The in and out of prep baseball warmups is no longer routine

The Loyola baseball team had just finished taking infield practice before the 1999 Class 2A state championship game in Baton Rouge and the Flyers were coming off the field as Teurlings Catholic was preparing for its turn.

“Have a seat, guys,” said Flyers’ assistant coach Glen Hunt. “It’s time to watch the circus.”

And it was. Teurlings put every single player on the field – not just the starters – and proceeded to have an infield-outfield session that had to be seen to be believed. (Loyola had seen it the previous day in the semifinals.)

There were always at least three live baseballs in play at one time and nobody ever stopped moving. There was enough choreography going on to make a Broadway producer jealous.

It’s hard to know exactly what kind impact it had on the Flyers as they watched from the first base dugout. It may be too much to say that the Flyers had lost before the game even started, but it sure didn’t take long. Loyola lost 12-1. It only took five innings.

There’s a lot more going on in pre-game practice in baseball than just take a few ground balls. Or even for those who don’t take any.

The popular term for taking pre-game infield and outfield practice is “in and out” but while some teams are still “in,” there are a growing number who are “out.” Put it this way – don’t be surprised if at least one of the teams doesn’t trot out there for a few grounders before the game starts.

“I’ve got a philosophy on that,” says veteran Haughton coach Glenn Maynor. “If the team we are playing doesn’t want to take infield or outfield before a game, that team shouldn’t beat us.”

Imagine going to a football game and the place kickers didn’t come out early and practice some kicks. Not a care in the world about the wind conditions.

How about a basketball game in which the players didn’t take a few layups or practice a few free throws just to get a feel for the tightness of the rims or the depth perception of the goal?

But it happens in baseball – and a lot more than you’d think.

At the Class 5A level, almost all continue to take in-and-out before the game, but the lower you go in classification, the more likely it is that they might not.

“We take it (on the road) so that we can get used to the field and get settled in before the game starts,” said Byrd coach Greg Williams. “On the road, you are looking to see how the grass plays and how the ball reacts. At home, you already know that, but baseball coaches like routine and that’s just what we like to do.”

You probably won’t see the “circus,” but most teams that do take it like to send more than just the starters on the field. “It’s not really a game, but it feels like one to the younger players,” Northwood’s Austin Alexander said. “It’s a free chance to get some game experience for some of those guys.”

Early-season tournaments or weather conditions can be a reason to not take infield, but for teams that don’t take it before a game, there’s a simple reason why: They don’t want to give the opposition a free scouting report.

At least, that’s the thought process.

Maynor says he really doesn’t pay much attention to what the opposition is doing. “I might ask my assistant coach about how the outfield arms are,” he says. “But for most part, I’ve got my own team to worry about before a game starts.”

“I check to see about the outfield arms,” Williams said. “A lot of times I’ll look and see if a guy pitched a few nights before, how he’s throwing the ball.”

Alexander says he didn’t take in-and-out his first two years, but does it now and his players look forward to it.

“They love it,” the fourth-year coach said. “It’s a big deal to them and they take a lot of pride in it.”

So what if the pre-game session doesn’t go so well, with dropped fly balls and through-the-wickets grounders?

“Better to get that out of the way before the game,” Alexander says, “than during it.” 

Contact JJ at johnjamesmarshall@yahoo.com


Airline rebounds with non-district softball win

 BIG BATS: Airline’s bats came up big Thursday in a 12-11 defeat of Many. (Photo by JOHN PENROD, Journal Sports)

JOURNAL SPORTS

A couple of days after dropping a tough pitchers’ duel for the district championship to Natchitoches Central, Airline had to hold off a rally by defending small school state champion Many for a 12-11 non-district win at home Thursday.

The Lady Vikings picked up their 20tn win in 27 games with a six-run second inning to take a 7-2 lead into the fourth inning. Lindsey Marcinkus broke a 2-2 tie with a two-run single and Natalie Sutton later made it 7-2 with a two-run double.

Many came back and tied the game 8-8 with two runs in the fifth. Airline leadoff hitter Elena Heng hit a two-run home run to break the tie in the bottom of the inning and Sutton added a run-scoring single to stake the Lady Vikes to an 11-8 bulge.

Heng had an RBI groundout in the sixth for a 12-10 advantage that proved to be the cushion Airline needed.

Sutton was 3-for-4 with four RBI, Heng was 2-for-5 with three RBI and Haley Whiteside went 2-for-4 with a double.

CALVARY 9, OUACHITA CHRISTIAN 3: The Lady Cavaliers picked up win No. 20 on the season in taking the non-district game at home. DJ Lynch homered and was 3-for-4 and Carlie Guile and Elana Franks both had a double and home run.  Tavia Leadon had two hits in three at bats and Ramsey Walker also hit a home run for Calvary (20-8).

CEDAR CREEK 17, BENTON 9: In Ruston, the Lady Tigers couldn’t keep up with the Lady Cougars. Sophia Livers was 4-for-5 with a double. Olivia Burns had a home run and was 2-for-4, while Ashley Promes drove in three runs and had a single and double for Benton (14-13). 

CAPTAIN SHREVE 12-17, CASTOR 0-7: The host Lady Gators got the doubleheader sweep as Meagan Hill hit a three-run home run and finished with a team-high four RBI in the 12-0 win. Lauren Simpkins was 2-for-3 with a double and Ella Hendrick got the win in the circle with 10 strikeouts. Hendrick was 3-for-3 with a double and home run in the second game.  Jayda Martin had two doubles and a single along with Aubry Townsend, who was 3-for-4 with three RBI. 

ST. MARY’S 2, NORTHWOOD 1: The Lady Tigers scored a pair of runs in the first inning and made them hold up for the non-district win at home. Cameron Clark was the hard-luck loser in the circle working six innings, allowing five hits, two runs, and striking out four. She also had a double at the plate for Northwood (12-7).

LAKESIDE 7, EVANGEL 1: Brooklyn Horton and Gabbi Olague were both 2-for-4 for the host Lady Eagles, who stayed close until a four-run seventh inning by the Lady Warriors. Evangel dropped to 7-18 on the season, while Lakeside improved to 15-10.


Thursday’s baseball, softball scoreboard; upcoming schedule

(Photo by JOHN PENROD, Journal Sports)

College Baseball

Thursday’s score

LSU 5, Tennessee 2

Today’s games

Tennessee at LSU, 6 p.m.

Dallas Baptist at Louisiana Tech, 3 p.m.

Centenary at Trinity, 6 p.m.

Northwestern State at New Orleans, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday’s games

Louisiana Christian at LSUS, DH, 2 p.m.

Centenary at Trinity, DH, 1 p.m.

BPCC at Navarro, DH, 1 p.m.

Tennessee at LSU, 1 p.m.

Northwestern State at New Orleans, 2 p.m.

Dallas Baptist at Louisiana Tech, 2 p.m.

Sunday’s games

Louisiana Christian at LSUS, noon

Northwestern State at New Orleans, 1 p.m.

Dallas Baptist at Louisiana Tech, 1 p.m.

College Softball

Thursday’s scores

No games scheduled

Today’s games

N.C. State vs. Louisiana Tech, at LSU, 11:30 a.m.

BYU vs. Louisiana Tech, at LSU, 2 p.m.

Houston Christian at Northwestern State, DH, 4 p.m.

Southern U. at Grambling, 3 p.m.

Saturday’s games

Centenary at Trinity, DH, noon

Houston Christian at Northwestern State, noon

Southern U. at Grambling, DH, noon

BPCC at Paris, DH, 1 p.m.

N.C. State vs. Louisiana Tech, at LSU, 1:30 p.m.

Louisiana Tech at LSU, 4 p.m.

