The second draft of the 2024-2026 redistricting plan was released by the LHSAA on Tuesday morning according to Geaux Preps.com.   The second round of planning showed the majority staying the same but a few slight changes.    

The final district plans for Cross Country for Division III,IV and V, boys golf for Division III and IV, girls golf Division II,  boys and girls soccer for Division III and IV, tennis Division III and IV, and volleyball for Division IV and V.   This means that these are set for approval by the Executive Board and will be the official district for 2024-26 once finalized. 

Class B & C local districts did not change.  

District 1-A and 3-A made a slight change moving Ringgold back to District 1-A from 3-A.    They will return with Haynesville, Homer, Glenbrook, Arcadia, Plain Dealing, Cedar Creek, and Lincoln Prep.  District 3-A will have Lakeview, LaSalle, Logansport, Montgomery, Northwood-Lena, and St. Mary’s

Class 2A locally had one change as Lakeside moved into District 3-2A with Winnfield, Many, Mansfield, and Red River.   District 1-2A will now be Calvary Baptist, D’Arbonne Woods, Green Oaks, Homer, Magnolia SOE, North Caddo, and Union Parish

Schools will now have until November 27 to make appeals about their place in the second draft of the districts. The third and final district committee meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 29.

To see the full second draft of the redistricting, you can click on the link below

Second Draft of 2024-2026 LHSAA Redistricting Plan Released – GeauxPreps

The post Second Draft of Redistricting Sees Slight Changes appeared first on Under The Radar - NW Louisiana.

Every two years the LHSAA realigns district and reclassifies each school.  The five-step process went into the second step last week with the release of the first draft of the new districting plan for sports.  

The first phase was the release of enrollment numbers was already completed.  Changes already occurred in this phase were the following

• Homer moved from 1A to 2A
• Magnolia SOE moved from 1A to 2A
• Jonesboro-Hodge moves from 2A to 1A
• Lakeview moves from 2A to 1A
• Loyola was slated to move from 2A to 3A.  Opts to move to 4A

The second phase was the release of the first districting plan.  The first classification meeting occurred.  Teams had the chance to request certain districts today at noon:  Here is the list of the Northwest Louisiana 2A-C districts.

These districts will be specifically for football, baseball, basketball, softball, and baseball.  Specialized sports will be at the end

1-2A

Calvary

North Caddo

Homer (Moved Up From 1A)

Union Parish (Moved from 3A)

Green Oaks

D’Arbonne Woods

Lakeside

Magnolia SOE (Moved Up from 1A)

3-2A

Mansfield

Many

Red River

Winnfield

1-1A

Arcadia

Cedar Creek (Moved from District 2-1A)

Glenbrook

Haynesville

Jonesboro-Hodge (Moved from 2A)

Lincoln Prep (Moved from District 2-1A)

Plain Dealing

3-1A

Lakeview (Moved from 2A)

LaSalle

Logansport

Montgomery

Northwood-Lena

Ringgold (Moved from 1-1A)

St. Mary’s

1-B

Castor

Doyline

Quitman

Weston

Simsboro (Moved from 2-B)

2-B

Choudrant

Downsville

Family Community

Forest

3-B

Converse

Florien

Zwolle

Stanley

Negreet

1-C

Claiborne Christian

Gibsland-Coleman

Saline (Moved from 2-C)

Summerfield

2-C

Calvin

Dodson

Georgetown

Harrisonburg (Moved from B)

Sicily Island (Moved from 1A)

3-C

Ebarb

Evans

Hornbeck

Pleasant Hill

Simpson

The next step will be the second classification meeting to be held on November 13 in Baton Rouge. These classifications are only a first draft.

Other sports 

Cross Country (listed are only NW Louisiana 2A-C schools)

Region I – III

Calvary Baptist

Green Oaks

Mansfield

Many

Winnfield

Region I-IV

Cedar Creek

Choudrant

Glenbrook

Green Oaks

Jonesboro-Hodge

Lakeside

Logansport

Magnolia SOE

North Caddo

Quitman

Red River

St. Mary’s

Weston

Region I-V

Arcadia

Calvin

Castor

Converse 

Doyline

Florien

Haynesville

Negreet

Pleasant Hill

Ringgold

Simsboro

St. Mary’s

Summerfield 

Boys Golf (listed are only NW Louisiana 2A-C schools)

Region 1-Division III

Calvary Baptist

Lakeside

Mansfield

Many

North Caddo

Red River

Winnfield

Region 1 – Division IV

Arcada

Castor

Cedar Creek

Glenbrook

Haynesville

Jonesboro-Hodge

Quitman

Ringgold

Saline

Simsboro

Weston

Girl’s Golf (listed are only NW Louisiana 2A-C schools)

Region 1 – Division II

Arcadia

Calvary Baptist

Castor

Cedar Creek

Converse

Florien

Glenbrook

Haynesville

Lakeside

Lakeview

Mansfield

Many

Negreet

North Caddo

Quitman

Red River

Ringgold

Saline

Simsboro

St. Mary’s

Weston

Winnfield

Boys Soccer

District 1-IV

Calvary

North Caddo

Evangel

Girls Soccer

District 1-IV

Calvary

North Caddo

Loyola

Evangel

Tennis (listed are only NW Louisiana 2A-C schools)

Division III

Calvary

North Caddo

Division IV

Cedar Creek

Choudrant

Converse

Glenbrook

Quitman

St. Mary’s

Weston

Volleyball

District 1-IV

Calvary

Evangel

Green Oaks

Loyola Prep

Magnolia SOE

North Caddo

Richwood

District 2-IV

Mansfield

Many

Red River

District 1-V

Downsville

St. Mary’s

The post First Draft of District Plan Released By LHSAA for 2024-2026 appeared first on Under The Radar - NW Louisiana.

