Peabody senior forward Jordan Matthews is surrounded in the lane by Madison Prep’s Christopher Lindo (24) and Quentin Dabney (4) during the Warhorses’ 43-40 overtime win over Madison Prep in the Division II Select state title game at Burton Coliseum in Lake Charles on Saturday. (Journal photo by BRET H. MCCORMICK)
By LAMAR GAFFORD
LAKE CHARLES – It was not pretty by any means, but three words can describe it for Peabody.
A perfect ten.
The Warhorses outlasted Madison Prep in overtime, 43-40, in the Division II select state championship game Saturday to win their 10th state title.
For Peabody coach Charles Smith, who recently was named a finalist for the Naismith Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass., this is his ninth state championship as a head coach after winning one as an assistant in 1979.
“The mark of our team is defense,” Smith said. “This basketball team was built on defense and that’s what prevailed tonight.”
The Warhorses held Madison Prep to its second-lowest point total of the season and got a timely turnover with 18.6 seconds left. That set up senior Zaydrien Sewell’s game-winning 3-pointer with 6.6 seconds left in overtime to put it up for good.
Peabody (28-5) did not shoot particularly well at only 25.9% from the floor, but it made the shots when they counted most.
“What was going on through my mind was last year (in the semifinals against George Washington Carver),” Sewell said. “In the semifinals, I threw up a shot that we didn’t need. This year, I threw up a shot that we needed and that was redemption for me.”
Redemption was also on the mind for Peabody senior forward Jordan Mathews, who was named as the game’s Most Outstanding Player with 12 points and 14 rebounds.
Mathews watched last season as a concussion took him out of the game and his replacement – cold off the bench – missed two free throws as the Warhorses lost to Carver in the semifinals.
Mathews missed a potential game-winner in regulation Saturday but responded to make two free throws to tie the game at 40-40 with 20 seconds left. He also got the steal on the final turnover after Isaiah Jones’ deflection that allowed Sewell to hit his game-winner.
“I just wanted to win and not experience the same thing from last year,” Mathews laughed.
Madison Prep (26-3) had multiple two-possession leads throughout the game, but never extended its lead past that as its 32-27 lead at the end of the third quarter evaporated.
In the fourth quarter and overtime, the Chargers went 3-for-10 from the floor, 2-for-6 from the free-throw line and turned over the ball six times.
Madison Prep has played in the state championship game in each of the last four seasons – winning titles in 2021 and 2022, before losing to Carver in the finals last year.
Peabody notched its first state title since 2020, sending this senior class out in style.
The LSUS Generals celebrate their Red River Athletic Conference Tournament title won last Sunday at the Rapides Parish Coliseum. (Photo courtesy LSUA Athletics)
The LSUA men’s basketball team left no doubt this season, and as a result was rewarded with a solid No. 6 seed in the upcoming Cramer Quandrant of the NAIA Tournament beginning this weekend.
The Generals (24-6), champions of the Red River Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament, play Friday evening at 6 in Olathe, Kansas. They will face No. 11 Bethel (Indiana), 19-10 this season.
The winner Friday will face either No. 3 MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) or 14th-seeded Central (Ark.) Baptist in the regional final Saturday evening at 6.
No. 2 Oklahoma Wesleyan and No. 7 Hastings (Neb.) are the top seeds in the Wichita regional that feeds its winner against the Olathe survivor in the quandrant semifinal the following week.
LSU’s Aneesah Morrow powers through South Carolina defenders during Sunday’s SEC Tournament championship game won by the Gamecocks. (Photo courtesy LSU Athletics)
By RON HIGGINS, Journal Sports
GREENVILLE, S.C. — No. 1 and unbeaten South Carolina, playing on a “neutral” court 103 miles from its campus, beat No. 8 LSU for the 16th straight time Sunday afternoon.
But the Tigers, 79-72 SEC tournament championship game losers in Greenville’s Bon Secours Arena, didn’t go down without a fight.
Literally.
