The Natchitoches Central Boys Powerlifting Team are the Central Regional Champions from their most recent competition.

Medal winners included Dillan Young (2nd place), James Jackson (2nd place), Ethan Hudson (1st place), Hayden Jackson (2nd place), and Nathan Lovemore (1st place). All five qualified for the 5A State meet which will be held at ULM in Monroe on Saturday, March 26.

Dillan Young totaled 1500 lbs, James Jackson totaled 1505 lbs, Ethan Hudson totaled 865 lbs, Hayden Jackson totaled 1375 lbs, and Nathan Lovemore totaled 1070 lbs.

Picturd: Coach Chaz Carter, Coach Fred Jackson, Kaeveon Pichon, Dillan Young, James Jackson, Jeron Larry, Ethan Hudson, Hayden Jackson, Fred Jackson, Nathan Lovemore, Colby Jett, Noah Martinez, Luke Robertson, Kale Pullig, Coach Michael Wilson, Coach Jon Paul Henderson, Head Coach John Daugherty.

---

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) wants to remind the public to leave suspected injured and orphaned birds alone and undisturbed.

It is best to refrain from intervening in the normal fledgling process and become familiar with common behaviors of fledgling birds, young birds who have grown too large for the nest and need room to stretch/flap their wings and practice flight.

Each year LDWF receives calls from concerned citizens who have found what they believe to be abandoned birds. It is against the law to capture, transport or possess birds listed on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Migratory Bird Treaty Act list and other wildlife. Generally, birds and other wildlife are better off left where they are found.

It is not uncommon to find young birds away from their nests during the spring and summer as they learn to fly. Young birds can be found hopping on the ground or in shrubs, fluttering their wings and may appear to be in distress. In reality, the young bird is continuing to be fed by its parents and is simply practicing for flight. If left undisturbed, adult birds will call and wait for a response from their young and provide the necessary care for the fledging during this process.

There are cases where intervention may be beneficial. Individuals who encounter displaced nestlings, birds which are mostly featherless, may immediately return the bird to its nest if at all possible and then leave the area.

Birds do not recognize human scent and will not abandon a nestling because of it. If you are unable to locate the nearby nest, you can create and return the nestling to a false nest attached to the nearest tree or shrub where the bird was found. Instructions for false nests can be found on LDWF’s wildlife rehabilitation webpage at https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/injured-orphaned-wildlife. Remember-IF YOU CARE, LEAVE IT THERE!

Individuals who believe they have encountered an injured bird, should leave it alone and contact a biologist at their nearest LDWF Regional Office https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/contact-us or an LDWF licensed wildlife rehabilitator. A list of licensed wildlife rehabilitators can be found on the Department’s website at https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/permitted-wildlife-rehabilitators.

Anyone interested in LDWF’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Program should contact Melissa Collins at 985-543-4777.

---

The Natchitoches Parish Tourist Commission through the Natchitoches Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (NACVB) is now accepting tourism event marketing grant applications.

The purpose of this program is to engage in visitor promotions which assist local organizations and special projects in Natchitoches Parish through event or festival advertisement located outside of Natchitoches Parish and to increase attendance and community participation in events. Priority is given to promotions that enhance the visitor experience and overnight stays.

Local nonprofits are invited to apply for grant funds to assist their advertisement efforts for events or special projects held prior to December 31, 2022. Applicants may submit only one application per event each year. Fundable amounts will be determined by the grant review committee based on set criteria directly aligned with the organization’s mission. Grant awards will range from $500 – $10,000. The demonstration of overnight hotel stays strengthens an application.

Applications are due by Friday March 18, 2022 by 4:00 p.m. Applications received after this time will not be accepted unless postmarked on or before March 18, 2022.

The NACVB provides ongoing leadership in initiating and coordinating the worldwide marketing of Natchitoches Parish. It works to enhance tourism through visitor promotions and to increase attendance and participation in events.

“The NACVB’s Advertising Marketing Grant is a great tool that develops and strengthens local partnerships which also have a passion to enhance and develop the economic fabric of Natchitoches Parish through tourism,” said Arlene Gould, NACVB Executive Director.

The grant application is available online at https://www.natchitoches.com/tourism-partners . Contact Kelli West at 318-352-8072 with questions about the grant or application.

