Volunteers with the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office recently took part in a community cleanup along a half-mile stretch of the 1800 block of Spring Street, directly in front of the Caddo Parish Juvenile Court.

The team removed litter and improved the appearance of the area, creating a cleaner, safer, and more welcoming environment for families, youth, and staff who visit the court daily.

Lt. Breck Scott, Public Information Officer for the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, praised the effort: “We are proud of our volunteers for taking the initiative and showing that public service extends beyond just wearing a badge. Small efforts like this can have a significant impact on keeping our parish beautiful.”

The cleanup was part of the Sheriff’s Office’s ongoing efforts to maintain its adopted roadway. Residents and visitors who notice the stretch looking sharp now know the reason behind it.

Baton Rouge, LA-Governor Landry formally requested on Feb. 23 that the Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Education’s investigation be expanded to include every public institution of higher education in Louisiana to ensure full compliance with federal law across the state. Letter attached.

“Let me be clear: Louisiana is done with woke DEI policies. Discrimination against ANY student will not be tolerated,” said Governor Landry. “This issue began under the previous administration, and we are fixing it. That is why, I’ve formally requested that the investigation be expanded to EVERY public higher education institution in Louisiana. If there are violations of federal law anywhere in our system, we want them corrected.”

JOURNAL SPORTS

Defending Select Division I state champion Huntington and Captain Shreve came off first-round byes and cruised to second-round LHSAA girls basketball victories Monday night on their homecourts, but four other local teams were unable to pull upsets on the road.

Haughton and Parkway, who met last year in a Non-Select Division I semifinal at Marsh Madness, fell Monday in competitive contests.

Booker T. Washington and Plain Dealing couldn’t follow first-round road wins with more success, getting dominated by high seeds. BTW was routed at No. 1 Madison Prep in a Select Division II game while No. 3 Arcadia walloped Plain Dealing in a Non-Select Division IV matchup.

No.. 4 Huntington will play its state quarterfinal at home later this week, meeting 12^th-seeded Alexandria Senior High, which scored a 58-52 upset at No. 5 Acadiana Monday night.

Eighth-seeded Shreve will travel to Metairie to face No. 1 John Curtis, who ripped Hammond 53-13.

The local teams could meet in a Select Division I semifinal next week in Hammond at Marsh Madness.

Scores of Monday night LSHAA girls second-round playoff games involving local schools: 

SELECT DIVISION I

Huntington 57, Woodlawn-Baton Rouge 40

Captain Shreve 56, Archbishop Chapelle 24

NON-SELECT DIVISION I

Neville 57, Haughton 51

Salmen 62, Parkway 51

SELECT DIVISION II

Madison Prep 65, Booker T. Washington 13

NON-SELECT DIVISION IV

Arcadia 61, Plain Dealing 19

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JOURNAL SPORTS

Captain Shreve, Green Oaks, Huntington and North Caddo play home games Friday night In the first round of the LHSAA boys basketball playoffs.

Brackets were set Monday. A dozen teams from Shreveport-Bossier made the postseason.

Calvary is top seeded in Select Division III.  Bossier is No. 4 in Non-Select Division II. Both teams get first-round byes.

First-round state boys basketball playoffs involving local schools:

SELECT DIVISION I

No. 19 Holy Cross (17-14) at No. 14 Captain Shreve (17-11), Friday, 6:30

No. 24 Hammond (14-9) at No. 9 Huntington (19-8), Friday, 6:30

No. 22 Evangel (9-15) at No. 11 Karr (24-9), Friday, 6:30

NON-SELECT DIVISION I

No. 17 Airline (14-15) at No. 16 Covington (20-8), Thursday, 6:00

No. 26 Benton (14-13) at No. 7 Sulphur (26-4), Friday, 6:30

No. 23 Parkway (17-15) at No. 10 Slidell (24-7), Friday, 6:30

SELECT DIVISON II

No. 20 Booker T. Washington (12-8) at No. 13 St. Michael (15-14), Friday, 6:30

NON-SELECT DIVISION II

No. 4 Bossier (20-8), bye (vs. Assumption-St. Martinville winner in Round 2)

No. 24 Woodlawn (13-13) at No. 9 Opelousas (22-11), Friday, 6:00

SELECT DIVISON III

No. 1 Calvary (29-4), bye (vs. Rosepine-North Caddo winner in Round 2)

No. 17 Rosepine (12-15) at No. 16 North Caddo (19-12), Friday, 6:00

NON-SELECT DIVISION III 

No. 22 Many (17-10) at No. 11 Green Oaks (13-14), Friday, 6:30

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By RON HIGGINS, Journal Sports

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – One of fifth-year LSU head baseball coach Jay Johnson’s watchword phrases from his first day on the job is “professional at bats.”

In short, he wants his hitters to use plate discipline to work opposing pitchers until they make a mistake.

Johnson was smiling after the Tigers’ impeccable hitting approach over the weekend resulted in three victories enroute to winning the Live Like Lou Jax College Baseball Classic.

LSU outscored Indiana, Notre Dame and UCF by a collective 34-11. The Tigers batted .387 with 40 hits and drew 25 walks.

“I thought we’ve done a great job these first 10 days,” said Johnson of his 8-0 No. 1-ranked Tigers.  “I like how they’re choosing the decisions they’re making, how they’re going to compete in the game and compete in their plan. We have players of these guys’ caliber that’s very advanced for this age group.”