According to inital numbers some of the following changes will occur 

Loyola College Prep.     2A to 3A

Magnolia SOE               1A to 2A

Homer.                           1A to 2A

Lakeview.                       2A to 1A

Jonesboro-Hodge.         2A to 1A

The following are the initial plans for enrollment for Class 2A -C in Northwest Louisiana

Class 2A

Winnfield

Many

Calvary Baptist

Mansfield

Red River

North Caddo

Green Oaks

Lakeside

Magnolia School of Excellence

Homer

Class 1A

Lincoln Prep

Jonesboro-Hodge

Lakeview

Cedar Creek

Logansport

Glenbrook

Haynesville

Arcadia

Ringgold

St. Mary’s

Plain Dealing

Class B

Choudrant

Weston

Quitman

Zwolle

Converse

Simsboro

Florien

Doyline

Castor

Stanley

Negreet

Class C

Ebarb

Saline

Dodson

Pleasant Hill

Calvin

Summerfield 

Gibsland-Coleman

These classification are not a final draft.

The post LHSAA Releases Enrollment Number In Preparation For District Classification appeared first on Under The Radar - NW Louisiana.

Northwest Louisiana shined again this season.  Many not only a football state title but also a powerlifting title.  Homer made it back to the football championship in newly formatted playoff divisions instead of classes.  Zwolle dominated another basketball state title.  Converse claimed a softball title while Calvary claimed their third in a row.  Gibsland-Coleman dominated track state titles.  Castor took a state runner-up.  We saw stars like Izayla Harris and Samora Sampson claim Outstanding Athletes once again. North Louisiana was represented by four local schools at the baseball tournament.  Also, Providence Classical Academy in Bossier reaches the All-Class tournament, a feat that is a gauntlet of playoffs to reach.  

Enjoy these moments.  I know there are a lot more that I may have left out.  My friends this is just a small part of your life to come.  The opportunities are an open road for your future.  Some will head to college and a few will continue to play the sport of their passion.  Some will head to serve our country, you will get to see parts of the world some safe and some dangerous.  Sink it all in.  Get the experiences that are presented.  Some will head into the workforce.  Those that I see do this can’t wait to get started and start a new part of their lives.  So many options for you.  

If you want some old fool’s advice, lend me your ear for a minute.  Cherish each day.  Jump on the journey and ride it like a cowboy.  Sometimes you get bucked off and sometimes you survive that metaphor 8 seconds.  Enjoy the ride.  Get up and go again. Here are three things to think about each day:

Live Each Day

You only get one life.  Live it.  Whatever path you get on, make the most of the journey.  Each person’s journey is unique.  Don’t ever compare yourself to another.  You are unique and what you find exciting may not be to others.  Be excited about your journey.  Take time to enjoy it.  You will have a lifetime of work and worry.  Don’t miss out on experiences.  If you didn’t know, I lived in Denver for a year and a half.  Sometimes I think back that I wish I would have done more there.  I did get some great experiences.  The 19-hour drive from Denver to Shreveport let me experience the beautiful terrains of southern Colorado, the mesas of New Mexico, how BIG the state of Texas is, and how valuable home was.  I also got to see places in Utah, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, California, Nevada, Kansas, Nebraska, Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, and so many wonderful people. 

Love Each Day

I know this is an exciting time and for some of you at small schools, you’ve gone to school with maybe your whole class your whole life.  At this point, this looks like lifetime friends.  Some may become lifetime friends to you your entire life.  A fact though, your friend circles will change especially when your independence kicks in and you want to experience new adventures.  Some you can’t be ready to get away from the people you’ve grown up with.  Don’t shut people out.  Some of my best friends that I have in my life were not in my class.  We didn’t hang out at school but grew a strong friendship afterward that I cherish and love.  Be open to new people.  Your circles will change and the world can be a lonely place.  Reach out to new friends.  Make new bonds.  Find new loves.  You get to be you and don’t allow others to accept less.  One pill that might be hard to swallow and hard to see at this point.  In the case of many, family will always be there for you.  I know this doesn’t work for everyone, but find others that you can define as family.  Don’t lose your passion.  If your passion is God in your life, continue to seek His wisdom and glory.  Find the time to continue to grow your fire for that passion in your life.  Look for the blessings in your life and you will find the love you need each day

Learn Each Day

How many of you have said I will never have to use Algebra again in my life? Guess what? WRONG…You drive a car and know how fast you are going and then how many miles you need to go, you can tell me how long it will take to get there …algebra… What you learned in school was the tip of the iceberg.  I’m 50 years old and still learning.  When you learn, you grow.  Life becomes boring when you don’t learn.  It doesn’t have to be academics.  Learn about people.  The more you learn about others the more you understand them.  Those people you may have found difficult in high school, you get to know and learn about them you may understand their difficulty and you may find a best friend for life.  Don’t be afraid to go out of your comfort zone.  We become stagnant in our comfort zone we don’t learn new skills or possibly undiscovered talents that we may have.  Listen to advice and learn from others.  One thing that I’ve always followed is someone is always smarter than you, so they have more to teach.  Be willing to learn.  

This old man has rambled enough and I hope you have enjoyed this.  To the seniors of 2023, I wish you nothing but success in your endeavors and excitement on your new paths.  I have enjoyed watching many of you play your sports and look forward to what your lives have to offer.  Seniors 2023…out…

The post Editorial:  Live, Love, and Learn Each Day…Goodbye Seniors 2023 appeared first on Under The Radar - NW Louisiana.

Under the Radar NWLA not only likes to celebrate the achievements and accomplishments on the field of play but also in the classroom.  Each sports season the LHSAA releases the All-Academic Composite Team and the All-Academic Class Team. The following are the All-Academic awards for the year..

