep at then-No. 9 Oklahoma three weeks ago when the Tigers’ pitching staff allowed no earned runs, LSU was swept two weeks ago at then-No. 9 Auburn and struggled at home to beat then-No. 15 Alabama 2 games to 1 last weekend.
Even worse, LSU suffered a stunning 13-3 non-conference run-rule weather-delayed home loss in seven innings to Northwestern State on Tuesday night.
“You’ve got to flush it and attack the weekend,” said LSU senior right fielder Josh Pearson, who hit a second-inning solo homer vs. the Demons for a 2-0 lead.
The Tigers played so poorly that Johnson was at a loss for words to deliver a postgame speech to his stunned team. It’s the first time this season LSU rolled over and played dead, failing to respond to early adversity such as NSU’s six-run third inning following a 1 hour and 33-minute lightning delay after the game had already started 30 minutes late because of a torrential late-afternoon downpour.
Johnson took responsibility for the loss, which was the first time in the Tigers’ history that they suffered a run-rule defeat at the hands of a non-conference opponent. He tampered with the starting lineup, moving first baseman Jared Jones from first base to third base and outfielder Jake Brown to first base.
While Brown hit a solo homer, Jones went 1 for 3 with a strikeout and committed two fielding errors.
“We played our team wrong the other day,” Johnson said. “This year, we’ve played our team the right way more often than we haven’t. But it’s a painful lesson, you know?
“I tell the team we want to have as much inexpensive experience as we possibly can. Losing a game to me is expensive. It’s not fatal. But I would never undermine or hurt our team’s ability to win with any decision I make.”
Tennessee has lost two of its last three SEC series. The Vols won openers at home to Texas A&M three weeks ago and at Kentucky last weekend before losing the last two games of each series.
But while LSU sleepwalked its way through the Northwestern State loss, the Vols on the same night scored an 11-1 run-rule seven-inning home win over non-conference foe Lipscomb.
“Based on last weekend, there’s a sense of urgency as you get closer to May,” said Tennessee’s Tony Vitello, who has won almost 73 percent of his games in his nine seasons as the Vols’ head coach, including three CWS appearances in the last four years. “That’s when you want to know who your best guys are and where your best guys need to go.
“I do think this group likes being on the road together. Having said that, you’re going into a place (LSU) that’s a difficult to win as anywhere in the country.
“They’ve had success, they’ve got their style, and they roll with a certain environment. When you go down there and the bus pulls up (at the stadium), you can smell there’s some pretty good cooking going on even if you don’t get to eat any of it.”
No. 7 LSU (34-8 overall, 12-6 SEC) vs. No. 8 Tennessee (34-7, 12-6 SEC), Alex Box Stadium, Baton RougeSCHEDULE/PITCHING MATCHUP
Game 1: Today, 6:30 p.m. CT (SEC Network+)
LSU – So. LH Kade Anderson (6-1, 3.92 ERA, 57.1 IP, 91 SO, 13 BB)
TENNESSEE – Jr. RH Liam Doyle (7-1, 2.48 ERA, 58 IP, 104 SO, 17 BB)
Game 2: Saturday, 7 p.m. CT (ESPNU)
LSU – Jr. RH Anthony Eyanson (6-1, 3.52 ERA, 53.2 IP, 83 SO, 21 BB)
TENNESSEE – Jr. RH Marcus Phillips (2-3, 2.96 ERA, 48.2 IP, 62 SO, 17 BB)
Series wins: 3-0 vs. Missouri, 3-0 vs. Mississippi State, 3-0 at Oklahoma, 2-1 vs. Alabama. Series losses: 1-2 at Texas, 0-3 at Auburn.
TENNESSEE IN SEC THIS YEAR
Series wins: 3-0 vs. Florida, 2-1 at Alabama, 3-0 at South Carolina, 2-1 at Ole Miss. Series losses: 1-2 vs. Texas A&M, 1-2 at Kentucky.
LSU-TENNESSEE SERIES
LSU leads the all-time series 62-33 but is 7-11 vs. Tennessee since Tony Vitello became the Vols’ head coach in 2018. Tennessee has won four straight games over LSU, including a three-game sweep in Knoxville last season, followed by a 4-3 win over the Tigers in the 2024 SEC tournament championship game. Fourth-year LSU head coach Jay Johnson is 4-7 vs. the Vols, all four wins in 2023, including two in the College World Series.
A LOOK AT LSU
LSU is No. 2 in the SEC in team batting average (.316) as well as on-base percentage (.430), hits (441), doubles (94), and fewest times struck out per game (7.02). The Tigers’ pitching staff is No. 5 in ERA (3.82), No. 4 in opponent batting average (.219), and No. 2 in strikeouts (467). Junior first baseman Jared Jones is No. 3 in the SEC in RBI (55), No. 4 in hits (60), No. 4 in total bases (111), No. 8 in home runs (13), No. 10 in runs (47) and No. 10 in batting average (.359). Freshman leftfielder Derek Curiel is No. 5 in walks (35), No. 6 in doubles (13), No. 6 in hits (58), No. 6 in on-base percentage (.495), and No. 9 in batting average (.369). Junior second baseman Daniel Dickinson is No. 8 in the SEC in on-base percentage (.489). Sophomore left-hander Kade Anderson is No. 2 in strikeouts (91) and No. 3 in the league in innings pitched (57.1). Junior right-hander Anthony Eyanson is No. 4 in strikeouts (83).
A LOOK AT TENNESSEE
Tennessee is No. 3 in the SEC in batting average (.308), No. 2 in home runs (97), and No. 2 in RBI (356). The Volunteers’ pitching staff is No. 2 in the league in ERA (3.17), No. 3 in strikeouts (464), and No. 3 in opposing batting average (.211). and it has 340 strikeouts in 330 innings while limiting opponents to a .249 batting average. Shortstop Gavin Kilen, a Louisville transfer, is hitting a team-leading .412 with five doubles, three triples, 11 homers, and 28 RBI. Centerfielder Hunter Ensley is tied for No. 7 in the SEC in RBI (47) and is tied for No. 6 in doubles (.213). First baseman Andrew Fischer is tied for No. 2 in home runs (16) and is No. 2 in walks (43). Starting pitcher Liam Doyle is No. 2 in ERA (2.43) and No. 1 in strikeouts (104) and innings pitched (58).
The undefeated LSUS Pilots have launched 54 home runs and scored 502 runs, an average of over 11 per game. (Photo courtesy LSUS Athletics)
JOURNAL SPORTS
With a place in college baseball history within reach, even the weather is working in favor of the unbeaten LSUS Pilots.
The final LSUS baseball series of the regular season begins in Shreveport because of weather considerations.
LSUS has a turf field while opponent Jarvis Christian does not.
The Pilots (44-0) have an opportunity to record the longest winning streak in college baseball history this weekend.