Sunday’s game

Centenary at Trinity, noon

High School Baseball

Thursday’s scores 

District 1-5A

Benton 14, Airline 3
Byrd 9, Captain Shreve 3
Parkway 7, Haughton 6

District 1-4A

Northwood 9, Minden 4
North DeSoto 9, Evangel 5

District 1-2A

Calvary 11, Lakeside 8
Loyola 11, D’Arbonne Woods 3

Non-District

Converse 15, North Caddo 0

Today’s games

District 1-4A

North DeSoto at Evangel

District 1-2A

Calvary at Lakeside, DH

D’Arbonne Woods at Loyola, DH

Non-District

Captain Shreve at Converse

St. Mary’s at Parkway

Saline at Huntington

Franklin Parish at Northwood

North Caddo at Logansport

Plain Dealing at Ringgold

Saturday’s games

District 1-5A

Airline at Benton

Captain Shreve at Byrd

Parkway at Haughton

Southwood at Natchitoches Central, DH

Non-District

Red River at North Caddo

High School Softball

Thursday’s scores

District 1-4A

Minden 15, BTW 0

Non-District

Airline 12, Many 11
Captain Shreve 12-17, Castor 0-7
Cedar Creek 17, Benton 9
North DeSoto 7, Natchitoches Central 1
Montgomery 2, Parkway 0
St. Mary’s 2, Northwood 1
D’Arbonne Woods 16, Byrd 1
Saline 20, Southwood 10
Lakeside 7, Evangel 1
Calvary 9, Ouachita Christian 3
Loyola 10, River Oaks 0
Haynesville 19-15, Bossier 1-0

Today’s games

District 1-4A

Woodlawn at Evangel

Caddo Magnet vs. Woodlawn, Cargill 5 p.m.

Non-District

Byrd at Stanley

Parkway at North Webster

Arcadia at Green Oaks

Loyola at North Caddo

Saturday’s game

North DeSoto at Calvary, 1 p.m.

Schedules are subject to cancellations and postponements.


More big district baseball games on tap; local power ratings

(Photo by JOHN PENROD, Journal Sports)

JOURNAL SPORTS

Baseball season is at or near the mid-point of many districts’ schedule and today’s slate of games is loaded with key matchups in Districts 1-5A, 1-4A and 1-2A.

Beginning with 1-5A, today’s games will be the front-end of a two-game set between the schools with today’s home teams traveling to their opponent Saturday. Today’s games pair up Benton (12-12, 4-2) playing at district co-leader Airline (11-10, 5-1), the other co-leader Parkway (16-4, 5-1) hosting  Haughton (15-7, 2-4) and Byrd (14-10, 2-4) at Captain Shreve (13-8, 4-2).

In District 1-4A there are four teams undefeated in the district but only two will still be unblemished after today’s games. Northwood (18-5, 4-0) leads the district and will host Minden (14-7, 2-0). Just one game behind Northwood in the win column, Evangel (7-16, 3-0) will travel to Stonewall to face North DeSoto (18-5, 3-0).

District 1-2A plays three-game series against each other over two days with single games today and doubleheaders on Friday. Lakeside (11-8, 1-2) will start its series with first-place Calvary (12-9, 3-0) today before hosting a doubleheader Friday. Loyola (4-18, 3-6) will travel to Farmerville to play D’Arbonne Woods (8-11, 1-2) before hosting a double dip Friday.

BYRD 5, MANY 4: The Yellow Jackets used a four-run seventh inning rally to get the non-district win at home Wednesday. Blayne Kent scored from third on a passed ball for the winning run.

Baseball power ratings

Non-Select Division I

          6. Parkway

  1. Haughton
  1. Benton
  1. Airline

Non-Select Division II

  1. Bossier

Non-Select Division IV

  1. Plain Dealing

Select Division I

          6. Captain Shreve

  1. Northwood
  1. Byrd
  1. Southwood

Select Division II

  1. Evangel
  1. BTW
  1. Woodlawn

Select Division III

  1. Calvary
  1. North Caddo
  1. Loyola

Calvary softball starts district with run-rule win; local power ratings

JOURNAL SPORTS

Calvary Baptist’s softball powerhouse won its eighth straight in taking a 14-4 five-inning District 1-2A run-rule defeat of Lakeside Wednesday at home.

The Lady Cavaliers, the No. 1 rated team in Select Division I power ratings, got their initial district win as Mary Grace Woodle hit two home runs in three at bats, DJ Lynch was 2-for-3 with a home run and Tavia Leadon was 3-for-4. Kynzee Anderson had seven strikeouts in three innings of work inside the circle for Calvary (19-8, 1-0).

Calvary will play host to Ouachita Christian (16-10) today before a big game on Saturday against Non-Select Division II top rated North DeSoto (25-2).

EVANGEL 19, HUNTINGTON 1: The Lady Eagles needed just three innings to get the District 1-4A win as Caroline Tew was 2-for-2 with two RBI and Gabbi Olague and Kamdyn Harmson had doubles. Evangel (7-17, 2-4) had just five hits but took advantage of 11 walks.   

Here is how local teams stand in the power ratings through Tuesday’s games according to Geauxpreps.com:

Non-Select Division I

          8.  Airline

  1. Haughton
  1. Benton
  1. Parkway

Non-Select Division II

  1. Bossier

Non-Select Division IV

  1. Plain Dealing

Select Division I

  1. Northwood
  1. Captain Shreve
  1. Huntington
  1. Caddo Magnet
  1. Byrd
  1. Southwood

Select Division II

  1. Evangel
  1. BTW
  1. Woodlawn

Select Division III

  1. Calvary
  1. Loyola
  1. North Caddo
  1. Green Oaks

Wednesday’s baseball, softball scoreboard; today’s schedule

(Photo by JOHN PENROD, Journal Sports)

College Baseball

Wednesday’s scores

Louisiana Christian 12, Centenary 2, 7 innings
Paris 12-8, BPCC 8-14

Today’s games

Centenary at John Melvin, DH, 10:15 a.m.

Tennessee at LSU, 7 p.m.

College Softball

Wednesday’s scores

No games scheduled

Today’s games

No games scheduled

High School Baseball

Wednesday’s scores 

Byrd 5, Many 4
Huntington 18, Homer 11

Today’s games

District 1-5A

Benton (12-12, 4-2) at Airline (11-10, 5-1)

Byrd (14-10, 2-4) at Captain Shreve (13-8, 4-2)

Haughton (15-7, 2-4) at Parkway (16-4, 5-1)

District 1-4A

Minden (14-7, 2-0) at Northwood (18-5, 4-0)

Evangel (7-16, 3-0) at North DeSoto (18-5, 3-0)

BTW (0-4, 0-4) at Woodlawn (1-5, 0-3)

District 1-2A

Lakeside (11-8, 1-2) at Calvary (12-9, 3-0)

Loyola (4-18, 3-6) at D’Arbonne Woods (8-11, 1-2)

Non-District

St. Mary’s (13-9) at Southwood (3-17)

Converse (16-2) at North Caddo (10-8)

High School Softball

Wednesday’s scores

Calvary 14, Lakeside 4
Evangel 19, Huntington 1
Plain Dealing 15-15, Bossier 2-11

Today’s games

District 1-4A

BTW (4-10, 3-4) at Minden (14-11, 6-1)

Caddo Magnet (10-7, 3-3) at Huntington (5-3, 1-3)

Non-District

Many (16-10) at Airline (19-7)

Castor (5-9) at Captain Shreve (13-7)

D’Arbonne Woods (14-10) at Byrd (1-17)

Saline (10-7) at Southwood (2-20)

Lakeside (14-9) at Evangel (6-17)

Ouachita Christian (16-10) at Calvary (18-8)

River Oaks (10-7) at Loyola (7-8)

North Caddo (1-8) at Logansport (16-7)

Schedules are subject to cancellations and postponements. 


