Megan Murray

The Tigers hosted the Braves for a battle of the two teams tied for second in the SWAC. It was a back-and-forth affair all game, but Alcorn State pulled away late, ending the game on a 9-3 run. Grambling falls at home for the first time this season, 63-60.

The Warhawks snapped a five-game losing streak in comeback fashion with a 69-65 win over South Alabama. ULM trailed by as many as 15 points, but the Warhawks outscored the Jaguars 23-9 in the fourth quarter to secure the victory. Emma Merriweather led the way with a double-double (15 points and rebounds) and added six blocks.

Union boy’s and girl’s basketball teams hosted Carroll on senior night. The Bulldogs dominated the Farmers, 73-54. Carroll’s Treylan Neal led all scorers with 27 points. The Lady Farmers completed a second half comeback and held on to defeat the Lady Bulldogs, 56-51. Union’s Shakira Miller scored a game-high 18 points.

Louisiana Tech hosted UAB for a rematch of last season’s Conference USA title game, and again the Blazers beat the Bulldogs, 81-74. Cobe Williams and Keaston Willis combined for 50 points, but UAB ended the game on a 19-4 run to secure the victory. After giving away a new car at halftime, La Tech legend and NBA Hall of Famer Karl Malone said, “I think they are just going to get better and better.”

ULM men’s basketball hosted Texas State in its last game of a season-long four game homestand. Behind Jamari Blackmon’s game-high 24 points, the Warhawks rally to beat the Bobcats, 61-58. ULM sweeps the season series and improve to 4-2 in Sun Belt play.

Wossman remains hot after being Bossier, 74-65. This weeks Aaron’s Ace, Antron Mason II, drops 32 points on the Bearkats. Both lady and men Carroll teams get the sweep on Sterlington. Lincoln Prep having a sneaky good season, they roll into Monroe and beat St. Frederick, 61-47.

Ruston boys’ basketball hosted Ouachita in a battle of top 10 teams in the Non-Select Division I power ratings. The Lions completed a comeback win to hand Ruston its second loss of the season, 57-56. Ruston and Ouachita girls’ basketball teams faced off in a battle of undefeated teams in District 2-5A play. Ruston defeated Ouachita, 48-41.

Ruston boys’ basketball improves to 18-1 and starts district play with a 65-41 win over West Monroe. Three Bearcats score in double figures (Aidan Anding-16, Braylan McNeal-13, Jay Lillard-11).

The Grambling men’s and women’s basketball teams hosted Florida A&M at the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center, and both squads improve to 3-1 in SWAC play. The Tigers beat the Rattlers, 62-57. Shawndarius Cowart led Grambling with 18 points, and Carte’are Gordon posted a double-double with a dozen points and rebounds. The Lady Tigers completed an overtime victory over the Lady Rattlers, 71-68. Leah Morrow led the way, tallying a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds plus seven steals.

The Warhawks hosted the Panthers at Fant-Ewing Coliseum for their home conference opener. ULM led by as many as 19 points and go on to defeat Georgia State, 66-58. Tyreke Locure led the Warhawks with a career high 25 points. ULM starts Sun Belt play 3-0 for the first time in 16 years.

Ouachita faced off against Rayville for its second game of the Don Redden Memorial Classic. The Lions defeated the Hornets, 59-44. Ouachita and Sterlington meet in the semifinals Friday at 6:40 p.m.

The Lady Techsters get their first home win since December 5th, 2022 over Rice, 79 to 74, the final. Tech jumped to an 18-point lead after the first quarter but the Owls kept clawing away at the lead but the Lady Techsters held on to win their second conference game of the season. Keiunna Walker finished with 26 points and 7 rebounds, a season high. On Saturday, Tech travels west to take on UTEP in a rematch where the lost, 62 to 54.

The 28th annual Don Redden Classic got underway at Ouachita Parish High School. The four-day, double elimination tournament features 10 teams this year, including six Ouachita Parish squads. Opening day action featured Carroll taking down West Monroe, Ouachita defeating St. Frederick, and Sterlington dominating Summerfield.

