JOURNAL STAFF

Benton coach Dane Peavy wasn’t sure what to expect from junior Kade Bryant when the 2024 baseball season started. But it’s fair to say he got more than he expected.

A lot more.

He ended up getting a two-way standout who delivered for the Tigers on the mound, at the plate and in field (playing left and right field).

“I was probably more surprised by the hitting,” Peavy said. “Pitching-wise, we knew he was going to be pretty good. I don’t we knew exactly how good. I think his hitting surprised some people because he really hadn’t shown that in freshmen or JV.”

When the season started, Peavy probably didn’t expect Bryant to be the Shreveport-Bossier Journal’s Outstanding Player of the All-Metro baseball team – but that’s exactly what he is.

And in a way, Bryant’s success is a part of the reason why Peavy is this year’s SBJ All-Metro Coach of the Year.

Peavy started the season with only five seniors and then had to deal with multiple arm injuries to his pitching staff. After finishing second in District 1-5A, the Tigers were the only Caddo-Bossier team to make it to the state tournament in Sulphur.

Bryant was certainly a big part of that.

“I really don’t know how to describe it other than to say he had one of the most immaculate seasons I’ve ever been around,” Peavy said. “When a guy carries you hitting and pitching and at this level – and that’s not to take away from any of our guys — that’s just hard to duplicate.”

Good luck trying.

Bryant was 9-1 with a 1.15 ERA, striking out 92 in 78 innings. Opponents batted only .171 against him. Significantly, he got the ball in the first game of every playoff level.

At the plate, he batted .364 with 43 hits and scored 25 runs.

Not only that, but if you took a vote on everybody’s favorite opposing player, he might win that too.

“He’s a great kid,” said one District 1-5A coach.

“That kid is just a competitor,” said another opposing coach, “and as solid of a kid as you will ever meet.”

Bryant is joined on the All-Metro pitching staff by District 1-5A champion Captain Shreve’s Rhyson Carroway (4-2, 59 strikeouts, 1.09 ERA) Calvary’s Landon Fontenot (6-4, 1.50 ERA, 83 strikeouts), and Northwood’s Jack Carlisle (2.60 ERA and 69 strikeouts).

It’s an all-senior infield with Parkway first baseman Sean Waits (.415 with three home runs in 11 district games), Benton second baseman Hudson Brignac (39 runs, 25 RBI, 24 stolen bases), Calvary shortstop Aubrey Hermes (.356, 27 stolen bases), and Captain Shreve third baseman Aron Gilliam (.400, scored 42 runs).

The catcher is Captain Shreve junior Carter Reynolds, who batted .321 with 22 RBI.

The outfield features Northwood’s Tucker McCabe (.447, 30 RBI, 22 stolen bases), Calvary’s Hutch Grace (co-district MVP; batted .441 with 23 extra base hits), and Parkway sophomore Cole Snell (.465, 10 RBI in district), who was the 1-5A Player of the Year.

As has been the case with previous SBJ All-Metro teams, the utility position is only for those who played multiple positions throughout the season. Calvary junior Judson Funderburk was 8-1 with a 1.10 ERA on the mound and batted .365 with 11 doubles as a third baseman (and he was district co-MVP). Shreve’s Andrew Sharp was the district’s Pitcher of the Year (7-1, 1.54 ERA) and batted .362 with 20 RBI and 25 RBI. Northwood’s Jaxon Bentzler played shortstop and batted .459 with eight home runs and 46 RBI and was 8-1 with 50 strikeouts on the mound.

There are four repeaters from last year’s team – Hermes, McCabe, Bentzler and Carlisle. It’s the third straight year for Hermes and Bentzler.

The 15-man team was limited to one player at each standard position, plus a pitching staff consisting of four starters. Two utility players were chosen, based on having split time as both a pitcher and a position player.

The “Best of the Rest” is for those who were given strong consideration for the first team. 

2024 ALL-METRO BASEBALL TEAM

Catcher – Carter Reynolds, Captain Shreve (Jr.)

First Base – Sean Waits, Parkway (Sr.)

Second Base – Hunter Brignac, Benton (Sr.) 

Shortstop – Aubrey Hermes, Calvary (Sr.)

Third Base – Aron Gilliam, Captain Shreve (Sr.)

Outfield – Tucker McCabe, Northwood (Sr.)

Outfield – Hutch Grace, Calvary (Sr.)

Outfield – Cole Snell, Parkway (Soph.)

Pitcher – Kade Bryant, Benton (Jr.)

Pitcher – Landon Fontenot, Calvary (Sr.)

Pitcher – Rhyson Carroway, Captain Shreve (Sr.)

Pitcher — Jack Carlisle, Northwood (Jr.)

Utility –Judson Funderburk, Calvary (Jr.)

Utility – Jaxon Bentzler, Northwood (Jr.)

Utility – Andrew Sharp, Captain Shreve (Soph.)

Outstanding Player – Kade Bryant, Benton 

Coach of the Year – Dane Peavy, Benton

BEST OF THE REST 

Catcher – Nate Cervantes, Northwood 

Third Base – Zach Wilburn, Byrd 

Outfield – Christian Turner, Haughton, Murphy Tamplin, Loyola

Pitcher – Thomas Allen, Benton; Carter White, Airline 

Utility – Abel Thetford, Parkway; Garret Burns, Evangel; Christopher Peyton, Captain Shreve 

The Journal All-Metro team is limited to players in Caddo and Bossier Parishes and was chosen in consultation with seven local coaches. The team was limited to one player at each standard position, plus a pitching staff consisting of four starters. Three utility players were chosen, based on having split time as both a pitcher and a position player. All-District teams were taken into consideration.

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JOURNAL SPORTS

Northwood swept through District 1-4A undefeated in seven games to take the district title and brought home all three top honors on the all-district team selected by 1-4A coaches.

Senior outfielder Tucker McCabe was named the Most Valuable Player and junior pitcher Jack Carlisle Pitcher of the Year. Austin Alexander was named the Coach of the Year after leading  the Falcons to a 29-8 overall record along with the perfect 7-0 district season.

Four other Northwood players were named to the team. Senior Hayden Phipps and junior Jaxon Bentzler were both selected at utility,  joining junior pitcher Christian Blackmon and freshman catcher Nathan Cervantes. 

Evangel finished in a three-way tie with North DeSoto and Minden for second with a 5-2 record and placed two on the team — sophomore pitcher Landon Martin and senior Garret Burns at utility.

North DeSoto had six selections and Minden three. Griffins named included infielders Reni Mason, Bryant Lacour and Blayne McFerrin, outfielder Luke Delafield, designated hitter Bryden Toothman and utility Tristan Hopper. The Tide placed pitcher Brody Bower and Bryson Ranger.

2024 All-District 1-4A team

First team

P – Jack Carlisle, Northwood, Jr. 

P – Brody Bower, Minden, Sr. 

P – Landon Martin, Evangel, So. 

P – Christian Blackmon, Northwood, Jr. 

C – Nathan Cervantes, Northwood, Fr. 

Inf – Reni Mason, North DeSoto, Jr. 

Inf – Bryson Ranger, Minden, Jr. 

Inf – Bryant Lacour, North DeSoto, Jr. 

Inf – Blayne McFerrin, North DeSoto, Sr. 

OF – Tucker McCabe, Northwood, Sr. 

OF – Luke Delafield, North DeSoto, So. 

OF – Jakobe Jackson, Minden, Sr. 

OF – Hayden Phipps, Northwood, Sr. 

Util – Jaxon Bentzler, Northwood, Jr. 

Util – Garret Burns, Evangel, Sr. 

Util – Tristan Hopper, North DeSoto, Sr. 

DH – Bryden Toothman, North DeSoto, Jr. 

Most Valuable Player – Tucker McCabe, Northwood 

Pitcher of the Year – Jack Carlisle, Northwood

Coach of the Year – Austin Alexander, Northwood

Second team

Pitchers – Caleb Roles, North DeSoto, Sr.; Zander Rowell, Minden, Sr.; Tristan Beaty, Evangel, Sr.; Kaleb Carter, North DeSoto, Sr.; Jaxon Smith, Minden, So. Infielders – Parker Fulghum, Evangel, Sr.; Peyton Fulghum, Evangel, Sr.; Landon Brewer, Minden, So.; Hutson Hearron, Northwood, Sr.; Brody Turnipseed, Evangel, So. Outfielders – Isaias Saucedo, Northwood, Jr.; Cole Cory, North DeSoto, Jr.; Landyn Huddleston, Minden, Jr. Utility – Hoss Little, Northwood, Jr.; Braden Jones, North DeSoto, Jr.