A bench-clearing altercation with 2:08 left to play and South Carolina leading 73-66 resulted in Gamecocks’ center Kamilla Cardoso being ejected for fighting along with the ejection of all bench players for both teams.
Both squads each finished the game with five available players.
“I’ve never been a part of a game like that,” said LSU forward Angel Reese, who had 15 points and 13 rebounds. “Two heavy hitters, we gonna battle.
“We’re not scared of South Carolina. I’m going to repeat that. We’re not scared of South Carolina. A lot of people are scared of them. We battled and battled and battled until the end. We fought with five, maybe six healthy players if that.”
The Tigers cut the Gamecocks’ lead to 75-70 with 1:57 left on a Reese layup. LSU had a chance to make it a one-possession game with 1:17 remaining but freshman Mikaylah Williams missed a layup.
South Carolina (32-0) clinched the victory with four straight throws and Reese added a layup before the final buzzer to end an extremely physical game that finally escalated into a fight that the Gamecocks started and ended.
South Carolina’s Bree Hall and Ashlyn Watkins taunted LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson after her intentional foul of freshman Milaysia Fulwiley, who scored a game-high 24 points and won the tourney Most Valuable Player honors.
Johnson, walking to her bench, shoved aside Watkins when she ran up to her face running her mouth. The 6-7 Cardoso brushed past an official and violently shoved the 5-10 Johnson to the floor, lighting the fuse.
As Johnson immediately got back on her feet, Johnson’s brother came out of the stands, jumping over the scorer’s table. A policeman grabbed him and he was reportedly retained.
Then, for the next 20 minutes, the officiating crew of Pulani Spurlock-Welsh, Angelica Suffren, and Kevin Pethtel viewed a courtside video monitor to sort through the damage and assess fouls.
The result was Johnson being called for an intentional foul, Cardoso was ejected and the LSU and South Carolina benches were assessed technical fouls with every player who left the bench ejected and sent to the locker room.
“No one wants to be a part of that,” LSU coach Kim Mulkey said. “No one wants to see that ugliness. But I can tell you this: I wish she (Cardoso) would have pushed Angel Reese. You’re (Cardoso) 6-8 (actually 6-7). Don’t push somebody that little. That was uncalled for, in my opinion. Let those two girls that were jawing, let them go at it.”
South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley said both teams did not handle the situation well and added LSU’s Johnson apologized to her after the game.
“She said she’s not that type of player. . .she’s a really good person,” Staley said. “I’ll take responsibility for what happened from our side of it.”
Cardoso, whose ejection also earned her a suspension for South Carolina’s first NCAA Tournament game in a couple of weeks, apologized afterward on Twitter.
“My behavior was not representative of who I am as a person or the South Carolina program, and I deeply regret any discomfort or inconvenience it may have caused,” Cardoso said. “I take full responsibility for my actions and assure you that I am committed to conducting myself with the utmost respect and sportsmanship in the future.”
The fight overshadowed LSU’s gritty comeback.
Though the Tigers never led after Fulwiley’s layup with 1:28 left in the first quarter edged the Gamecocks ahead 15-14, LSU fought back from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter to reduce South Carolina’s lead to a single point.
Five straight Hailey Van Lith points started a 9-0 LSU run in a 2:14 span that left the Tigers trailing the Gamecocks 67-66 with 4:36 left.
South Carolina responded with 6 straight points, leading to the explosion of emotions that finally erupted after almost four quarters of extremely physical play and trash-talking that the officials failed to control.
“Do you realize there was only one foul called on each team with two minutes to play in the fourth quarter?” Mulkey said. “Are you kidding me? That might have created some of that.
“Not the way we play, we gonna foul your ass. Not the way they play, they’re going to foul your ass. But you only blew that whistle one time? Think about that now.”
Because LSU starting point guard Last-Tear Poa was back at the team hotel recovering from the concussion she suffered late in the Tigers’ Saturday night semifinal win over Ole Miss, Mulkey decided to play Williams.