The Warhawks started Sun Belt play 2-0 for the first time since the 2020-21 season. ULM looks to continue its conference success at Fant-Ewing Coliseum Thursday against Georgia State, seeking its first 3-0 start to Sun Belt Conference play in 16 years.

The 2022 high school football season featured incredible feats of athleticism, record breaking performances, historic wins and displays of character and teamwork. As the new year starts, take a look back at the best moments from 2022.

The Warhawks and Lady Techsters ended the year at home, but both squads fall in hard fought games. ULM suffers its first Sun Belt loss, 59-49 against Georgia State. La Tech falls to 1-2 in Conference USA play with a 66-57 loss to Charlotte.

The final day of the 2022 Sidney Smith Invitational featured powerhouses Wossman and Ruston. The Bearcats continue the momentum from the win over the Wildcats with a 64-31 victory against Calvary Baptist. Wossman falls in its final game to Bonnabel, 54-49.

The Rebels hold on to beat the Tigers, 3-2. Neville’s Arnold Cruz and Ander Arana each scored a goal. Brendan O’Toole scored twice for West Monroe and Don O’Toole added the eventual game winning goal.

Louisiana Tech men’s and women’s basketball both pick up their first Conference USA wins with victories against UTSA. ULM women’s and men’s squads open Sun Belt play with wins against Arkansas State and Texas State, respectively. Grambling men’s basketball dominates North American, 101-42.

All the East All-Stars showed out at L.J. “Hoss” Garrett Stadium in Ruston to beat the West in the 6th annual I-20 Bowl, 28-10. Carroll’s Amareya Greeley won the MVP with two receiving touchdowns and one through the air. The East improves to 5-1 against the West in the I-20 Bowl.

Evangel’s boys soccer team won St. Frederick’s 17th annual Vacanza Classic, beating Union, 4-1. Sterlington and St. Frederick battled for bronze, and the Panthers beat the Warriors, 2-0.

Louisiana Tech women’s basketball fell to UTEP in its Conference-USA opener, 62-54. It was a back-and-forth game with eight lead changes and tied six times, but the Miners hit five free throws down the stretch to secure the victory.

The Warhawks dominated Lamar at Fant-Ewing Coliseum with an 83-59 victory. Tyreke Locure led the way with 17 points and seven assists. Jamari Blackmon was right behind with 16 points and three steals. ULM improves to 4-8 with its first win against a Division I opponent and will host Jacksonville Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. for the final game before conference play begins.

The Warhawks fell to Tennessee Tech at Fant-Ewing Coliseum, 83-59. Bre Sutton led ULM with 14 points and 7 rebounds. The Warhawks drop to 3-7 on the season and will face Alcorn State at home Monday at noon for the final game before conference play starts.

Louisiana Tech women’s basketball team dominated South Alabama in its non-conference finale, 73-50. Robyn Lee was one of four Lady Techsters to reach double figures, leading all scorers with a season high 16 points. Anna Larr Roberson tallied her fourth double-double of the season with 13 points and 15 rebounds. Keiunna Walker and Amaya Brannon added 13 and 12 points, respectively.

The Farmers fall one win short of the title, dropping the state championship game to top seeded Many, 35-13. Union kept it a one score game heading into the half, but the Tigers put it away with two fourth quarter touchdowns. Trey Holly and the Farmers finish as state runners-up for the third consecutive year.

The Bearcats put up a fight, but ultimately fell to Destrehan in the Non-Select Division I state championship, 17-10. Ruston added a field goal in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 10. With three minutes left in the game, Wildcats quarterback Jai Eugene tacked on a rushing touchdown. The Bearcats could not match, and their 13-win season ends as runners-up.

Oak Grove is celebrating its third state championship title in four years. Senior Kam Franklin was named the Most Outstanding Player. After the win, Head Coach Ryan Gregory got emotional talking about his state champion squad.