According to the LHSAA to qualify on the All-Academic Composite Team, a student-athlete’s six-semester GPA must have an unweighted 4.00.  These students cannot have a “B” on their transcript.  They are honored at the LHSAA state events.  Sixty student-athletes from the Under The Radar NWLA coverage area qualified for this elite honor over the year. 

Composite

Atlanta 

• Ella Price – Track & Field

Calvary

• Liberty Haase – Swimming, Basketball
• Molly McDowell – Swimming, Soccer, Tennis
• Joshua Roper – Swimming
• Anna Kate Lary – Tennis
• Cayden Simmon – Tennis
• Hunter Harris – Golf
• Jackson Legg – Calvary

Cedar Creek

• Thomas Ensminger – Cross Country
• Tate Farrar – Cross Country, Track & Field
• Allison Furr – Basketball, Softball
• Devika Dua – Tennis
• James Black – Tennis

Choudrant

• Owen Watson – Cross Country
• Lachlan Thompson – Basketball
• Bryce McGuire – Baseball

Converse

• Willa Gregston – Cross County, Basketball, Softball
• Austin Burr – Basketball, Baseball
• Jaden Clark – Baseball

Florien

• Layla Fletcher – Cross Country
• Gracie Rutherford – Cross Country, Basketball, Softball
• Alexis Brooks – Softball, Track & Field

Glenbrook

• Luke Vining – Football, Basketball

Homer

• Kersten Webb – Basketball

Jonesboro-Hodge

• Ajay Tew – Basketball, Baseball

Lakeview

• Sammya Rachal – Powerlifting, Track & Field

Lincoln Prep

• Edward Ford – Track & Field

Loyola

• Abigail Anderson – Volleyball
• Olivia Hudson – Volleyball
• Taylor Nash – Volleyball, Tennis
• Maeve Chmielewski – Cross Country
• Cooper DeFatta – Football
• Kade O’Neal – Football, Baseball
• Madalyn Van Devender – Soccer, Track & Field
• Audrey Dufrene – Tennis
• Katelyn Pavlick – Tennis
• Sydney DeFatta – Track & Field

Many 

• Isaac Sweet – Cross Country, Track & Field
• Joseph Yount – Track & Field, Baseball

Negreet

• Ellen Veulan – Softball

Quitman

• Emma Carter – Basketball, Tennis, Track & Field
• Ansley Folk – Basketball
• Bethany Leach – Basketball, Track & Field
• Brayli Stewart – Basketball, Track & Field
• Blake Carter – Basketball, Baseball
• Averie Williams – Softball
• Sebastian Guin – Tennis

Red River

• Elijah Harper – Football

Simsboro

• I’Keia Brown – Basketball, Track & Field
• Lauryn Garrison – Softball
• Lauryn Vernon – Track & Field

St. Mary’s

• Benjamin Hogg – Cross Country
• Mason McCart – Cross Country, Tennis
• Adam Parker- Football, Basketball
• Trent Middendorf –  Basketball

Weston

• Dillon Pardue – Cross Country, Track & Field
• Emma McBride – Basketball, Softball

Winnfield

• Samuel Jones – Football
• Micah Simms – Football
• Allison Fields – Softball

According to the LHSAA,  the Class Team is composed of student-athletes with a six-semester GPA of 3.5 – 3.999.  These students will receive a certificate from their school.  

The Baseball and Track & Field class list was not available on the LHSAA website at time of publishing

Below is a list of the student who qualified for this honor

Class Team

Arcadia

• Jada Breazele – Softball
• Angelica Blake – Basketball

Calvary

• Tavia Leadon – Softball
• Joshua Purvis – Football, Powerlifting
• Jordan Byrd – Football, Powerlifting
• Clayton Mulford – Football, Soccer
• Samuel Davis – Football, Soccer, Powerlifting
• Dalton Lang – Football, Soccer, Powerlifting
• Bailey Barber – Soccer, Tennis
• Kylar Johnson – Soccer
• Maggie Moore – Soccer
• Xavier Henderson – Basketball
• Kameron Kennon – Basketball
• Abby Richardson – Tennis
• Hunter Harris – Golf

Calvin

• Gunnar Yocum – Cross Country, Basketball
• John Griffin – Basketball

Castor

• Kaylyn Long – Basketball
• Ayden Ortego – Golf

Cedar Creek

• Annie Jones – Cross Country
• Anna Lee – Cross Country, Softball
• Kenley Brasher – Cross Country, Powerlifting
• Caden Middleton – Football
• Connor Norris – Football, Basketball
• Carter Hill – Football, Basketball
• Quincy Lewis – Football
• Jed Stephens – Football
• Jordan Vail – Football, Powerlifting
• Garrett Garlington – Football
• Brian Osborne.- Football, Basketball
• Lane Thomas – Football
• Austin Webb – Football, Powerlifting
• Chloe Brashear – Softball
• Elizabeth McAdams – Softball, Basketball
• Peyton Muse – Softball, Powerlifting
• Lillian Soto – Basketball, Softball
• Madelyn Carroll – Basketball, Powerlifting
• Davis Walsworth – Basketball
• Maddison Bratton – Tennis
• Margaret Gilmore – Tennis
• Isabell Viator – Tennis
• Jed Stephens – Golf

Choudrant

• Heather Murphey – Cross Country, Basketball
• Chelsea Hartegan – Cross Country
• Mattie Johnson – Basketball, Softball
• Parker Batterton – Basketball
• Hunter McKoin – Basketball
• Emma Frechette – Tennis
• Abigail Johnston – Tennis
• Emma Thorn – Tennis
• Emma Bell – Softball
• Elissa Guillotte – Softball
• Macie May – Softball