Calvary’s Hill tops 1-2A boys’ basketball all-district squad

DISTRICT MVP: Calvary guard Rondae Hill was selected the All-District 1-2A MVP by the district coaches. (Photo by JOHN PENROD, Journal Sports)

JOURNAL SPORTS

Calvary point guard Rondae Hill was named the boys’ basketball 1-2A All-District Most Valuable Player by the district coaches.

Hill, a 5-foot-11 junior, averaged 16 points and six assists per game in helping lead the Cavaliers to an undefeated district championship and state runner-up finish in Select Division III. 

Joining Hill on the first team are Green Oaks’ senior Fred’Travious Benjamin and Johnathan Stokes, Calvary sophomore Bubba Strong and Loyola senior Caleb Branch.

Here is the complete list of the boys’ basketball All-District 1-2A team. 

BOYS 

FIRST TEAM

Rondae Hill, Calvary, Jr.

Fred’Travious Benjamin, Green Oaks, Sr.

Bubba Strong, Calvary, So.

Caleb Branch, Loyola, Sr.

Johnathan Stokes, Green Oaks

SECOND TEAM

Omarion Miller, North Caddo

Cooper Chasse, Lakeside

John Carmody Jr., Loyola

James Jackson, North Caddo

Malaki Thomas, Calvary

MVP – Rondae Hill, Calvary

Honorable mention: Green Oaks – Delarious Marshall, Keshawn Williams, JaKorey Baxter. Lakeside – Landon Anderson, Jacoby Curry, Eli Musgrave. Loyola – Cage Van Norman, Connor Sims, Cohen Spain. Calvary – K.J. Kennon. North Caddo – Bailey Bridges.


Natchitoches Central edges Airline for 1-5A softball crown

 (Photo by JOHN PENROD, Journal Sports)

JOURNAL SPORTS 

Natchitoches Central took a 3-0 lead into the seventh inning and survived by throwing out an Airline runner at the plate that would have tied the game in a thrilling 3-2 win that clinched its third consecutive District 1-5A softball title.

Airline leadoff hitter Elena Heng came to the plate with the bases loaded and one out in the top of the seventh inning trailing 3-0. She  tripled to centerfield to score Ryan Hutchinson and Addison McDowell. Haley Whiteside tried to score from first base to tie the game but was out at the plate. 

Maddie Robinson got the win in the circle for the Lady Chiefs and hit a fifth-inning home run to give Natchitoches Central a 3-0 lead. Robinson allowed three hits, walked seven and struck out 10. Her cousin Desi Robinson was 2-for-3 and drove in a run in the two-run NCHS third inning.

Taylor Anne Smith suffered the loss for visiting Airline (19-7, 6-1) allowing three hits and one earned run as she struck out five, but also walked five.

Natchitoches Central, rated No. 4 in the LHSAA Division I power ratings, is now 22-3, 7-0.  

HAUGHTON 14, PARKWAY 2: At Parkway, a 10-run third inning explosion keyed the Lady Bucs to the 1-5A win and a third-place tie with Benton at 4-3 in district. Macey Schut was 4-for-4 with two doubles and drove in five runs. Dixie Williams went  3-for-3 at the plate and picked up the win in the circle as she allowed two hits, walked one and struck out seven in the five-inning contest. Ella Vickers, Kayleigh Goss, Kylie Small and Carsyn Kizzia all had two hits for Haughton (11-9, 4-3).

BENTON 26, SOUTHWOOD 0: The Lady Tigers’ finish in a third-place tie in 1-5A with Haughton (4-3) after the win at Southwood. Sophia Livers, Ashley Promes and Erin Disotell were all 2-for-2. Livers’ and Disotell’s hits were both doubles and Promes had a double and drove in five runs. Benton is 14-12 overall. 

CAPTAIN SHREVE 11, BYRD 0: At Captain Shreve, Ella Hendrick pitched a five-inning no-hitter, striking out 11, and Jayda Martin and Brianna Jones hit home runs in the District 1-5A win. Elexa Beaudoin (2-for-3) Hendrick (2-for-3) and Aubry Townsend (2-for-3) with three RBI led the way at the plate for Shreve (13-7, 3-4). 

MINDEN 6, NORTHWOOD 2: At Northwood, Leigha K-Gilbert’s bases-loaded inside-the-park home run to centerfield in the fifth inning was the big blow that carried the Tide to the 1-4A win to secure second place in the district at 6-1. Gilbert also had a pair of doubles and was the only player with multiple hits for Minden, now 14-11 overall. Northwood (12-6, 5-2) scored its only runs in the seventh inning as Mackenzie Jagers tripled in the first run and scored the second on an Analyse Fuqua single. 


Captain Shreve hands Parkway first 1-5A loss, tightens district standings

(Photo by JOHN PENROD, Journal Sports)

JOURNAL SPORTS

Captain Shreve pitchers Andrew Sharp and John Chance limited league-leader Parkway to two runs as the Gators handed the Panthers their first loss in District 1-5A Tuesday at Parkway.

Sharp got the win going five innings, allowing six hits and two runs as he walked two. Chance pitched a perfect final two innings striking out five of the six batters he faced in the Gators’ 6-2 triumph.

The Gators scored a single run in the fifth to break a 2-2 tie on a Jackson Bleich fielder’s choice out that scored Sharp. Shreve (13-8, 4-2) added three insurance runs in the sixth, two coming home on a Hunter Willis single. Walker Wicklund’s sacrifice fly scored Rob Carroway with the final run.

Shawn Driggers was 2-for-4 and drove in both of Parkway’s second inning runs with a single. Zach Schoenborn was also 2-for-4 with a double for the Panthers (16-4, 5-1). 

AIRLINE 12, SOUTHWOOD 3: The Vikings moved into a tie for first in 1-5A by beating the Cowboys. Airline (11-10, 5-1) slugged out 15 hits with Clayton Brandon leading the way with three safeties, Tyler Ferguson had two doubles, Cayden Long, Noah Littleton and Mason Morgan all had doubles to go along with singles in posting two hits.

BENTON 14, BYRD 6: At Benton, Kenner Lauterbach’s bases-clearing double keyed a seven-run fifth inning rally  in the Tigers’ 1-5A win. Benton (12-12, 4-2) had 12 hits and seven walks as Hunter Brignac, Case Jorden and Lauterbach were all 2-for-4 and Bryson Pierce 2-for-2.  Kadrien Harris had three of Byrd’s four hits in three at bats. Hayden Hoffpauir had two of the Yellow Jackets’ four RBI.

NATCHITOCHES CENTRAL 4, HAUGHTON 3: The host Chiefs erased a 3-0 deficit with three runs in the fifth and one in the sixth to get the win. Colin Rains led the Bucs at the plate going 2-for-4 with two RBI. Christian Turner added to his team lead in triples with a first-inning three bagger. The winning run scored on a balk.

CALVARY 5, RUSTON 3: At Ruston, the Cavs got a pair of ninth-inning runs to get the extra-inning non-district win.  Jackson Legg was 3-for-4 and two RBI at the plate while Cade Bedgood was 2-for-5 and Landon Fontenot got the win allowing seven hits, one run and striking out eight in 5 2/3 innings.

NORTHWOOD 15, BTW 0: The Falcons only needed three innings for the 1-4A win as Cody Roark had two hits and two RBI for Northwood (18-5, 4-0).


