Each week, the Rapides Parish Journal’s always-hungry reporter visits a different restaurant and tells you about the experience.

By ANON E. MUSS

It’s hard to get excited about restaurants that are in strip centers.  The exterior rarely ever gives you any idea about what the restaurant is like on the inside, how big the restaurant is, what kind of food it serves, or what the price point will be. At least with the restaurant located at 5803 Coliseum Blvd., Ste H, in Alexandria, you know what kind of food to expect when dining there as the name gives it away. Le Bistreaux Coffee & Waffle Bar is a quaint restaurant with touches of French decor and checkerboard tables.

My wife and I stopped in recently for brunch after realizing that the bar-b-que restaurant on the other end of the strip center would not be open for another 20 minutes.  We had eaten at Le Bistreux once before for breakfast so we knew we would be in for a good meal. Even though it was well past the normal hours for breakfast, most of the tables were occupied by families and groups of college-age people. Some folks were playing checkers on their table while they waited for their food to be delivered to the table.

Le Bistreuaux has a large selection of waffles to choose from as well as omelets, scramblers, smoothies and coffee drinks.  The menu is more limited If you are in the mood for brunch.  On this outing, my wife chose to order the Original Breakfast Combo with sausage.  The meal included choice of meat (Black Forest ham, sausage or bacon) 2 eggs cooked to order, hash browns and a waffle.  The menu indicated that the price for her meal was $13.50. My wife opted for a glass of water to drink with her meal.  I chose the Monte Cristo Waffle (a waffle served with Swiss cheese, smoked turkey, Black Forest ham, jam & powdered sugar) with a side of fries off of the brunch menu. The menu indicated by the price for my meal was $16.50. I ordered a coke ($2.90) with my meal.  Le Bistreaux serves bottled drinks so there are no free refills as would be customary with fountain drinks. Water is offered complimentary but the glass is very small and requires multiple trips to the water dispenser.

While both my wife and I enjoyed our meals as the food was well-prepared, had good flavor and was filling, we did experience sticker shock once we had time to sit down and look at the bill.  With tax our total came to $38.04. Even though Swiss cheese was the second item listed in the description of my Monte Cristo, there was an additional charge of $0.20 for the Swiss cheese. My wife’s meal rang up at $15.00, more than 10% over the menu price. While these price discrepancies may seem minor to some, the costs really begin to add up for large families or folks on a tight budget. One good thing about Le Beistreaux is that, at least for now, they do not charge a convenience fee for those people using credit cards to pay for their meal.

I give Le Bistreaux three forks. We will return but probably only for special occasions.

Location: 5803 Coliseum Blvd., Alexandria, La.
Price: $15-$30 per person

Is there a restaurant you would like the Journal to visit? Email: Anon E. Muss

1 Fork: Would rather eat a box of dirt
2 Forks: Will return, but only if someone else is buying
3 Forks: Will return and look forward to it
4 Forks: Will return and go out of my way to do so

By RON HIGGINS, Journal Sports

DALLAS – Man, it was fun to watch.

Rewind to the 2022 football season when LSU true freshman outside linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. was like a tornado dropping from the sky, carving a path of destruction through SEC backfields.

It took eight starts for the Texas Tasmanian Devil to earn All-SEC and freshman All-America first-team honors.

His 13 tackles for loss, including 7½ sacks, resulted from lining up a superb athlete in space and telling him to tackle anybody who had the ball as quickly and viciously as possible.

Don’t think. Just sic ’em.

Like when he destroyed Arkansas with three sacks and three forced fumbles.

“One of my better performances,” said Perkins, who along with quarterback Garrett Nussmeier and tight end Mason Taylor represented LSU on Monday at the Omni Hotel for the start of the 39th annual SEC Media Days.

Then came last season, ending with a 10-3 record only because of the offensive brilliance of three first-round draft choices, including Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels.

But it was also one of the most colossal defensive horror shows in LSU football history, starting with then-defensive coordinator Matt House moving Perkins to middle linebacker.

It was as if Perkins’ natural talent was placed in witness protection. He looked slow and hesitant. He disappeared in a forest of 320-pound-plus offensive linemen. It wasn’t until after several games that House began moving Perkins around, getting him back in open space.

Perkins finished with 13 tackles for loss, including five sacks. Yet his only memorable play was an interception late in the first half at Missouri that led to a TD as LSU battled back from a 22-10 deficit for a 49-39 win.

“The decision to move inside wasn’t for me or anything else,” Perkins said. “It was the best decision that was needed for the team. You’ve just got to live and learn from it.”