Four Tigers had five or more hits, including center fielder Derek Curiel, left fielder Jake Brown, first baseman Zack Yorke and shortstop Steven Milam.

“It’s a great offense, one through nine, even the guys who come later,” Curiel said. “I’m honored to be a part of this lineup and to be able to show up every day and hit with these guys and just pick each other’s brains.

“We’re all kind of different hitters, but we match so well as a team. So, it’s great that we can not only hit home runs, but we can bunt, we can hit and run, we can execute two-strike hitting and get the guy in.

“We just know how to do our job, and that’s the coaches. I feel like we have a great plan.”

With sophomore pitcher William Schmidt’s performance in Sunday’s 11-0 win over UCF – he hurled five scoreless innings – LSU’s starting rotation looked more stable than opening weekend.

Friday starter Casan Evans and Saturday starter Cooper Moore gave up three runs each in 5 innings and 5.2 innings respectively.

“When you look at the strength of the team and the position players and the strength of the bullpen,” Johnson said, “If Casan pitches every time like he did Friday, we’re going to win every game he pitches. It was the same today (with Schmidt) and the same with Cooper yesterday.

“We were in control of the game largely because of them. And it really simplifies things.”

The Tigers host McNeese tonight before a four-game home series (two games each) vs. Dartmouth and Northeastern starting Friday through next Monday.

Here’s a game-by-game recap of LSU’s Jacksonville tourney games:

GAME 1 LSU 14, INDIANA 7 – The Tigers left 11 men on base in the first innings before exploding for nine runs in the eighth to erase a 5-4 deficit on Friday.

LSU pounded three IU (1-4) pitchers in the inning for seven hits and drew four walks. First baseman Cade Yorke ignited the rally with a three-run homer.

Tigers’ starting pitcher Evans lasted five innings. His only blip was Indiana’s three-run rally in the third when he walked two batters to load the bases. After IU scored its runs, Evans struck out the last two batters to escape more damage.

GAME 2 LSU 9, NOTRE DAME 4 – LSU cracked 12 hits and led 7-0 before the Fighting Irish (2-3)  showed a little pluck on Saturday.

Designated hitter Cade Arrambide, catcher Omar Serna Jr. and left fielder Brayden Simpson had two RBI each for the Tigers. Right fielder Brown had four hits and scored three runs.

Tigers’ pitcher Moore delivered a second straight quality start. He gave up just three runs on eight hits in 5.2 innings with one walk and six strikeouts. 

GAME 3: LSU 11, UCF 0 – Schmidt pitched five scoreless innings Sunday, and outfielders Curiel and Brown combined to drive in six runs for the unbeaten Tigers.

Schmidt (2-0) held the Knights (4-3) to three hits with one walk and seven strikeouts.

Contact Ron at ronhigginsmedia@gmail.com

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Happy anniversary, Mike Eruzione, Jim Craig and the Miracle On Ice guys.

It was 46 years ago today, Feb. 24, 1980, when the USA hockey team captured the Olympic gold medal. Not by beating the Russians. That was two days earlier. If the Americans didn’t beat Finland in their final game of the medal round, they might not have medaled at all.

Raise your coffee cup if you were paying attention back then. Coach Herb Brooks didn’t think his team was. On the day after the Miracle, he ripped into them as he put them through the most taxing practice session they’d experienced since an inconsistent tour of Europe five months earlier.

They understandably bought into the madness in the aftermath of their epic Friday afternoon 4-3 upset of the USSR. The boys—average age 21, the youngest USA team ever — were signing autographs and basking in the glow.

They had stunned a team that slaughtered them two weeks earlier, 10-3 at Madison Square Garden, a veteran machine that everybody expected to win the gold. Russia hadn’t lost an Olympics game in 12 years. They were the gold medalist five of the last six Winter Games.

(Did you know the Miracle On Ice game was not televised live? It was played in the afternoon. ABC showed a tape-delayed version in prime time – one that was even edited to meet the time window so the network could also cover alpine skiing. I kid you not.)

USA vs. the Soviets? A no-doubter — until that magical afternoon in Lake Placid. But the work was not done. The Finnish were the finish,  last in line between the USA and gold.

After two periods, the blue and gold-clad, blonde-headed guys led 2-1.

Brooks, who made it clear from the outset of training camp that he was their coach and not their friend, was fuming.

“If you lose this game, you’ll take it to your x$#@%&! grave,” Eruzione says Brooks admonished his team when they hit the locker room with 20 minutes left. “To your x$#@%&! grave!” he said as they headed back to the ice.

The Americans scored three times and Craig continued his brilliant net-minding, blanking the Fins.

Now we are collectively basking in the golden glow again, x2. Women get to play hockey these days, and in these Winter Olympics, nobody did it better than the USA.

As always, there is a catch to this double dose of ecstasy that most of us are feeling. It’s how the USA men sealed the deal – in overtime.

With reduced skaters on both sides. After playing 5-on-5 during regulation, Olympic hockey goes to 3-on-3 for OT.

I’m no hockey fan. At least, I’m indifferent. Sure, I was rooting for the Red, White and Blue. Owing to my family roots, I hope the Pittsburgh Penguins make runs for the Stanley Cup. I want the Mudbugs to win. Happy to see local high school and junior teams succeed.