Converse

• Robyn Shoalmire – Cross Country
• Kameron Parrie – Cross Country, Basketball
• Logan Carter- Cross Country, Basketball
• Candyn Craig – Basketball
• Dylan Erwin – Basketball
• Bethany Giddings – Tennis
• Drake Friday – Golf
• Rayni Rivers – Softball

Dodson

• Mary Gresham – Basketball

Ebarb

• Madison Boggs – Basketball
• Bryn Remedies – Basketball
• Jayden Wilson – Basketball

Florien

• Tucker Johnson – Basketball
• Cesaleigh Hall – Softball
• Paislea Parker – Softball

Gibsland-Coleman

• Joshua Adams – Basketball
• Dadrail Chatman – Basketball

Glenbrook

• Rhett Johnson – Football, Basketball
• Turner McLelland – Football, Basketball
• Maddox Mandino – Football
• Olivia Blackwelder – Basketball
• Sarah Mosley – Basketball
• Stella Powell – Basketball

Haynesville

• Eli Coker – Football
• Dakoda Camp – Football, Basketball
• Na’Kel Gill – Football

Homer

• Brenden Harris – Football

Jonesboro-Hodge

• Dominick Strickland – Football
• A’Joriana Hoggro – Basketball

Lakeside

• Cooper Chase – Football, Basketball
• Christopher Watts – Football
• Ty Maness – Football
• Joshua Sebald – Football
• Lillian Jolly – Softball

Lakeview

• Trinity Browder – Basketball
• Hailey Poydras – Basketball
• Austin Martin – Powerlifting
• Rebecca Gallien – Softball

Lincoln Prep

• Jerry Lee – Football
• Brandon Heard – Football
• Kimoni McMurray – Basketball

Logansport

• Jace Thompson – Football
• Laila Boykins – Basketball
• Landry Atkins – Softball

Loyola

• Sara Jackson – Volleyball
• Mallory Mayeaux – Volleyball, Softball
• Emma Sipes – Volleyball, Basketball
• Laurel Kirby – Volleyball
• Makayla Horton – Volleyball, Basketball
• Jackson Drouillard – Cross Country, Soccer
• Matthew Fortune – Cross Country
• Nick Haynes – Football
• Trace Wall – Football
• Colin Lirette – Football
• Bo Bowman Jr – Football, Tennis
• John Carmody, Jr. – Football, Basketball
• Andrew DeFatta – Football
• Garrett Hawes – Football
• Alex Horton – Football
• Rober Pavlick – Football
• Kate Johnson – Soccer
• Sophia Kerr – Soccer
• Stephanie Okereke – Soccer
• Emma Tompkin – Soccer
• Genevieve Carmody – Basketball
• Julia Hancock – Tennis
• Gregor Ghali – Tennis
• Alvin Olsan – Tennis
• Jackson Walls – Tennis
• April Williams – Golf
• Kyrstin Edgell – Softball

Mansfield

• LeTerriya Cannon – Basketball
• Patrick Davis – Basketball

Many

• Kamryn Leone – Volleyball, Softball
• Tackett Curtis – Football
• Sean Mitcham – Football
• Cole Pickett – Football, Powerlifting
• Adam Miller – Football, Powerlifting
• Sontee Jones – Powerlifting
• Summer Paddie – Powerlifting
• Caolina Knowles – Softball

Negreet

• Skyler Boatman – Cross Country, Basketball
• Kaiya Causey – Basketball, Softball
• Christopher Ezernack – Basketball

North Caddo

• Jathan Green – Football
• Rodney Thomas – Football
• Sean Tinney – Football
• Lauren Kavanaugh – Soccer, Tennis
• Magdalene Reger – Soccer, Tennis

Plain Dealing 

• Joshua Miller – Football

Pleasant Hill

• Kania Holmes – Basketball, Softball
• Markayla Jones – Basketball, Softball
• Shawna Albert – Softball

Quitman

• Summer Grillette – Basketball
• Sebastian Guin – Tennis
• Camden Deal – Golf
• Madeline Monroe – Softball
• Skylar Hall – Softball
• Madeline Vail – Softball

Red River

• Jaedynn French-Solton – Volleyball, Basketball 

Ringgold

• Hilary Bates – Softball

Saline

• Wesley Crawford – Basketball, Golf
• William Dison – Basketball
• Jacob Jones – Basketball
• Delonte Rager-Ridley – Basketball

Simsboro

• Jazmyn Self – Softball

Stanley

• Jacob Maxie – Basketball
• Katelyn Caston – Softball
• Alexis Cooper – Softball

St. Mary’s

• Sara Rodrigue – Cross Country
• Anna Peluso – Cross Country, Tennis
• Mason Melder – Cross Country
• Meredith Methvin – Tennis

Summerfield

• Daulton Wilson – Basketball

Weston

• Mitchell Matthews – Basketball

Winnfield

• Kaden Victor – Cross Country
• Micah Gardner – Football
• Brady Johnson – Football
• Alyssa Paterson – Softball

Zwolle

• Ariel Sepulvado – Basketball
• Richard Mullen – Basketball
• Jordyn Tramel – Softball

The post 2022-23 All-Academic Awards appeared first on Under The Radar - NW Louisiana.

Five local teams competed in singles and doubles competition at the Ochsner’s LHSAA State Tennis Tournament at ULM in Monroe last Thursday and Friday.  For Division III and IV, the first two rounds were played on Thursday and the remaining round was completed on Friday.  In Division III, St Louis Catholic won the boys’ team award and Isidore Newman finished as runner-up.  In the girls team championship, Isidore Newman won the team title while University Lab was state runner-up.  In Division IV, the boys title was won by Christ Episcopal School and the runner-up was shared by Ascension Episcopal and St. Martin’s Episcopal.  On the girls side, Louise McGehee won the girls team competition while Christ Episcopal School was state runner-up. 