Maybe so or maybe not.

One of the stunning revelations of LSU head coach Brian Kelly firing House and replacing him in January with Missouri D-coordinator Blake Baker was Baker immediately penciled in Perkins as a starting linebacker.

Huh? That’s like asking Perkins to break back into last year’s early-season prison.

“Harold was much more impactful as a pass rusher (as a freshman), somebody that was a situational player, and quite frankly maybe got a reputation as that,” Kelly said. “But that’s not who he is. He’s an every-down linebacker who can play inside and out, can run, obviously rush the passer, and tackle from sideline to sideline.

“The developmental process is coaches have to be able to see what he can do right now vs. what can he do as he develops, and then ultimately, what his position will be as moves to the next level.”

No one – Kelly, Perkins or Baker – has explained yet how Perkins will make a huge leap of improvement to suddenly play inside again among the behemoths who made him invisible.

Baker said in the spring he won’t anchor Perkins inside the defensive box for every snap.

“We’re not going to just put him in one spot and say `Hey, this what you’re gonna do,’’ Baker said. “We have to start him there and he’s got to get really good in the position. He also has the innate ability to come off the edge. He’s a really good blitzer. He’s really good in coverage. There’s not much that the guy can’t do.”

Perkins is counting on a slight weight gain, his increased film study and his copesetic working relationship with Baker to make his second shot playing inside a success.

“It’s football, so you can’t be a small guy running around,” said Perkins, who has raised his playing weight from 217 last season to 225. “I put on a few pounds of muscle. I like it. I feel bigger, faster and stronger.”

Perkins who admitted he “thought too much” last year as a middle linebacker, has realized knowledge is power. That’s why he’s been living in the film room.

“Every offense has an identity and has tendencies,” Perkins said. “You’ve got to know what you’re looking at. Once you lock into those tendencies, it’s easier to go out there and play. I’m trusting my instincts and what I’m capable of doing and trusting my teammates.”

Finally, there’s Perkins’ relationship with Baker, who served as linebackers coach on previous LSU head coach Ed Orgeron’s staff in 2021 but was not retained on Kelly’s first staff.

Baker had originally recruited for the Tigers when Perkins was rated the nation’s fourth-best high school player as a senior for Cypress Park (Texas) High.

“I fell in love with Coach Baker when he came to our first (LSU) practice wearing cleats,” Perkins said. “I liked that he was out there showing us what he wanted.

“He has that type of relationship with his players. He’s not talking about it. He’s being about it.”

Finally, Perkins believes he can shine as a middle linebacker.

“I’m confident Coach Baker can put me in the right position to make plays,” Perkins said. “At the end of the day, it’s a mindset thing. If you’re a dog, you’re a dog.

“When you play outside (linebacker), teams can run away from me. I love playing inside because they’re running at me.”

Contact Ron at ronhigginsmedia@gmail.com

By JASON PUGH, Northwestern State Sports Information Director

ARLINGTON, Texas – David Fry is still amazed by his journey from Northwestern State to the major leagues. So it’s even more surreal that 14 months later, he’s in Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game tonight.

The call that summoned Fry to join Cleveland in New York on May 1, 2023, was joined by another “holy cow” moment roughly 14 months later when the 2018 Southland Conference Player of the Year and All-American became the first former Demon baseball player to be selected to the All-Star Game.

He joins seven-time All-Star and National Baseball Hall of Famer Lee Smith – a former Demon basketball player – as NSU representatives at the Midsummer Classic, being played at 7 tonight in Arlington at Globe Life Field.

“It’s a similar feeling – they’re both awesome,” Fry said. “Getting called up, it’s very personal – just you and the Triple-A manager telling you you’re going up. The All-Star Game thing was so cool, being in the middle of the locker room and everyone going nuts. It was a cool feeling.”

The Guardians’ X (formerly Twitter) account posted videos of the team’s reaction to manager Stephen Vogt announcing Fry and teammate Josh Naylor’s selection as American League reserves.

Naylor and Fry will join three other Guardians – third baseman Jose Ramirez, closer Emanuel Clase and outfielder Steven Kwan – for tonight’s game. Fittingly, Kwan and Fry will make their first All-Star Game appearances together.

The two squared off in 2018 when Fry and the Demons traveled to Corvallis, Oregon, for the NCAA Regionals, hosted by Kwan’s eventual national champion Oregon State Beavers.

Ahead of the Guardians’ series-finale loss to Houston a year after he reached MLB, Fry was hitting .327 with 18 RBIs – and neither he nor the rest of the American League knew what was coming.