LSUS will play a single game today at 6 against Jarvis Christian (5-24), then the action shifts to Hawkins, Texas and the JCC campus with a doubleheader Saturday starting at 1. The schedule was juggled this morning, moving the twinbill to Saturday.
Hawkins is located 20 miles north of Tyler in east Texas.
If LSUS wins the first two games, the final game of the series Saturday would be the record breaker.
Savannah State (NCAA Division II) owns the current record at 46-0 set in 2000.
LSUS already has broken NAIA records for most wins to open a season (37) and most consecutive wins (42).
The LHSAA has been tweaking the high school baseball playoff format for years and finally got to what most of the coaches have wanted for a long time – a best-of-three series in every round.
It took some schedule adjustments as the season started a week earlier to accommodate the extended playoffs, which now take almost five weeks to play.
But there was been collateral damage with the change.
In the opening round, more than half the teams get a bye while the lower seeds battle it out.
The bye is great because, obviously, that’s one less chance that you could get knocked out. It also allows the teams to let some injuries heal and perhaps adjust the playoff pitching rotation.
But after two months of playing games on a regular basis, those teams with byes have that come to a screeching halt.
When Benton takes on Ruston tonight in the Non-Select Division I second round, it will have been 13 days since the Tigers last played a game.
“It presents challenges,” Benton coach Dane Peavy said. “You give your guys a couple of days off and you play a couple of exhibition games. There are some teams that don’t have a good enough team to overcome that and get beat in the second round. We are hoping to maintain that level of confidence that we’ve had.”
When Loyola plays Haynes Academy in the Select Division II playoffs, it’s also been 13 days since the Flyers’ last game.
“You get used to playing three or four times a week and then it all comes to a screeching halt,” said Loyola coach Morgan Brian. “The bye is nice in our case to get some guys healthy because we’ve had some nagging injuries. You get a little fatigued from the grind and it gives you a chance to reset and regroup.”
The LHSAA does allow teams with a week off to play in a scrimmage against another school with a bye. “But it’s just not the same atmosphere,” Peavy said.
Loyola played Haughton, another team with a bye, twice last week in scrimmages. “I do like that we get to play those,” Brian said. “But the kids know it doesn’t mean anything. It’s uninspired baseball.”
But there seems to be another change that perhaps the LHSAA might consider (but won’t). Ditch the five-round, five-week playoffs system and eliminate the byes completely.
A quick look at the results of the first round shows why. (Lower divisions such as IV, B and C still play single games each round.)
In the Non-Select Division I bracket (where Benton, Haughton and Northwood play), there are only two teams from outside the top 16. On the Select side (Captain Shreve), there are zero teams from outside the top 16.
In Non-Select Division II, there was only one lower seed “upset” and zero on the Select side.
Only one in Non-Select Division III and zero in Select.
No need to crunch those numbers; the results speak for themselves. It’s wonderful that all these teams make the playoffs, but having a 16-team playoff would work just as well. And perhaps even better, because it would shorten the schedule by the week – boy, weren’t those 38-degree games in February fun! – and the bye week would be eliminated.
The majority of the best teams in each bracket are forced to stop playing just to wait a week and take on a team they were more than likely going to play anyway.
Before this season, teams played best-of-three all the way to the semifinals, when the semifinals and finals were single games and both played in Sulphur. Now, the semifinals are best-of-three at the home of the higher seed and only the finals are in Sulphur (and best-of-three).
Great move, because the previous system of changing formats midstream didn’t make much sense.
Now it’s time to make another move and eliminate the needless week of byes and games being played by teams that don’t belong in the playoffs in the first place.
Red River Cowboy Church (RRCC) is saddling up for a high-energy day of fellowship, faith, and fast-paced action as it welcomes the Ragin’ Cajun Mounted Shooters to its Family Life Center arena on Sunday, April 27.
Affiliated with the U.S. Mounted Shooting Association, the Ragin’ Cajun Mounted Shooters will introduce the RRCC community to the adrenaline-pumping sport of mounted shooting — a competition that blends marksmanship, horsemanship, and Old West flair.
The event will feature three exciting categories:
Pistol Matches: Riders shoot 10 balloon targets while galloping through the course using two single-action revolvers. Shotgun Class: Competitors shoot five targets with a revolver before switching to a shotgun to take down additional target bundles. Rifle Division: A combination of revolver and rifle shooting, testing both accuracy and speed on horseback. The event begins shortly after the 10:30 a.m. church service and is free to attend. A lunch will be available for purchase. Guests are encouraged to attend the morning service, where donuts and coffee will be served. Those who attend church will also be entered into a drawing to win a Rossi .22 LR Caliber rifle.
“We’re excited to bring this unique sport to our community,” said organizers. “It’s a great way to experience Western culture and connect with Christ in a fun and meaningful way.”
April 25 carries a weight of scientific triumph and solemn remembrance. It’s National DNA Day in the United States, commemorating the discovery of the double helix structure in 1953 and the completion of the Human Genome Project in 2003. It’s also ANZAC Day in Australia and New Zealand, honoring the soldiers of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps who served and died in wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping missions.
Together, these observances reflect two dramatically different but deeply human aspects of April 25: the pursuit of understanding what makes us human, and the honoring of those who’ve fought for our shared humanity.
On April 25, 1953, Nature published a short article that would forever change biology. Written by James Watson and Francis Crick, the paper unveiled the double helix structure of DNA, the molecule that carries genetic information in living organisms.
The idea of DNA was not new, but this breakthrough explained how genetic information is stored, replicated, and passed on. The discovery laid the foundation for modern genetics, biotechnology, and even forensic science.
Fifty years later, on April 25, 2003, the Human Genome Project was declared complete. This massive, international collaboration successfully mapped the entire human genetic code—over 3 billion base pairs. It was a feat once considered science fiction, and its success opened doors to personalized medicine, ancestry tracing, and a better understanding of genetic diseases.
National DNA Day was created by a U.S. congressional resolution to mark both of these milestones, encouraging education, engagement, and curiosity in genetic science.
DNA has grown beyond textbooks and laboratories—it’s now a fixture in pop culture, health trends, and even crime shows. Mail-in DNA test kits are used to trace ancestry, reveal potential health risks, or uncover long-lost relatives. For some, these kits have delivered shocking revelations—hidden family connections, previously unknown siblings, or even parents kept secret for decades. There’s a strange emotional power in seeing your genetic code laid out in percentages and markers. It brings up questions of identity, heritage, and belonging—questions that are deeply personal, yet increasingly answered by science.
But DNA Day isn’t just about celebration. It also sparks ethical debates: Who owns your genetic data? How is it stored? Could it be used by insurance companies, law enforcement, or even governments in ways we don’t yet fully understand?
The genetic future is here, and April 25 is its unofficial birthday.
