Someone told me that the most enjoyable part of campaigning would be meeting people while going door-to-door.
That person was right!
I have knocked on close to 2,000 doors – and am still knocking – and while it has been nice to see so many friends, I especially have embraced the opportunity to meet somebody new and make an impression on them in a brief period to consider voting for me. A part of my door-to-door visits include listening to feedback about our city. For the record, I am keeping a summary of those observations and whether I am elected or not, will absolutely be sharing that information with the mayor and fellow council members to determine how it could make our city better.
The “rack card” that I either hand to somebody at their front door or leave in the door if they are not home/unable to answer contains a snapshot of who I am and what I am about. For a much deeper dive, I encourage citizens to check out my website – gregburke.net. The website contains my previous editorials about crime, my skill set and why I am running along with my current and past list of community service activities (be sure to scroll down the entire main page). To date, the website has had approximately 1,800 hits since launching in mid-January.
With early voting having started this past Saturday at the Natchitoches Parish Courthouse and running through this Saturday, March 16, I encourage you to “use your voice” and if possible, go to the polls during the early voting period. The official election day is Saturday, March 23 but as I have been saying to everyone with whom I visit, why wait until that one day and risk the chance of something preventing them from voting?
Finally, I wish my Council-at-Large opponents the best of luck. I respect their ambition to pursue this office. As I have also said, I am not running against those individuals but rather, am passionate about running for an office which, if elected, would represent one of the greatest honors of my life. Furthermore, I would work tirelessly to reaffirm the trust placed in me by the voters.
Thank you for considering a vote for Councilman-at-Large Candidate #35, Greg Burke.
The Natchitoches Central High School boys basketball team reached the state championship game Saturday night in Lake Charles, but fell to defending state champion Ponchatoula. (Photo by MICHAEL ODENDAHL, GeauxPreps.com)
LHSAA Non-Select Division I Boys Basketball state championship box score
NOTE – This was the second state basketball runner-up finish for NCHS to go with state titles in 2014 and 2021; adding in Natchitoches High, the school has five state basketball crowns and five more runner-up finishes.
Lakeview senior Andre Sowell tries to make a move against a Franklin defender Friday during the Division IV non-select championship game at Burton Coliseum. The Gators fell short, 50-45, in their sixth Marsh Madness appearance in the past 10 seasons. (Journal photo by LAMAR GAFFORD)
LHSAA Non-Select Division IV Boys Basketball state championship box score
Early voting for the 2024 election and presidential preference primary kicked off Saturday, March 9 at the parish courthouse. Mr. and Mrs. Major and LaFern Ward were once again the first voters of the election cycle. The couple was joined at the courthouse door by a group of dedicated voters braving the cold waiting for the courthouse to open. It was Democracy in action and a joy to see.
Early voting will continue from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. every day but Sunday at the Natchitoches Parish Courthouse. The early voting started March 9 and will continue until March 16. Election Day is March 23. The Natchitoches Parish Journal urges every citizen to exercise their right to vote. Early voting is an excellent opportunity to ensure that your voice will be heard!
The Natchitoches Parish Journal wishes to commend Mr. & Mrs. Ward for their dedication to a better America by their active participation in our democratic freedoms. In the years we have been covering the first day of early voting, the Wards have been the first in line each time, getting up at 0500 to ensure their place in line. This election was no exception! We would also like to thank Mr. Ward for his service to our nation in the Vietnam War and Mrs. Ward for her career of service teaching in the Natchitoches schools.
The Registrar of Voters may be reached at 318-357-2211 if you have any questions.
Natchitoches Central senior guard Cam Davis dribbles the ball at the top of the key during the Division I Non-Select state title game Saturday night in Lake Charles. Davis finished with 15 points, six rebounds and five assists, but the Chiefs lost to defending champion Ponchatoula 75-60. (Journal photo by BRET H. MCCORMICK)
By BRET H. MCCORMICK, Journal Sports
LAKE CHARLES – The Natchitoches Central Chiefs were 16 minutes away from finishing one of the greatest turnarounds in Louisiana high school basketball history.