Across his final 56 at-bats of May, Fry homered seven times and drove in 18 runs while putting together a .375/.529/.768 slash line. Combined with the Guardians’ success in May, Fry saw his name appear alongside Babe Ruth and Barry Bonds for what he did in a 14-game span in May.

In that time, Fry joined the two legends as the only major leaguers with five or more home runs, 15 or more RBIs, 10 or more walks, three or more stolen bases, more home runs than strikes and 12 or more team wins in a 14-game stretch. The hot streak coincided with an injury to Kwan, which opened the door for the versatile former Demon to make his mark.

“That’s pretty wild,” Fry said. “I got more opportunities to play. It was one of those deals, talking with (his wife) Rebekah and I think (former NSU head coach Bobby) Barbier even said it when he was in town, I’m not sure I’ve ever had or will have another three weeks like that. It seemed like every ball I hit hard found a hole. Every ball I got jammed, it found a hole. If I hit it off the end of the bat, it found a hole. If I took a pitch on the edge of the strike zone, the umpire called it a ball. Everything was lining up.”

Fry’s versatility played a pivotal role in making his first All-Star team as his red-hot May with Kwan, an All-Star Game starter, out for most of the month kept the Guardians atop the American League Central.

“To see somebody who wasn’t supposed to make it to the big leagues but earns his way into an everyday role, and then is elected by his peers to go to the All-Star Game, I couldn’t be more proud of David,” Vogt told Cleveland.com. “It’s just such a great story.”

There is another level of greatness to Fry’s first All-Star Game – it comes less than 20 miles from his hometown of Colleyville, Texas, and from Grapevine High School where he played before signing with Northwestern State.

Being close to home – and the second-closest MLB park to Natchitoches – has allowed Fry to feel even more comfortable as a first-time All-Star.

“Rebekah and (the Frys’ daughter) Evelyn being there is going to be so cool, and having Evelyn on the field for the Home Run Derby (Monday night) is going to be so much fun,” he said. “My parents and my brother and his wife will be there.

“Some people around us – I got a text from (Northwestern State head baseball coach Chris) Bert(rand) on (Friday) night that he and his family are coming. Barbier and his dad are coming. High school coaches, high school teammates, college teammates, so many people are saying, ‘I know you’re busy, but I wanted to let you know we’re going to be there.’ The fact people – with whatever they have going on – they’re stopping it to come this game. That’s so cool – the amount of support we have around us and the good, genuine people who really care. It’s really, really cool to be part of.”

Fry will head into the second half of his first full season in the big leagues grateful and confident.

“There have been a bunch of crazy parts of it, but it’s been so much fun,” he said. “This team, every day you show up to the field, and you’re excited to play whether we won or lost the night before. It’s such a fun group, and everything’s worked out.

“It’s pretty obvious God’s been in control and has a plan, because so many things have happened as the year has gone on where things have lined up for me personally and for this team with the way we’ve had success. It’s been so much fun. This staff keeps us loose, and they’re fun to be around. They really care and keep it light. It’s an awesome group.”

Contact Jason at pughj@nsula.edu

Arrests are accusations not convictions.

July 11

Leonard Person, 53, Alexandria — OWI 2nd, careless operation, 11:14 pm, $1,600 bail;

John Vincent Jr., 58, Kaplan — OWI 1st, careless operation, tint violation, seat belt violation, 10:57 pm, $1,300 bail.

July 12

Brandon Morgan, 34, Pineville — OWI 2nd, improper lane use, 6:07 pm, $1,600 bail.

July 13

Evelyn Johnson, 53, Boyce — OWI 2nd, open container, careless operation, 11:33 pm, $1,700 bail.

Arrests are accusations not convictions. 

July 14

Anthony Lindsey, 45, Alexandria — domestic abuse battery strangulation, resisting with force and violence, intimidation/threatening public official, assault, $26,500 bail. 

This date: 13 arrests, 5 including one or more contempt counts. 

A winner will be selected by RRJ Management.  All decision are final, and contest rules can change without notice.

The Rapides Parish Journal and Hahn Roofing are giving you a chance to win pairs of tickets to the Mud Racing Nationals, Friday July 26, at the Rapides Parish Coliseum.

Registration begins Monday July 8.  The Rapides Parish Journal will select a winner after the registration closes Tuesday July 23.  The winner will be announced on Wednesday, July 24.

Register to win the tickets and receive a free lifetime subscription of the Rapides Parish Journal.

By Brad Dison

An Alexandria woman arrested in her home last week with about 1 ½ pounds of methamphetamines, digital scales and a variety of packaging materials is in jail after a three-month-long investigation, but facing only a $5,000 bail.