Final 2024 standings

DISTRICT   1-4A	Dist.	All
Northwood	7-0	29-8
North DeSoto	5-2	25-10
Minden	5-2	26-12
Evangel	5-2	16-19
Bossier	2-4	4-9
Huntington	2-4	3-7
Woodlawn	1-6	8-9
BTW	0-7	0-10

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JOURNAL SPORTS

Parkway sophomore outfielder Cole Snell was named the Player of the Year and Captain Shreve sophomore pitcher Andrew Sharp was selected as the Pitcher of the Year on the All-District 1-5A team selected by district coaches.

Snell had a .465 average in district games for the Panthers, who finished tied for second in the district with a 10-4 mark and were 23-10 overall. He was joined on the team by teammates senior pitcher Colton Smith, senior first baseman Sean Waits and junior utility Abel Thetford.

Sharp was 5-0 in district with a 1.72 ERA for the district champion Gators (12-2, 27-10). Junior catcher Carter Reynolds, senior third baseman Aron Gillum, senior designated hitter Christopher Peyton and senior utility Rhyson Carroway were the other selections for Shreve. The Gators’ Todd Sharp was named the Coach of the Year.

State semifinalist Benton placed five on the team: junior pitchers Kade Bryant and Thomas Allen, senior second baseman Hudson Brignac and senior utility Bryson Pierce. Bryant was the only player listed as a pitcher and at another position, also earning all-district honors in the outfield. The Tigers tied Parkway for second in the district at 10-4 and were the only area school with more than 30 wins at 31-11.

Natchitoches Central finished in fourth place with a 9-5 district mark and 23-9 and placed three on the team. Junior pitcher Ross Lindsey, junior shortstop Brock Laird and junior outfielder Dillon Braxton were all selected.

Haughton had a pair selected in Arkansas commit senior outfielder Christian Turner and senior utility Brayden Stovall.

2024 All-District 1-5A team selected by district coaches:

P – Kade Bryant, Benton, Jr.

P – Thomas Allen, Benton, Jr. 

P – Ross Lindsey, Natchitoches Central, Jr. 

P – Andrew Sharp, Captain Shreve, So.

P – Colton Smith, Parkway, Sr. 

C – Carter Reynolds, Captain Shreve, Jr. 

1B – Sean Waits, Parkway, Sr.

2B – Hudson Brignac, Benton, Sr.

3B – Aron Gillum, Captain Shreve, Sr. 

SS – Brock Laird, Natchitoches Central, Jr. 

OF – Kade Bryant, Benton, Jr. 

OF – Dillon Braxton, Natchitoches Central, Jr. 

OF – Cole Snell, Parkway, So. 

OF – Christian Turner, Haughton, Sr.

DH – Christopher Peyton, Captain Shreve, Sr.

Util – Bryson Pierce, Benton, Sr.

Util – Abel Thetford, Parkway, Jr.

Util – Rhyson Carroway, Captain Shreve, Sr.

Util – Brayden Stovall, Haughton, Sr.

Player of the Year – Cole Snell, Parkway

Pitcher of the Year – Andrew Sharp, Captain Shreve 

Coach of the Year – Todd Sharp, Captain Shreve

Final standings

DISTRICT 1-5A	Dist.	All
Captain Shreve	12-2	27-10
Benton	10-4	31-11
Parkway	10-4	23-10
Natchitoches Central	9-5	23-9
Haughton	6-8	22-13
Airline	5-9	13-17
Byrd	4-10	11-23
Southwood	0-14	2-23

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JOURNAL SPORTS

SULPHUR – Benton’s magical run in the LHSAA baseball playoffs came to an end Thursday as the Tigers fell in the Non-Select Division I semifinals to top seed and reigning state champion Barbe 4-1 at McMurry Park.

An inch here or there for the Tigers and they might have come up with another upset win, on the heels of wins over the fourth and fifth seeds in the last two playoff rounds.

“I know people thought we’d get blown out but I never thought that would ever happen,” said Benton coach Dane Peavy.

Benton starter Kade Bryant shut down the Bucs on three hits through the first four innings when Barbe was able to put three runs on the board in the fifth inning.

“In the end I thought it came down to probably two pitches. We had two outs and they were down to their last strike there and the guy (Myles LeDoux) just got a good piece of a 1-2 off speed pitch and just put it up the middle and they scored that one run. Then we got 1-1 on (Owen) Galt and the ball was probably an inch or two off the plate and he put a good swing on it and got all of it.”

LeDoux’s single handed Barbe its first run and Galt’s two-run home run gave the Bucs a 3-0 lead. But Benton wasn’t done.

The Tigers loaded the bases in the sixth with one out, when disaster struck. Sophomore designated hitter Caleb Frey hit a sinking liner to centerfield that was caught just above the grass and turned into a double play by the Bucs.

“I thought we did a really good job of coming back in the top of the sixth loading the bases and giving ourselves a good chance,” said Peavy. “That guy in centerfield, he must’ve made a really good play. It looked like it got down to me, but obviously the umpire saw it different and called him out and we got doubled up.

“At the end of the day, if that ball drops (Frey’s liner) we score two, it’s 3-2 there in the sixth and we are back in business with runners at first and second with one out.”

Barbe added an insurance run in the sixth to lead 4-0 going into the seventh.

Benton’s only run came in the seventh. Junior catcher Griffin Sibley started the inning with a double and two outs later scored when freshman Hayden Millen singled.

Bryant worked five innings on the mound, giving up seven hits, four earned runs, while he struck out four and walked one. It was his only loss in the playoffs after three wins. The Tigers finished with an area-best 31-11 record.

Barbe (34-6) will play No. 2 seed West Monroe, a 7-1 winner over Sam Houston in the other semifinal, at 5:30 on Saturday for the state title.

“That’s just kind of the way baseball goes, sometimes they fall, sometimes they don’t,” said Peavy. “Today we didn’t get the ones that fell and they did, really. I didn’t feel they were overly better than us, of course, but I don’t feel like anybody is overly better than we are. I feel like we can compete with anybody.”

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JOURNAL SPORTS

Eleven Shreveport-Bossier softball players were named to the 2024 All-District 1-4A softball team selected by district coaches. 

Evangel placed five players, Northwood three, Caddo Magnet two and Huntington one to the first-team list of 24. State runner-up and district champion North DeSoto had 10 selections that included Most Valuable Player Laney Johnson, a Louisiana Tech signee. Lady Griffin coach Tim Whitman was Coach of the Year after leading North DeSoto to a 30-5 record. 

Evangel had one senior, Haven Brooks, make the all-district infield, while also on the 1-4A list were sophomore pitcher Olivia Pandiella, junior catcher Holly Hanks and two eighth-graders in Victoria Launer (designated player) and Kaydence Chreene (utility). 

Among the three from Northwood were freshman pitcher Devan Ashby, senior catcher Selena Nunnery and sophomore Mackenzie Jagers at designated player.

Caddo Magnet was represented by sophomore pitcher Grace Chaisson and junior Mary McLamb at utility. Huntington’s selection was senior utility player Makayla Perkins.

2024 All-District 1-4A team selected by coaches

First team 

Pitchers – Avery McCloskey, North DeSoto, Jr.; Devan Ashby, Northwood, Fr.; Olivia Pandiella, Evangel, So.; Grace Chaisson, Caddo Magnet. So. 

Catchers – Payton Miller, North DeSoto, Jr.; Selena Nunnery, Northwood, Sr.; Holly Hanks, Evangel, Jr.; Jacey Adams, Minden, Sr.

Infielders – Mia Norwood, North DeSoto, Sr.; Raegan Henderson, North DeSoto, Jr.; Ciara Orgeron, North DeSoto, Sr.; Maddy Stringer, North DeSoto, Jr.; Lindsay Ryan, Minden, So.; Haven Brooks, Evangel, Sr. 

Outfielders – Leigha Gilbert, Minden, Jr.; Regan Davlin, North DeSoto, Sr.; Carsyn Curtis, North DeSoto, So.; Sasha Falls, North DeSoto, Jr.

Designated players – Mackenzie Jagers, Northwood, So.; Victoria Launer, Evangel, 8^th 

Utility – Kylie Ryan, Minden, Sr.; Makayla Perkins, Huntington, Sr.; Kaydence Chreene, Evangel, 8th; Mary McLamb, Caddo Magnet, Jr.