For the first half of Saturday night’s Division I Non-Select boys basketball state title game, the Chiefs battled toe to toe with defending champion and No. 2-seeded Ponchatoula.
But the Green Wave outscored NCHS 44-30 in the second half to pull away for a 75-60 victory and claim their second straight state championship.
A year after finishing 11-18 and losing in the first round of the playoffs, the fifth-seeded Chiefs improved to 29-8 and finished as state runners-up for the second time in four seasons.
“The outcome of this game will not change the way I feel about the guys in this locker room,” NCHS coach Kolton Sepulvado said. “I am very, very proud of those guys that I’ve got in that locker room.”
Allen Graves, Ponchatoula’s 6-foot-10 center who signed with Santa Clara, finished two blocks shy of a triple-double as he had 19 points, 20 rebounds and eight blocks. Senior guard Taj Jackson added a game-high 24 points and eight rebounds for Ponchatoula.
“Back to back,” said Ponchatoula coach Thomas Taylor, whose team finished 30-4. “I’m so glad that expectation has been fulfilled. We didn’t realize how much pressure people had been putting on us and expecting a repeat championship.”
Sepulvado said the Green Wave are “an extremely deserving state champion” and that Graves presented problems for them all night.
“That dude’s a player, man,” Sepulvado said. “That dude’s tough. He showed that tonight, especially once he got rolling. Man, 19 points and 20 rebounds, that’s a hell of a game.”
Sepulvado added that Jackson “had an unbelievable game” as well.
The Chiefs shot just 37 percent from the field in the game, making just 5 of their 15 3-point shots and only 9 of 18 free-throw attempts. Sepulvado credited the Green Wave’s size and length for causing the Chiefs problems.
“Any time you don’t play your best game, your opponent has something to do with it – always,” Sepulvado said. “I don’t believe in those kind of bad nights. I don’t. I believe your opponent creates those types of situations.”
Junior guard Jaden Braden led the Chiefs with 21 points on 8-of-18 shooting, while senior guard Cam Davis added 15 points, six rebounds and five assists.
The Chiefs fell behind by seven points midway through the first quarter and trailed 20-9 after one period, but they cut the deficit to a single point at the half.
Ja’Dell Demery hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key, and Davis added two layups in transition in the final 25 seconds of the half to go into the locker room down 31-30.
As has been the case for most of the year, though, the second half belonged to the Green Wave.
“I’ve said it all year … you give us 16 minutes to study you, we’re gonna figure you out,” Thomas said.
NCHS hung around for a while in the third quarter, trailing by just four following a Jacorien Beard jumper just over halfway through the quarter, but Graves scored on a reverse layup and was fouled to put the Green Wave ahead by seven.
The lead bounced between seven and nine points the rest of the quarter before Jackson’s driving layup at the buzzer put Ponchatoula ahead by 10.
Graves said “handling the (Chiefs’) pressure” was the biggest key for the Green Wave victory.
“They press the ball a lot, so we had to stop getting sped up and just play our game and limit turnovers,” Graves said.
“They’re definitely fast,” Thomas said. “They were quick as cats. (Braden) is as quick as he can get, but they didn’t have the size. They were very athletic, but 6-10 is 6-10. When Allen started getting the rebounds and altering some shots at the rim, that gave us a lot of momentum.”
The Chiefs went scoreless for more than three minutes to start the fourth quarter as an 8-0 Ponchatoula run gave the Green Wave an 18-point lead.
NCHS never was able to cut the lead back to single digits, and Graves put an exclamation mark on the victory by scoring on three straight possessions – a powerful dunk in transition, followed by a driving layup and then a putback after his own miss.
The Green Wave led by 14 with just over 90 seconds remaining at that point, and the repeat celebration was on.
Coming off an extremely disappointing season, Sepulvado credited his team’s seniors and leaders for the work they put in during the offseason to get the program back where it expects to be, competing for championships.