That’s about it. So when I noticed the skeleton crew on ice in OT Sunday, it looked like a stupid gimmick. I understood the reasoning – less players out there, more space, probably a faster path to the golden goal. TV friendly. TV, of course, pays tons of millions to show the Games globally.

Didn’t like it. Did like the outcome, though.

But since, I’ve reconsidered. We love football. Games used to end in ties. These days we play overtime periods with different rules at every level.

Baseball is the American game. A couple years ago, MLB started trying to avoid extended extras by starting a tied 10^th inning with a runner at second base to accelerate scoring. The scheme was borrowed from the established international tiebreaker procedure in fast-pitch softball. It works.

Used to be they played a full 18 hole round the next day if there was a tie after 72 holes In a couple of the major pro championships, run by the USGA and the Royal & Ancient. Now that format is put aside like actual wooden club heads.

So, if the Olympic gurus want to hurry up in OT by spreading the skaters, fine.

Like I said, I don’t follow hockey, But when I do, and it’s NHL playoff time, the overtime games that go 3-4-5 extra periods are pretty intense, even if I don’t understand much of what is happening.

But after Sunday, the NHL might have to reconsider. Patience used to be a virtue. These days, it’s a rarity.

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com

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William J. “Bill” Blythe Jr. had recently been honorably discharged from the Army and had just been hired as an equipment salesman by the Mankee Equipment Company of Chicago.  Immediately following World War II, so many soldiers were returning home and looking for work that jobs were scarce.  29-year-old Bill could find no work in his hometown of Hope, Arkansas, and was lucky to find work even if it required him to relocate to the windy city.  It could not have come at a better time.  Bill’s wife, 22-year-old Virginia Dell Cassiday, was six months pregnant.  After calling home with the happy news, Bill began the 750-mile drive back to Hope, Arkansas, to prepare the family for the move.   

Just before midnight on May 17, 1946, Bill had driven about half of the 755 miles to Hope when, about three miles west of Sikeston, Missouri, one of the front tires on Bill’s 1942 Buick sedan blew out.  Bill lost control of the car, and it rolled over twice before coming to a stop on the side of the Brown Spur drainage ditch along Highway 60.  Sikeston was surrounded by drainage ditches to help prevent flooding.  Bill suffered a head injury and crawled out of the wrecked car.  He could hear the sounds of passing cars and could see their headlights as they passed.  He began crawling up the steep embankment toward the highway.  As he was crawling, he slipped and fell into the drainage ditch which contained four feet of water.  There, he drowned.

Virginia was devastated.  Three months after the accident, she had her child and named him William J. Blythe III in honor of her late husband. Everyone called him Billy.  Virginia, now a single parent, went to nursing school in New Orleans, Louisiana.  Virginia’s parents took care of Billy while she was away.  In 1950, Virginia returned to Hope and went to work as a nurse.  In that same year, she met and married a car dealership owner named Roger.  In 1956, Roger and Virginia had a son whom they named Roger Jr.  At some point, Billy Blythe began using his stepfather’s last name, and, in 1962, Billy legally changed his last name so that he and his half-brother would have the same last name.  In the following year, Billy was selected to be a delegate to Boys Nation, a special youth leadership conference held in Washington D.C.  Billy was among the other boys from Boys Nation who, along with the Girls Nation, were invited to the Rose Garden at the White House to meet President John F. Kennedy.  Billy was one of the first in line to shake JFK’s hand.  Billy said later that meeting JFK had a profound impact on his life. 

Imagine just for a second that Bill Blythe’s car wreck never occurred.  Billy Blythe III would probably have been born in Chicago.  The whole trajectory of his life would have been different.  He probably would not have become President of the United States.  If he had, we would know him as Bill Blythe rather than Bill Clinton.        

Sources:

1.      Daily American Republic (Poplar Bluff, Missouri), May 18, 1946, p.1.

2.     “It All Began in a Place Called Hope: Biography of the President Bill Clinton,” National Archives, accessed February 15, 2026, https://clintonwhitehouse5.archives.gov/WH/EOP/OP/html/Hope.html.

Henry Lee Mecom passed away on Jan. 30, 2026. He was born on Aug. 10, 1934, to Bud and Eunice B. Mecom.

Henry lived a full life working, caring for his family, hobbies- fishing and hunting. He loved his family and spent as much quality time as possible with them.

Proceeded in death: his loving wife Deloris S. Mecom, his son in law Roy J. Cavalier, one grandson, Claude Cavalier and one great grandson Nick Hotard. His parents Bud and Eunice B. Mecom and 4 siblings.

Survivors Include his children: Merlene Hotard and husband Larry Jr., Laurie Cavalier, Brenda Broadus and husband Tony, Shirley Thibodeaux and husband Kenneth, Mark Mecom

Grandchildren: Larry Hotard III and wife Tina, Torey Cavalier, Henry Cavalier, Hollie Cavalier and husband Lance Acevedo, Michael Mecom and wife Bobbie Jo, Ravin Davis and husband Cliff, Kourtney Breaux and husband Jody Breaux, Bethany Mecom, Corbat Dinger and wife Marcell, Destiny Dinger and 18 Great Grandchildren.