---

SABINE:
Theddie Ray Miller of Florien, Louisiana
April 10, 1936 – February 20, 2022
Service: Saturday, February 26 at 1 pm at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church

WINN:
Susan D. Hemphill
January 31, 1952 – February 19, 2022
Service: Friday, February 25 at 12 pm at Southern Funeral Home

Buford “Sonny” Elmo Lashley
January 12, 1933 – February 20, 2022
Service: Wednesday, February 23 at 2 pm at Atlanta Baptist Church

Arthur Ray Waxley Sr.
July 24, 1928 – February 17, 2022
Service: Tuesday, February 22 at 1 pm at Montgomery United Pentecostal Church

RED RIVER:
Donald Roy Dupree
December 10, 1943 – February 20, 2022
Service: Wednesday, February 23 at 2 pm at First Baptist Church

---

The 2022 Cloutierville Mardi Gras parade rolled through the south Natchitoches parish town Saturday, Feb 19. Well over 100 units participated in the popular event, bringing everything from monster trucks, floats, and horses to beautifully restored classic cars. The 2022 Parade Grand Marshal, Patrick (Petey) Hicks, Sr., led the parade.

The parade route was jam packed with over 1,000 eager parade goers who lined the main drive through Cloutierville and called out for beads and trinkets to the passing units. They were not disappointed! Beads, cups, candy and small stuffed animals were just a few examples of the huge number of items thrown by the members of the parade units. It was a rare child indeed that did not go home with a neck full of beads and a bag of candy and toys.

The Cloutierville Mardi Gras parade is a fun family friendly event and a superb example of the unique culture that makes Louisiana such a wonderful place to live. The Natchitoches Parish Journal is looking forward to next year’s parade!

---

The Lakeview Gators have been striding along all year flirting with the number one spot in 2A boys’ basketball. The Gators got a plus this year with a District Title to add to the resume. Lakeview was rolling along well until the flu bug hit the team hard.

“Who has a contingency plan for the flu,” stated Coach Williams.

The Lakeview Gators came up short twice, giving them two losses in a row.

“It is hard to go play a game when you are not at full strength. Your opponent will show you no love and state that you are giving excuses,” stated Coach Williams.

The Lakeview Gators came up short with a loss against Woodlawn 50-57 and another heart breaker to district rival Red River 53-71. The Gators were able to pull out a district victory against Winnfield 65-62.

“This was a hard stretch for us. We had to truly abide by the next man up mentality and take our results like men. We will take the two weeks before the playoffs start to get healthy and get our legs back under us,” stated Coach Williams.

With all the setbacks at the end of the year Lakeview was still able to attain another District Title and secure the # 1 spot in 2A. The high-powered offense and the smothering defense of the Gators makes them a heavy favorite in the 2A title run. The Gators will still have to contend with traditional power houses like #3 Rayville and #2 Port Allen, as well as upcoming teams such as #5 Amite, #4 Madison, and #6 French Settlement.

“2A is a hard class to prepare for. In 2A, you are still small enough where most athletes play multiple sports. With this being said, a record does not reflect the true abilities of teams that made a play-off run in football. We tend to look at the top, but there are some good teams flying under the radar. Jonesboro, Many and Oakdale to name a few,” stated Coach Williams.

No matter how it all plays out, this year’s upcoming playoffs is shaping up to be one for the record books. The Old Regime is trying to hold on to their tradition, while the new kids on the block are trying to make a name for themselves.

The LHSAA boys’ basketball playoffs will start Friday, February 25, 2020, and the only thing we can bank on is that the first-round home game will be at Lakeview. See you there or stay posted for the next article.

---

Regine Bell hosted the 2022 Black History Month program, Saturday, February 19. The theme of the program was “Unity for a Stronger Community”. The idea for the program came to the organizers as they realized that while Natchitoches was celebrating Black History Month with a parade, no program was scheduled. They decided a program was in order and asked Pastor Babers who graciously offered the use of his church.

The church sanctuary was packed with community leaders and citizens who gathered to honor the memory of Pastor Carl Means who served the Christian Outreach Church for over 40 years also serving two terms on the Natchitoches Parish School Board, one of them as its president. He was, in the words of one of the speakers, “everything a man should be.”

The event was opened by the Natchitoches Police Department’s Honor Guard presenting the colors for the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing”, the Black National Anthem, by Brandol King-Willis. LaTonia Mims gave the welcoming remarks while Regine Bell introduced the speakers and presented awards. Natchitoches Mayor Ronnie Williams and Police Chief Nikeo Collins both addressed the assembly as did Mental/Behavioral Health Professional Jane Rubunya Petite.

The New Image Mimes and Dominion Dance Team gave superb performances, a small demonstration of the talents of the young people in our community.

Activist and community leader, Norris G. Guillot of Alexandria delivered the evening’s keynote address. After the benediction, the attendees were treated to a superb supper in the church fellowship hall.

The 2022 Black History Program was a success by any measure. The Natchitoches Parish Journal extends its best wishes to all who contributed to a wonderful evening. We look forward to next year’s event.

---

The Northwestern State University Cheerleading team held its first Cheer Clinic of the year at Prather Coliseum Saturday, February 19. Fifteen young men and women aged 14 to 18 from area high schools attended the clinic to sharpen their skills and to learn about the NSU Cheer Team. Ms. Madelyn Spillman and Ms. Abby Powell are seniors at Natchitoches Central and are looking to join the long tradition of alumni from NCHS, Lakeview and St. Mary’s on the NSU Cheer Team.