Most Valuable Player – Laney Johnson, North DeSoto

Coach of the Year – Tim Whitman, North DeSoto

2024 final standings

District 1-4A	Dist.	All
North DeSoto	3-0	30-5
Woodlawn	3-1	5-14
Minden	2-1	18-12
Northwood	1-1	9-16
Evangel	1-1	9-24
Caddo Magnet	0-1	13-12
Huntington	0-1	5-5
BTW	0-1	8-11
Bossier	0-3	0-15

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By LEE HILLER, Journal Sports

Benton has built quite a reputation the last number of years of being a playoff team that wins the games it should and even some it shouldn’t, with this year’s team upping the ante by knocking off higher seeded teams on its way to the LHSAA Non-Select Division I baseball semifinals.

The 13^th-seeded Tigers have upset the No. 4 (Dutchtown) and No. 5 (St. Amant) teams in the upper part of the bracket in improving their record to 31-10. They have their work cut out for themselves when they face top-seed Barbe (33-6) today at McMurry Park in Sulphur at 5:30 p.m.

Pitching and defense have been a big reason for Benton’s success with eight shutouts since the start of April. The biggest one came in the decisive Game 3 in the quarterfinal 1-0 win over St. Amant to get the Tigers where they are. It was their third shutout in the playoffs and second 1-0 win in the postseason.

This is Benton’s first semifinal since moving up to Class 5A. The program last played in the semifinals in 2019 when it lost 2-0 to top-seed Tioga in Class 4A. The Tigers  won their only state championship the year before,  defeating top-seeded DeRidder 13-2. The five previous years, Benton reached the quarterfinals.

A trio of junior pitchers, Thomas Allen, Tanner Webb and Kade Bryant, have been the staff that has held playoff opponents to 26 hits in 48 innings and a 0.73 earned run average. They have recorded 47 strikeouts and walked 20.

The Tigers would like to add to their good fortune with a semifinal win and chance at a second state title.

You can listen to the game on the Benton Tiger Sports Network at network1sports.com/station/btsn with Travis Shurling doing the play-by-play and Reed Thomas is the color analyst. The pregame show will start at 5:15 with first pitch set for 5:30 p.m.

Benton’s last 10 years and how they fared in the playoffs:

2024 (13) – def. Denham Springs 2-0; def. Dutchtown 2-0; def. St. Amant 2-0; vs Barbe (semifinals)

2023 (20) – def. Natchitoches Central 2-0; lost series to Sam Houston 2-0

2022 (19) – lost to Ponchatoula, 2-1

2021 (7) – def. Chalmette, 9-4; lost series to Dutchtown 2-0

2019 (4) – def. Plaquemine 4-2; def. Northwood2-0; def. West Ouachita 2-1; lost to Tioga in semis, 2-0 (single game)

2018 (9) – def. Peal River 3-2; def. Belle Chasse 2-0; def. Breaux Bridge 2-1; def. West Ouachita 6-5; def. #1 DeRidder 13-2 for state title

2017 (1) – def. Leesville, 10-0; def. Belle Chasse won series 2-1; lost series to Neville 2-1 (quarterfinals)

2016 (6) – def. Franklin Parish, 6-1; def. Crowley won series 2-0; lost series to West Ouachita 2-0 (quarterfinals)

2015 (4) – def. Rayne, 10-0; def. Lakeshore won series 2-0; lost series to Teurlings 2-0 (quarterfinals)

2014 (4) – def. South Terrebonne 11-1; def. Northwood 12-0; lost to St. Michael 11-0 (quarterfinals)

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JOURNAL SPORTS 

State champion Calvary swept the top awards on the All-District 1-2A team like it swept through all of its opponents during the season en route to a 35-2 mark. 

Seniors D.J. Lynch and Ramsey Walker were named the Co-Outstanding Players award and sophomore pitcher Kynzee Anderson the Most Valuable Player.  Coach Tiffany Wood was named the Coach of the Year after leading the Lady Cavaliers to another undefeated district championship. 

Lynch, a Northwestern State signee, led the Cavs that hit over .400 with a .594 average, 38 extra base hits, scored 66 runs and drove in 55. Walker, an Arkansas signee, was second on the team with a .575 average, led the area with 23 home runs, drove in 68 runs and scored 62. 

Anderson was dominant in the circle with a 25-2 record, struck out 274 batters in 212 innings and finished with a 1.95 ERA.   

2024 All-District 1-2A team as selected by district coaches. 

First team 

P – Larkin Creig, Loyola 

P – Hallie Sutton, Lakeside 

P – Addison Willis, Calvary 

P – Aubrey Zachry, D’Arbonne Woods 

C – Emily Jones, Lakeside 

C – Mallory Carver, Calvary 

C – Allie Chandler, D’Arbonne Woods 

Inf – Joley Bennett, D’Arbonne Woods 

Inf – Lylah Jones, D’Arbonne Woods 

Inf – Mackenzie McCoy, Lakeside 

Inf – Raleah Harris, Lakeside 

Inf – Rainie Hughes, Lakeside 

Inf – Baylee Blackburn, Calvary 

Inf – Loren Sivils, Calvary 

Inf – Ramsey Waker, Calvary 

OF – Chloe Edwards, D’Arbonne Woods 

OF – Presley Walker, Loyola 

OF – Carlie Guile, Calvary 

OF – Elana Franks, Calvary 

OF – Abby Sims, Calvary 

Util – Martha Vancherie, Loyola 

DP – Baylor Bockhaus, Calvary 

Most Valuable Player – Kynzee Anderson, Calvary 

Co-Outstanding Players – D.J. Lynch, Ramsey Walker, Calvary 

Coach of the Year – Tiffany Wood, Calvary 

Second team 

Pitchers – Nataleigh Ball, North Caddo; Klaire Futch, D’Arbonne Woods. Catcher: Amilea Bain, Calvary. Infielders – Savannah Mekelburg, Loyola; Anna Morris, Loyola; Brandy West, Green Oaks; Deshayla Harrison, Green Oaks; Charley Alford, D’Arbonne Woods; Brett Towns, D’Arbonne Woods; Laiklyn Squyres, Lakeside. Outfielders – Makenley Leggett, D’Arbonne Woods; Caydence Wallace, D’Arbonne Woods; Izzy Vise, Lakeside; Lexi Wood, Lakeside; Paiton Levesque, Lakeside; Brynn Robinson, Calvary; Jillian Drouillard, Loyola. Utility: Makenzee Canterberry, D’Arbonne Woods. Designated player – Teal Austin, Lakeside.

Final district standings

District 1-2A	Dist.	All
Calvary	2-0	35-2
Loyola	1-1	9-8
D’Arbonne Woods	1-1	15-14
Lakeside	1-1	16-17
North Caddo	0-1	2-14
Green Oaks	0-1	0-13

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JOURNAL SPORTS 

Two of the top athletes in the area, Chloe Larry of Parkway and Elena Heng of Airline, were named District 1-5A’s Most Valuable Player and the Most Outstanding Player respectively on the softball all-district team voted on by district coaches. 

Larry joined the team after leading the Lady Panther basketball team to their second consecutive state championship and hit .556 with four triples, four home runs and stole eight bases. She is also one of the top infielders in the city who signed a basketball scholarship with Tennessee Tech and just won a state track championship in the javelin. 

Heng is a Louisiana Tech signee and one of the fastest infielders in the city. The senior hit a robust .462, scored 53 runs, drove in 34, hit nine home runs and stole 39 bases for the Lady Vikings. 

Natchitoches Central coach Jeramie Hale was named the Coach of the Year after leading the Lady Chiefs to the district championship and a perfect 7-0 mark for the second straight season, his first in charge. Overall the Lady Chiefs were 17-13. 

2024 All-District 1-5A team 

First team 

P – Ava Defee, Benton, Sr. 

P – Sydney Terrell, Natchitoches Central, Jr. 

C – Madison Menard, Parkway, So. 

C – Kayleigh Goss, Haughton, Sr. 

INF – Emersyn Disotell, Benton, Jr. 

INF – Olivia Livers, Benton, So. 

INF – Chloe Larry, Parkway, Sr. 

INF – Elena Heng, Airline, Sr. 

INF – Dakota Howard, Parkway, Jr. 

INF – Ella Vickers, Haughton, Sr. 

INF – Nora Falcon, Captain Shreve, Sr. 

OF – Dylan Defee, Benton, Jr. 

OF – Morgan Cyphers, Captain Shreve, Sr. 

OF – Maggie Massia, Natchitoches Central, Fr. 

OF – Lila Robertson, Natchitoches Central, So. 

OF – Mallory Lacour, Natchitoches Central, Jr. 

OF – Meagan Hill, Captain Shreve, Jr. 

UTIL – Christina Gegg, Benton, Sr. 