While DNA Day celebrates human discovery, another April 25 observance reflects human sacrifice. ANZAC Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand. It originally honored the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps who landed at Gallipoli, Turkey, during World War I on April 25, 1915. The Gallipoli campaign was brutal, with heavy casualties and limited success, but it marked the beginning of a lasting national identity for both countries.
Over time, ANZAC Day has grown to include all Australians and New Zealanders who have served in military operations, past and present.
Each year, cities across both countries hold dawn services, parades, and moments of silence. Families pin red poppies and sprigs of rosemary to their clothing, reciting the solemn words: “Lest we forget.”
It’s a day steeped in reflection—on duty, loss, and the cost of war. For many, it’s as sacred as any religious holiday.
April 25 has one more strange claim to fame—and it reads like the start of a horror movie. On this day in 1923, in San Francisco, police made a discovery that shocked the city: a mummified body found in the attic of a wealthy home, hidden behind a false wall. The man had disappeared years earlier, and though suspicions were raised, the case had gone cold. His preserved body was only found after renovations unearthed his hidden tomb.
The story dominated headlines for weeks, fueling ghost stories and tabloid speculation. While not directly related to DNA or military history, the case has become an oddly morbid footnote in April 25’s legacy—a reminder that even in ordinary places, the past sometimes hides in plain sight.
April 25 invites us to look both inward and outward: into the microscopic codes that define our biology, and into the historic events that have shaped nations. One day, two powerful observances, and countless stories.
In schools and research labs across the U.S., DNA Day is celebrated with genetics lessons, science fairs, and thought-provoking ethical debates. Across the Pacific, Australians and New Zealanders gather at memorials to reflect, remember, and express national pride.
Both days share a common thread: a deep respect for where we come from—whether through the strands of DNA inherited from ancestors, or through the traditions carried forward by generations who served, fought, and sacrificed.
Teddy Henry Brewster April 9, 1947 – April 20, 2025 Service: Monday, April 28, 2025, 11:30am at the Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, Keithville.
Karen Marie Lyons May 23, 1976 – April 20, 2025 Service: Wednesday, April 30, 2025, 11:30am at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Bossier City.
Rhonda Kay Wright November 9, 1959 – April 19, 2025 Service: Saturday, April 26, 2025, 10am at Rose-Neath Funeral Home Southside, Shreveport.
George Belchic, Jr., M.D. December 1, 1925 – April 18, 2025 Service: Wednesday, April 30, 2025, 2pm at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Shreveport.
Robert Charles Clark June 27, 1954 – April 18, 2025 Service: Saturday, April 26, 2025, 1pm at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Blanchard.
Derrick Williams October 17, 1977 – April 17, 2025 Service: Saturday, April 26, 2025, 10am at New Bethel Baptist Church, Shreveport.
Warren “BoBo” Candler Danford III February 25, 1968 – April 15, 2025 Service: Friday, April 25, 2025, 12pm at Aulds Funeral Home Chapel, Shreveport.
Emily Long April 23, 1971 – April 15, 2025 Service: Friday, April 25, 2025, 2pm at First Methodist Church, Shreveport.
Beverly Ann Russell June 25, 1955 – April 15, 2025 Service: Saturday, April 26, 2025, 11am at Zion Baptist – John H. Wilson Chapel, Shreveport.
Loys Dean McKay February 24, 1952 – April 12, 2025 Service: Friday, April 25, 2025, 11am at Union Spring Baptist Church, Shreveport.
Earthelena Wilson January 16, 1929 – April 12, 2025 Service: Saturday, April 26, 2025, 11am at Heavenly Gates Funeral Home, Shreveport.
Jerry Kircus August 19, 1941 – April 4, 2025 Service: Saturday, May 24, 2025, 12pm at Aulds Funeral Home, Shreveport.
Lisa Matthews August 18, 1961 – April 2, 2025 Service: Saturday, April 26, 2025, 11am at Broadmoor United Methodist Church, Shreveport.
Dustin Dean Cook May 25, 1970 – February 20, 2025 Service: Sunday, May 25, 2025, 2pm at Osborn Funeral Home, Shreveport.
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 officers were dispatched to the 400 block of Champ Clark Street in response to reports of a domestic disturbance involving a child on April 21, just after 6:30pm.
Upon arrival, officers discovered that a five-year-old child had sustained a laceration to the arm, believed to have been caused by a knife. Preliminary information indicates that the injury was inflicted by a relative, identified as LaEddie Williams. The suspect had left the scene prior to officers’ arrival.
A short time later, a responding officer located Williams walking northbound on Linwood Road near Hollywood Avenue. He was taken into custody without incident.
Williams has been charged with one count of Aggravated Battery with a Dangerous Weapon.
The juvenile victim was treated for the injury, which appeared to require stitches. The child is expected to make a full recovery.
Deputies from the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office, officers from the Bossier City Police Department, and Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop G combined forces to conduct a sobriety checkpoint in the 5800 block of Shed Road in Bossier City on April 18.
A total of 649 vehicles were screened during the checkpoint. Twelve citations were issued for various violations, and nine field sobriety tests were administered, two of which resulted in a DWI arrest. One arrest was made for drug possession.
This checkpoint was conducted as part of a grant awarded by the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission.
In February 2025, detectives with the Shreveport Police Department’s Sex Crimes Unit launched an investigation into Donald Simpson following allegations of a sex crime involving a young victim.
As a result of their investigation, on April 2, detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Simpson on three counts of Indecent Behavior with a Juvenile and one count of Sexual Battery.
On April 22, Simpson was taken into custody and booked into the Shreveport City Jail on the outstanding warrants.
The Shreveport Police Department is asking the public for assistance. If anyone recognizes Donald Simpson or believes they may have additional information related to this case, they are urged to contact the Shreveport Police Department at 318-673-7300 or Caddo Crime Stoppers at 318-673-7373.
RELIABLE RIGHTY: In his second collegiate season, Kevin Robinson is 6-1 as Northwestern’s regular Tuesday night starter. (Photo by CHRIS REICH, Northwestern State)
By JOHN JAMES MARSHALL, Journal Sports
Of all the places you’d think you would find Kevin Robinson a few hours after being the starting pitcher in a 13-3 win over the No. 4 team in the country, it’s fair to assume that being in his Applied Services class at Northwestern State wouldn’t be at the top of anyone’s Bingo card.
But that’s exactly where Robinson was, about 12 hours after he took the mound at Alex Box Stadium against LSU and 5 ½ hours after the bus arrived back in Natchitoches.
When it comes to Applied Services, duty calls. “I had a presentation to make,” Robinson said.
Years from now, Robinson will be able to make another presentation when he tells people about the night that he was part of one of the most memorable victories in the Demons’ baseball history.
But Robinson, who was the Journal’s Outstanding Player on the 2023 All-Metro team after his senior year at Byrd, wasn’t the only local product who played a role in the stunning outcome. Both Benton’s Hudson Brignac, the starting second baseman, and Haughton’s Colin Rains, the starting right fielder, each had a hit in the game and Austin Anderson, another Haughton product, pitched an inning.
