JOURNAL SPORTS

For the sixth time in his 14 seasons running the LSU Shreveport men’s basketball program, Kyle Blankenship has been named the Louisiana Association of Basketball Coaches Louisiana Small College Coach of the Year.

He’s been the Red River Athletic Conference Coach of the Year eight times and was again this season, as the Pilots had a 28-6 overall record and won the league at 20-2 and swept the RRAC Tournament.

The Pilots advanced to the NAIA Men’s Basketball National Championship Round of 16 and spent the majority of the season ranked in the NAIA Top 25, climbing as high as No. 13. LSUS also made program history with a 12-0 start to conference play, the best in school history.

LSUS developed into one of the most balanced teams in the nation, averaging 87.9 points per game while shooting an efficient 54.8 percent from the field.

The Pilots’ success extended to individual honors as well. Hayden Brittingham was named the LABC Louisiana Small College Player of the Year to go along with his NAIA first team All-American and RRAC Player of the Year honors, while Khi Wallace earned third team All-American recognition and was named RRAC Newcomer of the Year. Freshman  Nico Jones added NAIA Champions of Character Team honors.

The LABC’s annual Honors Banquet is May 4 in Baton Rouge.