Betty Jean Brock passed away on February 21, 2026. She will be laid to rest beside her husband at the Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery; no services are scheduled at this time.

Betty was born on April 6, 1933, to the late Harvey Sweet and India Mathis Sweet. A devoted wife and mother, she was a homemaker throughout her life, dedicating herself to the care of her family and home.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lt. Col. Richard Frank Brock, and her daughter, Carol Hanson.

Betty is survived by her children: Debra Ann Evans and husband Harvey, Kathy King and husband David, Richard Frank Brock, Jr. and wife Tracey, and Patricia Stephens and husband Tim; along with numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and other cherished family members and friends.

Martha Lou Harland Dolph
September 4, 1933 – February 21, 2026
Service: Thursday, February 26, 2026, 11am at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home, Shreveport. 

Nellie Martin Lockhart
May 5, 1937 — February 20, 2026
Service: Thursday, February 26, 2026, 11aam at First Baptist Church, Haughton.

Leonard Dewain Glass
March 6, 1941 — February 19, 2026
Service: Tuesday, February 24, 2026, 12pm at First Baptist Church-Bossier, Bossier City.

Joann D. Waldrop
October 31, 1935 – February 19, 2026
Service: Wednesday, February 25, 2026, 2pm at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home, Shreveport. 

Kathryn Corliss
September 8, 1932 — February 18, 2026
Service: Friday, February 27, 2026, 10am at Christ United Methodist Church, Shreveport. 

Tina Denise Jones
September 14, 1962 — February 15, 2026
Service: Sunday, March 8, 2026, 1pm at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Bossier City.

Donetter Richardson
September 28, 1952 — February 13, 2026
Service: Saturday, February 28, 2026, 11am at Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery, Shreveport. 

Evelyn Rebecca O’Neal
September 27, 1929 — February 11, 2026
Service: Saturday, February 28, 2026, 12pm at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Bossier City.

Roosevelt C. Remble, Jr.
April 20, 1943 – February 7, 2026
Service: Friday, February 27, 2026, 11am at Winnfield Funeral Home, Shreveport. 

James Marshall Jones, lll
April 30, 1979 – February 4, 2026
Service: Friday, February 27, 2026, 1pm at St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral, Shreveport. 

Alfred Vernon Webster Jr.
December 12, 1932 – January 31, 2026
Service: Saturday, February 28, 2026, 11am at Kings Highway Christian Church, Shreveport. 

Sammie Lee Johnson
February 18, 1930 — January 26, 2026
Service: Wednesday, February 25, 2026, 8am at Winnfield Funeral Home, Shreveport. 

Detectives with the Shreveport Police Juvenile Crimes Unit have arrested two individuals in connection with separate incidents involving alleged abuse of children.

On Feb. 19, officers responded to a report on the 400 block of St. Louis Street, where a 13-year-old was reportedly struck multiple times by his mother, Searea Walker, resulting in injuries. Following an investigation, Walker was arrested and charged with one count of cruelty to a juvenile.

In a separate case stemming from an incident on Feb. 8, Altheamon Bristo Jr. was arrested after investigators determined he allegedly poured hot water on the back of a three-year-old child, causing injuries. Bristo was also charged with one count of cruelty to a juvenile.

The Shreveport Police Department emphasized its commitment to protecting children and holding offenders accountable. Authorities are urging anyone with additional information regarding crimes against children to contact the department at 318-673-7300 or Caddo Crime Stoppers at 318-673-7373.

By DAVID ERSOFF, Journal Contributor 

I am ashamed to admit that I have never gone to a Ramen restaurant before starting this new adventure. With some great suggestions and confirmation from a few friends I went to check out Naruto Ramen at 7503 Youree Drive, No. 500, Shreveport.

I picked Naruto’s in particular, when one of my friends, who was stationed in Japan, said it was the most authentic of all the places in town. I’ve never been to Japan, so I couldn’t say one way or another, but the endorsement was good enough for me.

I was told that it was a requirement for me to try the Chasu bun, which comes with either chicken or pork. I know now why I was told that, as I will say to everyone the same thing. The bun is of a making I cannot place, but it was so good, I can see myself coming to order two as my whole meal. It was that good.

The menu has a lot of pages, but it’s not as large as it appears, as there are not a lot of items on each page. My eye took me to the rice dishes, as they all looked and sounded so good, but that will be for another visit. I hadn’t had real Ramen, and I wasn’t going to miss my first chance.

I chose R13 Tonkatsu Shrimp Ramen. It packed so much flavor in the broth and noodles, with perfectly prepared shrimp and the egg that somehow ties it all together. I’ve watched many food shows and keep hearing about the broth having so much flavor in many similar dishes. Now I know what they mean by it. It also will give you that warm feeling inside on a cold day.

I was able to sample my daughter’s D5 Oyakodon rice dish. It turns out I would not have gone wrong had I gone for that dish. The portions are pretty big as there is plenty left for a couple of lunches.

While I did not try any of the salads, I did see one being delivered. It was the grilled steak salad, and it looked so good. I hoped they made a mistake and dropped it at my table — not that I had room to eat it, but it was calling my name. Another reason to return.

Please continue to send in your favorites so we can try them out and continue the search for good food. 