UTIL – Jayda Martin, Captain Shreve, Sr. 

UTIL – Ehren Guidroz, Captain Shreve, So. 

UTIL – Dixie Williams, Haughton, Jr. 

Most Valuable Player – Chloe Larry, Parkway

Most Outstanding Player – Elena Heng, Airline 

Coach of the Year – Jeramie Hale, Natchitoches Central 

Second team

Pitchers – Charlee Prothro, Haughton, Fr.; Ella Hendrick, Captain Shreve, So.; Aleena Duran, Airline, Jr.

Catchers – Lainey Lafitte, Benton, So.; Ryan Hutchinson, Airline, Jr.; Aubry Townsend, Captain Shreve, Jr.

Infielders – Skylar Braxton, Natchitoches Central, Jr.; Morgan Robinson, Natchitoches Central, Jr.; Haley Thornton, Parkway, Sr.; Brianna Benecke, Haughton, Fr.; Clara Shaffer, Haughton, Fr.; Paige Marshall, Airline, Sr.; Elexa Beaudoin, Captain Shreve, Sr.; Ashley Promes, Benton, Jr. 

Outfielders – Ceniya Thompkins, Parkway, Jr.; Allanah Wilson, Parkway, Sr.; Carsyn Kizzia, Haughton, Jr.;  Kylie Small, Haughton, Jr.; Kemora Guidry, Airline, Jr.; Maddie Shortridge, Airline, Fr.; Anicia Taylor, Southwood, Sr.; Audrey Stark, Benton, Fr. Utility – Zoe Horn, Parkway, Fr.; Laney Dobrow, Haughton, Jr.; Kennedi Dixon, Captain Shreve, So.; Bre Hale, Natchitoches Central, Jr.; Ava Sepulvado, Byrd, So. 

Final district standings

District 1-5A	Dist.	All
Natchitoches Central	7-0	18-13
Benton	5-2	16-15
Parkway	5-2	8-18
Airline	4-3	18-15
Haughton	4-3	16-14
Captain Shreve	2-5	21-10
Byrd	1-6	3-23
Southwood	0-7	2-27

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JOURNAL SPORTS

Calvary’s baseball season came to an end Thursday night in the LHSAA Select Division III playoffs after University High rallied in the second game for an 4-3 eight-inning win and a sweep after rolling 6-1 in the first game in Baton Rouge.

Calvary (25-13) took a 3-1 lead in the second game with a pair of runs in the third inning. Brody Gray walked with one out and stole third after an Aubrey Hermes single. An error scored Gray to give the Cavs a 2-1 lead. Hermes stole second and third and scored on a Hutch Grace double.

Grace scored Hermes with the first run for Calvary in the first inning with a sacrifice fly after Hermes had walked and stole second and third. Grace finished the game 2-for-3 with two RBI.

Cole Connor had a two-run single for the Cubs to tie it 3-3 in the sixth. 

The Cavaliers were held to five hits in losing the first game. Jayce Coile had two of those hits and Hutch Grace drove in the only run in the first inning. The Cubs responded with four runs in the bottom of the first and never trailed. 

Three other local teams begin their best-of-3 quarterfinals series. Northwood is the No. 4 seed in Select Division I and the only local host. No. 12 Acadiana returns to Shreveport for the second straight weekend. The Wrecking Rams came to town and knocked out No. 5 Captain Shreve last weekend.

Evangel, the No. 13 seed in Select Division II, is on the road to Lafayette to face No. 5 St. Thomas More. The Eagles (16-17) will try to advance to the semifinals for the first time since 2015. 

In Non-Select Division I No. 13 Benton (29-9) plays at No. 5 St. Ament (26-10). The Tigers upset No. 4 Dutchtown on the road in the second round. The Gators knocked out No. 12 Covington at home. 

Local schedule for the LHSAA baseball playoffs 

Non-Select Division I

13-Benton (29-9) at 5-St. Amant (26-10) 

G1: Friday, 6:30 p.m. 

G2: Saturday, 1 p.m. 

G3: Saturday, if necessary 4 p.m. 

Select Division I 

12-Acadiana (17-17-1) at 4-Northwood (28-6) 

G1: Friday, 6 p.m. 

G2: Saturday, noon 

G3: Saturday, if necessary 3 p.m. 

Select Division II 

13-Evangel (16-17) at 5-St. Thomas More (19-15) 

G1: Friday, 6 p.m. 

G2: Saturday, 1 p.m. 

G3: Saturday, if necessary 4 p.m. 

Select Division III 

3-University d. 6-Calvary 2-0 

G1: University 6, Calvary 1 

G2: University 4, Calvary 3, 8 innings

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JOURNAL SPORTS

Defending state champion Huntington’s girls has another strong team heading to this Saturday’s LHSAA Class 4A state track championships at LSU’s Bernie Moore Track Stadium.

Fourteen athletes will compete for the Lady Raiders headed by senior Demetria Harris who is making her fourth trip to Baton Rouge after qualifying in the long jump her freshman year and will compete in four events for the third year in a row.

Classes 5A and 4A will compete Saturday with today’s meet comprising of Classes 3A and 2A.

Loyola has nine girls participating while the boys has five.  Calvary qualified six boys in four events and Green Oaks’ Cortevious Dorsey is entered in the long and triple jumps.

The championships began Thursday with Classes 1A, B and C going for gold. Magnolia Charter’s girls won the 4×100 relay and second in the 4×200 relay. Desiray Markson was third in the 200 with a 26.4 time. Plain Dealing’s Brianna Newton finished second in the shot put with a heave of 36-3.

Class 5A local qualifiers

GIRLS

Airline

Kezyriah Sykes (100, 400-relay) 

Jaycie Wallace (200, 400-relay)

Rikiyah Taylor (400-relay)

Janiyah Boudreaux (3rd triple jump, 400-relay) 

Shelby Ledet (high jump) 

Jayla James (shot put) 

Benton

Addyson Hulett (400, pole vault) 

Sadie Hamby (javelin)

Byrd

Jenna Key (1600, 3200)

Spencer Frierson (3200)

Captain Shreve 

Leah Bryant (100-hurdles, 300 hurdles) 

Tia Taylor (100-hurdles) 

Haughton 

Aniya Hill (discus)

Parkway 

Allison Taylor (3200-relay) 

Raquel Rios (3200-relay) 

Lauren Taylor (3200-relay) 

Sofia Bright (3200-relay) 

Chloe Larry (javelin)

BOYS

Airline 

Phillip Hughes (1600-relay) 

Gabe Laval (1600-relay) 

Lathan Woodland (1600-relay) 

Jeremiah Boudreaux (110-hurdles, 300-hurdles, 1600-relay, high jump) 

Zion Smith (2nd 110-hurdles); (300-hurdles) 

Malik Word (discus) 

Benton 

Jeff King (javelin) 

Miller Malley (pole vault) 

Captain Shreve 

Darrell Waldon (800-relay) 

Jamarcea Plater (800-relay) 

Dakota Green (800-relay) 

Coren Hill (800-relay) 

Parkway

Alex Gomez (3200-relay) 

Jesus Cordova (3200-relay) 

Ben Ruliffson (3200-relay, 3200) 

Gary Smith (3200-relay) 

Brennan Robin (1600, 1600-relay) 

Gabe Falting (1600m 800, 1600-relay) 

Will Achee (200, 1600-relay) 

Brody Hocter (1600-relay)

Mark Perry (triple jump) 

Devon Oliver (shot put, discus) 

Class 4A local qualifiers 

GIRLS 

Huntington 

Demetria Harris (200, 100-hurdles, long jump, triple jump) 

Haliey Evans (100, long jump) 

Janayah Dotson (100, 400, 800-relay) 

Kaylie Dupree (300-hurdles)

Terriona Richmond (100-hurdles) 

T’La Dewitt (200) 

Aniyah Jackson (400) 

Shuntae First (800) 

Nyla Ware (400-relay, 800-relay) 

Markevia Green (400-relay, 800-relay) 

Aniyah Narvaia (high jump) 

Jaila Marshall (400-relay)

McKenzie Lott (400-relay) 

Markevia Green (400-relay) 

Bossier 

Zamarion Carter (300-hurdles) 

Caddo Magnet 

Bryn Wilheim (1600) 

Catherine McElroy (3200)

Woodlawn 

SheLunda Brooks (shot put) 

BOYS 

Huntington 

Preston Summage (400) 

Landon Gibbs (high jump) 

Quan’Travious Bradford (javelin)

Evangel 

Tyreek Robinson (200) 

Roy Morris (200, long jump) 