The clinic, taught by NSU Cheer coaches, assisted by members of the current NSU Cheer Team, gave the participants small group and one on one instruction in stunting. There will be future clinics in March and April, culminating in Cheerleading Tryouts on April 23.

The NSU Cheer team supports the university’s various sports teams at their home games as well as competing in their own right in national competitions. They are a hard-working group of young men and women with a solid record of success in and out of the classroom.

The Natchitoches Parish Journal wishes all the best to the young men and women attending the clinic as they finish their high school careers and move on the next step. Fork ‘em Demons!

---

(Marthaville)-Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Detectives continue to search for clues or any information in connection with the suspicious disappearance of Steven Burkett of Marthaville according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Stuart Wright.

Steven W. Burkett, 49, W/M, described as 5’11”, 175 pounds, with medium length brown hair, and brown eyes of the 100 block of Eddie Williams Road, Marthaville was last heard from during the early morning hours of Feb. 12.

Burkett was reported missing to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office around 11 pm on Feb. 13 by a female friend who reported his disappearance as “suspicious.”

He was reportedly last seen driving a dark gray GMC 4X4 pickup truck with fender flares and a decal in the rear glass.

Detectives immediately began speaking with other family and friends in an effort to gather additional information and other specific information about Burkett.

He has not been heard from.

Last week, detectives executed a search warrant at Burkett’s residence on Eddie Williams Road near Marthaville searching for any additional clues or evidence.

NPSO Detectives, along with assistance from the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office, Many Police Department, Natchitoches Parish Fire District #7, cadaver dogs from Shreveport Fire Department, Ark-La-Tex K-9 Rescue, and retired Sheriff Victor Jones who volunteered his time and personal equipment searched three separate locations on Preston Hayes Road near Marthaville on foot, all-terrain vehicles and horseback looking for Burkett or any clues to his whereabouts.

Sheriff Stuart Wright said detectives are continuing to investigate Burkett’s disappearance and ask that if you have any information as to his whereabouts or disappearance to please contact the NPSO Criminal Investigations Bureau at 318-357-7830.

---

The NSU Wind Symphony will perform on Thursday, Feb. 24 at 7:30 p.m. in Magale Recital Hall. Admission is free and open to the public. University COVID protocols will be in effect. Those attending are asked to wear a mask. Dan McDonald will conduct the Wind Symphony.

The Wind Symphony will perform Joseph Schwantner’s “New Morning for the World: Daybreak of Freedom,” with Natchitoches Mayor Ronnie Williams Jr. as the narrator. They will also play “Nova” by Katahj Copley and “Come Sunday” by Omar Thomas.

Schwanter, a Pulitzer-Prize winning composer, wrote the piece in 1982 as a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The work has received hundreds of performances by major orchestras throughout the United States and has been narrated by such noted individuals as: Coretta Scott King, Yolanda King, James Earl Jones, Maya Angelou, Danny Glover, Robert Guillaume, Alfre Woodard, and Vernon Jordan.

“I was excited by the opportunity to engage my work with the profound and deeply felt words of Dr. King, a man of great dignity and courage whom I had long admired,” said Schwanter. “The words that I selected for the narration were garnered from a variety of Dr. King’s writings, addresses, and speeches, and drawn from a period of more than a decade of his life. These words, eloquently expressed by the thrust of his oratory, bear witness to the power and nobility of Martin Luther King Jr.’s ideas, principles, and beliefs. This work of celebration is humbly dedicated to his memory.”

“Nova” gets its namesake from the word nova meaning new and supernova- a powerful luminous stellar explosion. The beginning is like a small star shining bright with different colors around it but as the music continues to grow the star gets bigger. Finally the star exploded- shooting colors and light throughout turning the old star into the new star, filled with dreams, colors, and joy bigger than most.

“Come Sunday” is a two-movement tribute to the Hammond organ’s central role in black worship services. The first movement, “Testimony,” follows the Hammond organ as it readies the congregation’s hearts, minds, and spirits to receive The Word via a magical union of Bach, blues, jazz, and R&B. The second movement, “Shout!,” is a virtuosic celebration – the frenzied and joyous climactic moments when The Spirit has taken over the service. The title is a direct nod to Duke Ellington, who held an inspired love for classical music and allowed it to influence his own work in a multitude of ways.

---

Northwestern State grinded through a back-and-forth game with rival Stephen F. Austin on Sunday, coming up with key plays, important outs and big hits in a 5-4 win to take the opening-weekend series.

After Drayton Brown gave the Demons (2-1) five solid innings, allowing just three hits and two runs, both coming on a fourth-inning home run, the Demon offense answered the call each time it was needed down the stretch. Daunte Stuart’s go-ahead double in the bottom of the eighth served as the final reply to secure the victory.