Tuesday’s baseball, softball scoreboard; today’s schedule

(Photo by JOHN PENROD, Journal Sports)

College Baseball

Tuesday’s scores

Centenary 3, LeTourneau 2
Louisiana Christian JV 12, BPCC 10
Louisiana Tech 14, Sacramento State 4
LSU 17, Grambling State 5

Today’s games

Paris at BPCC, DH, 1 p.m.

College Softball

Tuesday’s scores

LeTourneau 4-8, Centenary 1-3
Louisiana Tech 5, Northwestern State 1

Today’s games

NE Texas CC at BPCC, DH, noon

High School Baseball

Tuesday’s scores 

Airline 12, Southwood 3
Benton 14, Byrd 6
Captain Shreve 6, Parkway 2
Natchitoches Central 4, Haughton 3
Northwood 15, BTW 0
Calvary 5, Ruston 3, 9 innings
North Caddo 16, Haynesville 9
Ebarb 17, Plain Dealing 2

Today’s games

Many at Byrd

Huntington at Homer

High School Softball

Tuesday’s scores

Natchitoches Central 3, Airline 2
Benton 26, Southwood 0
Captain Shreve 11, Byrd 0
Haughton 14, Parkway 2
Huntington 29, Bossier 5
Minden 6, Northwood 2
Loyola 15, Red River 0
North Webster 13, Plain Dealing 3

Today’s games

Plain Dealing at Bossier, DH

Huntington at Evangel

Schedules are subject to cancellations and postponements.


Minden slips past Loyola in baseball, Byrd wins first of season in softball

(Photo by JOHN PENROD, Journal Sports)

JOURNAL SPORTS

Minden scored a run in each of the first and second innings and held on for a 2-1 baseball win over Loyola Monday at Griffith Park.

Jakobe Jackson doubled in Brandon Winston with the Tide’s first run. Minden scored its second run on a walk by Landyn Huddleston to take the 2-0 lead.

Loyola cut the lead in half at 2-1 with a run in the sixth when Colin Lirette reached on and error then scored on another error.

Jaxon Smith pitched a complete game for Minden (13-7) limiting Loyola (4-18) to three hits, while he walked one and struck out six.

Gavin Brint and Hudson Moore combined to limit Minden to two runs on five hits, as they walked five and struck out two.

LAKESIDE 10, EVANGEL 4: At Evangel, the Eagles fell in the non-district game as the Warriors scored seven runs in the decisive fourth inning. Kody Jackson was 2-for-4 for Evangel (6-16) and Peyton Fulghum had a two-run double.

SOFTBALL 

OUACHITA CHRISTIAN 6, HAUGHTON 1: At Haughton, OCS scored five runs in the fourth inning to break a 1-1 tie. Ariana Mathews was 2-for-3 and Kylie Small had a double for Haughton (10-9).

BYRD 15, SOUTHWOOD 0: The Lady Jackets got their first win on the season in a four-inning run-rule decision as Maggie Griffin was 2-for-3 with three RBI, Ariel Taylor had a pair of doubles and drove in two runs and Callie King was 2-for-3.


Williams gets a grand finale today in McDonald’s All-American Game

ONCE MORE:  In her final high school basketball outing, Parkway’s Mikaylah Williams plays in tonight’s McDonald’s All-American Game in Houston. (Photo by PETER FOREST, Journal Sports)

JOURNAL STAFF 

HOUSTON — Parkway’s Mikaylah Williams, considered one of the top two high school girls’ basketball players in the country, will be showcased today on ESPN2 in the 2023 McDonald’s All American Game. 

Williams, a 6-foot guard and the consensus No. 2 prospect in the nation’s 2023 graduating class, is one of 24 players slated to play in the game at the Toyota Center in Houston at 5:30 p.m. (CT).

The LSU signee, who led Parkway to a state championship early this month, has played for the United States in summer competition for the past two years.

Williams will be joined on the West roster in Houston by No. 1 prospect JuJu Watkins of Sierra Canyon, California.


Roots, Webb MVPs on 1-4A All-District boys’ basketball squad

CO-MVP: Huntington forward DeCedric Webb was named the Co-MVP of the All-District 1-4A boys’ basketball team. (Photo by JOHN PENROD, Journal Sports)

JOURNAL SPORTS

Bossier’s Tahj Roots and DeCedric Webb of Huntington were selected the Co-Most Valuable Players on the 2022-23 All District 1-4A boys’ basketball team selected by district coaches.

Roots averaged 19.7 points per game, 4.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists to help lead the Bearkats to an undefeated district championship (8-0) and their fifth state championship.

Webb, a 6-foot-5 senior forward, was part of the Raiders’ district runner-up and state semifinalist squad.

Chris Carpenter joined his teammate Webb on the first team along with CJ Shiflett of Evangel and Colossians Mason-Jones of Booker T. Washington.

Here is the complete list of the boys’ All-District 1-4A team.

FIRST TEAM

Tahj Roots, Bossier, Sr.

DeCedric Webb, Huntington, Sr.

Chris Carpenter, Huntington, Sr.

Chris “CJ” Shiflett, Evangel, So.

Colossians Mason-Jones, Booker T. Washington, Jr.

SECOND TEAM

Javon Johnson, Bossier, Jr.

Stafford Bailey, Minden, Sr.

De’kaveon Taylor, Huntington, Sr.

Brandon Henderson, Woodlawn, So.

Jayden Easter, Booker T. Washington, Sr.

Co-MVPs — Tahj Roots, Bossier; DeCedric Webb, Huntington

HONORABLE MENTION: Bossier — Kerel Woods, Lakavin Thomas. Booker T. Washington — Taboyous Anderson, Brian French.  Evangel— Jecal Bryant, Braylen Clark, Tomario Thomas. Huntington — Kentravis Green, Oshamar Hall; Minden — MiJai Batton, Jaylin Williams. North DeSoto — Connor Davis


Monday’s baseball, softball scoreboard; today’s schedule

College Baseball

Monday’s scores

No games scheduled.

Today’s games

BPCC at Louisiana Christian, 6 p.m.

Sacramento State at Louisiana Tech, 6 p.m.

Grambling State at LSU, 6:30 p.m.

College Softball

Monday’s scores

Prairie View 8-5, Grambling State 3-0 (first game 9 innings)

LSUE at BPCC 4-0, LSUE 3-1 (second game 11 innings)

Today’s games

Louisiana Tech at Northwestern State, 6 p.m.

Grambling State at Tarleton State, DH, 1 p.m.

High School Baseball

Monday’s scores 

Minden 2, Loyola 1
Lakeside 10, Evangel 4
North Caddo 5-4, D’Arbonne Woods 2-12
Plain Dealing 14, Homer 4

Today’s games

Southwood at Airline

Byrd at Benton

Captain Shreve at Parkway

Natchitoches Central at Haughton

BTW at Northwood

Calvary at Ruston

North Caddo at Haynesville

Plain Dealing at Ebarb

High School Softball

Monday’s scores

Byrd 15, Southwood 0
Ouachita Christian 6, Haughton 1
Lakeside 15-17, Bossier 0-0
Wossman 16-12, Woodlawn 1-1
Calvary 12, Ouachita 2
Loyola 7, River Oaks 4
North Caddo 16, Green Oaks 0

Today’s games

Airline at Natchitoches Central

Benton at Southwood

Byrd at Captain Shreve

Haughton at Parkway

BTW vs. Woodlawn

Huntington at Bossier

Minden at Northwood

Red River at Loyola

Plain Dealing at North Webster

Schedules are subject to cancellations and postponements.


Late heroics decide pair of 1-5A baseball games; complete standings

(Photo by JOHN PENROD, Journal Sports)

JOURNAL SPORTS

Late-inning heroics were the order of business Saturday in District 1-5A baseball games as both Parkway and Benton used big seventh innings to post come-from-behind wins.