“They were able to go do what we put on them and that is leave their legacy at Natchitoches Central,” Sepulvado said. “We make a big deal about putting banners on that wall. You’ve got to get here to get one, and they were able to do that.”
Senior Dereon Johnson scored 21 points for Lakeview Friday in the LHSAA’s Division IV Non-Select state championship game, but the Gators were upset by Franklin. (Photo by STEVEN MOODY, GeauxPreps.com)
By LAMAR GAFFORD, Journal Sports
LAKE CHARLES – Burton Coliseum continues to be a house of horrors for the Lakeview boys basketball team.
Playing in a championship game for the first time since 2015, but in the latest of a series of frustrating trips to Lake Charles for Marsh Madness, the top-seeded Gators lost to No. 6 Franklin, 50-45, in the Division IV Non-Select state championship game Friday afternoon.
“At crucial moments we didn’t do what we were supposed to do,” Lakeview coach Brian Williams said. “On the defensive end, I thought we were very concerned with (Jay’Shaun) Johnson and (J’kylon) Caesar. But I just felt like some of my other players didn’t do their jobs because their other guys scored.”
The Gators’ made Johnson and Ceaser have off nights with eight points each, but the Hornets still managed to shoot 42% from the field behind 12 points from junior forward Treyshaun Mack – the game’s Most Outstanding Player.
Lakeview (27-7) was clinging to a slim deficit late in the third but dug itself in a deeper hole and trailed 39-30 after back-to-back possessions leading to points.
The Gators turned over the ball 22 times as their attempts to get back into the game were stopped by Franklin’s style of play.
“I expected the turnovers because Franklin wants to speed you up on defense to wear you out and then slow you down and hold the ball on offense,” Williams said. “That was my talk to these guys. That crucial moment in the third quarter was because we were no longer trying to slow down and do what we were supposed to do.”
Lakeview was led by Dereon Joseph’s 21 points on 6-for-7 shooting from the field and 9-for-12 from the line. Seniors Andre Sowell and Alonzo Driver only scored nine and eight points, respectively, on a combined 6 of 23 shooting.
“I’ve been riding those guys since they were in the eighth grade,” Williams said. “During the course of the game, ‘Just give me everything you got and just play.’ A lot of success for the last five years has because of Andre and Alonzo.”
Franklin (24-7) won its first boys basketball championship since 1958 when it took the Class 1A title over Kaplan.
Lakeview’s standard of excellence extended with its sixth trip to Marsh Madness in 10 seasons, and third in the last four years with the Gators’ six 2024 seniors. While the frustration of falling just short of a state title will linger, it should fade in time realizing it will be hard to match the career success by this year’s senior class.
Natchitoches’ Front Street was the place to be Saturday, March 9 as two beloved local traditions combined forces. Several hundred people came to enjoy a morning of family fun and shopping. The Annual Bloomin’ on the Bricks featured over 25 participants, including face painting courtesy of NSU’s Kappa Pi Art Fraternity, the parish library’s bookmobile and a variety of gardening vendors for the green thumbs among us. The popular event, now in its 24th year, is a great way to kick off the spring season.
Right next to Bloomin’ on the Bricks, the Natchitoches art community celebrated the 22nd Annual Art Along the Bricks. This celebration of creativity featured The Natchitoches Art Gallery as well as 21 vendors in an eclectic variety of artistic styles. Talented students from NSU’s Art Department were among the vendors offering their artistic pieces. Natchitoches’ own Indigeaux Tribal Fusion Belly Dancing troupe, a perennial crowd favorite, gave a high energy performance.
Art along the Bricks and Bloomin’ on the Bricks had some serendipitous guests. The Vanderbilt University Rowing Team is spending their break training on Cane River Lake and was wrapping up their first day of practice. Natchitoches has long been a preferred location for college rowing teams to train on the Cane River during their Spring Break.
The day’s cold rain did nothing to dampen the spirits of the crowd of around 50 officials and citizens who gathered to participate in the groundbreaking for the new Village of Nachez temporary village hall. The new hall will boast 1,400 square feet of space and will house the mayor’s, clerk’s, and chief of police’s offices. There will also be a conference room for village business and public meetings. Rhodes Properties submitted the lowest bid of the 4 bidders and expects construction to be complete by July 2024. The building, financed by state capital outlays, will cost $189,000.00 to construct.