“I thought we kept going,” head coach Bobby Barbier said. “That’s important in these weekend series. Things aren’t always going to be nice and easy. I thought we played clean defense and we swung the bats good.

“On the mound out of the bullpen those guys have been really good for us in the fall and early spring and, for one reason or another, some of them didn’t have it like we’re used to seeing. We still trust those guys tremendously, but we’ve got to come out with a little more intent and that’s something they’ll learn. But I’m proud of them. Proud of the team and the way we fought, and we’ll learn from this like we learn from any game, win or lose.”

Down by a pair after the homer in the top of the fourth put them behind, the Demons saw the first three batters reach base in the bottom of the inning. Jeffrey Elkins sent a pitch right back through the middle to bring Broch Holmes in to score.

On a sailing throw back in from center that went all the way to the back stop, the NSU runners were caught between nearly every base trying to advance as SFA (1-2) scrambled to recover the ball. After an attempt to get Elkins diving back into first failed, the through back to third in an attempt to cut down Gray Rowlett, led to an interference call by the umpire. The call sent Rowlett to the plate and evened the game at two.

NSU took the lead in the bottom of the next inning with on a Cole Horton knock through the left side but left the bags full with a strikeout to end the inning.

The Lumberjack answer came in the next half inning as NSU went to the bullpen for the first time, but Stuart’s first clutch hit of the game put the Demons back ahead 4-3 with an RBI single up the middle in the sixth.

SFA got an RBI single of its own in the seventh and loaded the bases looking to take the lead, but Alex Makarewich got a hugely important strikeout of Cal Martin, who had three of the four SFA RBIs on the day, to end the inning.

Another threat presented itself in the top of the eighth but the steady NSU defense stifled the Lumberjacks.

With the go-ahead runner at third, catcher Bailyn Sorensen gunned down the potential base stealer at second for the second out of the inning allowing reliever Donovan Ohnoutka to get out the inning with the score still even at four.

“We made a big play to throw the guy out at second on the attempted steal,” Barbier said. “That really let him (Ohnoutka) settle down and come back out like he normally is with his good stuff. Bailyn really did a good job there picking him up. That’s what we have to be, and we prepare for that. The game isn’t always going to be roses and fairy tales, it’s a tough, hard game to play. We need to have each other’s back, pick each other up and I thought we did that today.”

The steal that didn’t work for SFA in the top of the inning, was executed to perfection by NSU in the bottom of the inning. Larson Fontenot slid into scoring position with a swipe of second after a two-out single to right put the go-ahead runner on base, setting the table for Stuart’s game winner.

“The guy was a really good pitcher so I was just doing the best I could to stay in the at bat,” Stuart said. “The stolen base just kind of happened on its own. I was just trying to stay in there, battle and see what I could do to score a run because I knew we needed it.

“I was just looking for a fastball there and do my best to adjust. He had some really good stuff I knew I couldn’t make any mistakes while he was up there.”

Ohnoutka finished the ninth to pick up his first win of the season, with a hitless final 1 2-3 innings.

Fontenot and Stuart combined for six of the 12 hits for NSU in the game with Cole Horton adding a pair in a 2-for-4 day and every batter in the lineup reaching base either by a hit or a walk on the day.

Photo: Gary Hardamon

---

Northwestern State has won a match this season short-handed, but Friday’s victory against Texas-San Antonio felt like a power play.

The Roadrunners played with just five players, and NSU capitalized with the doubles point and four of the five singles points to pull away to a 6-1 victory.

NSU (5-2) will attempt to sweep its five-match homestand Sunday when Southern Miss (4-0) visits for an 11 a.m. match. The Lady Demons have knocked off Loyola-New Orleans, Texas State, Stephen F. Austin and now UTSA in the three-week homestand.

Three of NSU’s singles wins involved tiebreakers as the Lady Demons pushed to wins in each of those matches.

Viktorie Wojcikova continued her recent dominance in the No. 5 hole, taking her fourth straight singles match with a 7-5, 6-2 win over Sophie Omowarare.

Rozalie Dohnalova gets her first win against Division I opponent in the No. 1 singles slot, beating Aleksandra Zlatarova (6-2, 5-7, 6-1).

Ayu Ishibashi picked up her third straight singles win in the No. 4 position as she topped Eva Beyerbach in a 7-6 (2), 6-3 victory.

Mariella Minetti has been rock solid in the No. 3 hole, winning her third match in her last four with a dominating 6-2, 6-1 win over Stanislava Bobrovnikova.

Tjasa Klevisar suffered her first singles loss of the season, dropping in the No. 2 slot to Jasmin Starr in a 6-3, 6-4 decision.