Caddo Magnet

Jack Pattillo (1600) 

Lee Ballard (1600, 3200)

Northwood 

James Hollingsworth (300-hurdles, 400-relay, 800-relay) 

Desmond Harris (400-relay) 

Justin Thomas (400-relay, 800-relay) 

Jeremiah Johnson (400-relay, 800-relay) 

Jalil Wainwright (800-relay) 

Duntravious Young (long jump) 

Class 2A local qualifiers 

GIRLS 

Loyola 

Mary Elberson (3200-relay) 

Annie Ballard (3200-relay) 

Emily Anderson (800, 3200-relay) 

Mary Helen Burford (3200-relay) 

Ella Poole (400-relay) 

Ainsley Matlock (400-relay) 

Ammya Tran (400-relay) 

Saniyah Paglialunga-Simo (400-relay)

Landry Hooper (high jump) 

BOYS 

Calvary 

James Simon (800-relay) 

Julius Moss (800-relay) 

Landon Sylvie (800-relay, 1600-relay) 

Kolby Thomas (100, 800-relay, 1600-relay) 

Ty Knight (1600-relay) 

Jackson Burney (800, 1600-relay) 

Loyola 

Franklin Roemer (1600, 3200, 3200-relay) 

Mark Henry (3200-Relay, 800) 

Carter (Ward (3200-relay) 

Landon Hooper (3200-relay) 

Reece Armagost (pole vault) 

Green Oaks 

Cortevious Dorsey (long jump, triple jump)

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JOURNAL SPORTS 

Calvary Baptist opens the LHSAA Select Division III baseball quarterfinals today with a best-of-3 series at University Lab in Baton Rouge. 

The Cavaliers are the sixth seed and brings a 25-11 record against the third seeded Cubs who sport a 24-8 mark. Both schools fell in the quarterfinals a year ago. Calvary was ousted by Notre Dame while University lost to eventual state champion St. Charles. The Cavs last advanced to the semifinals in 2021 and won a state title the previous playoff trip in 2019. 

LHSAA baseball quarterfinals 

Best-of-3 series 

Non-Select Division I

13-Benton (22-9) at 5-St. Amant (26-10) 

G1: Friday, 6:30 p.m. 

G2: Saturday, 1 p.m.

G3: Saturday, if necessary 4 p.m.

Select Division I 

12-Acadiana (17-17-1) at 4-Northwood (28-6)

G1: Friday, 6 p.m.

G2: Saturday, noon 

G3: Saturday, if necessary 3 p.m.

Select Division II

13-Evangel (16-17) at 5-St. Thomas More (19-15)

G1: Friday, 6 p.m.

G2: Saturday, 1 p.m. 

G3: Saturday, if necessary 4 p.m. 

Select Division III

6-Calvary (25-11) at 3-University (24-8)

G1: Thursday, 6 p.m. 

G2: Friday, noon 

G3: Friday, if necessary 3 p.m.

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JOURNAL SPORTS

YOUNGSVILLE – Benton’s Abigail McWilliams didn’t finish as the individual medalist but defeated Mattie Prugahn of Barbe – who did win the individual honor – on the first playoff hole to give Benton the Division I Girls team crown here Wednesday at the Ochsner Health LHSAA State Golf Championships.

Benton started the tournament strong and entered the final round Wednesday with a 12-stroke advantage ahead of Barbe and Academy of Sacred Heart.

“Yesterday they played great. Abigail shot even, and Grace (Goodwin) was 5-over,” Benton coach Tim Cram told the Shreveport-Bossier Journal. “We had a pretty good lead. Today was a little different – they couldn’t get the putters going and were struggling a bit. We had a 12-stroke lead and we shot 12 over, so we said somebody’s going to have to shoot under par to beat us. I’ll be dadgummed if Barbe almost did.” 

“Their best player, and she’s really good, shot even par and won the individual medalist,” said Cram. “They had a freshman who shot 88 yesterday who shot even par right behind her, and we were tied.” 

In the playoff, each coach picked a player to tee it up with the state championship at stake. Cram didn’t hesitate picking his junior star.

“I told Abigail, ‘you’re the best girl golfer ever to go to Benton High School,’” said Cram. “’There is no choice – you’re going to go. You’re going out there, you’re going to beat this girl on the very first hole,’ and I took off to follow the boys (who were in the hunt for a title as well across town).

In the playoff, McWilliams’ second shot on the first hole wound up 15 feet from the pin. Prugahn found a bunker in front of the green and blasted out long, eventually missing a bogey putt while McWilliams two-putted and holed a two-footer to give Benton the team crown.

McWilliams’ father Robbie McWilliams relayed the good news to Cram.

“Robbie texted me and said ‘we’re state champions,’” said Cram. “’Abigail beat her on the first hole.’”

Prugahn, who finished fourth last year in helping Barbe claim the team title, tied with Evelyn Artiera of Walker at 3-over 151 at the end of Wednesday’s second round. In their sudden-death playoff, Prugahn found the green in two on the par-four first hole while Artiera missed the green on the left side and was unable to get up and down. Prugahn two-putted from 20 feet for the individual title.

McWIlliams, a junior, finished tied for third individually with Teagan Connors of The Willow School at five-over 153. McWilliams shot 79 after having the low round 74 on Tuesday. Freshman teammate Goodwin finished with two-day total 160.   

LHSAA Ochsner Health Girls Division I State championship

At Les Vieux Chenes Golf Club (par 74)

Team standings – Benton 153-160—313 (won on first playoff hole); Barbe 165-148—313; Archbishop Hannan 166-155—321; Academy of Sacred Heart 165-162—327; Southside 174-172—346; Northshore 178-178—356; Dominican 186-171—357; Sam Houston 178-184—362.

Individual standings: Mattie Prugahn, Barbe 77-74—151 (won on first playoff hole); Evelyn Artiera, Walker 76-75—151; Abigail McWilliams, Benton 74-79—153; Teagan Connors, The Willow School 77-76—153; Ashlyn Crimmins, Archbishop Hannan 80-74—154; Jade Neves, Academy of Sacred Heart 77-78—155; Grace Goodwin, Benton 79-81—160; Kate Boersma, Ruston 83-80—163; Maggie Dressler, Barbe 89-74—163; Rhyan Marcelissen, Southside 83-81—164. LOCAL: Haylee Crowder, Haughton 87-80—167; Addison Montoya, Captain Shreve 95-84—179.

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By LEE HILLER, Journal Sports

LAFAYETTE – Paced by a four-under-par 68 by Grant Reagan in the final round, Byrd claimed its third straight Boys Division I title and seventh in the last nine years here Wednesday at the Ochsner Health LHSAA State Golf Championships.

Byrd, which was tied for the lead with St. Paul’s after Tuesday’s first round, posted a four-under 284 score on Wednesday’s final trip around the 6,348-yard par-72 The Wetlands course. That tied for the day’s low round and gave Byrd a 573 team total, good enough for a two-stroke edge over St. Paul’s and Catholic-Baton Rouge in the team championship.

Junior James Holtsclaw was one of seven golfers to shoot below 70 on the final day with 69 and finished with a 141 total for the Yellow Jackets.

“We’ve been led all year by James and Grant. Those two are just good,” said Byrd coach Meredith Duncan. “They came through in the clutch today. Grant, being a senior, had won it (a state title with the team) his last three years and shot 4-under today, and was the vocal leader of our team.”

Junior Shep Smith shot 74 after a first-round 71 for a 145 total and senior Campbell Gosslee shot three strokes better on the final day with a 73 and 149 total.

“Shep Smith played really solid, as he has all year, and didn’t make a whole lot of mistakes,” said Duncan. “Campbell Goslee played his freshman year and then took the last two years off and played lacrosse. Campbell came in clutch today to shoot 1-over.”

For the second consecutive year Benton finished three strokes behind Byrd, only this year with the competition much tighter finished fourth in the team standings as opposed to last year’s runner-up finish.

Cason Toms led the Tigers with a 4-under 68 and tied for third individually with Byrd’s Reagan in at 138. Miller Davis shot a 3-under par 69 for a fifth-place total of 140. Kade Bryant finished with a two-day total 145 followed by Colton Halverson’s 153 and Auston Race shot 161.

“The boys had it going for a while. We were 7-under through about 14-15 holes, and then we just hit a roadblock coming in,” said Benton coach Tim Cram. “But Byrd’s good. We shot even par for two days and that’s really, really good.”

Kyle Traub of Brother Martin, who scorched the field with a seven-under 65 in Tuesday’s first round, added a 70 on Wednesday and finished at 65-70—135 for a two-stroke edge over Jesuit’s Duke Nitcher (137) for individual honors.