Williams, the Bossier City native and former Parkway star who was named the SEC Freshman of the Year early last week, had sat out three straight games nursing a sore foot.
Williams gave it her best but scored just 2 points on 1 of 5 shooting and looked like someone who hadn’t played in a game since Feb. 29.
Reese and Annesah Morrow, who had a team-high 19 points and 10 rebounds, led the charge against the Gamecocks. Van Lith had 14 points and 6 rebounds and Johnson contributed 13 points, 4 rebounds and 3 steals.
LSU will likely be one of the four No. 2 seeds when the NCAA Tournament selection committee announces the field next Sunday at 7 p.m. on ESPN.
Though the ailing Tigers will certainly use this week to rest and heal for the tourney, Mulkey is eager to start her 22nd NCAA tournament as a head coach.
“We’re playing some good basketball right now,” Mulkey said. “That’s just the God’s truth. They (South Carolina) have a lot of depth. One kid, basically, hurt us today and that was Fulwiley. You look at the stats, how can you not leave here and go, `God I wish the playoffs started next week?’
“I love where we are. We’re in a good spot. Resilient. Didn’t get rattled. Fought through some adversity with Poa’s injury last night to even get to this point. They have each other’s back. I feel great.”
Rapides Parish football-playing high schools raised $4,110 for the American Cancer Society during the 2023 football season as part of Rapides Cancer Center’s second Kick Cancer partnership.
The eight football-playing schools raised money for the ACS and their own schools through every successful field goal ($20 each) and Point After Try ($10) during the 2023 football season.
Alexandria Senior High claimed its second straight Golden Boot award for raising $610 through 57 PATs and two field goals. ASH is receiving a $610 donation, and an equal donation to the American Cancer Society is being made on the behalf of the school.
“We are thrilled that our local schools were able to raise more money for the American Cancer Society during the 2023 season than in our first season of Kick Cancer,” said Karen Z. Hathorn, MSN RN CNS NE-BC, Administrative Director of Rapides Cancer Center. “The schools may be rivals, but we all share the common goal of finding a cure for cancer and supporting ACS.”
“We are honored to receive this award for a second straight year,” said ASH football coach Thomas Bachman. “This is truly a team reward as it took everyone to make this happen. But the most important factor is we are raising money to fight cancer and support cancer patients. We thank Rapides Regional Medical Center and Rapides Cancer Center for their support.”
The other seven schools in the parish – Bolton, Buckeye, Holy Savior Menard, Northwood, Peabody, Pineville and Tioga – are receiving a minimum donation of $500, with an equal donation made on their behalf to ACS.
“The American Cancer Society is thankful for our continued long-standing partnership with Rapides Regional Medical Center and all of the work they do with local cancer patients in our community,” said Kristin Franks, Senior Development Manager for American Cancer Society. “We congratulate these schools on a successful second season of Kick Cancer. It is through donations like this and the support of our local Relay for Life of Central Louisiana that help the American Cancer Society continue to fulfill its mission on a daily basis.”
Louisiana State Police announced the graduation of its 103rd Cadet Class, as 33 cadets have completed their journey to becoming a Louisiana State Trooper. The Louisiana State Police Training Academy and the Baton Rouge Community College Performing Arts Theater hosted the graduation ceremony.
Thirty-three cadets from across the state began their 24-week journey through the Louisiana State Police Training Academy on September 24, 2023. Throughout the academy, cadets received training in various subjects including crash investigation, emergency vehicle operations, impaired driving detection, fair and impartial policing, legal aspects and constitutional updates, advanced firearms, and leadership skills, in addition to a rigorous physical training regimen. Surrounded by family, friends, and fellow Troopers, all 33 of those cadets achieved their goal Friday morning and received the distinguished badge of the Louisiana State Police. Having successfully completed the LSP Training Academy, the newly graduated troopers will deploy across the state, where they will participate in a 10 to 14-week field-training program while supervised by a veteran Louisiana State Trooper.