UTSA played with just five players, and they forfeited the No. 6 singles point and the No. 3 doubles position. Patrycja Polanska picked up the forfeit win in singles with her and Ayu Ishibashi slotted for doubles forfeit win.

The forfeit worked in the Lady Demons favor after NSU and UTSA split the two doubles matches that were actually played.

Wojcikova/Dohnalova rolled to a 6-2 victory over Omorworare/Beyerbach, but UTSA’s Zlatarova/Starr captured a 6-4 win against Minetti/Klevisar in the No. 1 doubles slot.

NSU will attempt to sweep its five-match homestand Sunday when Southern Miss visits for an 11 a.m. match.

UTSA and Southern Miss will square off on Saturday at Jack Fisher Tennis Complex before the Golden Eagles swoop in to play the Lady Demons on Sunday.

USM (4-0) rolls into the weekend with a perfect record, including wins against Southland Conference members Southeastern and former member Sam Houston State.

PHOTO: Gary Hardamon/NSU Photographic Services

---

If ever there was a creature on God’s green earth that runs the gauntlet from good to bad to ugly, it has to be the vulture, or what most of us call the buzzard.

First, the good. I have enjoyed sitting in my warm, cozy home on a cold, windy day and watching buzzards seemingly having the time of their lives. If you haven’t done so lately, sit and watch how graceful these big birds are riding the wind currents, drifting so eloquently with the breeze. Effortlessly drifting with the wind, a sudden change in altitude and direction seems second nature for these majestic birds. They are fun to watch in midair.

Buzzards are also known for cleaning up road kill and carcasses of dead animals. They provide us a service in doing this because nobody wants to have to endure the stink of something dead rotting away of its own accord. Buzzards not only enjoy the feast but when several are gathered, a carcass can be quickly reduced to bare bones.

In our part of the world, the largest buzzard is the turkey vulture. With a wing span of near six feet, the bald head and reddish face is characteristic. The flight of the turkey vulture is more graceful than that of its cousin, the black vulture, which is easily recognized not only in its smaller size but when you watch one fly, wing beats are more rapid and the tail is shorter than the turkey vulture.

Both species are known for excellent eyesight with an uncanny sense of smell. This brings to mind when once I brought home a sack full of collard greens and my wife insisted that I cook them outside, so I set up my cooker on the driveway a few feet from the house.

As the greens began cooking with steam rising, I noticed moving shadows along and over the driveway. Half a dozen buzzards were circling overhead, apparently mistaking the aroma of my collard greens for a road-killed possum. Pointing out this interesting activity to my wife, she opted for a sandwich for lunch.

Now, for the bad. Buzzards seek out sheltered areas for nesting, primarily hollow logs or cavities. They also love to nest in vacated deer stands when the unthinking hunter leaves a window open on his box stand after season ends.

Before season opened one year, I went out to check my stand, one in which I had carelessly neglected to secure a window, and I don’t have to tell you what I found. Although my sense of smell is not as acute as that of a buzzard, I began picking up unsavory whiffs of stink before I got to the stand.

Fearing the worse, I climbed the ladder and opened the door and to make a long, stinky story short, the mess that a nest of buzzards had left in the stand meant a cleaning job I never want to repeat.

Now let’s talk about the ugly. As graceful as buzzards are when they are airborne, getting a close-up view of a buzzard withdrawing his head from the inner portions of a three-day-old road killed deer is a sight you hope doesn’t catch your children’s attention. Bald, reddish with a beak designed for doing what it does, that’s a sight you’d like to avoid, or at least soon forget.

I learned another interesting fact about buzzards. Groups of different species of animals and birds are given names. A flock of geese, a herd of elephants, a sounder of feral pigs, for example.

With the current political climate being what it is, it may be a somewhat appropriate name for a bunch of buzzards. Whoever came up with their name years ago was a visionary. They are called a “committee” – a committee of buzzards.

---

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Northwestern State started Texas A&M-Corpus Christi’s five-game slide with a win on Jan. 29, but Saturday is where it stopped as the Islanders held off the Demons in an 83-76 win.

Trailing almost all of the second half, a Carvell Teasett 3-pointer sliced the Islanders’ lead to 77-76 with 55 seconds remaining.

But with a couple of chances to take the lead late, NSU couldn’t find the bottom of the net as TAMU-CC (17-10, 4-6 SLC) made six free throws in the final minute to protect its edge.

“Cedric Garrett and Emareyon McDonald had 3-pointers late that went in and out, and we just never could get over the hump,” said NSU coach Mike McConathy. “There were a lot of ebbs and flows in that we were down 11 points then cut it to four and later to two a couple of times.

“It’s weird to say this but it reminded me of the UIW game on Thursday because they had a shots go in and out, but we blitzed them when that happened (in the 24-point win).”

NSU (8-20, 4-7 SLC) shot just 41 percent from the field and 26 percent from 3-point range as the Southland Conference’s leading shooting bunch from deep.