Mayor Patsy Ward Hoover was joined by members of the village council, visiting Natchitoches city councilwoman Betty Sawyer-Smith, village and elected officials and citizens in turning the ceremonial first shovel of dirt. State representative Jason Dewitt, former state senator Louie Bernard, and Parish President John Salter also joined mayor Hoover and the Natchez contingent in breaking ground. Woodworth mayor David Butler represented the Louisiana Municipal Association. The Association is providing furniture and supplies for the new building.
Description: Directs, Coordinates and Supervises all day to day operations and activities related to the Natchitoches Regional Airport.
Qualifications: Broad knowledge of such fields as Accounting, Marketing, Business Administration, Finance, etc. Equivalent to a four-year College degree, Plus 5 years related Airport Management experience and/or training.
Contact: City of Natchitoches, Human Resources Department, 750 Second St. or P.O. Box 37, Natchitoches LA 71458-0037.
Applications may be picked up at the Event Center or you can download an application at www.natchitochesla.gov and turn into Human Resources at the Event Center when complete.
Deadline to Apply: March 15th, 2024
THE CITY OF NATCHITOCHES IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
This notification will assist you and your family in avoiding situations that may make you vulnerable. Please remember that these people have served their sentences and are not wanted by the Sheriff’s office at this time. Citizen abuse of this information such as threats, intimidation, or harassment of these offenders is prohibited by law.
Children are particularly vulnerable to offenders. Open communications between parents and children are vital to family safety. If a picture is available from your government Web site, show it to your family. In general terms, tell your children that this person has hurt someone before. Explain to them they should stay away from this individual. Avoid scary details. The purpose behind community notification is to reduce the chance of future victimization by better informing the public. Nearly 80% of all sex crimes are committed by someone known to the victim.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Q. Is it just a matter of time before the offender commits another crime? A. While there is no way that anyone can accurately predict the future behavior of another person, past behaviors are an indication of whether an individual, or group, poses a higher risk to the public. For example, if a driver has speeding tickets, they pose a greater risk to be in a traffic accident than drivers who do not; thus, they pay more for their insurance because they are more likely to get into an accident than non-speeders. Not all speeders get into accidents. In fact, most will not have an accident; it’s just that they are statistically more likely to have an accident than are other drivers. Similarly, not all offenders will commit another crime; however, knowledge of a potential risk should assist you and your family in avoiding situations that allow for easy access to victims.
Q. There is an offender in our area that I believe is coming in contact with children. What should I do? A. First of all, do not confront the individual. Contact us and inform us of your suspicion. We will inquire whether or not contact with children is being made.
Q. What do I tell my children about this offender? A. DON’T accept a ride from this person, DON’T go into their home or yard. TELL your parents if this person offers you toys, money or gifts.
Other safety tips to discuss with your children:
There are certain kinds of strangers that can assist you when you need help – others with children, other children, police in uniform or store clerks in the mall.
Teach your children to dial 911 and to use a pay phone without money.
Teach your children to trust their feelings and say NO and run away from a situation that doesn’t feel right.
As we near the primary voting period from March 9th-16th and the final day for voting on March 23rd, I want to take this chance to outline why I believe I am the most qualified candidate for the position of Mayor of Natchitoches.
Our current administration often boasts of its achievements over the past four years without offering concrete evidence to support their claims. Their claims include:
Millions of Dollars in Grants?
We are pleased with the City’s success in securing grants, however, it’s crucial to ensure transparency regarding the allocation and utilization of these funds, especially considering the city’s obligation to match a certain percentage to access them fully.
I will ensure effective utilization and expenditure of the purported $40 million in grants that have been received.
Crime is down?
What is the decrease compared to? The city has only recently released statistics for two months of 2022 and 2023, which do not accurately represent the full four-year period of their term. Do you believe crime is down? Daily reports of crime, both in the media and in our neighborhoods, indicate a heavy increase rather than a decrease.
