JOURNAL SPORTS
New Bossier Parish Community College basketball coach Jeff Moore has a neighborhood focus for the early schedule his rebuilding team is facing, continuing tonight at against Northwest Louisiana–Barksdale in the Billy Montgomery Gym on campus.
The Cavs (3-1) have played Centenary’s junior varsity twice, and the JV squad from Pineville’s Louisiana Christian, whose athletic director and former head coach is erstwhile Captain Shreve star Reni Mason.
Saturday, in a physical, hard-fought game from the opening tip to the final buzzer, Bossier Parish came up just short in a 63–59 Homecoming loss to Southern University–Shreveport.
BPCC fans and SUSLA supporters created a high-energy arena environment. Every run, defensive stop and big shot was met with a surge of noise that pushed the intensity on the floor.
Tony Montgomery powered the Cavaliers’ offense with 24 points, while Drew Cooper delivered a double-double, finishing with 15 points and 11 rebounds.
Moore said the team showed the kind of competitiveness he expects moving forward.
I’m very proud of our team’s effort – we battled hard throughout the game and maintained the lead well into the second half,” Moore said. “SUSLA’s size and physical play on defense created problems for us late, and they made us pay for our mistakes. It’s a tough loss, but an early-season lesson we can use to get better as we move forward.”
BPCC has a series of home games over the next two weeks, with tonight’s contest followed by a Friday matchup against Southwest Mississippi Community College at 6.
Next week, the Cavaliers host the Fourth Annual Decari Markray Classic Basketball Tournament, honoring the memory of one of the BPCC program’s more respected competitors. A star at Doyline High School, Markray died in a car crash in October 2021.
This year’s event features five games across two days, with BPCC, Navarro College, Baton Rouge Community College and Tribulation Prep competing. The tournament closes with a high school matchup between Markray’s alma mater, Doyline, and Plain Dealing.
Moore said the Markray Classic remains an important tradition for the program and the region.
“It’s an honor for our program to continue this event in his memory. The Classic represents the pride, toughness and commitment he brought to the game, and we’re proud to help carry that legacy forward for his family, his former teammates and the community.”