If you are interested in joining our ranks and helping to continue our tradition of service to the people of Louisiana, contact a recruiter today at LSPRecruiting@la.gov, or by texting “Join LSP” to 225-777-8162. To learn more about Louisiana State Police, visit our website at http://www.LSP.org.
The following is a list of graduates and their Troop assignments:
Troop A – Baton Rouge Andrew Delee Jamigh James Adam Lapeyrouse
Troop B – Kenner Spencer Freeman Jr. Christian Grice Spencer Keating
Troop C – Gray Brent Crochet Tyler Kibodeaux Aron Wolfe
Troop D – Lake Charles Marcus Hardy Jesse Morris Lena Pollich Jesse Thurman
Troop E – Alexandria Caleb Johnson Kenneth McBride John Walker
Troop F – Monroe John Brown Thomas Hagan Tobias Haynes
Troop G – Bossier City Magalene Boykin William Derrick Michael Prothro Rachel Robertson
Troop I – Lafayette Kenneth Averette Cody Fontenot Monique Laverne Gabriel Pontiff Kerry Sam Jr. Kordell Williams
Troop L – Mandeville Daniel Gauchet Ashton Mclaughlin Steven Prince Drew Weidenbacher
C. Louise Cox Self October 10, 1934 – March 6, 2024 Service: Monday, March 11, 2024, 11am at Hixson Brothers Alexandria.
Mina Joy Blankenship Young January 5, 1941 – March 4, 2024 Service: Wednesday, March 13, 2024, 2pm at Kramer Funeral Home, Alexandria.
Jesse Homer Crouch July 7, 1941 – December 11, 2023 Service: Saturday, March 16, 2024, 3pm at Hixson Brothers Funeral Home, Pineville.
The Rapides Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. Contact your funeral provider or RPJNewsla@gmail.com . Must be paid in advance of publication. (Notice of Death shown above are FREE of charge. You may email them to RPJNewsla@gmail.com)
Another accused killer is being held at Rapides Detention Center.
Troyvonta Green, 26, of Alexandria was booked Wednesday, accused of a second-degree murder that, according to the booking record, happened about 2 a.m.
Information about what allegedly occurred, where, and the victim was not immediately available from authorities.
Green, a previously convicted felon, has bail set at $275,000. Charges also include firearm possession and parole violation.
His Rapides arrest record dates to at least November 2019, when he was accused of attempted second-degree murder and criminal conspiracy.
In April 2021 he was charged with being a convicted felon possessing a firearm, having a gun in presence of drugs, intent to distribute drugs, aggravated assault with firearm and home invasion.
The Zoning Commission is being asked to rezone about 19.5 acres in North Alexandria to allow single-family homes construction.
The Commission will consider the petition of Northport Properties Partners LLP/J. Breaux Enterprises LLC at its 4 pm March 25 meeting.
The acreage, listed as 2108 Bolton Avenue, is currently zoned for either multi-family housing or industrial development.
Designation for single-family housing use is sought for all the package, described as Lot A and all other unsold lots between La. 1 (Bolton Ave.) and the Texas & Pacific Railroad.
The plot is more widely known as Northport Commercial & Industrial Park.
Isaiah Jones provided the go-ahead basket for Peabody Thursday on this shot in the final minute in the state semifinals, as the Warhorses reached Saturday’s state championship game. (Photo by JOSH MCDANIEL, GeauxPreps.com)
By BRET H. MCCORMICK, Journal Sports
LAKE CHARLES –Peabody’s defense didn’t force many turnovers Thursday afternoon.
But the Warhorses got a key one at the absolute right moment.
With 45 seconds remaining in a tie game, senior Jordan Matthews deflected an inbounds pass intended for Carver center Daijon Leatherman. Senior Zaydrien Sewell grabbed the loose ball and passed up the floor to junior Isaiah Jones, who finished an and-1 layup to give the Warhorses a two-point lead with 38 seconds left in the Division II Select semifinal at Burton Coliseum.