I will Implement effective strategies to reduce crime in our community, collaborating closely with law enforcement agencies and studying successful approaches from other mid-city areas. As well as, explore method to enhance Law Enforcement compensation and retain personnel.
Electrical Rate Increases?
The current administration asserts that the rate hikes in 2023 and the upcoming one on May 1 are essential to fund promised First Responder pay raises. However, these pay raises could have been implemented separately from utility rate increases. They have not provided clarity on the additional purposes for these electrical rate hikes.
Recently, the administration informed the community that we cannot unilaterally rescind the new rate increases due to a required Bond ordinance supposedly signed by myself in 2016. This Bond was designated for water/sewage improvements and was not attached to electrical rates.
Upon investigation, we have confirmed that electrical rates are not bonded into this ordinance and can indeed be rescinded.
Looking ahead, if entrusted with the Mayor’s office again, I have already begun seeking advice on addressing our most pressing concerns (some already addressed above):
Pursuing the $3 million Drinking Water Grant to make immediate improvements to our water system.
Continuing to upgrade our Water Treatment Facilities.
Facilitating critical tie-ins for to our sewage treatment plant.
Continued beautification of our community is paramount. The National Trust for Historic Preservation named Natchitoches as one of the Dozen Distinctive Destinations and gave it a Great American Main Street Award®. We rely heavily on our visitors, crime and inappropriate spending will hinder our ability to maintain this accolade and attract visitors who provide crucial financial support to our community.
Lastly, I pledge to restore our city to a place where essential information is readily available at all times, enabling our city to operate effectively.
I stand behind everything I’ve ever done in my life of politics. As we approach the final moments of the upcoming election, I urge you not to be swayed by any further tactics from the current administration. Please consider my return to the office of Mayor. My agenda and intentions for this city are not driven by personal motives but by the best interests of the community.
Thank you in advance for making your voice heard and voting for Lee Posey for Mayor, #26
District Attorney Billy Joe Harrington announced that a Natchitoches Parish grand jury has returned a true bill indictments for second degree murder.
The grand jury indicted Patrick Howard, 35 of Natchitoches, for second degree murder, armed robbery and obstruction of justice. The indictment relates to a March 2023 homicide.
The defendant in the case will be arraigned in an upcoming court date.
Mr. Ronnie Williams Mayor, City of Natchitoches 700 2nd Street Natchitoches, LA 71457
RE: No notice of property subdivision as required by state law
Mayor Williams:
Louisiana law requires notice to property owners within 300 feet of property being rezoned or subdivided to be duly notified for the purpose to fully understand and offer feedback and input. The City of Natchitoches did not provide us notice regarding the subdivision of property by Rowanoak Development, LLC on Washington Street. We have discussed this no notice with Shontrell Roque, the City of Natchitoches Planning & Zoning Director. We have also discussed this no notice directly with you. To date, no action has been taken by the City of Natchitoches to address this no notice as required by Louisiana law to the impacted property owners.
The City of Natchitoches Planning and Zoning Department produced two letters on this matter. A letter dated February 7, 2022 regarded the subdivision request for 23.95 acres (see attached). A letter dated June 20, 2022 changed the development foot print and reduced the requested subdivided area from the original 23.95 acres to 14.244 acres (see attached). Shontrell Roque signed both letters and told us these letters were sent out to the property owners identified by the Natchitoches Parish Assessor’s Office that are within 300 feet of the subdivided requested property (see attached). We are not aware of any property owner on this 300 feet list that received this letter. Over half of the 25 listed impacted property owners have signed statements that confirm they did not receive either of these two letters (see attached the three signed statements for our property). These facts suggest the City of Natchitoches allegedly did not follow Louisiana law with this lack of notice.
This group of impacted property owners is not necessarily opposed or supportive of this development. Yet, the property owners we have visited with are 100% in agreement that we all should have been notified of this subdivision request as required by Louisiana law.