Trey Holly is preparing to put his Union jersey on one last time. The state’s all-time leading rusher takes time to reminisce ahead of Union’s Saturday state championship showdown with top seeded Many.

After four straight dome appearances, the Eagles are back as state champions for the first time since 2019 after beating Vermilion Catholic, 28-14. This is their eighth state title in school history and the sixth of the Steven Fitzhugh era. Senior quarterback Landon Graves finished with 211 yards through the air and three total touchdowns. Senior defensive back Broc Hogan also having himself a career night with two interceptions and six catches for 80 yards receiving, earning him the MVP award.

The Eagles are in the Superdome preparing to face top seeded Vermilion Catholic for the Select Division IV State Championship. OCS returns to the Dome for the fourth straight year, which Head Coach Steven Fitzhugh feels will give his team an advantage.

Behind an outstanding defensive performance by the Tigers that forced multiple turnovers, Oak Grove now takes home their third state title in four years. The defending 1A champs couldn’t hang with the Tigers as they failed to find the end zone once. This is Oak Grove’s 7th title in school history after beating Homer, 17-0.

The Bearcats were hungry for their first state title appearance since 1998. First, Ruston had to get past defending state champs Zachary. Jerrod Baugh and his Bearcats didn’t miss a beat and clawed away at the Broncos, 37-22. Over in Farmerville, Trey Holly and the Farmers revenge tour had one more stop before they can make their third dome appearance. Union hosted defending 2A state champs Amite at Doc Elliot Stadium and took care of business and rolled past the Warriors, 28-8.

OCS improved to 29-0 at Steven Fitzhugh Field and moves on to its fourth straight State Championship appearance with a 42-14 win against Ascension Catholic. Oak Grove beat Haynesville for the first time since 2001 with a 49-7 victory. The Tigers will try for their seventh state title next week against Homer. The Pelicans scored 38 unanswered points to defeat Mangham, 38-18.

The Warhawks fell to the Golden Eagles 20-10 at Malone Stadium in the last game of the season. ULM struggled to get the ground game going, finishing the game with only 109 rushing yards. Behing Frank Gore Jr.’s career-high 199 rushing yards and 265 total on the ground, Southern Miss earned the victory and bowl eligibility. The Warhawks finish the season with a 4-8 record.

OCS snapped Glenbrook’s 17-game winning streak with a thrilling 28-27 victory. The Eagles host Ascension Catholic for the semi-finals, looking to increase the undefeated winning streak at Steven Fitzhugh Field to 29 games. Top-seeded Ruston held off Denham Springs, 49-31. The Bearcats welcome Zachary to Hoss Garrett Stadium for the semi-finals.

The Union Parish Farmers traveled to Patterson and cut down the Lumberjacks, 38-14. Union hosts Amite in next week’s semi-finals. Neville’s season came to an end, falling to Westgate 21-10. Behind Jalen Williams’ four touchdowns, Mangham shutout Arcadia, 48-0. The Dragons head to Homer for their semi-final game.

Louisiana Tech relied on a total team effort to propel past ULM 79-58 at the Thomas Assembly Center. Despite missing three key players including Cobe Williams, the Bulldogs had five players score in double figures. La Tech’s bench put up 34 points, and Isaiah Crawford led the team with 17 points and eight rebounds plus four assists and two steals.

The second round of the LHSAA football playoffs kicked off with a rematch of last season’s 3A championship game between Union and Sterlington. The Farmers beat the Panthers 34-14 to end their season. Top seeded Ruston hosted Ouachita. The Lions took a 13-7 lead into the half, but the Bearcats mounted a comeback to defeat Ouachita, 37-16. Behind a big second half performance, Neville beat East Ascension, 31-9. West Monroe put up a fight against Zachary, leading 10-0 in the third. The Broncos scored 20 unanswered points in the fourth to end the Rebels’ season, 20-10.