Contact David at dersoff@bellsouth.net

A new business has officially opened in Shreveport. Isabella CPA & Advisory, LLC held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Feb. 19 to mark the launch of its services in the area.

The firm provides accounting and advisory services to local individuals and businesses. 

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Shreveport Police Chief Smith led members of the Committee of 100 on a tour on Feb. 20 of several local businesses along the Monkhouse Drive corridor, showcasing ongoing efforts to revitalize the area.

While organizers note that work remains, there is a growing sense of optimism as plans for improvements move forward in the coming months. The initiative emphasizes collaboration between public safety officials, local businesses, and community partners to create new opportunities and support economic growth along the corridor.

The Shreveport Police Department expressed gratitude to the Committee of 100 and other partners for their continued support and commitment to building a brighter future for the Monkhouse Drive community.

By DAVID ERSOFF, Journal Sports

In the span of 6 ½ hours on Saturday, the Shreveport-Bossier area went from three soccer teams dreaming of state championships to none advancing from LHSAA semifinal playoff games.

High school soccer in the area ended a week earlier than hoped, quite a contrast to last year when the area sent three teams to the finals.

The Benton and Calvary girls were ousted on the road, both to higher-seeded opponents, Calvary losing on penalty kicks after overtime. Loyola’s boys fell at home in a highly competitive matchup of teams seeded 2-3, with a misleading 6-2 final.

In Division IV play, No. 9 Calvary’s Lady Cavaliers started the local slate in Slidell against fourth-seeded Pope John Paul II at 2 p.m. These teams faced each other last year in the playoffs, going all the way to penalty kicks with Calvary winning. This year went the same way, except the PK shootout went to PJP II.

The first half favored the Lady Jaguars in possession and opportunities. Midway through, PJP II was awarded a PK and converted for the 1-0 lead. The Lady Cavaliers started to get more of the ball and had a couple of chances to tie the game before halftime, to no avail.

Just four minutes into the second half Calvary earned a corner kick, and deployed a set play they have thrived on all year. Elizabeth Lee hit a beauty into the box and Addison Stevenson put the tying goal in the back of the net.

Both teams had their chances the rest of the way and through the whole 30 minutes of  two overtime periods, but PKs seemed inevitable again for these teams.

The Lady Jaguars won the PK shootout 3-0 and will have a short trip to Hammond for the title game this week.

In Division I, No. 5 Benton faced top-seeded Mt. Carmel, the reigning state champion, at New Orleans’ Pan Am Stadium in a 3 p.m. contest.

Benton fought hard in the first half, employing a defensive posture, to hold the Cubs’ powerful offense at bay, and using their speed in the counterattack. This worked well overall in the first half, with the Lady Tigers right there, going into the break within 1-0.

The second half started fast for the Cubs, scoring early off a corner kick. This required a shift more forward for Benton, which generated some chances at goal, but nothing into the back of the net. Mt. Carmel added an insurance goal late and cruised to the 3-0 win.

The nightcap was a local showcase, with the Division III second-seeded Loyola Flyers hosting No. 3 St. Louis Catholic at Messmer Stadium under the lights at 7. As expected, the crowd was huge, with the home side stands (the only ones used in soccer) pushed close to capacity.

The first half was a bit sloppy for both teams as a 10-15 mph wind wreaked havoc with the ball. Both teams had some chances, with the Saints having a few more dangerous plays on goal. In the later stages of the half, Loyola’s Whit Sample made a beauty of a pass to a streaking Holt Hamilton, who found himself in a 1v1 with the Saints keeper. Hamilton did not disappoint the home crowd, giving the Flyers the 1-0 halftime lead.

The second half started the same, with the Flyers going into the wind, but they started putting passes together and took a 2-0 lead on a goal by Sample with the assist credited to Hamilton.

Within a couple of minutes, the Saints were able to cut the lead in half, on a corner kick. The lead stood for another 10 minutes, but the Saints’ pressure kept coming until they tied the game after a steal close to the Flyers goal.

As the clock ran down Loyola had its best chance at goal, requiring a high level save by the Saints keeper. It just seemed a matter of time that the Flyers would score the game winner. It turned out the opposite happened, with the Saints hitting the back of the net with about 15 minutes remaining.

As the clock ticked down, Loyola coach Wes Kyle moved all-star Bishop Doege up top in an effort to push numbers and skilled players forward.

In soccer the clock on the scoreboard is not the official clock. That’s held by the referee, which is why the clock operator stops the scoreboard timer at two minutes, not to mislead the teams and fans.

During that brief time frame from when the clocked stopped to the end of the game, the Saints put in three goals while the Flyers were pushed forward, making what was an extremely close and competitive 3-2 game to a deceiving 6-2 final that looks like a blowout.

The 2026-27 season starts today for all local teams, three hurting more than the rest, although they each had excellent playoff runs.

Contact David at dersoff@bellsouthl.net

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JOURNAL SPORTS

Six local girls basketball teams play LHSAA second-round playoff games tonight, with the two highest seeds, Huntington and Captain Shreve, hosting Select Division I contests after enjoying byes in last Thursday’s opening round.

The defending state champion Lady Raiders, seeded fourth like they were last year, meet 13^th-seeded Woodlawn of Baton Rouge. The Lady Gators, seeded eighth, will play No. 9 Archbishop Chapelle.  