The Demons held a 36-35 halftime advantage before the Islanders pieced together 15-6 run to start the half and never surrendered the lead.

Isaac Mushila scored six of his 17 points during the run to go with 12 rebounds.

NSU kept itself afloat at the free-throw line, sinking a season-high 26-29 shots, including a career-best 8-8 for freshman Kendal Coleman, who was making below 50 percent for much of the season.

Coleman posted 18 points and 14 rebounds, his 13th double double in the last 18 games and ninth against SLC opponents.

But NSU grabbed just 27 rebounds as they faced a -19 rebounding margin, including an 18-4 disadvantage on the offensive glass that led to 23 second-chance points.

The Demons played zone defense for the majority of the second half, which contributed to the Islanders’ 39 percent shooting but also to the rebounding discrepancy.

“We haven’t been outrebounded like that in a long time,” said McConathy of an NSU bunch that had outrebounded 15 of its 27 opponents heading into Saturday. “Our zone caused problems for them, but it also caused problems in rebounding for us.

“It’s a tough game, but this group kept fighting back and fighting back, and this bunch might have folded three weeks ago, so I think we saw growth there.”

Against a top-10 in forcing turnovers, NSU actually won the turnover battle 15-14.

But the Islanders won the points off turnovers category 19-11, all of which came in the first half.

Joining Coleman in double figures was a career-high 10 points for Shaun Riley and a conference-high 11 points for McDonald. Riley added four rebounds and two blocks in his second straight start.

McDonald played 20 minutes with Teasett and Brian White in foul trouble early in the second half.

Teasett chipped in with 13 points including 3-6 from deep and 4-5 from the free-throw line. Jovan Zelenbaba scored 10, reaching double figures for the first time in conference play.

It’s the first time NSU has had five players in double figures in conference play and second time this season.

“I thought Emareyon did an excellent job tonight, and he had just one turnover,” McConathy said. “He’s always a threat to score, and he’s very crafty.

“Riley is long and athletic enough to put it on the floor and get to the basket, so he’s a tough matchup now that he’s grown into his role.”

For the Islanders, Terrion Murdix’s 20 points (9-10 free throws with six rebounds and five steals) led the way with 14 from DeLazurus Keys and 11 from Trevian Tennyson to join Mushila (17).

In the first half, NSU didn’t grab a lead until a 10-5 run handed the Demons a 27-26 edge.

Three-pointers from Zelenbaba and McDonald laid the foundation for the run before Kendal Coleman and Cedric Garrett knocked down jumpers.

The second wave stabilized an NSU offense that started just 3-10 from the field, and a Robert Chougkaz three-point play sliced AMCC’s lead to 16-15 before the Islanders traded buckets with the Demons for the next few minutes.

Coleman led all scorers with 12 points on 5-6 shooting and seven rebounds in the first half.

McDonald supplied seven points off the bench including four made free throws.

Each team forced 11 turnovers, but the Islanders led 19-4 in points off those turnovers thanks to a 13-5 edge in fastbreak points.

But the halfcourt execution went to the Demons as NSU shot 44 percent from the floor compared to just 36 percent for the Islanders.

NSU missed an opportunity to gain on other teams vying for fourth place as Houston Baptist (4-6 SLC) and McNeese (4-7) both lost. The Islanders (4-6) are currently in the best shape for the final SLC Tournament bye.

The Demons cap the regular season with three home games against teams that handed NSU an 0-3 start to league play on the road.

NSU welcomes Nicholls on Thursday and UNO on Saturday before bringing in Southeastern to finish the regular season on March 5.

The three teams combined are 22-6 in SLC games.

PHOTO: Chris Reich/NSU Photographic Services

---

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Northwestern State gave Southland Conference-leading Texas A&M-Corpus Christi as much as they could handle Saturday, but the Islanders fended off a pesky Lady Demons bunch in a 65-55 win.

The Lady Demons (10-12, 3-8 SLC) led by as many as six points after an Alecia Whyte layup started the third quarter, but the Islanders (17-7, 9-1 SLC) went on a 20-3 run buoyed by their transition offense to grab a 49-38 lead late in the period.

The Islanders scored 21 points off 17 NSU turnovers, the main factor in that game-defining run.

“Everybody was really frustrated with the overtime loss at UIW on Thursday because we did things that weren’t coached,” said NSU coach Anna Nimz. “But today, I take nothing but positives away because these girls did what we asked them, and I was happy with the bounce back even in a loss.

“We had some scoring and rebounding droughts, and turnovers were obviously an issue. But I thought today was about growth for us.”

NSU climbed back in the game with a 12-3 run to slice AMCC’s edge to as close as 52-50 around the seven-minute mark of the fourth quarter.

Three-point plays from Monette Bolden and Candace Parramore supported the run as Bolden scored five of her 10 points during the stretch.