Loyola boys finished third in the Division III boys team competition.  The majority of the points can be credited to the state runner-up in doubles competition, Ravi Ahuja and James Graf.  Ahuja and Graf came in the state tournament as the top seed in doubles.  In the first round, they eliminated the duo from Jennings, Kaide Lejeune and Nicholas Rasberry 6-1 and 6-1.  Second round saw a Dunham duo of Wait Harrod and Ashton Dupont which they handled 6-1 and 6-0.  Day two started with St. Louis Catholic’s Carter Brinkman and Bennett Farque.  Ahuja and Graf headed to the semifinals with 6-1 and 6-2 win. Semifinals faced University Lab’s Duke Stein and Noah Beamon which they won 6-3 and 6-3.  The championship would have a match with the No. 2 seed Dillon Darby and Benjamin Reinauer from St. Louis Catholic.  The Flyer duo fell in the finals 6-4 and 6-3.   Bo Bowman, Jr and Gregor Ghali made a run to the quarterfinals eliminating doubles teams from Isidore Newman and Episcopal before being eliminated by the eventual state champions  The Flyers sent two single competitors to the state tournament.  Edmund Brown won over William Benoit of Welsh in the first round 6-0 and 6-0.  Brown was eliminated in the second round by Jett Nguyen from Acadia Renaissance Charter.  Other Loyola boys tennis competitors were in singles Matthew Hooper and doubles teams of Stephen White with Alvin Olsan.  

Calvary Cavaliers had three competitors reach the second round at the state tournament.  Bryce Colvin and Mason Batts won their first round match against Alex Hidenbrand and Carson Verret from E. D. White in the first round 7-5 and 6-3.  The Cavalier duo fell in the second round to the Dunham team of George Harrod and Milo Johnston.  In singles competition, Cayden Simmons won his first round match against Cade Scherer of Bolton 6-0 and 6-1.  Simmons fell in the second round to eventual semifinalist Jackson Belcher from University Lab.  Jett Lary also reached the second round in the singles competition.  Lary eliminated Stephen Tujague from Northlake Christian 6-1 and 6-0 in the first round.  Lary fell in the second round to Silas Lafleur from Lafayette Christian.  Other competitors for the Cavaliers boy tennis team were the doubles team of Haydon Donaldson with Hudson Crager and Abram Covington and Charles Gregory. 

In the Division III girls competition, Loyola single competitor Taylor Nash made a quarterfinals run.  Nash took out Isidore Newman’s Francis Casbarian in the first round 7-6 and 6-2.  Second round Nash eliminated Lauren Fremin from Catholic-New Iberia 6-4 and 6-4.  Nash was eliminated in the quarters by E.D. White’s Joy Patten. Top-seeded Lady Flyer Mary Elberson took care of business in the first round with a 6-0 and 6-0 win over Jenning’s Madison LaVergne. Elberson came up short in three sets in the second round. In the doubles competition, Sadie Green and Addison Knox won in their first round match against Shara Johnson and Shelbi Lovejoy from Oakdale 6-4 and 6-4.  Green and Knox were eliminated in the second round.  

Other Loyola Lady Flyer competitors were Mae Graf with Cassidy Kirk and Audrey Dufrene and Sophia Fertita in doubles competition. 

Calvary Lady Cavaliers singles competitor Annie Bickham and three doubles teams Bailey Barber with Anna Kate Lary, Lauren Lovitt with Shelby Simmons, and Molly McDowell with Emily Bennett all were eliminated in the first round.  

Division IV Boys Competition saw St. Mary picked up three points in the state tournament. Top-seeded Andrew Kautz made a quarterfinal run in the single competition.  Kautz started the run with a 6-0 and 6-0 sweep of Jadarius Bright from Ferriday.   Kautz eliminated Max LaForge from St. Martin’s Episcopal in the second round 6-2 and 6-2.  Kautz ‘run in the quarterfinals ended falling to Jesus Daiz from Houma Christian 6-2 and 6-3.   Also, scoring for the Tigers was doubles team Colton Cross and Ben Bienvenu.  Cross and Bienvenu won their first round match 6-2 and 7-6 against Logan Bardarson and Cohen Danos from Houma Christian.  The duo fell in the second round to Britt Bass and Jake Rogers from Vermilion Catholic. 

Cedar Creek picked up a couple of points based on James Black run to the quarterfinals in the state tournament.  Black advanced to the second round on a forfeit by Metairie Park Country Day.  Black took care of his second round opponent Shiv Panchal from Avoyelles Public Charter 6-0 and 6-0.  Black was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Matthew Rhea from Christ Episcopal School 6-4 and 6-3.  Anderson Maxwell also competed for the Cougars boy tennis team at the State Tournament.  

St. Mary’s Lady Tigers tennis squad scored three in the team competition.  Baylea Johnson reached the quarterfinals in the state tournament gaining two points for the Lady Tigers.  Johnson won her first round match against Alexandra Rutlege from Christ Episcopal School 6-0 and 6-0.  Johnson continued with a second round victory over Gabrielle Scott from Westminster Christian 6-0 and 6-3.   Johnson fell in the quarterfinals to eventual state runner-up Colette Prokup from Louise McGehee.   Also scoring for the Lady Tigers was the duo of Meredith Methvin and Anderson Kelly.  Methvin and Kelly won their first round match over Catherine Costello and Corrine Naomi of Academy of Sacred Heart – Grand Cane.  The St. Mary’s duo fell in the second round to Ashlyn Poirer and Ava Guidry of Ascension Episcopal.  

Cedar Creek’s lone competitor in the girls competition was Margaret Gilmore.  Gilmore won her first round match over Sofia Zubiate from Grace Christian 6-0 and 6-0.  Gilmore was eliminated in the second round by Scout Helveston from Episcopal of Acadiana.   