On the road in Round 2 are Booker T. Washington, Haughton, Parkway, and Plain Dealing.

After defying the odds last Thursday by making a round trip of over 800 miles to beat South Plaquemines in a first-rounder, Plain Dealing has a much easier trip tonight but an infinitely more difficult matchup, visiting perennial Division IV Non-Select power Arcadia.

Tonight’s LHSAA second-round girls basketball playoff games involving Shreveport-Bossier schools (tipoff time 6 o’clock unless indicated):

SELECT DIVISION I

No. 9 Archbishop Chapelle (22-9) at No. 8 Captain Shreve (19-10), 5:30

No. 13 Woodlawn-BR (19-13) at No. 4 Huntington (17-7)

SELECT DIVISION II

No. 17 Booker T. Washington (17-11) at No. 1 Madison Prep (25-7)

NON-SELECT DIVISION I

No. 13 Haughton (24-9) at No. 4 Neville (21-5)

No. 11 Parkway (20-8) at No. 6 Salmen (23-3), 5:30

NON-SELECT DIVISION IV

No. 19 Plain Dealing (16-14) at No. 3 Arcadia (21-6) 

FIRST-ROUND SCORES 

Games played last week involving Shreveport-Bossier teams: 

NON-SELECT DIVISION I

No. 9 Natchitoches Central 52, No. 24 Airline 49

No. 6 Salmen 47, No. 27 Benton 35

No. 13 Haughton 36, No. 20 Sam Houston 22

No. 12 Terrebonne 59, No. 21 Northwood 54

No. 11 Parkway 47, No. 22 Fountainebleu 24 

SELECT DIVISION I

No. 14 St. Thomas More 40, No. 19 Southwood 31

NON-SELECT DIVISION II

No. 9 Iota 58, No. 24 Bossier 44 

SELECT DIVISION II

No. 17 Booker T. Washington 46, No. 16 Peabody 42

SELECT DIVISION III

No. 11 D’Arbonne Woods 53, No. 22 Calvary 32 

NON-SELECT DIVISION IV

No. 19 Plain Dealing 42, No. 14 South Plaquemines 27

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By RON HIGGINS, Journal Sports

BATON ROUGE – There’s one week left in the regular season, and LSU’s women’s basketball team still leads the nation in scoring offense, rebound margin and bench points.

On Sunday afternoon, with 11,278 fans and more than five decades of former Tigers’ players as witnesses on the program’s Alumni Day as witnesses, Kim Mulkey’s 7th-rated squad showed they’re ready to accelerate into March Madness.

They surpassed their 95 points per game scoring average in a 108-55 SEC blowout of Missouri. They obliterated their rebound margin (18.0) by outrebounding the visitors by 47. They blew past their bench points per game figure (39.4) with four reserves accounting for 48 points.

When Mulkey learned Missouri starting center Jordan Remma was sidelined with an injury, she switched to a smaller lineup using five guards and turned the game into a track meet.

“We had not really practiced or prepared to play that lineup,” Mulkey said. “It worked, and it was entertaining. Everybody wanted to get a piece of that rebound and take off. “Consequently, we scored a lot of points. That was a fun game to watch.”

The most amazing stat of the day for the Tigers (24-4 overall, 10-4 SEC) was a playing rotation with only one player taller than 6 feet that collected 72 rebounds. It’s the second most by any SEC team ever in a league and the most for LSU against an SEC opponent.

Three of LSU’s seven players scoring in double figures – MiLaysia Fulwiley (22 points, 11 rebounds), Zakiyah Johnson (17 points, 14 rebounds) and Mikaylah Williams (12 points, 10 rebounds) had double-doubles.

It was the first double-double of South Carolina junior transfer Fulwiley’s career and the first time she scored 20 or more points in two consecutive games. Her offense vs. Mizzou was fueled by a career-high six 3-pointers (in nine attempts).

“I just felt good,” said Fulwiley, who also had four assists, three blocked shots and two steals. “I let it go. I just got my feet set and kept shooting it, but making sure I was taking smart shots.”

Johnson, a 6-foot freshman, seemed to gobble up every LSU missed shot. She had 11 offensive rebounds, two more than Mizzou’s team total.

“Being smaller, I have a quick leap,” Johnson said. “I’m kind of eyeing the ball (on a shot), seeing where it’s going, and I’m using my quickness to get up and grab it really quick. It’s just something. I’ve been doing my whole career. Now, it’s an emphasis for me.”

Mulkey, who benched Williams in the second half of LSU’s 78-70 comeback win at Ole Miss Thursday night, complimented the former Bossier City Parkway star for her defense on Missouri’s Grace Slaughter.

Slaughter scored a team-high 14 points, but 10 came in the first quarter. She finished missing nine shots, including five 3-pointers.

“Mikaylah moved her feet and really guarded Slaughter, who’s tough to guard,” Mulkey said. “I don’t think Slaughter shot the ball particularly well for what I’ve seen her do, and I think a lot of it has to be attributed to Mikaylah.”

Leading 23-14 after the first quarter, the Tigers put back-to-back 31-point second and third quarters.

Senior guard Flau’jae Johnson ignited LSU’s second quarter. After her scoreless 0 for 6 first period, she scored 11 of her game-total 16 points in the next 10 minutes to boost the Tigers’ halftime cushion to 54-22.