The July 9 arrest of Angie Kelly Strong, 62, of Simmons Street in Alexandria culminated a multi-jurisdictional investigation that began with a March 26 Crime Stoppers anonymous tip. After extensive investigative work, the Rapides Area Drug Enforcement (RADE) Unit obtained search warrants in early July for two Simmons Street addresses.

In Strong’s residence on July 9, she was found with the pound-and-a-half of meth and other items, and arrested. Two juveniles living in the home were released to family members.

She was charged with possession of CDS II (methamphetamines) with intent to distribute, with a “child endangerment” modifier based on the youths living in her home.

RADE involves 14 different law enforcement and investigative agencies in Rapides and Grant parishes.

By JASON PUGH, Northwestern State Sports Information Director

NATCHITOCHES – Alexandria native and ASH alumnus Carlos Treadway is among 16 top sports figures in Northwestern State’s history who will join the school’s N-Club Hall of Fame in October.

A two-time All-Southland Conference tight end, Treadway will receive the N-Club’s prestigious Distinguished Service Award. He has carried the NSU brand worldwide in his position as the Executive Vice President of Ford Credit and CEO of Ford Credit Europe.

Also entering the Hall on homecoming day Oct. 26 are a pair of track and field All-Americans, a two-time All-American linebacker and Southland Conference champions across a range of sports.

Linebacker Jamall Johnson is the seventh of nine Demon football players to earn multiple All-American honors, doing so in 2003 and 2004. He is joined in the induction class by fellow linebacker Kurt Rodriguez, who owns the school freshman record in tackles (111) and topped the 400-tackle mark in a three-time All-Southland Conference career.

Sprinter Edgar Cooper helped lead Northwestern State to a pair of conference championships and earned All-American honors in 1987 as part of NSU’s 4×100 meter relay team. He is one of two track and field All-Americans entering the hall, joined by javelin standout Samantha Ford Hatten, a 2003 All-American who twice qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

Inductees who captured Southland Conference team championships during their NSU careers are tennis’ Olga Bazhanova Moore, football wide receiver Nathan Black, men’s basketball’s Michael Byars-Dawson, women’s basketball’s Diamond Cosby, soccer’s Hillarie Marshall Coleman, softball’s Shannon Straty and baseball’s Troy Conkle and Brad Hanson. High jumper Janice Miller Moore, an individual Southland champion in her signature event, rounds out the 2024 competitive-ballot inductees.

Joining them for the induction are 2023 electees Gene Tennison (football) and Matt Donner (baseball).

Treadway will be the first Distinguished Service Award winner enshrined since 2020. He earned first-team All-Southland Conference and All-Louisiana honors as a senior and played seven games as a true freshman for the 1988 Southland Conference champions. He played in the Blue-Gray All-Star Game after his senior season in 1991.

Treadway caught 44 passes for 575 yards and four touchdowns in 39 career games and was named one of the 13 honorary captains on the 2007 All-Century Team. 

Treadway, who resides in London with his wife and son, will be the first Distinguished Service Award winner enshrined since 2020. He was inducted two years ago in the university’s Long Purple Line Alumni Hall of Distinction.

Johnson earned consecutive All-American honors in 2003 and 2004, collecting Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Year accolades as a senior in 2004 when the Demons captured the conference championship. He played 10 seasons in the Canadian Football League after signing a free-agent contract with the Cleveland Browns in 2005.

A four-year letterman who made started all 46 of his career games from 1999-2002, Rodriguez is the program’s third-leading tackler with 408 career stops and earned All-Southland Conference and All-Louisiana honors six times in his career.

Black, a two-time All-SLC pick, helped the Demons reach the FCS Playoff semifinals in 1998 and another playoff berth in 2001 while leaving as the school’s leader in career receptions with 109, a mark that remains sixth in program history. His 944 receiving yards during his senior year of 2001 stood as a school record for 17 years.

Cooper was a four-time all-conference sprinter who helped the Demon 4×100 relay team earn All-American honors in 1987. He also helped the Demons capture the 1985 Gulf Star Conference and 1987 Southland Conference team championships.

Hatten added to the lore of NSU throwers by qualifying for the NCAA Outdoor Championships on two occasions in the javelin, earning All-American honors in 2003. She also competed in the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials, finishing 11^th in her signature event.

Competing between that All-American pair, the then-Janice Miller was a decorated high jumper who nabbed the 1992 Southland Conference Outdoor high jump championship after a pair of runner-up finishes in 1989 and 1991.