Choudrant also sent one team to the state tournament.  Abigail Johnston and Taylor Sanderson were knocked out in the first round by No. 2 seed Jillian Devillier and Julia Zaunbrecher from St. Edmund. 

The post LHSAA State Tennis Tournament Results; Loyola Duo Finished State Runner-Up appeared first on Under The Radar - NW Louisiana.

The LHSAA Region 1 tournaments were held last week for qualification to the Ochsner LHSAA State Tournament in Monroe at ULM.  The Division III tournament was hosted by Loyola College Prep at Pierremont Oaks and East Ridge Country Club in Shreveport.  The Division IV tournament was hosted by Claiborne Christian at the ULM Tennis Courts in Monroe.  

Calvary boys claimed both the champion and the runner.  Cavalier Cayden Simmons won over fellow Cavalier Jett Lary to claim the Region I boys single title.   Both have qualified for the state tournament.   In doubles action, Calvary had three boys teams qualify for the state tournament.  Mason Batts and Bryce Colvin reached the semifinals.  Hayden Donaldson and Hudson Crager advanced to the quarterfinals along with Abram Covington and Charles Gregory

Calvary’s Annie Bickham will represent the Cavaliers at the state tournament.  Bickham reached the semifinals in the regionals.  Bailey Barber and Anna Kate Lary advanced to the semifinals but qualified for the state tournament.   Lauren Lovitt and Shelby Simmons along with Molly McDowell and Emily Bennett all qualified for state in the doubles tournament by being in the top eight in the tournament. 

Loyola girls claimed both the singles and doubles titles at the Division III regional tourney.  Mary Elberson topped fellow Lady Flyer Taylor Nash to win the singles title.  It was also an all-Loyolafinal in the doubles as Mae Graf and Cassidy Kirk outlasted Audrey Dufrene and Sophia Fertita for the title.   Sadie Green and Addison Knox will join the Lady Flyers team in Monroe as the reached the semifinals.  

The Flyer also had an all-Loyola Division III boys double championship.  James Graf and Ravi Ahuja won over fellow Loyola players Bo Bowman, Jr. and Gregor Ghali.  Stephen White and Alvin Olsan reached the quarterfinals and will qualify for the state tournament.  In singles competition, Edmund Brown and Matthew Hooper will compete in Monroe.  Brown was one match away to the finals.  Hooper finished in the quarterfinals. 

St. Mary’s Andrew Kautz won the Division IV boys regional single title over Cedar Creek’s James Black.   Joining Kautz in Monroe in the singles tournament will be St. Mary’s quarterfinalist Mason MacCart.  Cedar Creek will also be sending quarterfinalist Anderson Maxwell to Monroe.    

St. Mary’s will be the only local boys team to send a doubles team to the state tourney.  Colton Cross and Ben Bienvenu advanced to the semi-finals. 

In the Division IV girls singles competition, Cedar Creek’s Margaret Gilmore and St. Mary’s Baylea Johnson were semifinalist and qualified for state.   

St. Mary’s will also send a doubles team to compete for a state championship as Meredith Methvin and Anderson Kelly were semifinalist.   Choudrant will send one team to ULM as Abigail Johnston and Taylor Sanderson qualified as a quarterfinalist. 

The Ochsner LHSAA Tennis Championships will be held on April 27 and 28 at ULM. 

First Round Pairings

Division III Boys Singles

Cayden Simmons, Calvary v. Cade Scherer, Bolton  

Edmund Brown, Loyola v. William Benoit, Welsh

Matthew Hooper, Loyola v. Wesley Sonnier, Welsh

Jett Lary, Calvary v. Stephen Tujague, Northlake Christian

Division III Girls Singles

Mary Elberson, Loyola  v. Madison LaVergne, Jennings

Annie Bickham, Calvary v. Malakie Smith, St. Thomas Aquinas

Taylor Nash, Loyola v. Frances Casbarian, Isidore Newman

Division III Boys Doubles

Graf / Ahuja, Loyola v. LeJeune/Rasberry, Jennings

Covington/Gregory, Calvary v. Hardin/Yang, Isidore Newman

Donaldson/Crager, Calvary v. Oertling/Meguess, Pope John Paul II

Batts/Colvin, Calvary v. Hildenbrand/Verret, E.D. White

White/Olsan, Loyola v. Hobgood/Bright, St. Louis Catholic

Bowman Jr/Ghali, Loyola  v. White/Bansal, Isidore Newman

Division III Girls Doubles

Graf/Kirk, Loyola v. Meche/Thibodeaux, Notre Dame

Lovitt/Simmons, Calvary v. Payne/Phillips, Isidore Newman

Green/Knox, Loyola v. Johnson/Lovejoy, Oakdale

Barber/Lary, Calvary v. Champagne/Tullis, Pope John Paul II

Dufrene/Fertitta, Loyola v. Blanchard/Chiasson, E. D. White

McDowell/Bennett, Calvary v. Atkins/Buttross, St. Louis Catholic

Division IV Boys Singles

Andrew Krautz, St. Mary’s v. Jadarius Bright, Ferriday

Anderson Maxwell, Cedar Creek v. Jesus Diaz, Houma Christian

Mason McCart, St. Mary’s v. Cooper Manuel, Westminster Christian

James Black, Cedar Creek v. Cole Koppel, Metairie Park Country Day

Division IV Girls Singles

Margaret Gilmore, Cedar Creek v. Sofia Zubiate, Grace Christian

Baylea Johnson, St. Mary’s v. Alexandra Rutledge, Christ Episcopal School

Division IV Girls Doubles

Methvin/Kelly, St. Mary’s v. Costello/Naomi, Academy of Sacred Heart – G.C.