Not a bad night for four roommates.
It was a bad night for the Tigers, who made history in the wrong kind of way. LSU had never been run-ruled by a non-conference opponent in the history of Alex Box Stadium.
It’s actually the second time Robinson has started against LSU in his two-year Demon career. A year ago, he pitched well in a three-inning appearance that resulted in a one-run loss by the Demons.
“But I was much more nervous this time.” he said. “For me, walking down from the bullpen (before the game) there was just a smile on my face. It was kind of like a ‘I made it’ moment. But I shook out of that and went back to my mentality that I pitch better when I’m mad. My mentality was to be mad because these people (LSU) don’t think we should be here.”
If that’s the case, the first pitch he threw only added to that mentality as LSU’s Derek Curiel launched it over the fence for an immediate 1-0 lead.
“I think that made me more determined,” Robinson said. “Because that (pitch) is not who I am. I threw a strike and he put a good swing on it. But I decided to just keep doing what I was doing and let them beat themselves.”
Robinson pitched two innings (throwing 40 pitches) – he also allowed another solo homer – and was planning to keep going when the game went into an extended weather delay. He kept hoping he’d get a chance to get back on the mound, but the longer the delay dragged on, the more he realized his night might be over.
“I tried to convince (the coaches) to let me go back out there,” Robinson said. “All I was doing was sitting in the dugout. I told them I’d go throw a simulated inning to stay loose. It was disappointing, but I understood. I think any competitor is going to be disappointed when they get taken out of the game. Especially in that kind of scenario. But he (NSU Coach Chris Bertrand) was putting me and my health into consideration instead of the game.”
After the delay ended, the Demons put up a six-spot in the third inning and kept pouring it on before the game ended after seven innings by the mercy rule.
Mercy, indeed.
Robinson is NSU’s “Tuesday starter,” a role designated for pitchers who get the call for non-conference weekday games instead of Southland Conference weekend games. In the last seven Tuesdays, Robinson has made his way through state schools – Grambling State (twice), Centenary, Louisiana, Louisiana-Monroe, LSU-Alexandria and now LSU. He is 6-1 with a 4.26 ERA.
“I had a pretty good idea I was going to pitch against LSU because I had started all the Tuesday games,” Robinson said. “But I just tried to stay in the moment just like at other games.”
The sophomore right-hander says he is almost a completely different pitcher than he was at Byrd. “More than anything, I’ve become more of a physical pitcher,” he said. “I don’t feel like I’ve hit my peak yet and I know I have to get better. But I only throw one pitch now that I threw at Byrd and that’s a two-seam (fastball). All my other pitches are brand new.”
For a while, the Demons (25-17) did their share of celebrating on the bus on the way home. “It was chaotic when we first got on the bus,” he said. “But once we got settled in, we all got in our own little world.”
After a few hours of sleep, Kevin Robinson walked into Applied Services class, surrounded by students who had spent a far less interesting Tuesday night.
CIRCLING THE WAGONS: Benton’s Tigers, seeded fifth in Non-Select Division I, host No. 12 Ruston in a regional round series beginning Friday. (Photo by VIJAY SINGH)
JOURNAL SPORTS
Regional round series in LHSAA baseball playoffs begin today with one local matchup as seventh-seeded Calvary hosts No. 10 Lafayette Christian in a 6 p.m. single game.
The teams will meet in Game 2 of the best-of-3 series Friday at 4, with a third game if necessary to follow, penciled in at 6.
As high seeds, Benton, Captain Shreve, Haughton, Loyola, and Northwood all host series beginning Friday.
LHSAA BASEBALL PLAYOFFS
Today’s game (best of 3 regional round series)
Select Division III
Lafayette Christian (10) at Calvary (7), today 6:00, Friday 4/6 (if necessary)
CALVARY CONFERENCE: Calvary softball coach Tiffany Wood talks with two of her hitters Tuesday as the Lady Cavaliers demolished Fisher 16-1 in a regional round state playoff game. (Journal photo by GAVEN HAMMOND, landgphoto.com)
JOURNAL SPORTS
Calvary Baptist and Benton are the two Caddo-Bossier teams still standing in the LHSAA softball postseason, and both play quarterfinal contests at home Friday.
Calvary (34-1), a three-time defending state champion and the top seed in Select Division III, hosts No. 9 Bunkie (18-11) in a 5 p.m. contest.
Benton (27-5), the No. 2 seed in Non-Select Division I, is home Friday at 5 as well when seventh-seeded Walker (21-8) visits.
Both teams received byes in the opening round and scored homefield wins in the regional round Tuesday. Calvary blew out Fisher 16-1 in three innings while Benton rallied past Destrehan 4-2.
In a Select Division I contest Wednesday, the last regional round game involving a local team, No. 11 Captain Shreve (19-15) was eliminated by sixth-seeded Mt. Carmel 14-3 in six innings. The home team scored 10 times in its last three at-bats to break open a 1-run game.
The James Smith Noel Collection at LSUS is already a research powerhouse with nearly 250,000 volumes on more than 100 different subject areas.
But the Noel Collection is especially known for its pre-1850 European history, and that category expanded recently with the addition of a private collection.
Through a personal connection, Noel Collection curator Dr. Alexander Mikaberidze added more than 1,000 books and periodicals that tackle Europe’s military, political and economic history between 1650-1850.
“This addition more than doubles the size of what we have concentrated in that area,” said Mikaberidze, an LSUS history professor and the Ruth Herring Noel Endowed Chair. “This is the fourth private collection we’ve acquired plus what the Noel Collection originally had, and we now have more than 3,000 volumes that focus on this period.
“Our goal is to turn the library into the pre-eminent place to research this time period in the state, and the addition of this collection does that. Many of these books are likely the only copy that can be found in the state.”
The collection comes from Steven Smith, a California professor who loved history and digitally corresponded with Mikaberidze for more than three decades about Napoleonic history.
“I was a student when we came across each other online on a Napoleonic forum,” said Mikaberidze, who is now considered one of the world’s top Napoleonic experts. “He was much older, and I was still up and coming.
“But he was always very attentive to any problems I may come across in my research. We’ve been emailing each other for 30 years. Sometimes I’d ask him about things when I was writing a new book.”
Smith died this past year, and Mikaberidze said Smith’s son reached out and said his father wanted him to have the collection.
“I was shocked because I’ve never considered that,” Mikaberidze said. “All we had to do was help him ship it from California, and that’s where the Noel Foundation helped financially for us to acquire this collection.
“There are books written in of course English but also French, Polish, Spanish, German, Swedish and other languages.”
The diversity of language – and perspective – paints a more complete historical picture of a given time period.