Two aspects of due process that are of interest to our community include the waste water / sewage load and the impact of extra traffic entering and existing Washington Street from this development with the current speed limits. Our community would have appreciated the opportunity to understand how the additional waste water / sewage impacted the current system. In addition, the curve from the North Bypass toward Flora Street on Washington Street is an accident prone area with merging traffic. The entrance of this development is directly in this section of Washington Street. We would have appreciated a discussion to consider lowering the speed limit from 45 MPH to 35 MPH to better address this safety concern.
Providing input and having a robust discussion of these two matters and other points of interest are the reason that Louisiana law requires proper notice to property owners within 300 feet of property that is under consideration for zoning or subdividing changes. The lack of notice from the City of Natchitoches as required by Louisiana law did not allow this required exchange of interaction to happen.
Sincerely,
/s/ Terry Chesser 1485 Washington Street Natchitoches, Louisiana
/s/ Gina Puls 1525 Washington Street Natchitoches, Louisiana
/s/ Ruth Shoemaker 1517 Washington Street Natchitoches, Louisiana
Paid for by the Citizens for Responsive Government
Mayoral Candidate Jerry Witman, Jr. published a video on his social media page announcing that he was withdrawing from the current Mayoral Election for Mayor of Natchitoches.
NPJ spoke with the Secretary of State’s office in Baton Rouge and was informed that Mr. Witman’s letter of withdrawal was received AFTER the deadline to have his name removed from the ballot. Therefore, his name will appear on the ballot for the March 23, 2024. However, Witman has withdrawn from the race.
As we enter the eve before early voting (March 9-16), I am filled with a deep sense of hope and determination. This election is not just about choosing a councilman-at-large; it’s about shaping the future of our community, about standing up for what we believe in, and about forging a path towards progress and prosperity.
I stand before you not as a politician seeking power, but as a servant leader committed to serving each and every one of you with honesty, integrity, and dedication. I have listened to your concerns, your hopes, and your dreams for our city, and I am ready to be your voice in a position that can make effective change. I have spent my life of service as a citizen, neighbor, friend and relative – now I hope you will honor me with the opportunity to serve in a position that allows me to be a part of decisions made for each of you and to make a true difference in our community.
I cannot do this alone. I need your support, your trust, and your vote to bring about the change we so desperately need. Together, we can build a city where every voice is heard, where every person is valued, and where every neighborhood thrives.
So, I urge you to cast your vote with confidence, knowing that by choosing me as your councilman-at-large, you are choosing a brighter future for us all. Together, let’s make a difference, and let’s make our city the best it can be. We can do Better.
Thank you for your support, and may we all go forward with courage and determination.
God Bless your voice.
/s/
Sincerely, Harold Bayonne, #33 Candidate for Councilman-at-Large
Disclaimer: I am not posing as sportswriter by any stretch of the imagination. There shall be no judgement passed on my ignorance of all of the proper sports terms. This is a feel good story and not meant for ESPN. (But if they wanted to share this story they could)
Unless you have been living under a Natchitoches Parish sized rock you are probably well aware that two of Natchitoches Parish public schools won the right represent their respective schools in the Louisiana High School Athletic Association Basketball State Championship game.
What a beautiful and historic ride this week has been for those of us who love high school sports.
The ride began a few days ago when our neighbor, Red River Parish, who is highly competitive, talented and somewhat of a rival won their bid to play in the LHSSA Boys State Championship game by beating Donaldsonville 56-45. All of the rivalry went straight out the window quicker than the cold air-conditioned air on a hot summer day.
Rivalry who? Lakeview High School’s fan immediately started cheering them on with well wishes in hopes they can clinch their first title since 1999. Lakeview’s epic cheers for them could be heard all the way across Red River!
The next day it was Red River’s turn cheer on their fellow-rival… The Lakeview Gators made their visit to Lake Charles in hopes of winning the right to play in their division’s LHSSA State Championship game. Lakeview ate and left no crumbs as they beat Pickering 54-26.