Parkway defeated Captain Shreve 6-4 by scoring two runs in the sixth inning and four more in the seventh.

Brandon Levy and Trent Lape were both 2-for-4 with two RBI. Levy tripled to score Zach Schoenborn with the Panthers’ first run of two in the sixth inning and singled in the first run of the four-run seventh. Lape followed that single with a two-run double that put Parkway ahead 5-4.

Captain Shreve (12-8, 3-2) pitcher Jackson Bleich took a shutout into the sixth inning and finished allowing seven hits and four runs, as he walked two and struck out eight. Walker Wicklund staked the Gators to a 2-0 first-inning lead with a two-run home run.

Sean Waits got the win for Parkway (16-3, 5-0) pitching six innings, allowing five hits and four runs, walking one and striking out two. Lape pitched the seventh inning to get the save.

Benton used a five-run seventh inning to erase a 2-1 deficit in a 6-2 win at Byrd. Cole Weir tied the game 2-2 with a single and Bryson Pierce followed with a three-run home run to put the Tigers ahead for good. Kenner Lauterbach got his second hit of the day to score the final Benton run.

Hunter Brignac (2-for-3), Pierce (2-for-4) and Griffin Sibley (2-for-3) along with Lauterbach had multiple hits for Benton (11-12, 3-2).

Kevin Robinson suffered the loss for Byrd (14-9, 2-3) working 6 2/3 innings, allowing 11 hits, five earned runs and striking out five. He was the lone Yellow Jacket with multiple hits, going 2-for-3.

Elsewhere in 1-5A, Haughton got a combined shutout from Austin Anderson and Zach Ross in defeating Natchitoches Central 6-0 and Airline run-ruled Southwood 14-1.

Anderson allowed one hit in six innings and struck out nine for Haughton. Caleb Brown was 2-for-3, Christian Turner 2-for-4 with a triple, Trent McGowen 2-for-3 and Colin Rains 2-for-3 with a double for the Bucs (15-6, 2-3).

At Airline, the Vikings had an eight-run first and six-run third as leadoff hitter Clayton Brandon was the only multiple hitter going 2-for-3 with a double. Tyler Ferguson added a double and Noah Littleton had two RBI for Airline (10-10, 4-1).

Here is the complete list of standings after weekend action:

Baseball
DISTRICT 1-5A Dist. All
Parkway 5-0 16-3
Airline 4-1 10-10
Captain Shreve 3-2 12-8
Benton 3-2 11-12
Haughton 2-3 15-6
Byrd 2-3 14-9
Natchitoches Central 1-4 16-5
Southwood 0-5 3-16
 
DISTRICT 1-4A Dist. All
North DeSoto 3-0 17-5
Northwood 3-0 17-5
Evangel 2-0 6-15
Minden 1-0 12-7
Huntington 0-1 4-9
Bossier 0-2 0-7
BTW 0-3 0-3
Woodlawn 0-3 1-4
 
DISTRICT 1-2A Dist. All
Calvary 3-0 11-9
North Caddo 3-1 8-7
Lakeside 1-2 10-8
Loyola 3-6 4-17
D’Arbonne Woods 0-1 7-10
 
DISTRICT 1-1A Dist. All
Glenbrook 0-0 13-8
Ringgold 0-0 3-6-1
Plain   Dealing 0-0 2-7
Haynesville 0-0 3-12
Homer 0-0 1-6
Arcadia 0-0 1-7

Key district softball games Tuesday; complete standings

(Photo by JOHN PENROD, Journal Sports)

JOURNAL SPORTS

The softball season is winding down and key games will be a deciding factor in who wins each district.

In District 1-5A, Natchitoches Central (21-3, 6-0) will host Airline (19-6, 6-0) Tuesday for the lead at the top of the district in the final district game for both schools. According to the unofficial power ratings provided by Geauxpreps.com, the Lady Chiefs are No. 4 and Lady Vikings No. 8 in Non-Select Division I.

Three teams are tied for third place in 1-5A with two of those Haughton (10-8, 3-3) and Parkway (8-9, 3-3) playing each other Tuesday at Parkway. Benton (13-12, 3-3) will finish its district slate Tuesday at Southwood (2-18, 0-5). 

District 1-4A has been decided with North DeSoto (24-2, 8-0) winning the title with a recent defeat of Northwood, one of two teams tied for second with Minden at 5-1. The Lady Griffins are currently the No. 1 rated team in Non-Select Division II. Northwood (12-5, 5-1) will host Minden (13-10, 5-1) Tuesday for second place in 1-4A.

Here is a complete list of local district standings.

Softball
District 1-5A Dist. All
Natchitoches 6-0 21-3
Airline 6-0 19-6
Haughton 3-3 10-8
Benton 3-3 13-12
Parkway 3-3 8-9
Captain Shreve 2-4 11-6
Southwood 0-5 2-18
Byrd 0-5 0-16
 
District 1-4A Dist. All
North DeSoto 8-0 24-2
Northwood 5-1 12-5
Minden 5-1 13-10
Caddo Magnet 3-3 10-5
BTW 2-3 2-9
Huntington 0-3 4-3
Woodlawn 0-3 2-6
Evangel 0-4 5-17
Bossier 0-5 1-8
 
District 1-2A Dist. All
Lakeside 1-0 12-9
Calvary 0-0 17-8
D’Arbonne Woods 0-0 12-10
Green Oaks 0-0 0-4
North Caddo 0-0 0-7
Loyola 0-1 5-8
 
District 1-1A Dist. All
Glenbrook 2-0 10-9
Ringgold 2-1 3-14
Haynesville 1-1 4-6
Plain Dealing 1-1 2-6
Arcadia 0-3 1-9

Weekend baseball, softball scoreboard; today’s schedule

SPRING FLYOVER: Saturday was a perfect day for spring sports and a Blue Angels flyover of the newly-turfed softball field at BPCC. (Photo by LEE HILLER, Journal Sports)

College Baseball

Friday’s scores

Arkansas 9, LSU 3, 10 innings
LSUS 13-8, University of the Southwest 2-6, 2nd game 10 innings
Oregon 16, Northwestern State 1

Saturday’s scores

BPCC 9-16, Baton Rouge CC 3-5
Dallas 11-0, Centenary 4-18
Grambling St. 20-7, Alcorn State 3-6
LSUS 15, University of the Southwest 4
LSU 12-14, Arkansas 2-5, 1st game 7 innings
Louisiana Tech 5-3, Western Kentucky 3-2
Oregon 12-13, Northwestern State 7-3

Sunday’s scores

Grambling State 14, Alcorn St. 6, 6 innings
Centenary 3, Dallas Baptist 2
Western Kentucky 5, Louisiana Tech 2
Oregon 5, Northwestern State 0

Today’s games

No games scheduled.

College Softball

Friday’s scores

Northwestern State 6-3, Nicholls 5-1

Saturday’s scores

Middle Tennessee 5-2, Louisiana Tech 2-1
Nicholls 4, Northwestern State 3, 8 innings

Sunday’s scores

Louisiana Tech 4, Middle Tennessee 1
Prairie View 3, Grambling State 1

Today’s games

Prairie View at Grambling State, DH, 1 p.m.

