Not only did the Natchitoches Central basketball teams sweep their homecourt doubleheader Friday night at The Teepee, the NCHS family honored one of the most loyal, reliable and dedicated supporters of the school and its athletic programs.
Friday night, much to his surprise, was Warren Massia Night at NCHS. Since 1967, he has been found wherever the Chiefs were holding court, whether that be on the hardwood, the gridiron, or on the diamond. For 55 years, he has been selflessly providing his expertise in statistics and scoreboard operations for the Chiefs, sometimes for little more than his ritual hotdog before the game.
It has been said that no other has been in attendance for and watched more Natchitoches High, and since, Natchitoches Central athletic events than Warren Massia. Home and road, he’s constantly served the Chiefs and assisted media coverage whenever asked.
In appreciation, between Friday’s games, NCHS announced the naming of its brand-new scoretable in his honor.
Mr. Warren’s famous tag line is, “Save me a good seat, Coach!” As an extra salute, Mr. Massia will now have his seat with his name on it, at the scoretable named for him. The branded chair was unveiled during the ceremony.
It was a happy night on the court, appropriately. The NCHS boys knocked off previous district unbeaten Captain Shreve, creating a three-way tie for the 1-5A lead nearly halfway through the race, after the Lady Chiefs dumped the visiting Lady Gators.
It was an upset win for the NCHS girls, who captured the lead late and held on for a 63-52 victory. The Lady Chiefs were led by ReRe Bowers with 19 points and 7 assists, Tootie Gallien with 15 points and 6 rebounds, and Alyssa Chandler’s 8 points and 5 rebounds.
The NCHS boys upped their district record to 5-1 and moved into a tie with Captain Shreve and Southwood with one game to go in the first cycle of district games. The Chiefs won a defensive struggle with the Gators, 47-44.
Coming out of halftime with the score tied at 17, the Chiefs trailed by 3 starting the final period, then outscored the Gators 20-14 for the victory. NCHS forced 18 turnovers and held Captain Shreve to 35 percent (16-46) shooting from the floor. Daylin Davis topped the Chiefs with15 points and made 4 steals while Justin Aaron added 12 points and 7 steals.
The Chiefs and Lady Chiefs go to Parkway on Tuesday, then host Airline on Friday at the Teepee, when the girls will tip off at 6, followed by the boys at 7:30.