Bazhanova Moore was a dominant piece of the NSU tennis program, captaining the team as a senior in 2012. A two-time All-Southland doubles player, Moore and her partner Adna Curukovic helped lead the Lady Demons to the 2010 Southland Conference regular-season and tournament championships and the first NCAA Tournament berth in program history.

Conkle was first-team all-conference in 1992 and 1993, hitting .343 with 11 doubles and 41 RBIs as the Demons captured the 1993 Southland Conference crown as part of a 40-14 season.

A career .374 hitter, which ranks second in school history, Hanson earned consecutive all-conference selections as an outfielder who also ranks fifth in school history with a .591 slugging percentage. After hitting .381 as a junior, Hanson batted .368 with seven home runs and 46 RBIs as a senior, helping NSU win the 2002 Southland Conference regular-season title.

Byars-Dawson earned All-Southland Conference honors in each of his two seasons at Northwestern State and was a leader on the 2000-01 Demon team that earned the school’s first NCAA Tournament berth. The Southland Conference Tournament MVP that year, Byars-Dawson led the Demons in scoring in both of his seasons, including a 15.8 points per game average in 2000-021.

Cosby, a Doyline product, was a two-time All-Southland selection, nabbing first-team honors in 2004-05, following a second-team berth for the 2003-04 league champions.  A prolific shooter who remains seventh in program history with 174 career 3-pointers, Cosby left as NSU’s all-time leader in free-throw percentage (82.3) – a mark that was sixth in SLC history and remains seventh currently.

Coleman was a four-time All-Southland Conference soccer selection, including three straight first-team nods to start her career.  Straty was the backstop and backbone of three straight Southland Conference softball championship teams in her final three seasons at NSU.  A three-time All-Southland pick – first-team in 1999 – Straty batted .302 for her career, which placed her fourth in school history at the end of her career.

Contact Jason at pughj@nsula.edu

Arrests are accusations not convictions.

July 11

Weapons

Gilbert Chaison, 53, Pineville — firearm possession by felon, probation violation, contempt 3 counts, $3,000 bail;

Brandon Whipple, 21, Alexandria — murder 2nd degree, probation violation, $1,000,000 bail;

Other

Derwin Buard, 27, Alexandria — unauthorized entry inhabited dwelling, criminal damage, $10,500 bail;

Kalvin Hackney Jr., 43, Pineville — domestic abuse battery child present, $1,500 bail;

Leland Hutto Jr., 19, Pineville — theft, resisting, contempt, $26,000 bail;

Kentroy Jackson, 28, Marksville — 1st degree rape 2 counts, criminal conspiracy, $225,000 bail 

This date: 22 arrests, 9 including one or more contempt counts.

July 12

Weapons

Robert Swafford, 19, Alexandria — murder 2nd degree, $1,000,000 bail;

Other

Mary Bass, 35, Glenmora — stalking, unlawful communication, obstruction of highway, $3,500 bail;

Jesse Brown III, 25, Alexandria — domestic abuse battery, obscenity 2 counts, criminal damage, contempt 2 counts, $27,500 bail;

Erik Johnson, 45, Pineville — indecent behavior with juvenile, sexual battery, contributing to delinquency, no bail set;

Monica Mercer, 33, Ball — aggravated assault, domestic abuse battery, $1,000 bail.

This date: 26 arrests, 17 that include at least contempt count.

July 13

Weapons 

Donald Dotson, 42, Alexandria — firearm possession by convicted felon, operating vehicle under suspension, driving left of center, contempt, $1,600 bail;

Brandon Wright, 39, Pineville — firearm possession by convicted felon, firearm with drugs, possession with intent, possession, tint violation, switched MVI, no driver’s license, contempt, $4,800 bail;

Other

Sabrina Hines, 33, Pineville — aggravated domestic abuse battery child present, no bail set. 

This date: 17 arrests, 7 including one or more contempt counts. 

Arrests are accusations not convictions.

July 11

Eric Battle, 22, Alexandria — possession with intent, $500 bail;

Adriel Hester, 52, Elmer — possession with intent, suspension/revocation, $2,600 bail;

Marques Joseph, 29, Alexandria — firearm with drugs, possession with intent, possession 4 counts, $36,000 bail 

July 12

Willie Delrie III, 48, Colfax — possession, contempt, $7,500 bail;

Troy Hinkston, 23, Pineville — possession with intent, $500 bail;

Marler Johnson, 29, Alexandria— possession with intent, $500 bail;

Caleb Washington, 29, Colfax — possession, parole violations, contempt, $27,500 bail;

Deajah Winchester, 23, Alexandria — possession, contempt, $1,000 bail. 