Johnston/ Sanderson, Choudrant v. Devillier/Zaunbrecher, St. Edmund 

UNDER THE RADAR NWLA

Under The Radar NWLA is dedicated to telling the untold stories of schools in LHSAA classification 2A-C, MAIS, and other minor league teams in the Northwest Louisiana area. We cover Caddo, Bossier, Webster, Claiborne, Lincoln, Winn, Jackson, Bienville, Natchitoches, Red River, Desoto, and Sabine Parishes. Please give us a follow on Newsbreak. If you would like to see more, you can go to my website https://undertheradarnwla.com

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Last week at the LHSAA Executive meeting another chapter in the Select vs Non-Select saga was written.  By a 16-5 vote, the definition of “Select” schools was redefined.  “Select” includes any school deemed a lab school, magnet school, school with magnet components, charter schools, parishes that allow open enrollment at all its public schools, and tuition-based schools.  

This definition will not redefine the current districts but will affect the playoff bracket they will play.   

According to GeauxPreps.com in their article, the number of select schools will jump to 198 while 207 will be non-select.  

So what does this affect the current situation in the Class 2A-A-B-C schools in the Northwest LA area? 

Caddo Parish Could Be Chaos

Schools such as Calvary and Loyola will not change, but other schools like North Caddo which are currently a non-select school that has a magnet program that draws kids from other attendance zones Every school except Northwood will be classified as a Select school.  Green Oaks and Magnolia Charter will move to the Select Bracket.  

Jackson Parish Open Enrollment Could Send Schools To Select Status

Open Enrollment status for Jonesboro-Hodge, Quitman, and Weston could force them to compete in the Select Division.  The definition goes into effect on July 1 and open enrollment districts have until June 22 to change their policy.  

Jonesboro-Hodge head football coach Terrance Blankenship had the following about the topic.  “Our parish has had an open enrollment policy, but I think the LHSAA is giving school districts time to change their policies,” Blakenship said.  “I think our district will change the policy and we will be in non-select this year. But I don’t have all of the details.”

Most Schools Are Not Affected

Most of the schools that are already select will remain select based such as Calvary, Loyola, and Glenbrook.  Schools that may have to change are:  North Caddo, Lincoln Prep, Magnolia Charter, Quitman, Weston, Jonesboro-Hodge, Green Oaks

Lincoln Prep Will Move To Select

Lincoln Prep will be moving to a new district next year in the Monroe area that will include three schools (Ouachita Christian, River Oaks, and St. Frederick) that they will have to face in the district and playoffs.   “Seems like a political move to me but as a coach, you can’t worry about that.”   Girls basketball coach Fred Hearn said.  “All I can do is worry about what I can control and that is to create a climate and culture that is conducive to the student-athletes that I am in charge of at our school. Everything else will take care of itself.”

Many of the thoughts when this topic comes up is football.  District 1-A short Magnolia Charter will be unaffected by this decision.   District 1-2A will be upheaved because you have the Caddo situation with Calvary, North Caddo, Green Oaks, and Loyola coming into the new district and all may have to play in Select.  Lakeside would be the only non-select.   

Unless situations change the following will be the breakdown for Class 2A, A, B, C

Based on the numbers above, could this affect the number of playoff spots?  Class C currently gets 16 slots in basketball.  Will  Class B be dropped from 24 to 16?  Could the number of playoffs in 2A be trimmed from 32 to 24?  These are all questions to be answered down the line.  

Schools will have 15 days to appeal their classification.  The number of divisions and their breakdown will occur in July 2022 once all appeals have been reviewed.  

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A third season has been covered by Under The Radar NWLA and we have been through some fantastic stories throughout this year.  The Homer Pelicans won their first football title in 82 years.  Gibsland-Coleman Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs had a year you could only dream about.  The Lady Bulldogs took state runner-up in basketball and a state championship in track and field.  The Bulldogs took the state championship in basketball and state runner-up in track and field.   Calvary proved anything with a diamond equaled baseball and softball state championship.   We saw individuals such as Tyrin Cunningham from Ringgold become back-to-back powerlifting champ.  Ke’Honesty Williams reached back to back outstanding athletes for Gibsland-Coleman sharing the title with teammate Samora Sampson.  Izayla Harris from Doyline dominated Class B and took home an outstanding athlete in Baton Rouge.  Northwest Lousiana shouted loud and proud.  What a year!!!!

I’ll admit I’m no graduation speaker or great writer, but I’d like to bestow a little knowledge on you outgoing seniors.  I am a Christian and have been for the past 17 years.  I grew up in church and was always part of a youth group, but when I started working at Piggly Wiggly my senior year and then college it became a slow fade away from the church. Nothing insidious happened, just life.  I didn’t start going back until after I was married and had kids.  I now teach a college and career Sunday School Class at Airline Baptist Church in Bossier City.  Hint…hint…to those that are making their way to BPCC, LSUS, Centenary, or SUSLA.  All that to say is growing up, I learned a Bible verse at a church camp called Acts 1:8.  I have always been fascinated with this verse and it become a life verse for me.   An interesting point about this verse is this is the last thing that Jesus says to the disciples as he is ascending into Heaven.  He’s saying to them to carry His message throughout Jerusalem (their hometown), Judea (parish or region of the state), the ends of the earth (self-explanatory), and Samaria (people and places that you may not necessarily want to go).  

I’m not going to preach but so encourage you to get involved in church organizations if you are not in one.  I’ve got some words for you student-athletes that can be applied.  