Mulkey unofficially suspended freshman Grace Knox for Sunday’s game, a result of her physical foul followed by an obscenity after blocking an Ole Miss shot on Thursday.

LSU hosts Tennessee on Thursday in the last regular-season home game. The Tigers’ three seniors, led by four-year starter Flau’Jae Johnson, will be honored.

Contact Ron at ronhigginsmedia@gmail.com

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David Frederick passed away suddenly at his home in Shreveport, aged 57, on January 30, 2026. 

David was born in Florida and moved to Shreveport with his family while in school. He graduated from Southwood High and LSU-S, and lived his adult life in Shreveport. 

David loved staying constantly busy with repairing, remodeling, and helping his friends and neighbors. If he wasn’t working out at the gym, he was mowing a yard, fixing a problem, or completing a home improvement project. David was a festival committee member with Mudbug Madness for more than twenty years, and enjoyed helping set up and run the festival and participate in other DSU festivals such as Brew and Rockets Over the Red. He wore many hats including Production Manager at Rebath of Shreveport, and loved his job and his work family of fourteen years there. 

David was a wonderful partner to Sunni Burgess for nineteen years. He was the best possible “step-dad” to her daughter Cecily, always helping whether she needed something moved, assembled, or repaired. David was a lifelong participant in both the cat distribution system and the Boston terrier distribution system, and loved and cared for all the cats and his dog Milo that happened into his life. His current cats Nick and Conway will live with Sunni. 

David was preceded in death by his mother Mary Lou Frederick of Fountain Inn, SC. He is survived by his father Don Frederick, his sister Kathy Smith and her partner Ned Laming , his sister Linda Sener and her husband Chuck, and his nephew Thomas Laming. 

Thanks go to Jeb and Robin Breithaupt and the work family at Rebath for their heartfelt sympathy and memorial luncheon. 

A lovely memorial reception at The Supper Club on February 11 was kindly given by Terri Matthews for David’s Mudbug Madness Festival friends and loved ones, with help from his friends Carol Coe and Nancy Larson. Thank you to these kind friends he held so dear. 

David would have liked to be remembered for his involvement in the community, and would encourage everyone to volunteer for DSU festivals, help with local pet rescues, and patronize locally owned businesses.

Funeral services for Kathryn Corliss, 93, will be held on Friday, February 27, 2026, at 10 a.m. at Christ United Methodist Church, 1204 Crabapple Dr., Shreveport, Louisiana. Burial will follow at Forest Park West Cemetery in Shreveport. A visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 26, 2026 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2500 Southside Dr. in Shreveport. Officiating the service will be Rev. Willis Dear and Rev. Dr. Jonathan King.

Kathryn was born on September 8, 1932 on a farm near Odebolt, Iowa in rural Sac County. Kathryn was the daughter of Donald and Mary Currie, one of six children. She attended rural country school in Clinton Township until the 8th grade and then attended Odebolt High School, graduating in 1950. After graduation she attended Buena Vista College and then the American Institute of Business in Des Moines, Iowa.

While at AIB she met Donald Corliss of Bedford, Iowa. They were married on Easter Sunday, April 5, 1953. Don was in the Air Force at that time and Kathryn worked hard and saved their money while he was stationed in Thule, Greenland. Don and Kathy moved a few times, living in Mississippi, Illinois, Nebraska, New Jersey, and eventually settling in Shreveport, Louisiana in 1967.

Kathy was a loving mother to her three children: Ellen, Ardyth, and David and loving grandmother to her four grandchildren: Kaitlyn, Arden, Ross and Caryn. Over the years she served as a Girl Scout Troop leader, was involved in many 4-H projects, and also participated in the Southwood High School Band Parents. Kathryn was an avid baker and always kept her family happily supplied with delicious brownies and chocolate chip cookies.

Kathy was a member of Christ United Methodist Church for over 50 years. She taught Sunday school, was a member of United Methodist Women, worked hard on the Church Rummage Sale for many years and also participated in the Prayer Quilt Ministry. Kathy and Don were enthusiastic square dancers for most of their seventy-one-year marriage. Her family was her most important mission, and Kathryn made a loving home for them wherever they lived.

Kathy will be terribly missed, but we will treasure the many memories made together as a loving family.

Leonard Dewain Glass
March 6, 1941 — February 19, 2026
Service: Tuesday, February 24, 2026, 12pm at First Baptist Church-Bossier, Bossier City.

Vera L. Vaughn
October 29, 1939 – February 19, 2026
Service: Monday, February 23, 2026, 11m at Benevolent Funeral Home, Shreveport.

Joann D. Waldrop
October 31, 1935 – February 19, 2026
Service: Wednesday, February 25, 2026, 2pm at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home, Shreveport. 

Kathryn Corliss
September 8, 1932 — February 18, 2026
Service: Friday, February 27, 2026, 10am at Christ United Methodist Church, Shreveport. 

Wayne A Dillman Sr.
October 21, 1931 – February 18, 2026
Service: Monday, February 23, 2026, 2pm at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home, Shreveport. 

Tina Denise Jones
September 14, 1962 — February 15, 2026
Service: Sunday, March 8, 2026, 1pm at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Bossier City.