July 13

Shae Parler, 28, Alexandria — possession, paraphernalia, $3,000 bail;

Marcus Taylor, 30, Alexandria — possession, felony flight, suspension/revocation, obstruction public highway, reckless operation, running stop sign, littering, no head light, speeding, $4,400 bail. 

NATCHITOCHES — The University of Louisiana System office and Northwestern State University officials have set the schedule for public interviews and forums next Tuesday on campus involving the final two candidates to take over as president of NSU.

Colorado educator Jose Cantu, a Houston native, and Louisiana Supreme Court Justice James “Jimmy” Genovese of Opelousas will visit Natchitoches and engage with NSU students, faculty and staff, the public and be interviewed by the NSU Presidential Search Committee.

All sessions are open to the public.

Cantu will begin his process at 8:45 a.m. in the Presidents’ Room of the Student Union with “Community Leaders and Alumni.” Genovese will follow at 9:45.

The NSU faculty and staff sessions in the Natchitoches Room of Russell Hall, the NSU business building near the three Columns, begin with Genovese at 8:45. Cantu is second at 10:45.

Students are invited to gather in the newest building on campus, the Jimmy Long Student Services Center, in the first floor First Year Experience Classroom (147). Cantu will visit at 9:45, with Genovese taking over at 10:45.

After lunch, the candidates will go through extended interviews with the search committee in the Magale Recital Hall. Cantu goes first at 1 o’clock. Genovese wraps up beginning at 2:30. Audience questions will be welcomed.

Afterward, the search committee will convene at 4 p.m., likely going into executive session to discuss the candidates. It is possible the committee will issue its recommendations later in a public before adjourning.

The process shifts to Baton Rouge next Thursday where the full ULS Board of Supervisors is expected to conduct its own interviews before choosing the new NSU president.

NSU’s CENLA Campus contributes to the overall education, development, and experiences of students by locally offering support services as well as courses through various delivery methods to include face-to- face, compressed video, and online delivery, which contribute to the workforce needs of employers and community.

The academic facility is located within the England Industrial Airpark in Alexandria.

Growing up, she was always busy, participating in dance, soccer and softball teams. She was even a cheerleader for a short time. So, when she found out that she had scoliosis and needed to undergo spine surgery, she thought it would delay, or even stop, many of her plans.

As a preteen, Allie noticed that her right ribcage poked out more than normal. She told her parents and they took her to a local doctor, who told her it was nothing alarming. The physician said she had a tiny curve in her spine, but that it was not in a concerning range that needed treatment. However, like most children, she became self-conscious about her physical differences.

“I became more aware of the fact that other people’s ribs were not protruding out of their shirts,” Allie said.

Allie remembers one night falling asleep as her mom scratched her back. She said her mom traced her spine with her fingertips, felt a curve, and immediately knew that something was wrong. The next morning at school, Allie’s mom asked the nurse to examine her, and the nurse concluded that Allie might have a severe case of scoliosis. She was then referred to Shriners Children’s Shreveport.

Allie said she knew nothing about scoliosis at the time of her diagnosis. Her questions were endless, from wondering if she would lose her ability to walk, to thinking she had some form of serious disease.

“The word ‘scoliosis’ was like Greek to me,” Allie recalled. “I immediately assumed the worst. The questions in my 12-year-old brain were never-ending.”

After her first appointment at the Shreveport facility, Allie remembers feeling like her life was over. The doctor told her that she would need to wear a back brace to try to prevent her spine curvature from increasing any more.

“Imagine telling a 12-year-old that she was going to have to wear a noticeable, uncomfortable back brace 23 hours a day,” she said. “I felt as if my life was over. I remember feeling embarrassed, ashamed and weird.”

Like most preteens, Allie attempted to argue with her parents about not wearing the brace, but she said it did not work. She ended up wearing the back brace for an entire year until the summer of 2017. Initially, she said the curve in her spine seemed to stop growing, and she remembers feeling relieved and thinking this part of her healthcare journey was over.

Allie would continue to attend her six-month checkups throughout 2018, but towards the end of that year, she remembers feeling like the curve in her spine was getting worse. Not wanting to undergo surgery, she kept her concerns a secret from her parents.

In January 2019, Allie and her mom returned to Shreveport for her usual six-month checkup and X-ray. After waiting longer than usual in the exam room for results, Allie said a doctor she never met came into the room to speak with them. In her mind, she already knew that the curve in her spine had gotten worse, and meeting a new doctor after so many checkups confirmed it.