Carver, looking for its third straight state championship, got a good look to tie the game in the waning seconds, but Chesney Sadler’s running jumper rimmed out. Robert Garland knocked down two free throws to seal the Warhorses’ 52-48 victory and earn a berth in Saturday’s title game against top-seeded Madison Prep.
Carver knocked Peabody out of the playoffs in the semifinals last season, so the Warhorses earned a measure of redemption on Thursday.
“It’s always good to face an opponent that had beaten you because you have gone back and looked at film and made preparations, and you know their strengths and weaknesses,” Peabody coach Charles Smith said. “But again I say it was still a tough battle. We prepared and prepared, but it still comes down to the players.”
“We don’t have anything to hang our heads about,” Carver first-year coach Devin Andrew said. “It was a good season. It hurts to get this close and not go all the way, but again, we don’t have anything to hang our heads about today.”
Junior point guard Rashad Mitchell led the Warhorses (27-5) with 18 points, while senior forward Jordan Mitchell added 14 points and a team-high seven rebounds while defending the 6-foot-8 Leatherman.
“I knew it was gonna be tough going down the stretch, but I thought Rashad stepped up and took over at the point guard and then also Jordan Matthews, he stepped up and became a big-time player,” said Smith, the country’s fifth-winningest high school boys coach of all-time, and a finalist for enshrinement in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame – who, as usual, drove the team bus to Lake Charles Thursday morning.
Leatherman led the Rams with 18 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks, while Sadler and Laurence Nathan added 10 points each.
Despite trailing for much of the first quarter, the Warhorses appeared to take control of the contest with a 9-0 run to start the second.
Mitchell knocked down a 3-pointer and was fouled for a four-point play just seven seconds into the quarter, Jones added a 3-pointer and Mitchell made an acrobatic driving layup to give the Warhorses a 20-10 lead just 90 seconds into the quarter.
Carver (22-7) refused to roll over, though, answering the Peabody run by clamping down on the defensive end and outscoring the Warhorses 15-5 the rest of the quarter to tie the game at 25 at halftime.
“When we fell down by 10, they could have rolled over,” Andrew said, “but they fought all the way to the end.”
Leatherman, who established his dominance early, nearly had a double-double in the first half as he scored 11 points, grabbed nine rebounds and blocked three shots.
Mitchell, meanwhile, was the Warhorses’ catalyst in the first half, making four of five shots, including two 3-pointers, to finish with 11 points at the break.
Carver and Peabody traded blows in an exciting third quarter as Matthews scored eight points in the post against Leatherman. A deep three by Nathan gave the Rams a 31-30 lead with six minutes left in the third, and Peabody retook the lead following a Matthews bucket and three Mitchell free throws that put the Warhorses ahead 36-34.
Carver scored six of the final eight points of the quarter, though, and a jumper by freshman Wayne Nevels gave the Rams a 40-38 lead going into the fourth quarter.
Matthews scored the Warhorses’ first five points of the fourth quarter, and the score was tied at 42 when Nathan fouled out with just over four minutes remaining.
Mitchell made a tough basket at the rim, and after two Leatherman free throws, Sewell buried his second 3-pointer of the game for a 47-44 lead with 3:30 left to play.
Carver scored four points over the next minute to retake the lead, setting up the stage for the frantic finish.