Renell “Butch” Edward Skeen
April 9, 1953 — February 14, 2026
Service: Monday, February 23, 2026, 11am at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Bossier City. 

Donetter Richardson
September 28, 1952 — February 13, 2026
Service: Saturday, February 28, 2026, 11am at Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery, Shreveport. 

Evelyn Rebecca O’Neal
September 27, 1929 — February 11, 2026
Service: Saturday, February 28, 2026, 12pm at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Bossier City.

Pearl Bell
October 19, 1927 – February 8, 2026
Service: Monday, February 23, 2026, 11am at Heavenly Gates Funeral Home, Shreveport.

Helen Louise Manning
February 6, 1935 – February 7, 2026
Service: Monday, February 23, 2026, 10am at Greater New Zion Baptist Church, Benton.

Roosevelt C. Remble, Jr.
April 20, 1943 – February 7, 2026
Service: Friday, February 27, 2026, 11am at Winnfield Funeral Home, Shreveport. 

Gary Perrin
February 8, 1942 – February 6, 2026
Service: Monday, February 23, 2026, 11:30am at Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, Keithville. 

James Marshall Jones, lll
April 30, 1979 – February 4, 2026
Service: Friday, February 27, 2026, 1pm at St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral, Shreveport. 

Alfred Vernon Webster Jr.
December 12, 1932 – January 31, 2026
Service: Saturday, February 28, 2026, 11am at Kings Highway Christian Church, Shreveport. 

Sammie Lee Johnson
February 18, 1930 — January 26, 2026
Service: Wednesday, February 25, 2026, 8am at Winnfield Funeral Home, Shreveport. 

Agents with Attorney General Liz Murrill’s Louisiana Bureau of Investigation arrested a couple from Benton for defrauding the Medicaid and SNAP benefits program of more than $126,000.

The Louisiana Bureau of Investigation (LBI) received a criminal referral from Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) regarding allegations that 38-year-old Krystle Garcia, of Linton Bellevue Road in Benton, a Medicaid recipient, had underreported her income for purposes to receive Medicaid and SNAP benefits.

During this investigation, LBI agents learned that in the period between October 2017 until June 2025, Garcia underreported her household income, failed to disclose her marital status, and submitted false addresses to LDH. Garcia also intentionally misrepresented the availability of health insurance through her husband’s employer. 

LBI’s investigation revealed that Garcia resided with her employed husband at a residence in Bossier Parish and provided LDH with information indicating she received no income and resided only with her minor children. Agents learned that Garcia’s husband, 39-year-old Cody Simmons, had participated in the scheme. Evidence disclosed that Simmons had private insurance coverage for himself but did not enroll Garcia or their children in his employer’s optional health insurance program. The investigation also yielded photographs of Simmons at Bossier Parish grocery stores utilizing Garcia’s SNAP benefits card to purchase large amounts of goods. 

As a result of this scheme, the couple defrauded the Medicaid and SNAP benefits programs of more than $126,000. 

“If you defraud the system, we will find you and prosecute you,” said Attorney General Murrill.

The couple was arrested and booked at the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on Feb. 18 pursuant to arrest warrants issued by the 19th Judicial District Court on charges pertaining to:

• Government Benefits Fraud, LA.R.S. 14:70.9
• Unauthorized use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, LA.R.S. 14:68.2

Their bond information is unknown at this time. The investigation is ongoing.

The Bossier Parish Police Jury moved through a wide-ranging agenda during its regular meeting on Feb. 18, addressing everything from equipment purchases and development requests to public safety initiatives and infrastructure improvements across the parish.

Jurors began by awarding a bid for a removable gooseneck trailer to Scott Equipment.

In public hearing matters, the Police Jury approved raising the speed limit on Rebouche Road in District 6 from 15 mph to 25 mph. The earlier reduction had been implemented because of children in the area, but conditions have since changed. Members also advanced a site plan for Logan Farms Unit No. 1, which includes what will become the parish’s first Scooter’s Coffee at the intersection of U.S. 80 and Hillcrest Circle. The development includes a new public road, drainage improvements, and a right-in/right-out entrance to be permitted by the State of Louisiana.

Looking ahead, the Jury scheduled public hearings for April 1, 2026, to consider amendments to Chapter 122 (Sewage) for both Consolidated Waterworks/Sewerage Districts 1 and 2. These updates include corrections to references in Article III.

Several appointments and reappointments were confirmed during the meeting. Andy Holly and Doug Rogers were reappointed to the Bossier Parish Communications District #1, with new terms extending through March 31, 2029. Members of the Police Jury were also appointed to the Library Board of Control, where the current president and vice president will continue in their officer roles.

In other business, the Jury approved resolutions calling for June 27, 2026, elections to renew special taxes for South Bossier Parish Fire District #2 and Fire Protection District #7. Another resolution was adopted to require water-withdrawing entities to help fund efforts to combat giant salvinia on Lake Bistineau.

Two funding applications also received approval. Through the Local Government Assistance Program (LGAP), the Jury endorsed an application to install automatic water meters in the Country Place Subdivision. Under the CWEF program, members approved an application for a new water storage tank at the East Central Water System Booster Station.

Jurors also voted to accept Edgewater Pass Subdivision Unit #2 into the parish road system. Additionally, they authorized an engineering agreement for Phase 2 of improvements at the Dogwood North pump house.