“For example, if we have books by German historians that are written in German, you’ll get far more detail about the German perspective because that’s the history that they are more attuned to,” Mikaberidze explained. “We have one whole box about the Swedish experience in the 18th century.
“Some volumes are contemporary in that they are published during that time period – so there’s a lot of primary sources like letters and memoirs. Most volumes are secondary sources written by great historians.”
Mikaberidze added that this collection contains a lot of periodicals from the late 19th and early 20th centuries – research that one doesn’t find in later books.
One of Smith’s interests was uniformology – the study of military uniforms.
“If you want to understand how armies looked, what they wore and why – we now have a strong collection on uniformology,” Mikaberidze said. “It’s one thing to go and buy individual volumes through catalogs or antique book dealers, but this collection has a ready-made concentration and fits nicely into the collection we already have.”
Now Mikaberidze hopes to impress upon collectors – and their family members – to think about what happens to collections when collectors are no longer here.
“Time and again, I hear of people passing away and families chunking entire collections,” Mikaberidze said. “But giving that collection to us or some kind of library is a way of preserving the collector’s legacy and benefitting the community.
“It’s a great investment in making sure that students and the community have the tools needed to grow and learn.”
Our beloved state of Louisiana is low on the list for some things but we have one thing we can claim that no other state has. We have the only modern-day Will Rogers as senator representing Louisiana. Senator John Kennedy often appears in clips on national news channels for his comments that have the nation laughing.
Here’s an example. While appearing with a panel of U.S. Senators on a show recently, he was asked to comment on the behavior of a member of an opposing party. He kept a straight face while other members of the panel were laughing when he said “She’s the reason they put instructions on shampoo bottles.”
Kennedy is a master of the quip and was using one of the several techniques humor writers employ to bemuse their readers.
I received a book in the mail, Funny You Asked Me That!, from my friend, humor writer Jim Mize, who writes from his cabin in the mountains of South Carolina. Included in the book are several of his humor columns but what I have found intriguing is he explains techniques he uses to create the humor that caused me to laugh.
In the book’s preface, Mize writes “Within these chapters, you will find discussions of techniques, samples and opinions of humor from a student who has spent almost fifty years on the subject and is yet to graduate.”
When I was growing up, I loved to read the outdoors magazines such as Outdoor Life, Field and Stream and Sports Afield. As soon as I got my hands on a copy, I’d head to the back pages first to read the humor columns of Ed Zern and Patrick McManus. In Mize’s book, he is also a fan of these two great humor writers and has learned a lot from them, in person or by correspondence, of how they do what they do.
Another of his favorite humor writers, also mine, is the late Lewis Grizzard who wrote for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Here’s something Mize included in the book that Grizzard wrote. “In the south, there’s a difference between ‘Naked’ and ‘Nekkid.’ Naked means you don’t have clothes on while Nekkid means you don’t have any clothes on and you’re up to something.”
Mize’s humorous writings have appeared in Gray’s Sporting Journal, Field and Stream, South Carolina Wildlife, In-Fishermen, Great Days Outdoors and several other national magazines.
On a personal note, I occasionally include a bit of humor in the columns I write. If bits of humor in my columns are created by some of the techniques Mize writes about, such as misdirection Fishing With Beanpole, tension, timing et al, it’s strictly by accident. This is one reason I am enjoying Mize’s book so much; it shows me when I try to write something funny, that there’s a reason a particular column might produce a chuckle or at least a smile and head nod.
Mize has produced a collection of humorous books that each hold special niches in my personal library. His first one, The Winter of Our Discontent, may be my favorite. Others of his include A Creek Trickles Through It, Hunting With Beanpole, and The Jon Boat Years. Autographed copies of any of his reasonably-priced books are available at www.acreektricklesthroughit.com.
I am a lifelong fan of reading and hearing funny stuff and if you are, get your hands on one of Jim Mize’s books. Also be sure to keep your television on to news channels to see and hear what Senator John Kennedy might say next.
April 24 marks a monumental anniversary in space exploration and scientific discovery: the launch of the Hubble Space Telescope. First placed into low Earth orbit on April 24, 1990, aboard the space shuttle Discovery, Hubble has spent more than three decades beaming back images of distant galaxies, nebulae, and cosmic phenomena, transforming the way humans understand the universe.
For a mission that began with a blurry lens and a host of critics, the Hubble Space Telescope has become one of NASA’s most iconic and successful scientific instruments.
When Hubble first launched, excitement quickly turned to frustration. Engineers discovered that the telescope’s primary mirror had been ground too flat by just 2.2 microns—about 1/50th the thickness of a human hair. The result was a critical flaw that rendered early images fuzzy and unclear, causing public ridicule and political scrutiny.
But NASA responded with one of the most impressive space repair missions ever attempted. In 1993, astronauts aboard the Endeavour shuttle installed corrective optics during a service mission—essentially fitting Hubble with a pair of glasses. The fix worked. And with that, Hubble began to live up to its potential.
Since then, it has delivered more than 1.5 million observations, peering into the birthplaces of stars, photographing supernovas in real time, and offering glimpses into galaxies formed just a few hundred million years after the Big Bang.
Perhaps Hubble’s greatest gift is perspective. It helped scientists determine the rate of expansion of the universe and provided crucial evidence for the existence of dark energy—a mysterious force that now accounts for the majority of the universe’s energy budget.
Its breathtaking images—such as the Pillars of Creation, the Sombrero Galaxy, and the Ultra Deep Field—have become cultural icons, appearing on posters, museum walls, and even tattoos. These snapshots don’t just serve the scientific community; they captivate the public imagination.
The telescope’s longevity is equally astonishing. Originally designed for a 15-year mission, Hubble is now in its 34th year and still operational, thanks to multiple service missions carried out by astronauts between 1993 and 2009. Though no more repairs are planned, NASA continues to operate and receive data from Hubble, even as its successor, the James Webb Space Telescope, has taken on new cosmic challenges.
Beyond the science, Hubble fuels a question that continues to grip humanity: Are we alone?
Its detailed surveys of exoplanets and distant star systems have helped expand the search for potentially habitable worlds. Hubble has detected water vapor in the atmospheres of far-off planets and peered into regions where new solar systems are forming. These findings shape not just academic study, but also pop culture, policy, and philosophy.
The telescope has brought us closer than ever to answering some of life’s most fundamental questions. What is the nature of time? How did the universe begin? And perhaps most tantalizingly—what else is out there?
In an eerie twist, Hubble has even captured images that have stirred the imagination far beyond the scientific realm. In 2009, it photographed a bizarre cosmic structure dubbed the “space ghost,” a wispy, skull-like feature drifting through the remnants of a supernova explosion. Then there’s the mysterious “X” pattern found in the core of a galaxy 500 million light-years away, which some have jokingly compared to a galactic pirate flag.
While these phenomena have scientific explanations, their visual strangeness is a reminder of how weird—and wonderful—the universe can be.