“Brooks Reid, a sophomore, played really solid today and shot 75,” said Duncan. “It was a total team effort. Everybody counts, everybody’s got each other’s back. I’m just so happy for these kids. They were all in, all year long.”

Ochsner Health LHSAA Division I Boys Golf Championship

At The Wetlands (par 72)

Team standings

1. Byrd 289-284—573

2. St. Paul’s 289-286—575 

tie, Catholic-Baton Rouge 291-284—575 

4. Benton 291-285—576 

5. Brother Martin 294-292—586 

6. Lafayette High 300-295—595 

7. Mandeville 296-316—612 

8. Neville 319-319—638 

Individual standings

Kyle Traub, Brother Martin 65-70—135

Duke Nitcher, Jesuit 69-68—137 

Cason Toms, Benton 70-68—138 

Grant Reagan, Byrd 70-68—138 

Drew Sliman, Lafayette High 71-69—140 

Nick Kelsey, St. Paul’s 71-69—140 

Miller Davis, Benton 71-69—140 

Preston Paulk, Northshore 69-72—141 

James Holtsclaw, Byrd 72-69—141 

Drew Prieto, Catholic-BR 71-70—141 

Christopher Cain, Lafayette High 72-72—144 

Ryder Briggs, Northwood 71-73—144 

Madden Sawrie, Airline 72-73—145 

Alston Manne, Catholic-BR 73-72—145 

Kade Bryant, Benton 72-73—145 

Shep Smith, Byrd 71-74—145 

Maerek Barberito, St. Paul’s 73-73—146 

Kevin Zheng, Catholic-BR 74-72—146 

Sawyer Bertrand, Brother Martin 78-69—147 

David Marsh, Catholic-BR 77-70—147 

Bennett LaNasa, St. Paul’s 69-78—147 

LOCALS 

Campbell Gosslee, Byrd 76-73—149 

Colton Halverson, Benton 78-75—153 

Brooks Reid, Byrd 79-75—154 

Auston Race, Benton 79-82—161

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JOURNAL SPORTS 

LAFAYETTE – Byrd is tied at the top of a tight leaderboard after the first day of the LHSAA Boys Division I golf state championship being played at The Wetlands. 

The Yellow Jackets are tied with St. Paul’s after shooting a first-round one-over par 289, two strokes ahead of Benton and Catholic-Baton Rouge (291). 

Grant Reagan led Byrd with a 70 followed by Shep Smith’s 71, James Holtzclaw shot 72, Campbell Gosslee 76 and Brooks Reid 79. Reagan is tied for fifth individually, while Smith is tied for seventh. 

Benton’s Cason Toms is tied with Reagan and one other after shooting 70, Miller Davis is one back of Toms with a 71, Kade Bryant came in at 72. Colton Halverson shot 78 and Auston Race was at 79. 

Northwood’s Ryder Briggs is one of the six tied for seventh place after posting a 71. Madden Sawrie of Airline was among the five tied in 13^th place after shooting 72. 

Brother Martin’s Kyle Traub is the top individual after shooting a first-round 65, four strokes better than Bennett LaNasa of St. Paul’s, Duke Nitcher of Jesuit. 

Division I Boys first-day results 

At The Wetlands (6,348 yards, par 72) 

Team standings – 1. tie, Byrd, St. Paul’s, 289; T3. Benton, Catholic-BR, 291; 5. Brother Martin, 294; 6. Mandeville, 296; 7. Lafayette High, 300; 8. Neville 319.

Individual – 1. Kyle Traub, Brother Matin, 32-33—65; T2. Bennett LaNasa, St. Paul’s, 34-35—69; Duke Nitcher, Jesuit, 37-32—69; T4. Cason Toms, Benton, 37-33—70; Preston Paulk, Northshore, 37-33—70; Grant Reagan, Byrd, 35-35—70. OTHER LOCALS:  T7. Miller Davis, Benton, 36-35—71; Ryder Briggs, Northwood, 36-35—71; Shep Smith, Byrd, 36-35—71; T13. James Holtsclaw, Byrd, 38-34—72; Madden Sawrie, Airline, 38-34—72; Kade Bryant, Benton, 37-35—72; T26. Cambell, Gosslee, Byrd, 36-40—76; T35. Colton Halverson, Benton, 38-40—78; T39. Auston Race, Benton, 41-38—79; Brooks Reid, Byrd, 41-38—79.

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JOURNAL SPORTS

YOUNGSVILLE – Abigail McWilliams had the low individual round of the day and helped propel her Benton squad to the team lead Tuesday on the first day of Division I girls competition in the Ochsner Health LHSAA State Golf Championships.

McWilliams’ even-par 74 over the 5,679-yard par-74 Les Vieux Chenes course is good enough for a two-shot advantage over Evelynn Artieta of Walker heading into today’s final round. Mattie Purgahn of Barbe, Jade Neves of the Academy of the Sacred Heart and Tegan Connors of The Willow School are tied for third with a three-under 77.

Benton’s Grace Goodwin stands in sixth place at 79, and she and McWIlliams combined for a team 153 score. That was good enough for a 12-stroke lead over Academy of the Sacred Heart and Barbe, who are tied for second at 165 and one shot ahead of fourth-place Archbishop Hannan at 166.

Haughton’s Haylee Crowder had a first-round 43-44—77 while Maddison Montoya of Captain Shreve carded a first-day 47-48—95.

The final round in Girls Division I is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. today.

Team standings – 1. Benton 153; T2. Academy of Sacred Heart, Barbe 165; 4. Hannan 166; 5. Southside 174; T6. Sam Houston, Northshore 178; 8. Dominican 186.

Individual standings – 1. Abigail McWilliams, Benton 36-38—74; 2. Evelynn Artieta, Walker 36-40—76; T3.Mattie Purgahn, Barbe 37-40—77; Jade Neves, Academy of Sacred Heart 37-40—77; Teagan Connors, The Willow School 38-39—77; 6. Grace Goodwin, Benton 38-41—79; 7. Ashlyn Crimmins, Hannan 39-41—80; T8. Rhyan Marcelissen, Southside 42-41—83; Kate Boersma, Ruston 39-44—83. OTHER LOCALS: Haylee Crowder, Haughton 43-44—87; Addison Montoya, Captain Shreve 47-48—95.

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JOURNAL SPORTS 

CARENCRO – Loyola fell victim to a course-record shot by Ascension Episcopal’s Noah Chauvin and the Flyers were runners-up to the Blue Gators for the sixth straight year in the Ochsner Health LHSAA Division III Boys State Golf Championships Tuesday. 

The Flyers finished the closest they have come to unseating the five-time defending  champions with a 582 total, three shots short of Ascension Episcopal’s 579 team total on The Farm d’Allie course.  Chauvin followed a first-round 66 with his course-record 63 and 129 total 12 strokes better than the second place score of Neil Phillips of Newman (68-73—141). 

Loyola’s top scorers Charlie Bell and Connor Cassano tied for third after both shot identical 73-69—142 for the tournament that was rescheduled to two rounds on Tuesday because of weather. Collier White (77-73—150) and Charles Valiulis (73-77—150) tied for eighth and Jack Gilmer (75-78—53) tied for 10^th for the Flyers. 

Calvary, who finished the two rounds at 686, was led by Ezra Smith’s 85-76—161. Kruze Savage fired a 86-87—173, Tripp Jones 89-87—176, Jack Testa 87-89—176 and Noah Wasson 90-90—180. 

Division III Boys final results 

At the Farm d’Allie (6,536 yads, par 72), Carencro 

Team standings – 1. Ascension Episcopal, 291-288—579; 2. Loyola, 294-288—582; 3. Parkview, 309-328—637; 4. Newman, 317-327—644; 5. University, 327-329—656; 6. Calvary, 347-339—686; 7. D’Arbonne Woods, 348-339—687; 8. Notre Dame, 347-349—347-349—696.

Individual – 1. Noah Chauvin, Ascension Episcopal, 66-63—129; 2. Neil Phillips, Newman, 68-73—141; 3. Charlie Bell, Loyola, 73-69—142; Connor Cassano, Loyola, 73-69—142; 5. Ben Blanco, Ascension Episcopal, 69-74—143; 6. Ashton Cruse, Caldwell Parish, 74-72—146; 7. Elliott Aucoin, Parkview, 74-74—148; T8. Collier White, Loyola, 77-73—150; Charles Valiulis, 73-77—150. OTHER LOCALS: Ezra Smith, Calvary, 85-76—161; Kruze Savage, Calvary, 86-87—173; Tripp Jones, Calvary, 89-87—176; Jack Testa, Calvary, 87-89—176; Noah Wasson, Calvary, 90-90—180.