High School Baseball

Friday’s scores 

Benton 18, Redwater 0
Calvary 8-10, Loyola 1-1

Saturday’s scores

Airline 14, Southwood 1
Benton 6, Byrd 2
Doyline 15, Bossier 0
Haughton 6, Natchitoches Central 0
Parkway 6, Captain Shreve 4
Ouachita Christian 7-11, Evangel 5-5
Northwood 17, Grace Christian 1

Today’s games

Loyola at Minden

Lakeside at Evangel

North Caddo at D’Arbonne Woods

Homer at Plain Dealing

High School Softball

Friday’s scores

Calvary Tournament

Airline 4, Jena 2
Calvary 15, Benton 0
Haughton 16, Ruston 12

Saturday’s scores

Calvary Tournament

Airline 8, Stanley 3
Airline 10, Ruston 0
Benton 10, Jena 1
Benton 9, Ruston 1
Calvary 16, Haughton 0
Calvary 14, Jena 3
Haughton 16, Stanley 10

Converse Tournament 

Negreet 25, Southwood 10
Converse 15, Southwood 0

Quitman Tournament

Evangel 9, Mangham 7
Parkway 11, Weston 1
Quitman 12, Evangel 1
Quitman 8, Parkway 4

Today’s games

Benton at Florien

Ouachita Christian at Haughton

BTW at Evangel

Caddo Magnet at Doyline, DH, 4:30 p.m.

Bossier at Lakeside

Woodlawn vs. Wossman, DH

Quitman at Evangel

Calvary at Ouachita

Loyola at River Oaks

Glenbrook at Plain Dealing

Schedules are subject to cancellations and postponements.


A reason to celebrate 100 different ways for the legendary Sibley Raiders

When you think about it – even four decades later – it’s still incredible to think that a team from a tiny town in Webster Parish won 100 games. Some schools have a hard time winning 100 in a decade. The Sibley Raiders won 100 the hard way.

In a row.

And in a way, the symmetry of it all makes it even better. Not 93 in a row or a 103 in a row.

A perfect 100. Easy to remember.

Of course, who could forget what the Sibley Raiders did in the late 1970s and early 1980s? Certainly not those involved, and they will get together Saturday as part of the Celebration of Champions at the Minden REC.

They need not worry about being forgotten, because it will be a long time before their accomplishment gets matched. For that matter, it’s probably not a good idea to hold your breath waiting for anybody else to even come close.

The Raiders were state champions in 1978-79, then went 58-0 on the way to another state championship in 1979-80. They kept it going into a third season before losing to next-door-neighbor Doyline on Nov. 22, 1980 – in Sibley’s own tournament.

But to be sure, it wasn’t by accident.

“We had passion,” says Willie Jackson, the unquestioned star of the team who went on to play at Centenary before being drafted by the Houston Rockets. “We loved each other and we were a group guys who lived in the same community.”

Basketball is just what they did. They’d play on dirt courts and nail a backboard to a pole if they needed to, or they’d head over to someone’s house and get up a game.

“That was a special time.” Jackson says.

Which is why they have some special memories. Especially one.

The previous national record for most wins in an unbeaten season was 52 and the Raiders were 56-0 when they entered the state semifinals against Leonville. Sibley was down a point with four seconds to go when the Raiders inbounded the ball, made two passes – and two dribbles – before the ball ended up in the hands of Carl Myles, who sank a game-winning 12-footer just before the buzzer to keep the streak alive.

Everybody touched the ball on that game-winning possession … except Jackson.

Sibley went on to win in the finals 72-61 over Holy Rosary and set the national record.

“To be honest, I really didn’t know how special that was at the time,” Jackson says. “As years have passed, I see it now. It was something special; something that may not be broken for a long time.”

Scheduling restrictions are certainly a reason, but Jackson thinks he knows another factor.

“It was a lot different than it is today, where guys just don’t have the passion for it like they should,” he says. “We loved each other and our success was because we hung around each other and shared the game of basketball. I guess that’s because there wasn’t that much more to do.”

The team got together a few months ago to plan this weekend’s celebration. It is sure to conjure a lot of memories brought back to life.

“It’s going to be an exciting time,” Jackson says. “I’m happy to be with the guys again and celebrate our basketball heroics from back in the day. It’s going to be great to share the fellowship with the guys.”

Contact JJ at johnjamesmarshall@yahoo.com


Top-shelf talent fills SBJ All-Metro boys’ roster

Photo credits: Evans photo courtesy @PKSportsphotography; Roots photo by Rodrick Anderson, Lake Charles American Press.

JOURNAL STAFF

Northwest Louisiana is a talent-rich area when it comes to hoops. This season, boys’ players and teams in the Shreveport-Bossier metro area showed the state what they were about with deep runs in the playoffs.

The 2022-23 Shreveport-Bossier Journal All-Metro boys’ team reflects that talent as all playoff teams were represented. The SBJ All-Metro roster is definitely one that displays the wealth of ability and performance that captivated local basketball fans this season. 

It proved impossible to name just one Player of the Year. The dominance in scoring, rebounding, and defense by Jeremiah Evans and the leadership, defense, and scoring by Tahj Roots were the reasons they share the distinction.

A trio of players from three local schools joined them on the first team. The 10-man squad, plus nine other “Best of the Rest” players, is one of the more talent-laden dream teams we have had.  This is a team that can compete with other all-city or all-area teams anywhere in Louisiana.

Roots, a senior guard, led his Bossier team to a 24-11 record which culminated in a Division II Non-Select state title for the Bearkats, the fifth state crown for the school.

“What makes Tahj Roots a good player is his competitive fire. He never looks like he does not believe that they are the best team and that they will make the plays to win,” said Airline coach Eddie Hamilton.  Roots’ 19.7 points per game, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists were also a large part in the Bearkats bringing the state championship to Bossier City. 

Evans was a key player in the Southwood Cowboys’ resurgence this season.  His 16.9 points and 12.9 rebounds were keys as Southwood went undefeated in always-competitive District 1-5A.  His 6.7 blocks helped the Pokes make the quarterfinal round in Division I Select, where they bowed out to Huntington in an epic contest.

Airline’s Hamilton spoke about the progress Evans made during the season. 

“I think we have only seen the tip of the iceberg of how good Evans can be. As he continues to learn the game and simplify using his size and height, the sky’s the limit.” 

Joining these two stars on the first team were District 1-2A MVP Rondae Hill, the Calvary point guard; District 1-4A co-MVP Decedric Webb, a forward for Huntington; and Green Oaks guard Fred’Travious Benjamin. 

Benjamin, a Jacksonville College commit, was probably the most improved player in the city scoring at a 24-point clip while securing 8 rebounds a game. Webb was the most electrifying player in the area with his transition dunks. His 18 points and 12 rebounds a game helped the Raiders make another Marsh Madness run before losing in the semifinals to Scotlandville, which claimed its fourth straight state title. 

Hill improved game after game as a point guard.  His season also included game-winners in the regular season and the playoffs.  Averaging 16 points, 6 assists, and 1.6 steals a game, he helped Calvary make another run to a state championship game.  They fell short to a very good Isidore Newman team led by coach Randy Livingston and Gatorade state Player of the Year Chris Lockett. 

Justin Collins was our Coach of the Year as he led the Bossier Bearkats to yet another state title in his first season in charge.  His 24-11 record was especially impressive considering that Bossier started 11-9, then had an undefeated district season along the way.

His Bearkats defeated top-rated Wossman and No. 3 Carroll in Marsh Madness on his way to his first state title as a head coach. Collins won one as an assistant at Bossier during the 2020 school year.

The SBJ All-Metro first and second teams were chosen in close consultation with local observers and coaches.  Our “Best of the Rest” were chosen on the same accord with  consideration for All-Metro second team at minimum.

2022-23 SBJ BOYS ALL-METRO TEAM 

First Team 

Jeremiah Evans (6’10”), Southwood, Jr.

Tahj Roots (5’10”), Bossier, Sr.

Fred’Travious Benjamin (6’2”), Green Oaks, Sr.