Allie learned that her spine curvature had reached 53 degrees, which was in the range for treatment, and she would need to undergo spinal fusion surgery. Allie vividly remembers being “scared, overwhelmed and defeated” as her surgery was scheduled for that summer. She believed she would never be the same after getting two titanium rods placed in her back.

“I could not have been more wrong,” she admitted.

Allie remembers her pre-operation appointment being a “calming, reassuring and comforting experience” before a day that would be nerve-wracking for anyone, let alone a teenager. She said she was still unsure of the details of her surgery, but that all changed once she met with the child life specialist.

“I will never forget the ease she brought to me and my parents,” Allie said. “She took us into a room and explained the surgery day step-by-step. She made such an impact on my surgery experience.”

After tossing and turning all night, Allie returned to the Shreveport hospital for surgery early the next morning. She remembers the kind and caring medical staff greeting her with a personalized bedazzled hospital gown and warm smiles. “I remember already feeling taken care of even before my procedure occurred,” she said.

Things were no different following Allie’s surgery, as the Shreveport nurses and staff made sure her recovery was as comfortable as possible. She said that the most intimidating part of her recovery was walking for the first time following surgery, but “no matter what, the nurses were there.”

“Having spinal fusion surgery is not something anyone would ever want to go through,” Allie said. However, she said she is now grateful for her journey. “Shriners Children’s Shreveport gave me back the confidence that scoliosis tried to take away from me,” she said.

Today, Allie is a college junior majoring in biochemistry with a minor in psychology. After college, she wants to go to medical school and become a pediatrician. She hopes to provide the same level of care and impact to children’s lives that she received at Shriners Children’s Shreveport.

Holy Savior Menard alumnae Mackenzie Cox of Alexandria, a standout right fielder at Centenary College in Shreveport, was named to the 2024 All-Louisiana Softball Team selected recently by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association.

Cox, who earned a spot on the second team, had a stellar senior season and career with the Ladies. She landed on the All-Louisiana Team for the second time in her career after earning honorable mention in 2022. She was one of only five players from a non-Division 1 school to make the team. She prepped at Menard from 2016-20.

Cox was named to the 2024 NFCA Division III All-Region Team by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association last month as she became the first Centenary player to be named All-Region since 2018. She was first-team All-Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference, earned a spot on the 2024 SCAC Championship All-Tournament Team, and was named SCAC Hitter of the Week once during the season.

Cox was one of the top players this season in the conference and country’s Division III ranks as she led the SCAC in hits (61), runs (48), and triples (4), was second in total bases and walks, and third in batting average (.466), OBP (.541), and slugging (.618). She ranked in the top 20 in the country in hits and top 50 in batting average. Cox ranked second in the country in stolen bases (49) and was only caught four times. She posted 21 multi-hit games.

Louisiana Christian second baseman Olivia Coaker gave the Wildcats representation on the All-Louisiana second team, her second inclusion over the past three seasons.

Coaker, a senior from Orange Beach, Ala., can now lay claim to a quartet of honors that she has received since the end of the regular season, landing spots on the All-RRAC first team, RRAC All-Tournament Team, NFCA All-Region first team, and All-Louisiana.

The alum of Gulf Shores High School led the Orange and Blue with an OPS of 1.061, a .589 slugging percentage, as well as an .472 on-base percentage while occupying top 10 spots among the RRAC regarding double plays turned (7), on-base percentage, slugging percentage, plus sacrifice flies (2).

She logged ten multi-hit and nine multi-RBI outings in addition to a .389 batting average, 28 RBI, 16 walks, nine doubles, and a trio of homers during her 40-game campaign.

On the LSWA’s All-Louisiana Baseball Team announced recently, the RRAC Tournament champion LCU Wildcats received a pair of honorable mentions for standouts Braden Trull (designated hitter) and Tyler McKenna (catcher).

Trull, a redshirt freshman from Rosepine, was a member of the RRAC All-Tournament Team and was RRAC Player of the Week on March 11.

The six-foot, 235-pound slugger finished eighth in the league with 42 RBI and was ninth regarding both sacrifice flies (4) as well as hit-by-pitches (11).

He led the Wildcats on the base paths with a team-best 44 runs scored over 49 appearances (0.90 per game), collected multiple hits in 15 ballgames and multi-RBI outings 10 times while racking up an on-base streak of 14 in addition to a 12-game hitting string.

McKenna, a graduate student from Valrico, Florida, burst onto the scene in his debut season in Orange and Blue, winning RRAC Newcomer of the Year, landing on the All-RRAC first team and the All-RRAC Tournament Team capped by being named the RRAC Tournament MVP.

