Over 200 people attended Thursday night as student-athletes, coaches and staff from fall sports Louisiana High School Athletic Association playoff teams at Natchitoches Central and St. Mary’s were honored by the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Foundation and FLASH, the local support group for the LSHOF and Northwest Louisiana History Museum at 800 Front Street in downtown Natchitoches.
Supportive parents and family members, along with fans from the community, watched proudly as each competitor, coach and staff member on the schools’ football and volleyball teams were presented with the inaugural Natchitoches Community Spear Awards – with the acronym “Spear” representing “Sports Performance Excellence Achievement Recognition.” The certificates were personally inscribed to each recipient.
The NCHS volleyball team, led by first-year head coach Mindy Stokes, had the most impressive season, reaching the eight-team LHSAA State Tournament in Lafayette for the first time in school history.
The Chiefs’ football team also stacked up milestones as it reached the state playoffs with a six-win season and barely missed reaching the second round of postseason. Second-year head coach Brad Laird praised parents and players for their commitment and trust as the senior class played for a third head coach in their four years at NCHS.
The St. Mary’s volleyball squad won its district title and stacked up a long list of accolades under coach Stacy Aldredge in its playoff run.
The Tigers’ football team picked up steam as the season progressed, beating nearby rival Many to highlight a tough non-district schedule before going 4-1 in league play for coach Kedrin Seastrunk and pulling a first-round playoff upset in convincing style on the road over ninth-seeded St. John.
Museum director Emily Bryant and staff greeted the guests, who enjoyed snacks, cake, and participation in prize giveways during the event. Winners of the prizes will be announced on the Facebook page for FLASH (Friends of Louisiana Sports and History).
LSHOF Foundation staff Doug Ireland and Greg Burke said plans are to present the Spear Awards after basketball season to parish high school teams that qualify, and to have a spring sports recognition in May.