Decedric Webb (6’5”), Huntington, Sr.

Rondae Hill (5’11”), Calvary Baptist, Jr. 

Players of the Year –  Jeremiah Evans (Southwood) & Tahj Roots (Bossier) 

Coach of the Year – Justin Collins, Bossier 

Second Team

Chris “CJ” Shiflett (5’9”), Evangel, So.

Chris Carpenter (5’9”), Huntington, Sr.

Colby O’glee (5’11”), Airline, Sr.

Jyrin Sowell (6’3”), Captain Shreve, Jr. 

De’kaveon Taylor (6’3”), Huntington, Sr.

Best of the Rest

Omarion Miller, North Caddo, Sr.

Colossians Mason-Jones, BTW, Jr.

Darius Anderson, Southwood, Sr.

Javon Johnson, Bossier, Jr.

Caleb Branch, Loyola, Sr.

Ronald Strong, Calvary Baptist, So.

E’Joshua McDonald, Captain Shreve, Jr.

Marcus Stokes, Green Oaks, Sr.

Greg Manning, Benton, Jr.


Parkway moves into sole possession of first place in 1-5A with baseball win

 (Photo by JOHN PENROD, Journal Sports)

JOURNAL SPORTS

Parkway scored early and often in rolling to a 9-3 District 1-5A win at Natchitoches Central Thursday and is now in sole possession of first place in the district.

The Panthers, now 4-0 in 1-5A, scored eight of their nine runs in the first three innings to run away. Parkway’s win, coupled with Benton handing Captain Shreve (3-1) its first district loss and Airline (3-1) rallying past Haughton, gives the Panthers a one-game cushion.

Shawn Driggers went the distance on the mound allowing eight hits and three runs, while he walked one and stuck out eight.

Barrett Newman highlighted a four-run first inning with a two-run single and finished the game 3-for-3 with three RBI. Trent Lape walked in the first run of the game and later scored Parkway’s fourth run with a steal of home.

Zachary Clute led off the second inning with a home run and was 2-for-4 on the night. Driggers also had two hits for Parkway, now 15-3 overall.

Natchitoches Central scored all of its runs in the third inning on a Brock Laird three-run home run. The Chiefs are now 15-4, but just 1-3 in district.

BENTON 9, CAPTAIN SHREVE 3: The Tigers scored three runs with two outs in the second inning to break a 2-2 tie and handed the Gators their first loss in District 1-5A. Sawyer Simmons got the win working 5 2/3 innings, allowing two hits, one earned run, as he walked two and struck out nine.

Cale Latimer had the big hit for Benton (9-12, 2-2) in the second inning with a two-run single that gave the hosts a 5-2 lead.

Bryson Pierce was 2-for-3, Latimer 2-for-4 and three RBI and Kenner Lauterbach 2-for-3 with two RBI for Benton.

Captain Shreve (12-7, 3-1) scored its first inning runs on a wild pitch and error for a 2-0 lead. Christopher Peyton scored Andrew Sharp with a sacrifice fly in the third inning. 

AIRLINE 6, HAUGHTON 5: At Airline, the Vikings rallied with two outs in the seventh inning to score three runs to beat the Bucs. Noah Littleton’s two-run double to right field scored the game’s tying and winning runs —  courtesy runner Austin Smith with the tying run and Braden Adams with the game-winner.

Collin Wiggins started the rally by reaching first when he was hit by a pitch. Mason Lusk followed with a single and Adams scored Wiggins with a single to pull Airline (9-10, 3-1) within 5-4. Littleton then came through with the game-winner.

Carter White got the complete-game win allowing six hits, five runs, two earned, as he walked two and struck out four.

Haughton (14-6, 1-3) scored three runs in the third inning to take a 4-3 lead and added a run in the sixth for a 5-3 advantage entering the final frame.  Christian Turner was 2-for-4 with a double for the Bucs.

BYRD 12, SOUTHWOOD 4: At Byrd, the Yellow Jackets got the win at home as Lake Lambert was 4-for-4 and Kevin Robinson 2-for-4 with an inside the park home run. Dawson Meeks picked up the win for Byrd (14-8, 2-2).

CALVARY 12, LOYOLA 1: At Loyola’s Cicero Field, the Cavaliers took game one of the District 1-2A three-game series as Aubrey Hermes was 3-for-4 with two doubles and three RBI. Jackson Tedder added a pair of hits in three at bats and drove in four runs for Calvary (9-9, 1-0). Judson Funderburk got the win working three innings, allowing one hit and striking out three. Loyola leadoff hitter Konnor O’Neal was 2-for-2 and drove in the only run for the Flyers, now 4-15, 3-4.


 Airline remains undefeated in 1-5A with softball win at Parkway

 (Photo by JOHN PENROD, Journal Sports)

JOURNAL SPORTS

Airline scored eight runs in its final two at bats Thursday to take a key District 1-5A softball matchup with Parkway 10-2 at Parkway.

Taylor Anne Smith got the win in the circle, keeping the Panthers scoreless as the Lady Vikings clung to a 2-0 lead through the first five innings. Smith finished the game allowing four hits.  She walked two and struck out 14.

Airline (16-6, 6-0) broke things open with three runs in the top of the sixth as Elena Heng’s two-run triple increased the lead to 4-0 and Smith’s sacrifice fly brought home Heng with the fifth run.

Wilson’s two-run double in the bottom of the sixth scored the Lady Panthers’ only runs to cut the lead to 5-2.

The Lady Vikes added five insurance runs in the seventh as Aleena Duran had a two-run single and Smith singled in a run. The final two runs scored on a wild pitch.

Heng had two triples in five at bats with 2 RBI. Ryan Hutchinson and Duran both were 2-for-3.

Hayleah Thornton led Parkway (7-8, 3-3) at the plate with two hits in three at bats.

The win by Airline and Natchitoches Central’s 17-0 romp at Southwood left both tied for first place in 1-5A at 6-0. The Lady Chiefs are now 18-3 overall.

BENTON 16, BYRD 0: At Byrd in a 1-5A game, Northwestern State commit Sophia Livers had three doubles and a triple and drove in four runs as the Lady Tigers defeated the Lady Jackets in three innings. Emersyn Disotell was 3-for-4 with three RBI and Olivia Livers drove in three runs on a two-run double and sacrifice fly for Benton 9-9, 3-3. Byrd is winless (0-15, 0-4).

NORTH DESOTO 15, NORTHWOOD 0: The host Lady Griffins scored 11 first-inning runs in posting the District 1-4A win. Laney Johnson got the decision by allowing two hits in the four-inning game. While at the plate, she added a couple of home runs and drove in four runs. Payton Miller singled, doubled and homered with six RBI and Aly Delafield was 2-for-4 with two RBI for North DeSoto (23-2, 7-0). It was Northwood’s first district defeat (4-1) and dropped the Lady Falcons to 10-5 overall.


Thursday’s baseball, softball scoreboard; upcoming schedule

(Photo by JOHN PENROD, Journal Sports)

JOURNAL SPORTS

College Baseball

Thursday’s scores

No games scheduled.

Today’s games

Arkansas at LSU, noon

LSUS at University of the Southwest, DH, noon

Baton Rouge CC at BPCC, 6 p.m.

Northwestern State at Oregon, 6:05 p.m.

Louisiana Tech at Western Kentucky, 6 p.m.

Alcorn State at Grambling State, 6 p.m.

Saturday’s games

LSUS at University of the Southwest, noon

Baton Rouge CC at BPCC, DH, 1 p.m.

Arkansas at LSU, 1 p.m.

Northwestern State at Oregon, DH, 2:05 p.m.

Alcorn State at Grambling State, 3 p.m.