Falcon was one of the most feared hitters in the NAIA, ranking top-35 nationally in on-base percentage (.514) and batting average (.413) while pacing the Red River in the latter category.

Stealing on his powerful right arm proved to be a fool’s errand as he threw out the fifth-most base runners attempting to steal across the conference at a dozen.

Falcon topped the LCU clubhouse in nearly every offensive statistic including longest on-base streak (25), hitting streak (16), batting average, OPS (1.181), doubles (17), home runs (7), total bases (100), slugging percentage (.667), on-base percentage, and hit-by-pitches (13) while putting together 20 multi-hit affairs plus nine multi-RBI showings.

By DR. RUBY D. HIGGINS

Peabody High School basketball great Napoleon Johnson will be among 12 people honored Saturday at the annual Grambling Legends banquet, sold out inside the Frederick C. Hobdy Assembly Center on the Grambling campus.

Johnson’s life story exemplifies the power of perseverance, skill, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. From his early days in Alexandria, to becoming a basketball sensation on both national and international stages, Johnson’s journey is defined by remarkable achievements.

Born and reared in Alexandria, his basketball prowess began to shine during his tenure at Peabody Magnet High School. His exceptional talent quickly garnered attention, culminating in leading his team to the Class 3A state championship in 1979. Johnson’s stellar performance on the court at center earned him prestigious accolades, such as All-District and All-State honors, which set the stage for a remarkable career ahead.

After high school, Johnson continued his basketball journey at Grambling. His impact was immediate and profound, earning him recognition as a First Team All-SWAC player in 1983 and 1984. Johnson’s dominance extended beyond conference play, as he was named to the All-Louisiana Team in both years, solidifying his reputation as one of the top collegiate players in the region.

Johnson’s talent transcended collegiate boundaries when he was honored as a member of the All-South Team and received All-American accolades in 1984. His achievements were further underscored when he was named the Sports Illustrated Player of the Week in February of the same year, a rare and distinguished honor for a SWAC player.

Johnson’s professional career commenced with in the 1984 NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks, marking the beginning of a pro basketball journey that would take him across the globe, including stints in Israel, Italy, Finland, Belgium, and Spain.

His versatility and prowess on the court were evident as he consistently made an impact in every league he played, earning a reputation as one of the top Americans playing abroad.

His achievements off the court are equally impressive. Transitioning from professional sports, he ventured into the business world as an Independent Life Insurance Broker with Global Alliance. His dedication and business acumen led to numerous sales awards, including being named the Top Salesman in 2004. For over a decade, Johnson consistently ranked among the top four sales performers, a testament to his unwavering work ethic and commitment to excellence. In 2018, Johnson took a significant leap by establishing his own brokerage, expanding his reach across three states.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Johnson remains deeply involved in his community, particularly through his service with the music ministry at St. Matthew Baptist Church. His commitment to giving back reflects his belief in using his success to uplift and inspire others, demonstrating a profound dedication to his community.

Johnson’s journey from a high school standout to an international basketball star and successful entrepreneur is a testament to resilience, talent, and hard work. His story serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes and entrepreneurs alike, illustrating that with dedication and determination, one can achieve greatness both on and off the court. As Johnson continues to make strides in business and community service, his legacy remains a beacon of hope and possibility for future generations.

Johnson’s story is not just about his basketball prowess; it is also about his ability to adapt and excel in various fields. His transition from sports to business highlights a multifaceted talent and an indomitable spirit. The skills and discipline he honed on the basketball court translated seamlessly into his business ventures, where he continues to demonstrate leadership and a commitment to excellence.

In his role as an Independent Life Insurance Broker, success can be attributed to his keen understanding of the market and his ability to connect with clients on a personal level. His consistent performance and numerous awards in the sales industry underscore his business acumen and his relentless pursuit of success. Establishing his own brokerage in 2018 was a bold move that further cemented his status as a formidable entrepreneur.

Johnson’s involvement in his community, particularly through his work with the music ministry, showcases his dedication to giving back. His efforts to inspire and uplift others reflect a deep-seated belief in the power of community and the importance of helping others achieve their potential.

Napoleon Johnson exemplifies the qualities of a true champion — leadership, perseverance, and a commitment to excellence. His journey from a high school basketball star to an international athlete and successful businessman serves as a powerful reminder that with hard work and dedication, one can overcome obstacles and achieve remarkable success. As he continues to impact the world through his business and community efforts, Johnson’s legacy will undoubtedly inspire future generations to pursue their dreams with unwavering determination.