Jordan Mathews (43) powers inside for two of his 15 points Thursday in Peabody’s semifinal victory over Carver in the state semifinals at Marsh Madness in Lake Charles. (Photo by JOSH MCDANIEL, GeauxPreps.com)
Logan Smith scored 28 points, including 5 of 9 on 3-pointers, to spark Natchitoches Central over Ruston Thursday night in the Non-Select Division I state semifinals. (Photo by MICHAEL ODENDAHL, GeauxPreps.com)
LHSAA boys basketball state tournament
Burton Coliseum, Lake Charles
THURSDAY’S SCORES
Semifinals
Sel. Div. II – (1) Madison Prep 38, (4) Shaw 28 Sel. Div. II – (2) Peabody 52, (3) Carver 48 Sel. Div. IV – (2) St. Martin’s Episcopal 62, (6) Hamilton Christian 33 NS Div. I – (5) Natchitoches Central 60, (8) Ruston 56 NS Div. I – (2) Ponchatoula 34, (3) New Iberia 28
TODAY’S GAMES
Finals
Sel. Div. V – (1) Avoyelles Charter (25-11) vs. (2) JS Clark (23-8), noon Sel. Div. III – (3) University (24-7) vs. (1) Newman (20-10), 2 p.m. NS Div. IV – (6) Franklin (23-7) vs. (1) Lakeview (27-6), 4 p.m. NS Div. V – (1) Zwolle (31-3) vs. (2) Anacoco (35-7), 6 p.m. NS Div. II – (2) Wossman (33-4) vs. (1) Iowa (29-4), 8 p.m.
SATURDAY’S GAMES
Finals
NS Div. III – (6) Marksville (21-16) vs. (13) Red River (23-14), Noon Sel. Div. IV – (1) Crescent City (24-5) vs. (2) St. Martin’s Episcopal (25-6), 2 p.m. Sel. Div. II – (2) Peabody (31-5) vs. (1) Madison Prep (26-2), 4 p.m. Sel. Div. I – (2) Liberty (31-4) vs. (1) St. Thomas More (29-1), 6 p.m. NS Div. I – (5) Natchitoches Central (29-7) vs. (2) Ponchatoula (29-4), 8 p.m.
The Louisiana Christian University baseball team entertained an NCAA Division I visitor for the first time since 2008 on Wednesday night when McNeese’s Cowboys came to Billy Allgood Field.
They almost regretted the trip. Division III LCU extended McNeese to extra frames and was edged 6-5 in 10 innings.
The Wildcats overcame a 5-1 deficit going to the bottom of the fifth inning. In that at-bat, LCU scored twice, on RBI singles by Adrian Aguilar and Caleb Duhon.
In the sixth, the Wildcats tied the game. Braden Trull blasted a home run to center field, then Hunter Gotreaux delivered a bunt single that scored the tying run for a 5-all score.
That’s how it stood until the Cowboys (8-5) regained the lead in the top of the 10th on an RBI single by Grant Mangrum with two outs. LCU went down in order in its last at-bat.
The Wildcats (14-4 overall, 5-1 in the Red River Athletic Conference) have played their first 19 games at home. They hit the road this weekend to play at Jarvis Christian on Saturday.
McNeese will return to Division I competition with a huge challenge, visiting No. 2-ranked Arkansas this weekend.
Applications for the Housing Rehabilitation Program will be accepted until March 15 with funding provided by the HUD CDBG or HOME federal grant funding.
To apply, homeowners can visit the Bolton Community Center, located at 315 Bolton Ave. in Alexandria, during business hours, or apply online at www.mygovernmentonline.org between March 11-15.
To qualify for the program, applicants must:
– Currently own and occupy the home where assistance is being requested
– Meet the current HUD income limits for the number of people living in the house
– Provide valid picture ID of each homeowner(s) listed on the property deed and/or mortgage
– Live in the Alexandria City limits
– Be aware that prior year awards in the last 5 years may affect eligibility.
The Center for Calling & Career at Louisiana Christian University will host a career fair Thursday, March 14 for students seeking future employment. This event allows interested students to apply for jobs in various fields according to their academic disciplines.
The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Granberry Conference Center.
More than 30 employers representing local and national companies will be present to take resumes and applications, offer information about potential careers and positions open, and meet with students looking for future opportunities and summer jobs.
LCU Department of Student Life holds Career Fairs each semester.
“Our career fair is a great opportunity for students at LCU to network with local employers,” said Vice President of Student Life Meredith Rennier. “This event provides access to employers, from a wide variety of organizations of Central Louisiana as well as other areas of the state, who are seeking committed, hardworking, and enthusiastic employees to fill available positions.”
Employers who wish to sign up can fill out the following Google form:
