By BRET H. MCCORMICK, Journal Sports

Peabody claimed its 10th boys basketball state championship this season, knocking off defending champion Carver and No. 1 seed Madison Prep on its way to winning the Division II Select title.

Legendary coach Charles Smith has been a part of all 10 of those championships, the first of which dates back to his time as an assistant in 1979 and the last nine with Smith as head coach. 

Smith, 74, is coaching in his sixth decade, beginning in 1975 as an assistant, and has been the Warhorses’ head coach for the past 39 years. 

During that time he has led some special squads, including two that finished with an unbeaten record, but he said this group was really special because the Warhorses overcame missing the playoffs three seasons ago due to ineligible players and clawed their way back to the top.

Senior Jordan Mathews was one of the Warhorses’ stars, and his versatility shined when the lights were brightest. The 6-foot-5 senior started at center and helped man the post on defense, but he also could step out on the perimeter and play point guard, as he did down the stretch of the state championship victory over Madison Prep. 

For their achievements this season, Mathews was selected as the Outstanding Player and Smith as Coach of the Year for the Rapides Parish Journal’s All-Parish Boys Basketball Team. 

Mathews stood out amongst a crowded field that included Alexandria Senior High’s Jaylin Johnson, Buckeye’s Blane Parish and Pineville’s Javonte Thomas. 

A clear-cut favorite emerges many seasons as the best player in the parish or region, but that wasn’t the case this year, as opinions varied about whether Mathews was even the No. 1 option for a veteran and balanced Warhorse squad. 

Mathews was Peabody’s leading scorer (16.3 points per game) as one of four players to average double figures, and he was second on the teams in rebounds (11.0) and blocks (2.7). 

He didn’t win the District 2-4A MVP award, though. That honor went to his teammate, junior Rashad Mitchell, and the Warhorses had another senior post player who averaged a double-double in Justin Burns (14.7 ppg, 14.2 rpg). 

Still, when crunch time arrived, it was Mathews who demanded the ball and raised his level of play. 

It was Mathews whom Smith trusted to run the offense and make the right plays. 

It was Mathews who tied the game late in overtime with two clutch frees and then made an important steal to set-up Zaydrien Sewell’s game-winning 3-pointer. 

It was Mathews who earned the Most Outstanding Player award of the state championship game after scoring 12 points and grabbing 14 rebounds in the win over Madison Prep. 

So it was Mathews who stood out among his own worthy teammates and competition from the parish’s other top players. 

Kedric Smith, Charles Smith’s son and associate head coach, said Mathews’ size, versatility and basketball IQ set him apart from others.

“Jordan’s versatility was really important,” he said. “When you have someone with his combination of size and basketball IQ, his ability to understand time, score and situations, and to handle the basketball like Jordan Mathews does, it gives you confidence as a coach.”

Mathews said he felt a lot of pressure to finish his career with a state title because the Warhorses hadn’t won one since he was in eighth grade. He said it was special, not only for himself, but for all of his teammates as well to win the championship.

When the game was on the line, Mathews said he told coaches he wanted the ball and they trusted him enough to put it in his hands. 

“When the game is on the line, I’ve got to make something big happen,” Mathews said.

Smith, meanwhile, received the award over heavy consideration for Pineville’s Chad Sears, who led the Rebels back to the state semifinals for the first time since 1990, and Buckeye’s Morey Skluzacek, who guided the Panthers to an historic 25-game winning streak to start the season and a 27-5 overall record. 

The 2023-24 version of the Peabody Warhorses wasn’t the most talented one that Smith had coached. They didn’t have great size on the perimeter, a dominant big man, or a ton of depth. 

The Warhorses lost at ASH in early December, always an eye-opening result when Peabody loses to a fellow Rapides Parish squad, and then again to Captain Shreve 10 days later. 

They dropped an overtime heartbreaker to Trinity (Kentucky) in the finals of the Allstate Sugar Bowl National Prep Classic in January and then lost to state champions Liberty, Ponchatoula and Wossman late in the season. 

But Smith kept the Warhorses focused on the main goal, centered around their signature hard-nosed defense. They earned another trip to Lake Charles with playoff wins over John F. Kennedy and L.B. Landry, and won their first state title since 2020 by knocking off two nemeses, avenging last year’s semifinal loss and preventing a three-peat by Carver and then defeating Madison Prep, which beat Peabody to win the title in 2018.  

Kedric Smith said even after so many years, his dad’s competitive fire remains as does his desire to make an impact on young men.

“What’s special about Dad is that he truly believes in molding these guys not only as basketball players but also as good people and good citizens,” Kedric Smith said. 

2023-24 RAPIDES PARISH JOURNAL ALL-PARISH BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM

Outstanding Player: Jordan Mathews, Peabody
Coach of the Year: Charles Smith, Peabody

FIRST TEAM

Jaylin Johnson, Sr., ASH – The 6-3 senior guard led the Trojans to the District 2-5A championship, earning district MVP, and the Division I Select quarterfinals by averaging 11.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.3 steals per game. 

Jordan Mathews, Sr., Peabody – The 6-5 forward and All-Parish Outstanding Player averaged a double-double for the season with a team-leading 16.3 points and 11 rebounds per game while also blocking 2.7 shots per contest on his way to earning a spot on the District 2-4A first team and as a member of the Louisiana High School Basketball Coaches Association all-star team. 

Rashad Mitchell, Jr., Peabody – The Warhorses’ 5-10 point guard emerged as their leader late in the regular season and earned the District 2-4A MVP award, averaging 11.3 points per game. 

Blane Parish, Sr., Buckeye – A dominant big man for a Panthers team that ran off 25 straight wins to start the season, the 6-7 center averaged a double-double with 14.9 points and 11.9 rebounds per game while patrolling the paint on defense with 2.6 blocks per game.

Javonte Thomas, Sr., Pineville – Another dominant post player who excelled defensively, the 6-6 center averaged a double-double on the season with 13 points and 11 rebounds per game. The District 2-5A first-team and LHSBCA all-star selection shot 62 percent from the field and blocked three shots per game. 

SECOND TEAM

Keldrick Bowers, Sr., Tioga – The only senior on an extremely young but improving Indians team averaged 14.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.6 steals and 2.1 assists on his way to being a District 2-4A second-team selection. 

Justin Burns, Sr., Peabody – The 6-5 post player and LHSBCA all-star averaged a double-double on the season with 14.7 points, 14.3 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per game on his way to being a District 2-4A first-team selection.

Kylan Edwards, Sr., Pineville – The senior guard helped lead the Rebels back to the state tournament for the first time since 1990 by averaging 13 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals per game while shooting 40 percent from 3-point range and earning a spot on the District 2-5A second team. 

Evyn Goree, Sr., Pineville – One of the three Rebels to average 13 points per game, the 6-1 guard was a District 2-5A second-team selection after averaging six rebounds, four assists and three steals per game and helping the Rebels back to the state semifinals for the first time since 1990. 

Jordyn Johnson, Jr., ASH – The younger of the Trojans’ standout Johnson brothers is one of the best scorers in the parish, finishing the season with 11.2 points and 2.9 rebounds per game and receiving District 2-5A honorable mention. 

BEST OF THE REST 

Nathan Fee, Jr., Plainview
Robert Garland, Sr., Peabody
Kaydhn Hardie, Fr., Tioga
Gavin Hoffpauir, Jr., Buckeye
Isaiah Jones, Jr., Peabody
Karson Mabou, Sr., Buckeye
Malik Marzett, Sr., Pineville
Jahari McCoy, So., Northwood-Lena
Christopher Newton, Sr., Rapides
Chavez Whitehead, Sr., ASH

Rapides Regional Medical Center recently held a celebration in honor of ENT Surgeon Christian Wold, M.D., for completing his 100th Inspire implant case at Rapides Regional Medical Center. Inspire is a mask-free solution for people with obstructive sleep apnea. Dr. Wold performed his first Inspire case at Rapides Regional in 2019.

Arrests are accusations, not convictions. 

March 24

Frederick Gaines, 48, Alexandria — obstruction/evidence tampering, resisting, $10,500;

Dejanna Smith, 24, Alexandria — aggravated battery, aggravated assault home invasion, obstruction public highway, criminal conspiracy, $6,509 bail. 

This date: 13 bookings, 3 of which included one or more contempt counts. 

Arrests are accusations, not convictions.

March 24

Jaquarius Ellis, 25, Alexandria — possession, domestic abuse battery, aggravated criminal damage, battery of dating partner, $5,500 bail;

Daniqua Felton, 29, Alexandria — possession 3 counts, paraphernalia, resisting, criminal trespass, $13,500;

Jeremy Williams, 30, Alexandria — possession, felony flight, obstruction/evidence tampering, $21,000 bail.

Louisiana State University of Alexandria is proud to announce the recipients of the distinguished Howard and Eloise Mulder Endowed Scholarship for the freshmen class of 2024. Four exceptional students have been named Mulder Scholars, a title that comes with a $20,000 scholarship distributed over four years to support their educational journey at LSUA.

The Mulder Scholarship, funded by the generous donation from the estate of Howard and Eloise Mulder, recognizes outstanding students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and community service. The Mulders, who were founding members of the LSUA Foundation and served on its Board of Directors for eight years, have left a lasting legacy through their support of education. In 2001, they were posthumously honored with the LSUA Distinguished Service Award, the highest accolade granted by the University.

2024 Mulder Scholars

Leah Buller will graduate from Pineville High School, where she has maintained honor roll status each year and completed six dual enrollment courses. Leah has demonstrated a strong commitment to her community through extensive volunteer work, including her service at the Central Louisiana Food Bank and her church. Her involvement in varsity cheerleading, Key Club, and the Buddy Club showcases her well-rounded character and leadership skills.

Abdul Hadi is set to graduate from Carbondale Community High School in Illinois, having previously attended North Allegheny High in Wexford, Pennsylvania. Abdul has been an active member of his community, particularly in his roles within the Muslim Student Association and Key Club, where he contributed significantly to service activities assisting Afghan refugees in Pittsburgh. His academic achievements have earned him honors from his high school and the National Speech and Debate Association.

Canaan Hoosier, soon to be an alumnus of Buckeye High School, has excelled academically while engaging in Advanced Placement and dual enrollment courses. His dedication to community service is evident through his volunteer work with the Youth Conservation Corps, The Arc Rapides, and the Louisiana Ornithological Society, among others. As a captain of the Buckeye powerlifting team and a leader in various student organizations, Canaan embodies the qualities of a Mulder Scholar.

Jaycie O’Conner will graduate from Vinton High School with an impressive portfolio of leadership and service. Committed to playing softball at LSUA, Jaycie aims to pursue a pre-professional degree in Biology. Her roles as Vinton High Student of the Year, delegate to Louisiana Girls State, and captain of her softball team, along with her involvement in community and church activities, highlight her exceptional leadership and dedication to service.

LSUA is thrilled to welcome these four outstanding students to our community as Mulder Scholars. Their diverse talents, academic achievements, and dedication to serving others reflect the values Howard and Eloise Mulder championed throughout their lives. We look forward to supporting their educational pursuits and witnessing their continued success.

Congratulations to the finalists who also participated in the Mulder Scholarship on-campus event, including: Sarah Bennett (Fairview), Abby Lynn Chumbler (Stockton), Alyssa Clinton (Buckeye), Dexter Compton, Jr. (Bunkie), Sydney Day (Denham Springs), Trevor Dooley (Loreauville), Kylie Dyer (Buckeye), Aalayna Edwards (Jennings), McKenzie Gillpatrick (Buckeye), Dulce Guerrero (Rapides), Kaitlyn Maxwell (Grant), Jackson Miller (Pine Prairie), Justice Sensebe (Red River Charter), Henry Sues (Alexandria), Ayla Zeibo (Bolton).

For more information, and to complete the application for the Howard and Eloise Mulder Scholarship, visit https://bit.ly/mulderscholarship.

Written by Adam Lord

Photo credit – Mira Parks

Image [L-R] – Abdul Hadi, Jaycie O’Conner, Leah Buller, Canaan Hoosier

Below are the results for the March 23, 2024 election.

Results not final until certified by the state.

District Judge – 9th Judicial District Court, ES 2, Div. D

Loren Lampart – 67% (7,141 votes) Winner
Allison “Allie” Paige Nowlin – 33% (3,583 votes)

Total Votes: 10,724
Unofficial Turnout: 17.0%

Ward 10 Recreation District – 5 Mills Renewal – BOC – 10 Yrs.

YES – 61% (1,311 votes) Passed
NO – 39% (832 votes)

Total Votes: 2,143
Unofficial Turnout: 16.2%

By JIM BUTLER

Two men charged in separate arrests last week are accused of complicity in two murders. 

The possible connection in the arrests of Jett Miller, 33, and Dominique Roland, 35, was reported by the Rapides Parish Journal on Wednesday.

The Sheriff’s Office issued a news release Saturday confirming Miller and Roland are charged with the same two second-degree murders and two attempted murders.

The victims, names not released, were found unresponsive when deputies were called to a house on Perkins Road about 11 p.m. March 16.

Two were dead and two sent to a hospital. Their condition was not known Sunday night.

Miller, who lives near the site of the alleged crimes, and Roland, who lives in Alexandria’s Airview Terrace, are held under bail settings of $3.5 million and $3.3 million respectively.

Arrests are accusations, not convictions. 

March 21

Anthony Brooks, 44, Alexandria — firearm possession by convicted felon 2 counts, illegal possession stolen firearm, possession with intent 4 counts, possession, paraphernalia, CDS in presence of person under 17, aggravated resisting with force or violence, contempt 2 counts, $129,500 bail;

Clint Ducote, 26, Pineville — firearm possession by convicted felon, theft of firearm, criminal damage, theft of motor vehicle, theft, burglary 10 counts, $71,500 bail. 

March 22

Stacey Robinson, 50, Alexandria — firearm possession by convicted felon 2 counts, theft of firearm 2 counts, theft, $50,500 bail.

March 23

Sheldon Franklin, 39, Alexandria — firearm possession by convicted felon, possession, CDS in presence of person under 17, resisting, child desertion, illegal possession is stolen things, $1,100 bail;

Dw’Lishia Rutledge, 31, Alexandria — aggravated assault with firearm, criminal damage, domestic abuse battery, $500 bail. 

Louisiana State Police Troop E responded to a one-vehicle crash on March 23 around 12:40 p.m. on Louisiana Highway 496 near Cooper Road.  This crash claimed the life of 61-year-old Maxwell Smith of DeRidder. 

The initial investigation revealed that a 2001 Harley Davidson motorcycle, driven by Smith, was westbound on Louisiana Highway 496. For reasons still under investigation, Smith failed to negotiate a left hand curve. As a result, the vehicle left the roadway, struck a curve warning sign, and sequentially ejected Smith from the vehicle.

Smith, who was wearing a non-DOT approved helmet, sustained severe injuries and was transported to a local hospital where he ultimately succumb to his injuries. Routine toxicology samples were collected and will be submitted for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.

Troopers encourage all riders to take an approved motorcycle safety course. These courses teach safe riding practices and help you apply safe riding strategies that can help reduce your chance of injury should a crash occur.

Making good choices while riding a motorcycle, such as never driving while impaired and obeying all traffic laws, can often mean the difference between life and death. If motorists witness hazardous situations they may dial *LSP (*577) to be connected to the nearest Troop to report that activity.

In 2024, Troop E Troopers have investigated 15 fatal crashes resulting in 17 fatalities.  

By JIM BUTLER

Chick-fil-A customers likely would vote yes on a request to be heard next week by the Alexandria Zoning Commission.

CFA Real Property 1 is seeking a special exception to its zoning restrictions to add parking spaces.

Fans of the chicken outlet and those just driving by are very much aware of traffic and parking issues at the Jackson Street and MacArthur Drive site.

The owners want to add 11 parking spaces but that would put the number beyond the maximum required by zoning. A special exception is required to permit the excess.

Those of a certain age recall parking and traffic issues at the corner in question since the time the city’s then-only McDonald’s was located there.

Another request before the Commission is for a special exception to temporarily use for residential purposes property at 3419 Hynson. Johnnie DeRamus seeks that permission until future commercial development materializes. The property is zoned c-2 Commercial.

The Commission will meet at 4 p.m. April 8, hearing public comment on the requests at that time.

By PAITON HAGA

Will Cannon opened with a bang and held on through four rounds to capture the Coke Dr. Pepper Open All Pro Tour golf event concluding Saturday at Links on the Bayou in Alexandria.

The Birmingham, Ala., resident carded a first-round 62 to grab the lead and fought off challenges from there. On his heels throughout was Jake Doggett (Hutto, TX), but Cannon birdied the final two holes to card an 18-under par and earn the $20,000 winner’s purse.

He shot 262 (62-66-68-66) to hold off a charge from Jonathan Yoshihiro (Yorba Linda, CA), who closed with a 65, and Doggett, both at 15 under. Cannon had 21 birdies and an eagle during the four rounds, carding six birdies on Saturday.

Hunter Eichorn (Carney, MI) had Saturday’s low round, a 64, and climbed 17 places into a fifth-place tie.

Shreveporter Philip Barbaree Jr., a former LSU standout, was seventh with a 12-under 268 (65-66-69-68).

The weather for the final round provided the perfect backdrop for this intense competition, with clear skies and the warm sun shining down on the course.

As the championship drew to a close, organizers extended their heartfelt gratitude to Manna House, Walker GMC, Links on the Bayou, Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority, the City of Alexandria, and CLECO for their generous support.

The All Pro Tour now turns to the upcoming Coushatta Open in Kinder, set to commence Tuesday.

For full results of the Coke Dr. Pepper Open, visit this link: https://agpts.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/agpt24/event/agpt245/contest/1/leaderboard.htm

By BRET H. MCCORMICK, Journal Sports

Buckeye came up four points shy of bringing two trophies from the LHSAA State Powerlifting Championships back to Rapides Parish. 

The Panthers, led by six podium finishes, were the runner-up to state champion Church Point at Saturday’s Division III boys championships, while the Lady Panthers finished four points behind runner-up Church Point at Friday’s Division III girls championships. 

The boys compiled 38 points, 20 behind Church Point, while the girls tallied 35 points to finish behind champion Port Allen (45) and Church Point (39). 

Junior Matthew Ryland led the Panthers’ efforts by claiming the state title in the boys 198-pound weight class with a combined total of 1,430 pounds, including 550 pounds in the squat and 555 pounds in the deadlift. 

Sophomore Bryce Warthen (123-pound weight class, 920 pounds) and senior Canaan Hoosier (165, 1,255) earned silver medals for the Panthers, while sophomore Drake Sellers (114, 735) senior Kain Deville (220, 1,425) and senior Alex Ryder (242, 1,425) finished third. 

Senior Kylie Dyer and junior Madelyn Marcotte both earned gold medals for the Lady Panthers on Friday. Marcotte totaled 575 pounds to win the girls 97-pound weight class, while Dyer lifted a total of 850 pounds to win the 132-pound class. Dyer set a state composite record with a 215-pound bench press. 

They were joined on the podium by four teammates. Kaylee Rayburn (105, 535), Maggy Ducote (148, 825) and Andrea Saucier (181, 820) brought home silver medals, while Rosalee Richey (165, 785) earned a bronze medal. 

“Both teams persevered and put into practice everything they were taught,” said Buckeye coach Lacey Hoosier, who plans to step away from powerlifting with the graduation of her son, Canaan. “We fought hard and were a well-disciplined team. I am extremely proud of them, and we are proudly bringing home the title of State Runner-Up for Division III, which is a huge feat with such a strong group of competitors.”

Peabody and Tioga finished third and fourth overall at Friday’s Division II Girls State Championships. Peabody, led by three third-place finishes, racked up 18 points, while Tioga scored 16 points behind two gold-medal winners. 

Two Tioga juniors led the Lady Indians by finishing at the top of the podium. Cassidy Vickers won the 97-pound weight class with a total of 510 pounds, while Tamiyah Howard was the 181-pound class winner with a total of 870 pounds, including a division state record of 405 pounds in the deadlift. 

Peabody junior Jakyre Richard (105, 615), senior Matajah Peterson (114, 605) and senior Kaasia Kirk (Super Heavyweight, 835) all won bronze medals for the Lady Warhorses. 

Tioga scored 24 points to finish third in the Division II boys team standings on Saturday. 

The Indians were led by three podium finishers. Junior Ryan Reynolds finished second in the 220-pound class with a total of 1,435 pounds. Seniors Carter Jolly (275, 1,310) and Gus Soto (Super Heavyweight, 1,365) both earned bronze medals. 

Peabody senior Latavion Bullitts finished second in the 132-pound class with 1,040 pounds as the Warhorses finished 13th in the team standings. 

Pineville senior McKinzley Thomason was named the Most Outstanding Lifter for the Light Platform (97- to 148-pound weight classes) and set a state composite record with 860 pounds to win the Division I girls 123-pound weight class. Thomason also set a Division I state record with a 340-pound squat. 

Fellow senior Aniyah Dorn won the 165-pound weight class with a total of 930 pounds, while senior Emma Deouch (123, 700) and junior Margaret Bordelon (132, 810) earned bronze medals to pace the Lady Rebels to a fourth-place finish with 22 points. 

ASH also tallied 22 points to finish fifth, and the Lady Trojans were led by gold-medal winner Isabella Rachal. A senior, Rachal compiled 910 pounds to win the 148-pound weight class. 

The Lady Trojans also had three third-place finishers: senior Makayla Dangerfield (181, 855), junior Paris Logan (198, 855) and junior Jazmyn Lavalais (220, 945). 

Rapides sophomore Keyshon Byrd was the only parish lifter to make the podium during Wednesday’s Division IV and V boys meet. Byrd claimed a third-place finish in the 275-pound weight class with a total of 1,235 pounds.

Byrd’s third-place finish helped Rapides tie for 10th place in the Division V boys team standings, while Northwood-Lena finished in 13th place. Glenmora finished 16th in the Division IV boys team standings. 

Glenmora senior Marissa Hall finished third in the Super Heavyweight division at Thursday’s Division IV girls meet with a total of 760 pounds, helping the Lady Wildcats to a 10th-place finish in the team standings. 

By RON HIGGINS, Journal Sports

BATON ROUGE – After the first 21 minutes of Sunday’s NCAA Tournament second-round regional women’s basketball game between No. 3 seed LSU and No. 11 seed Middle Tennessee in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center, it finally happened.

The hurricane known as the defending national champions blew ashore.

“Mikaylah (Williams) started doin’ Mikaylah things,” LSU sophomore guard Flau’jae Johnson said, “Nees (Aneesah Morrow) started doin’ Nees things, Hailey (Van Lith) lockin’ up their best player, Angel (Reese) doin’ Angel things. . .everything went how it supposed to go.”

Johnson, Reese, Morrow and Williams combined for 47 of the Tigers’ 51 second-half points as LSU flipped a 9-point deficit just a minute into the second half into an 83-56 victory over the Blue Raiders to advance to the Sweet 16.

LSU will likely play next Saturday in the Albany Regional 2 semifinals against the winner of Monday’s UCLA-Creighton game. Sweet 16 game schedules will be set no later than Tuesday morning.

The Tigers’ smothering second-half defense – they limited Middle Tennessee to 27.6 percent from the field (8 of 29) and forced 9 turnovers leading to a 16-0 whitewash in points off turnovers – ignited LSU after it exited the first half trailing the Conference USA champions 36-32.

“I thought our energy, I thought our aggressiveness, I thought our effort in the second half wore them (MTSU) down,” said LSU’s Kim Mulkey, whose team improved to 30-5, her 12th 30-win season in 24 years as a head coach. “Even when they got good looks, they didn’t make them. We rebounded better. We helped each other defensively better. We were running in transition at all positions in the second half.”

Johnson had 21 points and Morrow had 19 points and 13 rebounds. Both kept the Tigers from going completely under in the first half.

LSU forward Angel Reese stumbled through a first half scoring just 6 points and missing 5 layups. She scored 14 in the second half to finish with 20 points and 11 rebounds.

“My coach pulled me aside and said `I need you, Angel,’ and I didn’t want to let her down at that point and my teammates,” Reese said. “I had to get down and be the (SEC) Player of the Year, I’ve got to do what it takes defensively and offensively. I’ve got to duck my head down and get in the paint.”

Bossier City native Williams, the SEC Freshman of the Year, seemed fully healthy after foot problems caused her to miss the last three of four games before the NCAA tourney. She scored 16 points (including 2 of 5 3-pointers) and grabbed 6 rebounds.

“Everybody was on at the same time,” Williams said of the Tigers’ second half. “That’s a scary LSU team when everybody is defending, everybody is rebounding and everybody is running in transition.”

Middle Tennessee, which had a 20-game win streak snapped, was as good as advertised. The Blue Raiders (30-5), who beat Tennessee by 11 points in December, weren’t fazed by the crowd of 12,632 proving LSU a huge homecourt advantage.

They stayed disciplined in their offense to the end, an attack orchestrated by MTSU senior guard Savannah Wheeler. Conference USA Player of the Year Wheeler had 21 points (on 8 of 24 field goals including 1 of 8 3’s) and 7 assists.

She was guarded mostly by Van Lith and Last Tear-Poa, and some by Johnson, who told her teammates at halftime they “have to cut the head off the snake” referring to Wheeler.

“They run a lot of stuff through her,” Van Lith said of Wheeler. “She’s like Steph Curry. She never quits moving. Even when she gives the ball up, she’s coming off two down screens. Our post players did a great job of helping guard the ball screens. Our defense catapulted everything in our second-half run.”

The Tigers also feasted on the Blue Raiders’ lack of depth in the second half. LSU’s transition offense and more aggressive mindset forced 18 Middle Tennessee State fouls in the final 20 minutes when LSU made 22 of 30 free throws.

The Blue Raiders, who previously had four players foul out a combined seven times this season, had starters Ta’Mia Scott, Anastasiia Boldyreva and Courtney Whitson foul out against the Tigers. LSU made 26 of 37 free throws on the day while Middle Tennessee was 6 of 9.

While Blue Raiders’ head coach Rick Insell wasn’t happy about the free throw discrepancy, he was thoroughly impressed with LSU.

“If they decide to play the rest of the year like they did the second half, they’re going to be tough,” Insell said. “I’ve watched them play a lot. I’ve watched a lot of film on them. That second half was about as good as I’ve seen them play this year.”

“If they decide to do that, they’re going to have another chance to hang another flag up. They got good players. They got a good coaching staff. They got what it takes.”

Contact Ron at ronhigginsmedia@gmail.com

By BRET H. MCCORMICK, Journal Sports

Alexandria Senior High remained unbeaten during the outdoor track season as the Trojans and Lady Trojans swept their fourth straight meet by winning Ruston’s Hoss Garrett Relays on Thursday. 

The Lady Trojans racked up 129.5 points to easily outpace the host school for the girls team title, while the Trojans scored 105 points to finish more than 20 points ahead of runner-up Tioga. 

ASH had two MileSplit elite performances at the meet. Hunter Rivet won the discus with a throw of 161 feet, 6 inches as the top individual performance for the Trojans, while Raegan Malone outdueled Ruston’s Parker Nations in the 1,600 meters, winning by 1.65 seconds in a time of 5:12.01. 

Menard’s A’Shyria Burns (100 meters, 12.22) and Cami Harrison (pole vault, 11-0) also turned in elite performances on the girls’ side, while Tioga’s Max Kadrmas ran 39.22 to finish second in the 300-meter hurdles. Kadrmas also finished second in the 110 hurdles (15.41). 

ASH senior Jeremiah Jeffers-Wright (48-1) and Rivet (46-10) finished 1-2 in the boys shot put, while sophomore Omar Isa (1:58.17) edged Pineville senior Justin Descant (1:58.54) to win the boys 800 meters. 

ASH seniors Jakyra Edwards (25.28) and Brea Woods (34-8) won the girls 200 meters and shot put, respectively, while the Lady Trojans swept all four relay races.

Tioga senior Jacorian Norris (44-2) won the boys long jump ahead of ASH junior Marquis Butler (43-9). 

Burns and Harrison finished first and third for Menard in the 100-meter hurdles and triple jump as they combined to score 52 points for the third-place Lady Eagles. 

WARDEN SHINES IN FIRST START: LSU-Alexandria signee Matt Warden gave up just two hits in nine shutout innings in the first start of his career Saturday as Pineville snapped an eight-game losing streak and swept a doubleheader against Ruston. 

A senior catcher/outfielder, Warden had not pitched in three weeks and had been limited to being a designated hitter after breaking his left thumb while catching, but he showed no signs of rust in his return to the mound. 

Warden, who had made four relief appearances before Saturday’s start, ended up with a no-decision as the Rebels won 1-0 on a 10th-inning walk-off single by Aiden Ordner that scored Cohen Hardy from second. Decker Smith, who had two of the Rebels’ five hits in the game, earned the win with one scoreless inning of relief. 

The Rebels (3-14) won the first game of the doubleheader 3-2 in nine innings on a walk-off wild pitch as Hardy scored from third base in the bottom of the ninth. Sophomore Garrett Jackson tossed four scoreless innings of relief to pick up the win. 

LADY EAGLES’ STREAK HITS EIGHT: The Menard Lady Eagles went 3-0 last week and ran their winning streak to eight games with a District 4-2A win over Oakdale and a Saturday home sweep of Oak Hill and Anacoco to improve to 12-10 on the season. 

Sophomore Kaylee Methvin has gone 7-0 in the circle during the winning streak, starting six of the eight games. Methvin, senior shortstop Emily DeSelle, junior third baseman Sophie Giordano and eighth-grade catcher Kate Perrotti have all homered during the streak. 

DeSelle leads the Lady Eagles with five home runs on the season, while Giordano has three. 

With just over two weeks remaining in the regular season, the Lady Eagles have eight games left on the schedule, beginning with a home showdown against Buckeye on Monday, as they try to climb higher than their current No. 7 spot in the Division III Select power ratings.

SOFTBALL STANDINGS SHAPING UP: While Buckeye (15-6) already wrapped up the District 2-3A softball title, other district races are coming into a clearer picture. 

Menard is undefeated at 4-0 in District 4-2A with a one-game lead over Rosepine and Oakdale and a win over each. The Lady Eagles play both again next week. 

Tioga (16-5) lost its District 2-4A game against Grant, 15-8, and sits in second place, one game behind the Lady Cougars. They finish district play at home Tuesday against Franklin Parish, while Grant needs to beat Peabody on Tuesday to wrap up the district title.

ASH (13-12) is 4-2 in District 2-5A, in second place, two games behind West Ouachita. Pineville (13-11) picked up its first district win over West Monroe last week, but at 1-5 has been eliminated from contention for the district title. 

Grace Christian (15-4) is unbeaten in District 5-B at 4-0, winning those games by a combined score of 52-1. In 18 starts this season, junior pitcher Rylee Guillot has compiled an 11-4 record with a 1.41 ERA and 134 strikeouts in 84 ⅓ innings. 

The Lady Warriors saw their 10-game winning streak snapped by a 2-0 loss to Pineville on Saturday. 

Arrests are accusations, not convictions.

March 21

Richard Williams, 40, Pineville — domestic abuse battery child present, false imprisonment 2 counts, $60,000 bail.

This date: 21 bookings, 6 involving at least 1 contempt charge.

March 22

Troy Johnson, 26, Alexandria — accessory after fact, contempt, $500.

This date: 12 bookings, 4 of which involved at least 1 contempt charge.

March 23

Todd Shelby, 55, Pineville — theft of motor vehicle, no bail set. 

This date: 11 bookings, 2 of which involved at least  1 contempt charge.

Arrests are accusations, not convictions.

March 22

Trakel Deal, 27, Alexandria — possession, felony flight, careless operation, suspension/revocation, tint violation, $31,200;

Lucas Hubbard, 40, Pineville — possession, $2,500 bail;

Anthony Lewis, 31, Alexandria — possession, illegal possession stolen things, $10,500 bail;

Corey Loucious, 43, Pineville  — possession, paraphernalia, failure to secure registration, failure to change driver’s license address, no insurance, no signals, running stop sign, failure to appear 2 counts, $4,219.50 bail;

Kenneth Page Jr., 41, Alexandria — possession, contempt, $5,000 bail;

Taylor Simmons, 32, Jena — possession 2 counts, paraphernalia, CDS in presence of person under 17, $1,000 bail;

Tracey Wilbanks, 46, no address — possession, paraphernalia, criminal trespass, $3,000 bail. 

March 22

Aubry Blue, 40, Lecompte — possession, CDS in presence of person under 17, no driver’s license, tint violation, $10,700 bail.