Parramore scored a team-high 12 points, including making all seven free-throw attempts. The Lady Demons made 16-18 from the line. Parramore also had six turnovers.

But the Islanders had one more surge left, going on a mini 6-1 run to re-establish distance from their opponent as NSU scored just four points in the final five minutes.

A pair of free throws from Jordan Todd, whose 11 points and 10 rebounds were her second double double in the last three games and sixth overall, cut AMCC’s advantage to 58-55 at the three-minute mark.

NSU couldn’t score after that as the Islanders stretched the gap with the final seven points.

“We still have an opportunity to do something cool come March, and we played well in stretches today,” Nimz said. “We’ve got to correct ourselves somewhat and stop beating ourselves as much as we are.

“It was nice to see length all along the bottom of our zone (defense) today for the first time, but we need players who might not be playing as many minutes as they once were to understand that and go 100 miles per hour with the minutes they are playing.”

AMCC’s Makinna Serratta (16 points) and Alecia Westbrook (15 points) were joined by Violeta Verrano (11 points) in double figures.

After hanging around in the first quarter, the Lady Demons put together a huge second quarter to build a 33-29 halftime lead.

Down 21-14 late in the first quarter, NSU went on a 12-2 run to snatch a 26-23 edge.

Three-pointers from Bolden and Whyte helped power a run that saw the Islanders score just two points over a nearly seven-minute stretch.

NSU led by as many as six thanks to three free throws from Woodson and Parramore as the Lady Demons sank 8-8 from the line compared to just 1-2 for TAMU-CC in the first half.

The ball moved well on both sides as the Islanders had assists on 10 of their 12 buckets and NSU on seven of their 10 baskets.

In her first career start, Sharna Ayres contributed four assists, including on two of NSU’s five 3-pointers. But the Lady Demons went 0-7 from deep in the second half.

NSU plays its final three regular season games at home, including against two teams in which the Lady Demons scored road victories.

NSU hosts Nicholls on Thursday and UNO on Saturday, whom the Lady Demons did beat on the road.

PHOTO: Chris Reich/NSU Photographic Services

---

Natchitoches Junior High School JAG would like to extend their gratitude to City Bank & Trust Company for their continued support of our program.

JAG is designed to educate students on careers, leadership, community service and social awareness.

Pictured: Jacquelyn Rainwater & Ashlynn Chaney

---

Natchitoches Regional Medical Center is currently hiring Licensed Practical Nurses in the following departments:

• Courtyard of Natchitoches: Full Time, Part Time, & PRN
• Insights: Full Time
• Orthopedic Clinic: Full Time
• Walk in Clinic: Full time

Required Education and Experience

1. Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.
2. Current State of Louisiana Nurse Licensure.
3. Current BCLS certification must be available upon hire or certification must be obtained within 6 months of employment. 
4. Current ACLS certification must be available upon hire or certification must be obtained within 6 months of employment. 
5. Current PALS certification must be available upon hire or certification must be obtained within 6 months of employment.
6. Successful completion of arrhythmia course must be available upon hire or certification must be obtained within 6 months of employment.

NRMC Offers Great Salaries & Benefits.

To view and apply to these openings, please visit: www.nrmchospital.org/jobs/.

If you have questions or would like to speak to our Recruiter, please contact Larissa Cameron at 318-214-5819 or at larissa.cameron@nrmchospital.org

---

POSITION: Human Resources Director – Finance Department

DESCRIPTION: Develops, implements and administrates the City’s personnel and benefits programs. Will provide personnel services to the different City departments, coordinate, direct and administer personnel activities such as employment, employee relations, benefits, drug testing, employee services and all other Human Resources duties for the City.

QUALIFICATIONS: The successful applicant shall have graduated from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in Human Resources, Public Administration, Business Administration or a closely related field.

CONTACT: City of Natchitoches, Human Resources Department located at 1400 Sabine Street, or P.O. Box 37, Natchitoches, LA 71458-0037. Applications may also be picked up upstairs at City hall, located at 700 Second St., or you may download an application on line at http://www.natchitochesla.gov

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: Applications will be accepted until March 1, 2022.

THE CITY OF NATCHITOCHES IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

---

For more than thirty years, Friends of LPB has honored Louisiana’s best and brightest as ‘Louisiana Legends.’

Valsin A. Marmillion, an alumnus of the Beta Omicron Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity at Northwestern State University is among the 2022 honorees who have distinguished themselves in fields as diverse as philanthropy, science, sports, environmental conservation, and the humanities.

Marmillion joins a prestigious list of 149 past Louisiana Legends that includes Academy and Grammy Award winners, star athletes, Pulitzer Prize winners, esteemed dignitaries, including a United States Ambassador to the United Nations.