Louisiana Tech at Western Kentucky, 6 p.m.

Sunday’s games

Louisiana Tech at Western Kentucky, 1 p.m.

Alcorn State at Grambling State, 1 p.m.

Arkansas at LSU, 1 p.m.

Northwestern State at Oregon, 2:05 p.m.

College Softball

Thursday’s scores

No games scheduled.

Today’s games

Middle Tennessee at Louisiana Tech, 6 p.m.

Northwestern State at Nicholls, DH, 4 p.m.

Prairie View at Grambling State, 3 p.m.

Saturday’s games

Middle Tennessee at Louisiana Tech, 2 p.m.

Northwestern State at Nicholls, noon

Prairie View at Grambling State, DH, noon

Sunday’s games

Middle Tennessee at Louisiana Tech, 1 p.m.

High School Baseball

Thursday’s scores

Benton 9, Captain Shreve 3
Airline 6, Haughton 5
Parkway 9, Natchitoches Central 3
Byrd 12, Southwood 4
Calvary 12, Loyola 1
Ouachita Christian 17, Evangel 4
Northwood 17, Huntington 1
Minden 18, BTW 0

Today’s games 

Loyola at Calvary, DH

Mangham at Northwood

North Caddo at D’Arbonne Woods, DH

Mansfield at Plain Dealing

Saturday’s games

Airline at Southwood

Benton at Byrd

Haughton at Natchitoches Central

Parkway at Captain Shreve

Evangel at Ouachita Christian, DH

Grace Christian at Northwood

High School Softball

Thursday’s scores

Airline 10, Parkway 2
Benton 16, Byrd 0
Natchitoches Central 17, Southwood 0
North DeSoto 15, Northwood 0
Loyola 15, North Caddo 0
Caddo Magnet 15, Green Oaks 0
Wossman 18, Green Oaks 2

Today’s games

Bossier vs. Green Oaks, DH

Caddo Magnet at Loyola, 5 p.m.

Calvary Tournament – Haughton, Airline, Benton, Calvary.

Quitman Tournament – Evangel, Parkway

Saturday’s games

Calvary Tournament – Haughton, Airline, Benton, Calvary

Quitman Tournament – Evangel, Parkway

Schedules are subject to cancellations and postponements.


Byrd basketball great tabbed for Cedar Creek coaching post

BACK IN PREP HOOPS:  Katie Cochran Hall, the star on two straight Byrd High state championship teams 30 years ago, has been named head girls’ coach at Cedar Creek in Ruston. (Photo courtesy Lincoln Parish Journal)

JOURNAL SPORTS 

Former Byrd High School basketball star Katie Cochran Hall has been named the new girls’ coach at Cedar Creek School in Ruston, according to the Lincoln Parish Journal.

She will follow in the footsteps of recently retired Gene Vandenlangenberg.

As an All-State performer for the C.E. Byrd Yellow Jackets, she led the program to a pair of Louisiana Class 5A state titles in the mid-1990s. She was named the MVP of the 1993 state title game the year Byrd was ranked No. 1 in the USA Today Top 25 poll.

She signed a national letter of intent to play for legendary Hall of Fame coach Leon Barmore and the nationally-renowned Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters. During her four years with the program, the Lady Techsters posted a 121-15 record and won four Sun Belt Conference titles.

Hall experienced four NCAA Tournaments. She served as the co-captain her senior year on the 1998 team that played in the NCAA national championship game against Tennessee.

“Cedar Creek has hit a grand slam home run in the hiring of Katie as their girls’ basketball coach,” said Barmore. “They just hired a winner that knows her basketball and how to coach. Players will love playing for her. It’s a perfect fit.”

Following graduation, Hall was an administrative assistant for one year at both Ole Miss and for two years at Tech before being promoted to full-time assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the Lady Techsters for four years. She was on staff for four straight Western Athletic Conference title teams and four NCAA Tournaments.

Hall has been the owner and instructor of Hall of Hoops since 2007, conducting private lessons, camps and clinics for boys and girls throughout the past 16 years.

  • Reporting by Malcolm Butler, Lincoln Parish Journal

Repeat feat: Lady Panther duo heads SBJ All-Metro girls’ team

JOURNAL STAFF

The 2022-2023 season was full of action and surprises on the girls’ side. However, while some things changed (like Southwood’s whole team midseason), some things remained the same. In reference to the same, the player of the year and the coach of the year for this year’s version of the Shreveport-Bossier Journal All-Metro team happened to be the same as last season.

The Parkway Lady Panthers won the 2023 Division I Non-Select championship, bringing their first title home. For that feat, Gloria Williams and Mikaylah Williams repeat as Coach of the Year and Player of the Year, respectively, for the 2022-2023 basketball season.

Williams, Mikaylah that is, has garnered all the girls’ postseason awards given thus far this year. She was named Gatorade Player of the Year for the second year in a row, MaxPreps Player of the Year, and Off the Bench Sports Most Outstanding Player to go along with the Most Outstanding Player from the championship game. Her 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists per game led her team to an undefeated district season and a state championship.

“I have not seen a player like her in years. She is the rare young lady who gets it. She sees the value of life through basketball,” were the words of new Southwood coach and former Division I player Cindee Clark. “Alana Beard is the only comparable player to Mikaylah” (in recent history).

Williams is joined on the first team by her teammate Chloe Larry. The 5’6” guard was stellar again this season as a sharpshooter from deep. Her 15 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals per game were worthy of a repeat first-team nod.

Huntington newcomer Kyndal Graham set District 1-4A on fire with the way she broke on to the scene. Her 22 points and 6 assists per game helped lead the Lady Raiders to a top eight finish in Division I Select and a quarterfinal appearance in the playoffs. She may be small in stature, but her big game makes her first-team worthy.

Graham is joined on the first team by fellow 1-4A foe Carlisa Mitchell of Northwood. The recent Jefferson College signee averaged 17 points this season while dishing out 8 assists per game. She also led the Lady Falcons to a playoff berth this season in Division I Select.

Rounding out the All-Metro first team was Benton double-double machine Marissa Schoth. Her 16.6 points per game and 11.5 rebounds were one reason why Benton made it to the second round of the Division I Non-Select playoffs.

Coach of the year Gloria Williams led a Lady Panthers team that was on a mission to win a state title, and that is exactly what they did. Besides winning the title, Williams led Parkway to a 30-1 record during the season. Last year, Williams stated that the best was yet to come. Indeed, it was.

The SBJ All-Metro first and second teams were chosen in close consultation with local observers and coaches. Our “Best of the Rest” were chosen on the same accord with consideration for All-Metro second team at minimum. 

2022-2023 SBJ GIRLS’ ALL-METRO TEAM

FIRST TEAM 

Mikaylah Williams (6-1), Parkway, Sr.

Chloe Larry (5-6), Parkway, Jr.

Kyndal Graham (5-4), Huntington, Fr.

Carlisa Mithell (5-5), Northwood, Sr.

Marissa Schoth (5-9), Benton, Sr.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR – Mikaylah Williams, Parkway

COACH OF THE YEAR – Gloria Williams, Parkway

SECOND TEAM 

Sara White (6-1), Haughton, Sr.

Jamar’i Bell (5-9), Huntington, So.

Ty’Lissa Henderson (6-0), Parkway, Sr.

Asia Foster (5-3), BTW, Sr.

Morgan Young (5-10), Byrd, Sr.

BEST OF THE REST 

Zanyah Lefear, Huntington, Jr.

Skylar Branch, Haughton, Fr.

Janiya Vanderpool, Byrd, Sr.

Younique Jackson, BTW, Jr.

Emma Sipes, Loyola, Sr.