Hubble is more than a telescope. It’s a monument to human curiosity and collaboration. The telescope is the result of decades of international cooperation, involving scientists, engineers, astronauts, and policymakers. Its continued operation requires ground crews, analysts, and software updates—a marriage of old-school hardware and modern ingenuity.
Even as the James Webb Space Telescope steals headlines with its infrared capabilities and sharper resolution, Hubble remains vital. The two telescopes now operate in tandem, offering multi-wavelength views of cosmic phenomena and expanding the frontiers of what we know.
Eventually, Hubble’s mission will end. Without further servicing, NASA expects the telescope to remain operational until at least the late 2020s. At some point, it will slowly deorbit and burn up in Earth’s atmosphere, unless a mission is launched to bring it down safely.
But its legacy will live on—in textbooks, scientific breakthroughs, and the thousands of images that show the mind-bending scale and beauty of space.
As of April 24, 2024, the Hubble Space Telescope is 34 years old. It’s still up there, quietly orbiting Earth every 97 minutes, watching the cosmos unfold—one orbit, and one discovery, at a time.
Teddy Henry Brewster April 9, 1947 – April 20, 2025 Service: Monday, April 28, 2025, 11:30am at the Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, Keithville.
Rhonda Kay Wright November 9, 1959 – April 19, 2025 Service: Saturday, April 26, 2025, 10am at Rose-Neath Funeral Home Southside, Shreveport.
George Belchic, Jr., M.D. December 1, 1925 – April 18, 2025 Service: Wednesday, April 30, 2025, 2pm at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Shreveport.
Diane Collins September 10, 1938 – April 12, 2025 Service: Thursday, April 24, 2025, 10am at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Shreveport.
Loys Dean McKay February 24, 1952 – April 12, 2025 Service: Friday, April 25, 2025, 11am at Union Spring Baptist Church, Shreveport.
Jerry Kircus August 19, 1941 – April 4, 2025 Service: Saturday, May 24, 2025, 12pm at Aulds Funeral Home, Shreveport.
Lisa Matthews August 18, 1961 – April 2, 2025 Service: Saturday, April 26, 2025, 11am at Broadmoor United Methodist Church, Shreveport.
Dustin Dean Cook May 25, 1970 – February 20, 2025 Service: Sunday, May 25, 2025, 2pm at Osborn Funeral Home, Shreveport.
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)
In November 2024, the Shreveport Police Department responded to a report of 22 stolen vehicles from Morgan Buick GMC, located in the 8700 block of Business Park Drive. What began as a large-scale theft evolved into a complex, months-long investigation led by the SPD Property Crimes detectives.
Investigators determined that Joshua Ratliff, an employee of the dealership, was at the center of the scheme. Ratliff is believed to have stolen multiple key fobs, which were then used to systematically remove vehicles from the property with the assistance of several accomplices.
As the investigation unfolded, SPD arrested Deandre Below on November 27, 2024, after he was found in possession of some of the stolen vehicles. That arrest provided detectives with crucial leads, including the involvement of Jerry Butler Jr., who was attempting to sell one of the stolen vehicles. Information about Butler's activities was obtained through a tip from Caddo Parish Crime Stoppers.
Further investigation led to the discovery that Jordan Baker had also received some of the stolen key fobs. At the time, Baker was already in custody at the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center for a similar crime. He was extradited to Shreveport in December 2024 to face charges related to this case.
In January of this year, Lamale Gilyard was arrested after detectives linked him to the thefts.
On February 25, Jerry Butler Jr. was taken into custody for his outstanding warrants related to the investigation.
Lastly, on March 3, Corbin Houston was arrested, marking the final known arrest connected to the case.
This case posed significant challenges due to the number of suspects and the coordination required to track and recover multiple stolen vehicles. The Shreveport Police Department commends the outstanding efforts of their Property Crimes detectives for their persistence, thoroughness, and professionalism in bringing those responsible to justice.
Shreveport Police officers responded to a suspected theft complaint from Lowe’s, located at 7301 Youree Drive on April 21 at approximately 3:20pm. Upon arrival, officers made contact with the white male suspect, identified as Thomas Cockman. As officers approached him, Cockman fled on foot but was quickly apprehended.
Following his arrest, Cockman complained of difficulty breathing. The Shreveport Fire Department was immediately called to the scene. He was transported to a local hospital as a precautionary measure based on their assessment.
Cockman was cited for one count of theft and one count of resisting an officer. He was released to the custody of the hospital, where he was expected to recover.
Tragically, Cockman passed away this morning. The cause of death remains undetermined at this time. In accordance with protocol and to ensure transparency, this case has been turned over to the Louisiana State Police for an independent investigation.
The Shreveport Police Department is committed to full cooperation with the investigation and remains dedicated to upholding accountability and public trust.
BIG BOMB:Northwestern’s Braden Benton connects on a go-ahead three-run home run in Tuesday’s win at LSU. (Photo by JAMES STANFIELD, NSU Athletics)
By JASON PUGH, Northwestern State Sports Information Director
BATON ROUGE – A weather delay of more than 90 minutes helped the Northwestern State baseball team settle into Alex Box Stadium on Tuesday night.
Once the delay ended, there was no stopping the Demons.
Highlighted by a three-run Braden Benton home run, Northwestern delivered a six-run third inning following a 93-minute weather delay, setting the tone for a 13-3, seven-inning run-rule victory over No. 4-ranked LSU.
The Demons (25-17) became the first non-conference team to hand the Tigers (34-8) a run-rule loss since that rule came into use several seasons ago.
“I’m most proud of the guys because, regardless of what the scoreboard says from a numbers standpoint, that’s a Demon-type win,” said second-year Northwestern coach Chris Bertrand, whose team scored the program’s first victory against a ranked team since defeating No. 7 Arkansas on April 24, 2019. “We benefited from some good fortune in the way we took advantage of some base on balls, the way we took advantage of some HBPs, and the way we took advantage of some defensive miscues they made. At the same time, we earned and deserved because of the pressure we were applying.”
LSU coach Jay Johnson was sorely disappointed as the Tigers made three errors and were listless offensively much of the night.
“It was not a good performance across the board,” said Johnson, whose Tigers host No. 2 Tennessee this weekend in an SEC series. “We’re disappointed in the way we played tonight, and we’ll get back to work tomorrow to make sure a game like that doesn’t happen again.”
Ahead of the lightning delay, which came after a Reese Lipoma infield single put runners on first and second with one out in the third inning, the Demons seized the momentum after LSU used two solo home runs for an early lead.
Freshman left-hander Cooper Williams (0-1) hit Samuel Stephenson with his second pitch of the at-bat to load the bases before Rocco Gump singled home two runs to tie the game.
Williams did not throw another pitch as LSU called on right-hander Connor Benge to face Braden Benton, who turned a 1-2 Benge fastball around for a three-run home run that gave Northwestern a lead it never relinquished.