Marmillion is recognized as one of the top campaign strategists in the country. He founded Marmillion + Company Strategic Communications (MCo) in 1989 and partnered with Rannah Gray in 2003 to form Marmillion/Gray Media. More recently, he also served as Managing Director of America’s WETLAND Foundation.

Prior to forming Hunt/Marmillion, he was manager of public information for Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO) in Los Angeles. Before joining ARCO, he was in congressional service in Washington, D.C. where he served on the staffs of the late Senator Allen J. Ellender, Senator Elaine S. Edwards, and Congressman Burt Talcott and as Chief of Staff for then Congressman John B. Breaux. He directed Breaux’s U.S. Senate race in Louisiana in 1986 and is credited with running a brilliant campaign to pull off major upset.

He also served as Louisiana coordinator of President Carter’s 1980 reelection campaign and a floor whip at the Democratic National Convention that year.

Under Marmillion’s leadership MCo has emerged as one of the nation’s premiere marketing and communications firms with offices in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. Past clients include the State of Louisiana, the National Conference of State Legislatures, the National Association of Counties, the American Psychological Association, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, IBM, Verizon, and UCLA.

He has led several ambitious public education campaigns for various clients: American Psychological Association (Talk to Someone Who Can Help); UCLA, (Where Great Futures Begin); National Association of Counties, (Counties Serve America); the National Endowment for the Arts, (The American Canvas); National Association of Elementary School Principals, (Our Children, Our Schools, Our Future); National Conference of State Legislatures, (The Forum for America’s Ideas); the J. Paul Getty Trust, for the Arts Education Partnership, (Arts Literacy for Changing America); and for the State of Louisiana (America’s WETLAND: Campaign to Save Coastal Louisiana).

Many of his campaigns have earned recognition for their groundbreaking work in bringing challenging issues to the public. Most recently, MCo won the Best Public Service Campaign of 2006 from the PR News NonProfit Awards for MCo’s work with America’s WETLAND. MCo has also won two prestigious Silver Anvil awards, from PRSA and many other national awards for its work including Tellys, Pollies, Communicator, and Videographer.

Marmillion has served as executive producer for numerous programs including several features developed for Discovery and The Learning Channel. His production work has garnered several awards including: the prestigious Pollie Award from the American Association of Political Consultants and the Platinum Award from the League of American Communications Professionals.

This year’s gala and auction, which is a fundraiser for Friends of LPB, will be held Thursday, April 28, 2022 at Louisiana’s Old State Capitol in Baton Rouge.

Other honorees include Arthur Favre, CEO and Founder of Performance Contractors, and philanthropist making extraordinary impacts to health care, medical research, and education; Dr. Saundra Yancy McGuire, retired Assistant Vice Chancellor and Professor Emerita of Chemistry at LSU and recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring; Dr. Stephen McGuire, James and Ruth Smith Endowed Emeritus Professor of Physics at Southern University and A&M College and Southern University’s Principal Investigator to the LIGO Scientific Collaboration awarded the 2017 Nobel Prize in Physics; Coach Paul Mainieri, retired LSU Head Baseball Coach who led the Tigers to the 2009 National Championship; Thomas Whitehead, expert and preservationist for the Clementine Hunter Collection; and Beth Courtney, retired president of Louisiana’s only statewide public television network and one of the first women to achieve national leadership in broadcasting.

---

Natchitoches ARC is a Home and community-based center for individuals with disabilities. We provide day habilitation services with scheduled activities in a non-residential setting. We also have pre-vocational services which are focused on job readiness activities such as career exploration and Job discovery as an expansion to pre-vocational. We also provide supported employment services that offer opportunities such as specialized support for our clientele.

N.A.R.C. has been serving the Natchitoches parish area for 59 years and was founded in 1963. Our clients have participated in Special Olympics and have participated in community activities that helped to enrich our clients’ lives. As a nonprofit, we are always looking to the community for support. We had NARC that is always looking for volunteers to teach classes or activities to participate in and if you don’t have time to give, please consider making a donation to help fund our activities.

---

BOM is continuing our support of the @nrmc_natchitoches Partners in Excellence program. Pictured left to right: BOMFS’ Reba Phelps, Halie Errington (NRMC), BOM’s Katrice Below and Lyn Christophe, Sean Baylor (NRMC), BOM’s Sarah Giannone and Blaise LaCour.

---

NATCHITOCHES:
Vera Carnahan Mariner
December 25, 1925 – February 13, 2022
Service: Monday, February 21 at 10 am at St. Augustine Catholic Church

WINN:
Arthur Ray Waxley Sr.
July 24, 1928 – February 17, 2022
Service: Tuesday, February 22 at 1 pm at Montgomery United Pentecostal Church

RED RIVER:
Tommy Gene Hatcher
December 16, 1931 – February 17, 2022
Service: Monday, February 21 at 2 pm at Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home Chapel

---