The internet went wild! The Chiefs and the Bull Dog’s fans were ecstatic for the Gators. Social media was ablaze with all of the basketball love.
Collectively, the Red River Bull Dogs and Lakeview Gators then turned their attention to the Natchitoches Central Chiefs. They wanted their other area high school to make it to the Marsh Madness in Lake Charles too. Social media was flooded with well wishes from across the Red River. The Chiefs knew they had work to do, big shoes to fill and an absolute obligation to beat Ruston High School so they could complete the trifecta of area high schools headed to the championship game.
After a close game, filled with highs and lows, the Chiefs pulled it off. While they are no stranger to State Championship games…. they will compete in their first state title game since 2021. Natchitoches Central beat the Ruston Bearcats 60-56.
The very minute it was public that the Chiefs won (there was drama with live stream…no one who was watching at home had finger nails left) the internet went crazy again. Bull Dogs and Gators were congratulating the Chiefs. Chief fans were congratulating Gators and Bull Dog fans. It was complete positivity pandemonium. My Facebook feed was complete basketball love fest and I was here for it.
With so many reasons to be divided our athletes, parents, fans and coaches chose to acknowledge that this is a historic time for basketball in our area. Period. Every single one of these teams have an excellent history of winning programs, talented athletes and coaches who care. There is so much negativity and bullying on our social media feeds these days but none of it could be seen this week. All we have been seeing is one school supporting another school supporting another school during the most memorable time of their highs school lives. This has truly been the week that basketball brought our community together.
You will have three chances to show your support to these outstanding teams.
Lakeview High School takes on Franklin at 4:00pm on March 8th. Red River will face Marksvilled at noon on March 9th. Natchitoches Central will play Ponchatoula at 8:00pm on March 9th.
Wouldn’t it be a historic sight to see a sea of maroon, hunter green and royal blue filling the stands for all three games?
Northwestern State University held its annual Job Fair for Teachers Thursday, March 7 at the university’s student union ballroom. NSU Education Majors took the opportunity to meet with representatives of 25 school districts from around Louisiana, Texas and the federal government. Our own Natchitoches Parish School system was ably represented by Director of Personnel, Ms. Linda Page. Ms. Page received resumes from a number of graduating prospective teachers, a solid indication of interest in teaching in our district.
The young men and women in NSU’s teacher residency are an impressive group. They are exactly the type of smart, hard working young people one would want teaching our children and are a superb reflection on their alma mater. The Natchitoches Parish Journal wishes them all the best in their future endeavors. We would also love to see them build their lives as teachers in Natchitoches Parish!
Note: The beginning salary in the Natchitoches Parish School District for a teacher with a bachelor’s degree is $51,875.00 per the district’s website, including sales tax payments. That salary is quite competitive, especially considering our cost of living is considerably less than in other areas. The Natchitoches Parish schools are a wonderful place to start your teaching career!
Logan Smith scored 28 points, including 5 of 9 on 3-pointers, to spark Natchitoches Central over Ruston Thursday night in the Non-Select Division I state semifinals. (Photo by MICHAEL ODENDAHL, GeauxPreps.com)
By LAMAR GAFFORD, Journal Sports
LAKE CHARLES – Last season, Natchitoches Central was one-and-done after the first day of the state boys basketball playoffs.
This season, the Chiefs are still alive on the final day.
The fifth-seeded Chiefs defeated Ruston, 60-56, Thursday night in the Division I Non-Select semifinals at Burton Coliseum. They will meet No. 2 Ponchatoula, the defending title holder, in the finals Saturday at 8 for the state championship.
“Unbelievable fight by my guys,” NCHS coach Kolton Sepulvado said. “That’s a big thing that we hammer all year long. We have an unbelievable group of guys that work their butts every single day. That’s our staple year in and year out. Getting guys that believe in the work that it takes in order to get here.”
The Chiefs were hot, shooting 51.1% from the floor and going 8-for-13 from 3-point range. Leading the charge was senior Logan Smith, who scored a game-high 28 points on 10 of 18 shooting including five 3-pointers on nine long shots.