Be Proud Where You Come From (Jerusalem)

If you don’t know, I graduated from Doyline High School in 1990 (yes that is a 1 and 9 as the first two numbers).  I have always been a proud Panther and even before I started this website.  I played basketball for 3 years and track for 1 year.  I was not a star and a third-string bench player.  Track,  I ran one race ever.  I was not in the papers.  I still loved my school and my teachers.  Although I didn’t know it at the time, they had as much in the molding of my character as my family. I cherish every person, friend, teacher, and coach, that helped build me into the person that I am.  Was I ready to leave Doyline when I graduated?  Yes!!! I knew there was more for me.  I’ve lived in Natchitoches, Bossier City, Denver, and Shreveport.  Still love those Panthers and Doyline.  I wanted to give back to my community.  Regardless of your view of your school right now around graduation, your hometown will celebrate when you succeed even outside of graduation.  They are the people you may have known all your life and who gave advice that shaped who you are.  Also, remember one thing about your school.  Many of you attend a 6-12 or K-12 school, you have an impact on those that are younger than you.   Sometimes those kids will listen to you more than the adults although you are giving the same message.   

Love The Area Of The Country  (Judea)

Once I graduated, college was my next step.  I graduated as I say as a Demon Bulldog Pilot.  Let me interpret it, I went one semester to Northwestern St., Louisiana Tech for 3 years, and graduated LSUS for one year.  I got a wide variety of people from around the state and country.  The majority was from northwest Louisiana which I knew with spattering from South Louisiana.  So I got out of my community and learned about the Northwest Louisiana region.  There are some wonderful people from this area.  Doyline is great, but college allowed me to get to know people from the Shreveport area, Ruston area, and Natchitoches area.  I learned I had a lot of the same characteristics unique to Northwest Louisiana.   You’ll not only get that with college or whatever you may do outside the high school.  I learned this with a job where I traveled all over the country to places like Salt Lake City, Los Angeles, Detroit, Omaha, Dallas, Houston, etc.  One thing I learned was I had an accent.  it made me unique.  I missed the southern hospitality and the friendliness of Northwest Louisiana.  Explore your region and be proud of it.  One thing I’ve learned from this website is how the communities support each other.   Branch out of your community and learn about others.  You guys are the most interconnected generation to other communities.  You know more people outside your community than most of the older generation.  Even express what it’s like to be from Louisiana.  It is a unique culture.  Each section of our state is different from other parts.  Embrace your region and learn from others.  

Learn Abroad (Ends of the World)

If you get a chance, get out and show the world who you are.  I’ve been out of the country once.  My wife had one request for our honeymoon.  It had to require a passport.  Well, she may have thought that it was going to a Caribbean beach, but it was a trip to London and Rome.  Besides, it was our honeymoon, it was a trip that I will never forget.  We got to experience a whole different culture.  They heard our accent and immediately thought we were from Texas.   We experienced Vatican City and spent a day there which is its own country.  The Jubilee procession was occurring and we got to tour St. Peter’s Bascilla and Pope John Paul II was performing a mass.   I’m not Catholic but still was an honor to see.  Some people never get out of their hometowns or state let alone the country, but if you get the opportunity to do it, take it.   Some will get this opportunity with military, jobs, or even school.  Take them.  It’s a learning experience for you and you get to represent what Americans are like. A quick story about Rome. We were walking through the markets and Leigh and I didn’t know a lick of Italian.  I learned “Thank you” in Italian which is “grazie”. I used it in a wine shop and the shopkeeper was jubilant and so helpful just because I tried to speak Italian. That experience has stuck all my life. You may change someone’s perspective about our culture.  They will change your perspective of what we have in our country.  Show them you and what you have to offer.  You could make an impact.  

Overcome Your Hindrances (Samaria)

Jesus threw a curveball in the middle of this verse.   He threw in Samaria.  Samaria was a town that was avoided during the time that this was written.  A straight highway went threw Samaria and most traveling walked around Samaria to get back to the highway.  The equivalent would be to go from Monroe to Shreveport on I-20 and go to Alexandria to avoid going through Ruston.  Nothing against Ruston.  The hindrance for Samaria was a hatred of the people.  What is holding you back?  Sometimes we have to overcome the things we may not like to grow.  Identify those things that are holding us back.  It may be a friend.  It may be a person that hurt us.  It may be a group of people.  If you let that barrier stand, it holds you from growing.  For a friend or a person that hurt you, forgiveness may be needed.  It may not be a two-way street but do your part.  This class has seen a lot of hatred occur in your years of school.  Realize not all people are that way.  You guys have seen a lot of social issues occur that are hard to comprehend.  Be a strong person.  Don’t let your growth stop because of the ignorance of others.   Jesus had the ultimate commandment “Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you all must love one another.” (John 13:34).  Learn from one another.  Ain’t nothing (English teachers calm down) wrong with telling someone you love them.

I have probably way overstepped my bounds and said too much.  If you are not a Christian and my story is offended you, I apologize.  It’s my nature and I love you the same.  What I do with this website is love for each of you who take the time to read this.  I love these kids and looked forward to showing it to more schools next year.  

Seniors,  Love you and thank you for your time and effort to your schools.   Now get out and show the world who you are. 

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Under the Radar NWLA not only likes to celebrate the achievements and accomplishments on the field of play but also in the classroom.  Each sports season the LHSAA releases the All-Academic Composite Team and the All-Academic Class Team. The following are the awards for the Winter and Spring Sports which cover soccer, wrestling, basketball, powerlifting, tennis, softball, golf and baseball.

According to the LHSAA to qualify on the All-Academic Composite Team, a student-athlete’s six-semester GPA must have an unweighted 4.00.  These students cannot have a “B” on their transcript.  They are honored at the LHSAA state events.  Five student-athletes from the Under The Radar NWLA coverage area qualified for this elite honor.

Composite All-Academic List

According to the LHSAA,  the Class Team is composed of student-athletes with a six-semester GPA of 3.5 – 3.999.  These students will receive a certificate from their school.  

Below is a list of the student who qualified for this honor 

Class All-Academic List

Congratulations to all the student-athletes above who have not only put the hours in their respective sport but also grown their future with their education. 

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