St. Frederick loses in heartbreaking fashion to defending champs Southern Lab, 12-6. Powerhouse OCS rolls over Sacred Heart. 49-0. Cedar Creek falls to top seeded Vermilion Catholic, 31-7. Delhi Charter had a remarkable season going 9-1 but it ends to St. Martin’s Episcopal, 48-12. For Mangham, there dream season continues as they roll over Grand Lake, 60-12. Oak Grove beats Welsh, 35-14. Homer rolls over Delhi, 52-7.

Richwood traveled to top seeded Many, but the Tigers’ defense was too tough. Many has not given up a point on defense since October 13, and the Tigers defeat the Rams, 21-0. Winnfield stepped up in class to take on Patterson. The Lumberjacks end the Tigers season with a 36-12 win.

Tallulah Academy traveled to Jackson, Mississippi to take on Tunica Academy for the MAIS Division II championship game. The Trojans end their impressive season as runners-up with 46-6 loss to the Blue Devils.

ULM had seven scorers in double figures for the second consecutive game as the Warhawks rout NAIA Central Baptist, 105-56. Nika Metskhvarishvili led the team with 15 points, shooting 3-5 behind the arc. Victor Bafutto came off the bench and added 14 points, nine rebounds and two blocks. ULM shot 62% from the field compared to the Mustangs 30%.

ULM women’s basketball team hosted Louisiana Tech at Fant-Ewing Coliseum for the first time since 2016. The Warhawks went on a 18-5 run to end the third period, but La Tech responded with a 6-0 run to start the fourth. Behind Amaya Brannon’s game leading 18 points, the Lady Techsters defeat the Warhawks 68-53 to start the season 3-0 for the first time since 2017.

The LHSAA Football Playoffs kicked off on a rainy Friday night throughout Louisiana. In the Non-Select Division I bracket, West Monroe and Ouachita beat Chalmette and Hahnville, respectively. West Ouachita’s season ends with a loss to East Ascension. In the Non-Select Division II bracket, tenth seeded Franklin Parish lost 35-28 in double overtime against 23rd seeded North Vermilion. One of the biggest upsets of the night occurred in the same bracket between fifth seeded Carroll and 28th seeded Breaux Bridge. The Bulldogs fell to the Tigers, 21-17.

Richwood and Caldwell Parish went down to the wire after a 30 minute rain delay. The Rams fight to stay alive (12-8) but up next they take on powerhouse Many. Sterlington also advancing to the second round after pouncing on Baker, winning 37-0. Up next, Sterlington hits the road to take on rival Union Parish at Doc Elliot stadium.

D’arbonne Woods falls to Sophie B Wright in a tight one, 28-21. General Trass used their week off to their advantage as they win a high scoring game against East Beauregard, 56-46. Up next the Panthers take on top seeded Kentwood. Delhi Charter chomped at St. John and shut them out, 40-0. Up next the Gators take on St. Martin’s Episcopal. Tallulah Academy advances to the MAIS state title game after rolling past Newton County Academy, 52-30.

The Warhawks pick up their first win of the season in the home opener at Fant-Ewing Coliseum with a 111-59 victory over Dallas Christian. ULM dominated from the start behind Tyreke Locure’s team leading 19 points plus seven rebounds and eight assists. Seven ULM players scored in double figures. The Warhawks recorded 16 steals and handed out 32 assists in the convincing first win.

The Bulldogs opened the season at Thomas Assembly Center with a 78-61 win against Mississippi College. Keaston Willis led La Tech with 20 points and three assists. Cobe Williams recorded a team leading four steals and added 16 points, four rebounds and two assists. The Lady Techsters also picked up an 86-30 season opener victory against Central Baptist. Keiunna Walker led the team with 17 points. Amaya Brannon tallied a team leading 7 rebounds and added 10 points.

In its first season opener at Fant-Ewing Coliseum in four seasons, ULM women’s basketball team beat Louisiana Christian, 88-58. Kierra Brimzy led the Warhawks with 18 points, and Katlyn Manuel recorded 16 points and a team leading 16 rebounds. ULM men’s basketball team traveled to Texas A&M for its season opener. The Warhawks fell to the Aggies, 87-54.