“(The delay) gave us time to think and built anticipation,” said Benton, who added his fourth RBI of the game on a sixth-inning groundout. “We came back out and did a great job. I knew (Benge) threw pretty hard, 94 to 96, and he got ahead of me early. I was in battle mode and was just trying to hit a sac fly to score our guy.”
Armed with a lead, Northwestern’s bullpen put a stranglehold on the LSU offense, starting with sophomore right-hander Bryce Leonard (3-2), who tossed two scoreless innings to pick up the victory.
Leonard, who prepped 40 miles from Alex Box Stadium at Ascension Catholic High School in Donaldsonville, made two pivotal pitches in his outing. The first induced an inning-ending double play in the third while the second came with the bases loaded in the fourth when he got Daniel Dickinson to ground out to third to end the inning.
“This is special,” Leonard said. “I had a lot of people here watching me. After the weather delay, they were all talking about how they were ready to go, because they knew how late it was. I told them, ‘I’m coming in. I’m going to do it for y’all.’ That’s what I did. In my mind, I had to do it for them and for the team. An environment like this makes it pretty easy.”
Leonard’s two scoreless innings led into three strong innings from the trio of Haughton product Austin Anderson, Adam Alexis and Dylan Marionneaux, who scattered three hits and struck out three to allow the Demons to extend the lead and end the game early with twin three-run innings in the sixth and the seventh.
All three of LSU’s runs came on solo home runs – leading off the first and second innings and with one out in the fifth. In each inning, the Demon pitching staff held firm and did not allow further damage.
“I’m so proud of the work our pitching staff did today, especially the guys coming out of the bullpen,” Bertrand said. “I’m so proud of how the bullpen – and the whole team – responded to the weather delay. The three solo homers, there’s a responsive nature that comes right after that. Kevin (Robinson) gave up one HBP, then he responded. Bryce had one walk and responded by getting the double-play ball. It was an evening full of strikes, and it was an evening full of responses. It was an evening full of toughness after the weather delay, and it was exactly what the Demons needed to get the job done.”
Leonard was not the only NSU player who enjoyed a big day in his backyard. Senior center fielder Reese Lipoma had three of the Demons’ nine hits and combined with No. 2 hitter Samuel Stephenson to score seven of the Demons’ 13 runs.
“Finding ways to get it done, finding ways to grind it out,” Bertrand said. “That’s a Demon type of win. We exhibit all of those values and characteristics we say we want to be about. Responding after the weather delay – once again just not enough praise to go around, not just because of a Demon win but because of who our guys are and how they attack every day.”
The air was clear, the sky clean, the fried chicken forever crisp through that long-ago spring when all was new except our underwear because we were young and bold and free, the freedom coming mainly because of the faulty underwear or lack of it altogether.
There was also immaturity involved.
It was a simpler time.
This spring of new memories brings back that one and old memories, and when we say “old” we are talking memories with wrinkles, although we recall those days, THAT spring, in living color.
Those were the Salad Days, when we were young and free with good teeth, strong abs, and stretchy bladders, and Mountain Dew was cheap and easy to come by.
“Hey buddy, got a Dew?” we would ask on nearly every Lincoln Parish street corner.
“Anything for you,” the kind soul would say, and hand you not one Dew, but two.
In the sugary sweet Soft Drink Kingdom, there is nothing better than a cold Dew — unless it’s two Dew. A double Dew.
Even better? A gaggle of Dew … Or is it a bevy? Perhaps a pod … Memory fails here.
But not all memory … I smell that spring in my nose, taste it on my lips, feel it on my skin. Possibly that’s sunburn. And still …
Life was grand. If we’d have been a bell, we’d have been ringing, dawn ’til whenever.
Alas, we go from the Memory Penthouse to the Memory Outhouse for a moment here and recall it’s been 15 years this week since the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded, more or less, off the Gulf Coast. (We’re thinking more, not less.) More than 130 million gallons of heavy crude into the ocean.
It was called, technically, a “spill,” which is something I do with milk in my kitchen. Five million barrels of crude oil in the Gulf is more like a gaggle or bevy or pod, whatever means “a whole lot.” Ask an oiled-up pelican or sidelined shrimper if it was a “spill.”
Funny how we use words to minimize.
In a perfect, cartoon world, next time they’ll hit a Mountain Dew well and won’t be able to get it capped. Ever. You’d have fish and shrimp and even oysters jumping into boats and nets, happy as the day they were hatched. And I’d be vacationing at the Redneck Riviera right now, playing with the caffeine-laced sharks and jellyfish.
It’s good to riff like this now and then, especially in the infancy of spring, the season that invented idle thoughts and daydreams. Without imagination and hope, we’re no more than a gaggle of bear. (I know that’s not right. I think for bears it’s “pack” or “sloth.” A sloth of bears. If you run into a sloth, you’ll want to drink about 14 Mountain Dews and hustle down the trail…)
The point is, dream a little. Let your imagination tickle your innards, which, believe it or not, is the old slogan for Mountain Dew. It was even written on the bottle, when Dew used to come in bottles. “It’ll tickle your innards,” a hurriedly drawn little cartoon hillbilly was telling you. On some bottles, there was an outhouse — Lord only knows why — and a jug of moonshine masquerading as Mountain Dew, which is what moonshine was often called back home on Route 2.
Bottled drinks used to have a much higher standard of creativity.
And I used to have a higher tolerance for Dew. Today, a soft drink in this bureau is rare as a cinnamon roll or a donut. Concession to age. But every now and then, as a salute to spring or if I don’t need to sleep for 42 hours or so, I’ll pop one (actually unscrew one since we have the new-fangled tops) and enjoy the taste of a youthful, carefree spring.
Now and then, it’s good to have your innards tickled, no matter your age. Now and then, it doesn’t hurt to just Dew it.
The Bossier Parish Consolidated Waterworks/Sewerage District No. 1 (CWSD #1) has announced a boil advisory for residents off Wafer Road who get their water from the Village Water System.
Earlier on Tuesday, April 22, work crews accidentally broke a water main supplying water to homes between Lynn Lane and David Drive off Wafer Road. As a result of the break, work crews shut off the water supply for several hours to make the necessary repairs. The interruption of service led officials to issue a boil advisory after the service was resumed.
Water samples will be collected and sent to the Louisiana Department of Health, Office of Public Health in Shreveport for testing tomorrow. Residents are advised to boil their water before consumption until the required testing is complete and confirm that the water is safe for use.
Safety tips for boiling water:
• Boiling Process: Bring tap water to a full rolling boil for at least one minute.
• Filtered Water: Boil tap water even if it has been filtered.
• Usage: Use boiled or bottled water for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, and preparing food.