Trailing 32-28 at the half, NCHS (29-7) opened the third quarter on an 8-2 run and played from ahead from that point forward, making 60% of its shots in the second half and outrebounding the Bearcats, 19-11 in the final two quarters.
“Once I hit one shot, I know the rest are going to fall,” Smith said. “Warming up before the game, I knew I was going to come in here and make shots.”
Ruston (22-10) had an efficient night from Zhy Scott as he scored 17 points on 7 of 10 aim, but the Chief defense made it tough for Ruston, which shot 37.0% as a team – 24% in the second half.
Junior guard Aidan Anding (16 points) and freshman forward Ahmad Hudson (12 points) also reached double-digits but shot a combined 9-for-24 because of the NCHS press defense.
“Ja’Dell Demery and Toby Adeleye battled and I’m proud of those guys,” Sepulvado said. “They fight and they compete. The big thing is with a big down there, your guards have to do well with ball pressure. You have to make have a perfect pass to get to that big, because we can go snatch it where nobody else can.”
Now, the Chiefs turn their attention to a Green Wave team that is looking to win back-to-back titles.
Last season, NCHS battled hard in the first half as the No. 24 seed before losing to Salmen 77-63 in the first round to end an uncharacteristic 11-18 season for a program that has great playoff history this century – two state titles in 2014 and 2016, two more state finals appearances, and seven Top 28 trips in the last 12 years.
But it’s last season that is the motivator for this year’s state finalists.
“I want people to forget about this, but I don’t want them to forget about it,” Sepulvado said. “Being 11-18 at a program that for the last 15 years (has been great) is rare, but we were young and every single of these guys were a part of that. We decided in March that’s not what we are. We’re Natchitoches Central basketball. We have to roll up our sleeves and get back to work.”
Lakeview coach Brian Williams leads the Gators into the LHSAA’s Division IV Non-Select state championship game today at 4 against Franklin in Lake Chares. (Journal photo by KEVIN SHANNAHAN)
LAKE CHARLES – Here’s a preview of today’s Non-Select Division IV state championship game featuring the Lakeview Gators.
The matchup: (6) Franklin Hornets (23-7) vs. (1) Lakeview Gators (27-6), 4 p.m., Lake Charles, Burton Coliseum
The teams met in last year’s state quarterfinals, with Franklin ending Lakeview’s season by topping the Gators 59-46. The Hornets reached the 2023 state finals but lost by four points to North Central.
This year’s Gators used a pressing defense to take apart the No. 4 seeded Pickering Red Devils 54-26 in a Tuesday semifinal. The Hornets upset No. 2 Ringgold 63-61 in the other semifinal. They knocked off No. 3 Oakdale on the road in the quarterfinals.
Lakeview’s semifinal performance was its best outing of the postseason. The Gators are aiming for their first state title since 2003 in their first state finals appearance since 2015. There are six seniors on this year’s LHS team.
Lakeview coach Brian Williams, wrapping up his 10th season, had these comments looking ahead to today’s state championship contest:
“This team is an interesting team. Lakeview has a style of getting up and down the floor, pressing on defense, and these kids are accustomed to that. Last year was an adjustment period for us. We got put out in the third round, and we learned we just can’t outrun everybody.
“You look at our schedule, and we play a lot of the tough 5A teams, Select and Non-Select, so we’re not the most athletic team every time. When you’re not the most athletic team, you have to utilize what benefits you, and this team with six seniors has understood a win is a win.
“My kids are all saying, ‘it’s time to get our get-back, coach.’ They (Franklin) put us out last year. They had our seniors last year crying. It’s time to get some restitution. It shouldn’t take much motivation for this game. It’s just getting out there and playing.
“Last year was a hard loss, and we have pretty much the same team. It should be a great matchup. I think it will be one of the better championship games this weekend.”
The game can be watched through the LHSAA TV network on NFHSnetwork.com for a single-game fee. Local radio station 100.7 will broadcast today’s game.
The same media options are available for Saturday night’s Division I Non-Select state championship game involving Natchitoches Central.