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JOURNAL SPORTS

MONROE – Jai Kotchia of Caddo Magnet finished as a state semifinalist in the Division II boys singles at the LHSAA state tennis tournament that wrapped up Friday at ULM. 

Koticha fell to Mitchell Spence of Neville in straight sets 6-3, 6-0 in the Division II semifinals. Koticha dropped just one set on his way to the semifinals. Mitchell finished as the state runner-up after losing to Jackson McCrory of St. Thomas More, 6-4, 7-5 in the final. 

Magnet finished in fourth place as a team in the boys team standings with four points. St. Thomas More took the title with 18 points, three points ahead of runner-up Neville. 

The Willow won the girls title with 17 ½ points, well ahead of Vandebilt Catholic’s eight points. 

Brother Martin’s boys took the Division I boys team title with 12 1/2 points, one point better than Catholic League rival Jesuit. St. Joseph’s Academy was the girls team champion with 17 ½ points ahead of Barbe of Lake Charles who finished with eight points.

Division I

BOYS 

Team scores: 1. Brother Martin 12 ½; 2. Jesuit 11 ½; 3. Catholic-BR 9 ½; 4. Barbe 7 ½; 5. Lafayette 5 

Singles – 

Semifinals 

Joshua Verges, Jesuit d. Mitchell Ambruster, Brother Martin 7-5, 4-6, 7-3 

Steven Rice, Barbe d. Reece Beckendorf, St. Paul’s 6-2, 6-2 

Final 

Steven Rice, Barbe d. Joshua Verges, Jesuit, 6-0, 6-3 

Doubles –

Semifinals 

Reed MacAlester-Sal Trujillo, Brother Martin d. Stephen Champney-Henry Hargrave, Catholic-BR 6-4, 6-3 

Charles DuBos-Christian St. Martin, Catholic-BR d. Leo Congeni-Scott Harper, Jesuit 7-6, 3-6, 6-3 

Final 

Charles DuBos-Christian St. Martin, Catholic-BR d. Reed MacAlester-Sal Trujillo, Brother Martin 

GIRLS 

Team scores: 1. St. Joseph Acad. 17 ½; 2. Barbe 8; 3. Dominican, Mt. Carmel 5; 5. Mandeville 4 ½; 6. Byrd, Lafayette, Southside, West Monroe 3 

Singles – 

Semifinals 

Ella Mancuso, St. Joseph’s d. Danara Marcos, Barbe 6-0, 6-0 

Natalie Devraj, Mandeville d. Grace Delello, Southside 6-2, 6-1 

Final 

Ella Mancuso, St. Joseph’s d. Natalie Devraj, Mandeville 6-4, 6-4 

Doubles – 

Semifinals 

Adeline Hedges-Marie Sereda, St. Joseph’s d. A’Maya Freeman-Sofia Chanes, Dominican 6-4, 6-4 

Laura Caroline Holliday-Cameron Raines, St. Joseph’s d. Natalie Pumpelly-Claire McMorris, Barbe 6-2, 6-2 

Final 

Laura Caroline Holliday-Cameron Raines, St. Joseph’s d. Adeline Hedges-Marie Sereda, St. Josph’s 6-4, 6-3

Division II 

BOYS 

Team scores: 1. St Thomas More 18; 2. Neville 15; 3. Vandebilt Catholic 7; 4. Caddo Magnet, Teurlings Catholic 4 

Singles – 

Semifinals 

Mitchell Spence, Neville d. Jai Koticha, Caddo Magnet 6-3, 6-0 

Jackson McCrory, St. Thomas More d. William Cruse, Neville 6-0, 6-0 

Final 

Jackson McCrory, St. Thomas More d. Mitchell Spence, Neville 6-4, 7-5 

Doubles – 

Semifinals 

Benton Anzalone-Joseph Butler, Neville d. Jacob Cieslak-Carter Zembower, St. Thomas More 6-1, 6-3 

Will Gesser-John David McCrory, St. Thomas More d. Nathan Hinkle-Peter Simeonov, Ben Franklin 6-0, 6-1

Final

Will Gesser-John David McCrory, St. Thomas More d. Benton Anzalone-Joseph Butler, Neville 6-2, 6-4

GIRLS

Team scores: 1. The Willow 17 ½; 2. Vandebilt Catholic 8; 3. Hannan 7 ½; 4. Neville 6; 5. Ben Franklin 5 

Singles –

Semifinals 

My-Linh Holmes, The Willow d. Mallory Kymes, Ben Franklin 6-0, 6-0 

My-Anh Holmes, The Willow d. Lilly Higgins, West Feliciana 6-1, 6-1 

Final 

My-Anh Holmes, The Willow d. My-Linh Holmes, The Willow, 6-1, 6-0

Doubles –

Semifinals

Usha Ramdall-Maiou Zhang, The Willow d. Hodges-Boudreau, St. Scholastica 6-4, 6-4

Claire Cancienne-Avery Lewis, Hannan d. Katherine Bilbro-Abigail Hunter, The Willow 6-1, 6-2

Final

Claire Cancienne-Avery Lewis, Hannan d. Usha Ramdall-Maiou Zhang, The Willow 6-0, 6-2

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By LEE HILLER, Journal Sports

The four local high school baseball teams moving forward into this weekend’s state quarterfinals came up with whatever was necessary to survive second-round postseason tests.

Benton got great pitching and committed one error to knock off No. 4 Dutchtown, 2-1 Friday and 3-0 Saturday on the road in a Non-Select Division I best-of-3 series.

Kade Bryant pitched a complete game three-hitter with three walks and eight strikeouts in the first game win. He also figured into the seventh-inning rally when the Tigers scored both of their runs. Bryson Pierce and Bryant walked with one out. Griffin Sibley followed a strikeout with a 2-run single to put the Tigers ahead 2-1.

In Game 2, Thomas Allen matched Bryant’s brilliance with a 3-hitter, with two walks and nine strikeouts. Benton (29-9) scored twice in the fourth inning. A fielding error allowed the Tigers first run to score and Hayden Millen was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to score the second run. Bryant singled in the third run in the fifth bringing in Hudson Brignac. Five other Tigers had singles in the game.

Northwood defeated Byrd 3-2 on Friday and 10-4 Saturday to advance. Falcon pitcher Jack Carlisle and Yellow Jacket Julien Vinet were both sharp on the mound with complete games. Carlisle earned the win, allowing seven hits, two runs, one earned with seven strikeouts. Vinet allowed six hits, walked three and struck out three. The Falcons scored twice in the third inning to take a 3-2 lead. Hayden Phipps singled in Jaxon Bentzler for the first run and scored on an error for the second run.

Bentzler finished the opening game 2-for-3 and Hutson Hearron was 2-for-2 for Northwood. Hunter Koos had two hits for Byrd and an RBI.

The Yellow Jackets took a 3-1 lead into the fifth inning of Game 2 when the Falcons scored four times on a Bentzler grand slam and added five more in the seventh for insurance. Hearron had a 2-run double and Phipps singled in a run in the seventh. Tucker McCabe and Hearron both had a pair of hits for Northwood (28-6).

Ryan Lee hit a 2-run home run for Byrd (11-23) in the first inning, Koos doubled and later scored on an error. Lee finished 2-for-4 and Koos was 2-for-3.

Parkway fell to No. 6 Live Oak 8-4 and 10-3 on the road. Jax Thomson, Maddox Cockerham, Shawn Driggers, Kamron Blackshire, Cole Snell and Jackson Holmes all had hits for the Panthers in the first game loss.  The Eagles led 6-0 after three innings when the Panthers scored once in the fourth and three times in the fifth inning to get within 6-4.

The Panthers scored three times in the fourth inning of Game 2 to take a 3-2 lead but the Eagles posted four runs in each the sixth and seventh innings. Abel Thetford had two of Parkway’s four hits.

Captain Shreve (27-10) scored an 11-3 second-game win only to lose the rubber match 3-0 Saturday to Acadiana (17-16-1) in Select Division I. Aron Gillum doubled, tripled and homered from his leadoff spot and Andrew Sharp was 2-for-3 with a triple and got the Gators’ win on the mound working five innings, allowing three runs, one earned. Carter Reynolds had three hits and four RBI, Jackson Gaskin singled and doubled, Denton Hester was 2-for-4 and Christopher Peyton 2-for-4 for the Gators who finished with 17 hits.