Are the “good ol’ days” of the Bassmaster Classic behind us? Has the Super Bowl of bass fishing lost its luster? Have we lost a generation of fans who refuse to watch a Bassmaster weigh-in? Has real time live coverage become a factor deterring people from wanting to attend the Classic weigh-in? Here’s my perspective on whether it’s time to address some of the issues facing the Bassmaster organization.
There was a time when the Bassmaster Classic was the event of the year in the world of professional bass fishing, and it still is but in a different manner. People around the world tune into this event as more and more top anglers continue to come across the pond and fish against the best anglers in the world.
For years, arenas were packed to the roof to watch a Classic weigh-in. Crowds up to 20,000 were so big, they had to turn away fans due to the limited capacity of the arena. It wasn’t just a weigh-in, it was a show! It was where celebrities showed up, including Presidents, to watch the best anglers in the world at the biggest event in the world of professional bass fishing.
It was a sponsor’s exposure dream show with truck and boat wraps highlighting their company logos. Every Bassmaster Classic’s huge video board honored champions and the history of the sport. But the pinnacle of excitement was the drama of not knowing who would be leading at the end of the daily weigh-in.
Then what most thought was the greatest thing to happen to the sport of professional bass fishing, ESPN purchased B.A.S.S. (Bassmaster organization) and offered live daily coverage. This took the sport to another level, but it eliminated the suspense of the weigh-in because people already knew what each angler had based on the live coverage they watched all day.
Even when the daily live TV coverage stopped, people switched over to the internet where live coverage continued up to one hour before the weigh-in. So, they (B.A.S.S.) once again eliminated the suspense and the drama that comes with a Classic weigh-in.
Attendance is down for a lot of major sports across the country as live TV/internet coverage has allowed people to stay home and watch it from the comfort of their favorite chairs with their own supply of snacks that don’t cost a fortune.
No longer do fans have to sit in long traffic jams or wade through thousands of people trying to enter a stadium. No longer are they willing to pay up to $50 for parking as host cities abuse and take advantage of people wanting to attend a Classic. It’s just easier to watch it from home!
So how can the Bassmaster organization fix this problem? First, if they are going to continue with live coverage, maybe move the weigh-ins back to the lake. Or they need to make sure the Expo show is at the same location as the Classic weigh-in so that fans don’t have to pay double parking to attend both.
When it comes to live broadcasts, maybe they need to shorten the coverage so that fans don’t know exactly what the anglers have until they watch the weigh-in.
If I remember right, the Classic weigh-in used to be delayed a few hours and aired at night. But with social media today, I’m not sure if that’s even possible. With respect to live coverage, you can’t put the genie back in the bottle.
The time has come for B.A.S.S. to re-evaluate the Bassmaster Classic and how it’s being covered. While live coverage has been a game changer for the sport of professional bass fishing, B.A.S.S. now has the task of trying to figure out what’s more important — people attending a Classic weigh-in or continuing with live up-to-the-minute TV and internet coverage.
‘Til next time, keep your hooks wet, fresh line on your reels and go fishing every chance you get.
By PATRICK MEEHAN, Centenary Sports Information Director
Centenary’s baseball lineup was improved by a Forth last week.
Junior left fielder Lenny Forth was named the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Baseball Hitter of the Week on Monday after he was red-hot for the Diamond Gents in their series win at home over Dallas. Forth finished a sizzling 8-for-11 (.727) with a .750 on-base percentage and slugged a whopping 1.273 with eight RBI, a home run, three doubles, and seven runs scored. Forth also stole two bases and did not strike out in his 11 at-bats all weekend.
Forth was 4-for-4 with a career-high five RBI, four runs scored, and a pair of doubles in a 14-1 win in Game 2 on Friday and finished 4-for-5 with three RBI, two runs, a home run, and a double in Saturday’s series finale.
Centenary fell 10-6 on Saturday afternoon on Senior Day but won the series after sweeping a doubleheader on Friday in dominating fashion, winning both by run-rule — 14-2 and 14-1. Centenary honored its 2025 senior class afterward.
The Diamond Gents (16-20, 12-15 SCAC) will play their final home game of the season this evening against the Millsaps College Majors at 6 p.m. at Shehee Stadium. Centenary will finish its season this weekend on the road in league play against McMurry in Abilene, Texas.
SOFTBALL: The Ladies (17-19, 12-14 SCAC) were swept last weekend on the road by the Trinity Tigers in league play, falling 6-0 on Saturday after they were swept by the Tigers in a doubleheader on Friday, falling 4-0 and 3-1.
Centenary is sixth in the conference standings, two games behind McMurry for fifth place and a half-game ahead of Southwestern. The top six teams in the standings qualify for the SCAC Tournament. This is the final weekend of the regular season and the Ladies will be in Kerrville, Texas to face the Schreiner Mountaineers (9-29, 6-21 SCAC).
The 2025 SCAC Softball Tournament, a double-elimination event, will be held May 2-4 on the campus of Southwestern in Georgetown, Texas. The Ladies have made eight-consecutive SCAC Tournament appearances.
TRACK & FIELD: Sophomore Christian Cormier was named the SCAC Men’s Track Athlete of the Week on Tuesday after he finished 20th in the 100-meter dash (10.79) and was part of the Gents’ foursome that finished fifth in the 4×100 meter relay (43.35) on Saturday at the Jim Mize Invitational hosted by Louisiana Tech in Ruston. Cormier was honored by the conference for the second time this season after she was named Co-Track Athlete of the Week on March 18.
Freshman Phillip Hughes of Bossier City, Clayton Hancock, Bryan Washington, and Richard Ross took third in the men’s 4×400-meter relay as they ran a time of 3:37.91. Ross, Cormier, Omar Butler, and junior Obadiah Butler was fifth in the 4×100 relay (43.35).
Sophomore Ella Walton finished seventh in the women’s discus (27.31m).
The Ladies and Gents compete this weekend in the annual SCAC Championships in Seguin, Texas. The meet, hosted by Texas Lutheran, starts on Saturday and concludes on Sunday.
LACROSSE: The Gents (5-6) finished their season with a flourish on Saturday as they exploded for a program record number of goals in a 27-9 victory over the Northland College LumberJacks on Senior Day at Atkins Field.
Centenary flexed its offensive muscles all season long as the Maroon and White scored 161 goals, averaging 14.6 goals per game, and added 90 assists for 251 total points.
Freshman Gamble Harvill, an Airline High School product, scored a team-leading 38 goals and senior keeper Dylan Miller, formerly of Captain Shreve, made 166 saves.
GYMNASTICS: Senior Emma Lavelle and senior Sophie Schmitz were named 2025 WCGNIC All-Americans, the Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Association (WCGA) announced on Monday.
These prestigious honors recognize outstanding performances throughout the competition in the 2025 Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics National Invitational Championships and highlight the dedication, skill, and hard work of gymnasts from across the country. Lavelle earned first-team honors on floor while Schmitz earned in the All-Around.