Calvary took both ends of a must-win doubleheader Friday night (6-0, 9-2) to knock out visiting Episcopal in Select Division III. Aubrey Hermes was 6-for-8 in the two games. Judson Funderburk allowed two hits over six innings in the first-game shutout while striking out eight. Funderburk was 2-for-4 from the leadoff spot in the Game 2 win. Landon Smith was nearly unhittable allowing two hits and struck out 12 in the complete game win.

Evangel surprised No. 4 Buckeye on the road in a series the Eagles wrapped up on Thursday.

Loyola (16-19) dropped both weekend games in Baton Rouge to No. 2 seed Parkview Baptist 8-1, 9-1. The Flyers were limited to three hits in each game, with Hayden Horton getting a hit in each game.

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JOURNAL SPORTS

Local athletes competed in LHSAA regional track and field meets last week with the top three in each event qualifying for this week’s state track meet to be held at the Bernice Moore Track Stadium at LSU beginning Thursday. This is a list of the local qualifiers for the Class 5A and 4A meet to take place on Saturday with their place and time or distance in the regional meets.

Class 5A local qualifiers 

GIRLS 

3200-Relay – 3rd. Parkway, 10:06.98 (Allison, Taylor, Raquel Rios, Lauren Taylor, Sofia Bright). 

100-Hurdles – 2nd. Leah Bryant, CS, 16.10; 3rd. Tia Taylor, CS, 16.36.

100 – 3rd. Kezyriah Sykes, Air, 12.37.

1600 – 2nd. Jenna Key, Byrd, 5:12.46; 3rd. Sya Bolden, Comeaux, 5:13.66.

400-Relay – 2nd. Airline (Kezyriah Sykes, Jaycie Wallace, Rikiyah Taylor, Janiyah Boudreaux), 47.87.

400 – 2nd. Addyson Hulett, Benton, 56.63. 

100-Hurdles – 3rd. L. Bryant, CS, 47.49.

200 – 2nd. Jaycie Wallace, Airline, 25.64. 

3200 – 1st. Jenna Key, Byrd, 11:29.12; 3rd. Spencer Frierson, Byrd, 11:46.60.

Triple jump – 3rd. Janiyah Boudreaux, Airline, 34-1 ½. 

High jump – 2nd. Shelby Ladet, Airline 5-2. 

Shot put – 3rd. Jayla James, Parkway, 36-7.

Discus – 3rd. Aniya Hill, Haughton, 121-7.

Javelin – 2nd. Sadie Hamby, Benton, 129-4 ¾; 3. Chloe Larry, Parkway, 123-7.

Pole Vault – 2nd. Addyson Hulett, Benton, 9-6.

BOYS

3200 – 2nd. Parkway (Alex Gomez, Jesus Cordova, Ben Ruliffson, Gary Smith), 8:06.18.

110-Hurdles – 1st. Jeremiah Boudreaux, Airline, 14.35; 2nd. Zion Smith, Airline, 15.23. 

800-Relay – 3rd. Captain Shreve (Darrell Waldon, Jamarcea Plater, Dakota Green, Coren Hill), 1:29.76.

1600 – 2nd. Brennan Robin, Parkway, 4:33.09; 3rd. Gabriel Falting, Parkway, 4:33.86.

400 – 2nd. Will Achee, Parkway, 48.03.

300-Hurdles – 1st. Jeremiah Boudreaux, Airline, 37.16; 2nd. Zion Smith, Airline, 39.79.

800 – 2nd. Gabriel Falting, Parkway, 1:56.94.

200 – 1st. Will Achee, Parkway, 21.64. 

3200 – 3rd. Ben Ruliffson, Parkway, 9:54.97. 

1600 – Relay – 1st. Parkway (Brennan Robin, Gabriel Falting, Will Achee, Brody Hocter), 3:20.47; 3rd. Airline (Phillip Hughes, Gabe Laval, Jeremiah Boudreaux, Lathan Woodland), 3:22.45.

Triple jump – 3rd. Mark Perry, Benton, 45-2 ½.

High jump – 2nd. Jeremiah Boudreaux, Airline, 6-6.

Shot put – 1st. Devon Oliver, Parkway 53-8 ¾.

Discus – 1st. Devon Oliver, Parkway, 176-4; 3rd. Malik Word, Airline, 164-3.

Jevelin – 3rd. Jeff King, Benton, 183-8 ¼.

Pole Vault – 1st. Miller Malley, Benton, 13-6.

Class 4A local qualifiers.

GIRLS

100 – 1st. Haliey Evans, Huntington, 12.63; 3rd. Janayah Dotson, Huntington, 12.81.

200 – 1st. Demetria Harris, Huntington, 25.737; 2nd. T’La Dewitt, Huntington, 26.14.

400 – 1st. J. Dotson, Huntington, 58.39; 3rd. Aniyah Jackson, Huntington, 1;00.49.

800 – 3rd. Shuntae First, Huntington, 2:38.32.

1600 – 3rd. Bryn Wilhelm, Caddo Magnet, 5:48.28.

3200 – 3rd. Catherine McElroy, Caddo Magnet, 13:48.72.

100-Hurdles – 1st. D. Harris, Huntington, 14.79; 3rd. Terriona Richmond, Huntington, 16.39.

300-Hurdles – 2nd. Kaylie Dupree, Huntington, 48.74; 3rd. Zamarion Carter, Bossier, 49.46.

400-Relay – 1st. Huntington (Jaila Marshall, McKenzie Lott, Nyla Ware, Markevia Green) 48.6.

800-Relay – 1st. Huntington (A. Jackson, J. Dotson N. Ware, M. Green) 1:42.7.

1600-Relay – 2nd. Huntington 4:09.51.

Long jump – 1st. D. Harris, Huntington, 17-6 ½; 3rd. H. Evans, Huntington, 16-10 ¾.

Triple jump – 1st. D. Harris, Huntington, 39-9.

High jump – 1st. Anaiyah Narvaja, Huntington, 5-2.

Shot put – 1st. SheLunda Brooks, Woodlawn, 35-4 ¼.

BOYS

200 – 1st. Tyreek Robinson, Evangel, 22.32; 3rd. Roy Morris, Evangel, 22.51.

400 – 2nd. Preston Summage, Huntington, 48.89.

1600 – 2nd. Jack Pattillo, Caddo Magnet, 4:41.83; 3rd. Lee Ballard, Caddo Magnet, 4:41.99.

3200 – 3rd. Lee Bellard, Caddo Magnet, 11:03.48.

300-Hurdles – 1st. James Hollingsworth, Northwood, 39.52.

400-relay – 1st. Northwood (Desmond Harris, Justin Thomas, Jeremiah Johnson, J. Hollingsworth), 42.35; 2nd. Evangel 42.65.

800-Relay – 1st. Northwood (Jalil Wainwright, James Hollingsworth, J. Johnson, J. Thomas), 1:28.31; 3rd. Evangel 1:28.78.

Long jump – 1st. Roy Morris, Evangel, 23-1 ½; 2nd. Duntravious Young, Northwood, 21-1 ½.

High jump – 1st. Landon Gibbs, Huntington, 6-8.

Javelin – 3rd. Quan’Travious Bradford, Huntington, 155-9 ¼.

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By LEE HILLER, Journal Sports

The LHSAA boys and girls state golf championships were postponed Monday due to the stormy weather which pushed back the start to today, and the tournaments will now conclude on Wednesday in the Lafayette area.

Girls Divisions I and II will start today at 9 a.m. and play 18 holes and another 18 on Wednesday. Both divisions will be played at Les Vieux Chenes Golf Club in Youngsville.

Local individuals playing in Division I include Grace Goodwin and Abigail McWilliams of Benton, Captain Shreve’s Addison Montoya and Haylee Crowder from Haughton. Loyola golfers Julia Braud and Kathryn Jackson will tee it up for Loyola.

Boys Division I will tee off at The Wetlands in Lafayette. Byrd’s team of James Holtsclaw, Brooks Reid, Grant Reagan, Shep Smith and Campbell Gosslee will be playing for a third consecutive state title. Last year’s runner-up Benton will have Kade Bryant, Cason Toms, Miller Davis, Colton Halverson and Auston Race participating. Northwood’s Ryder Briggs also qualified for championship play.

Teams from Loyola and Calvary qualified for the Division III championship to be played at The Farm d’Allie in Carencro. Representing the Flyers will be Connor Cassano, Charles Valiulis, Jack Gilmer, Charlie Bell and Collier White. Playing for the Cavaliers are Kruze Savage, Noah Wassom, Ezra Smith, Jack Testa and Tripp Jones.

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