So how does a pretty young lady, a graduate student at LSU, spend her leisure time? Making sure she’s up to date with the latest fashions? Shopping for lady things like purses and shoes?

Some might, and Anna Ribbeck could have interest in these things, but if she really wants to be involved in “what’s happening,” she’ll be pulling on her camo, grabbing her bow and heading for the marsh to sling arrows at nutria.

Ribbeck lives in Baton Rouge and works for the Ag Center as a social media strategist. She attends graduate school studying invasive aquatic plants such as Giant Salvinia and water hyacinths.

“I was introduced to archery in college some four years ago and I fell in love with the sport of slinging arrows,” Ribbeck said. “Since then I have gotten into bow hunting and have taken two deer already, a doe and a buck.”

There is another critter that has captivated her attention more than hunting deer. She loves to shoot nutria, those invasive rodents that eat native vegetation. Their destructive habits are contributing to Louisiana’s coastal erosion. Nutria down in the marsh make one think of feral pigs up this way. Both are putting dents in native habitat, food sources and creating havoc wherever they are found.

“I started hunting nutria last year when one of the stars of the Swamp People television show invited me to participate in a nutria rodeo. I asked him if I could use my bow, he asked me if I could hit them with a bow and I told him, ‘shoot yeah I can,’ ”she said.

Accompanied by her boyfriend, Ribbeck participated in her first nutria rodeo when 62 teams from around the country participated in attempting to see how many of the ugly critters could be eliminated.

“We went back this year to the rodeo, which is held down in Venice, and I decided to leave my bow at home and take my .22 rifle because we wanted to win. In two days of hunting, our team took 220 nutria while a total of some 1,900 were taken off the landscape by all teams,” Ribbeck continued.

So what happens to all the nutria that are taken? Are they just unceremoniously tossed aside for the buzzards to clean up?

“No, we eat them,” she said. “Nutria are vegetarians and the meat is quite good. A nutria gumbo is just plain delicious.”

In addition to spending her time in the woods after deer or in the marsh working on nutria, Ribbeck has another mission in which she is heavily involved.

“I want to educate the public, especially women, on archery. I do a lot of You Tube videos on social media under the name of Anna the Archer, and I visit bow shops to teach women about archery. I also participate in competitive archery and that has not only been lots of fun but getting to hang out with others in the sport has been a big help in developing my skills and my love for the sport,” she said.

Ribbeck, a.k.a. Anna the Archer, will be in north Louisiana late this month to host an archery program in Homer at the Claiborne Parish Library on Saturday, March 26 with program beginning at 2 p.m.

If you are a bow hunter, competitive shooter or would just like to meet this archery enthusiast, you need to make plans to be there. She may even share her recipe for nutria gumbo.

L.P. Vaughn Principal Natalie Ducote provided School Board members with an update on the good things going on at her school. L.P. Vaughn has 115 employees that serve 676 students in grades Pre-K through 2nd, hence the affectionate nickname “the little people school.”

They’ve been able to do several physical improvements to the facilities through a bond initiative the taxpayers passed a few years ago. This includes painting to reflect the school cultures and colors and create one cohesive look throughout the hallways, redoing the floors, adding covers to awnings to connect buildings, adding fencing to increase overall safety, and installing new playground equipment. BOM also donated a flag for the school’s flagpole and new landscaping surrounds its base.

The school’s two instructional specialists provide on the job professional development with bi-weekly cluster meetings.

“Teachers need this support to grow in their craft,” Ducote explained.

Vision
Home, School, Community – We care about education!

Mission
L.P. Vaughn’s mission is to work with the parents and community in developing the skills and character necessary for student success academically and socially in an ever changing world.

School Philosophy
We, the faculty and staff of L.P. Vaughn, believe the purpose of this institution of learning is to provide an environment in which all children can develop to their potential. We believe that each child has different aptitudes and attitudes and that the staff is responsible to provide for these individual differences. Our goal is to make it possible for each child to meet the challenges in a rapidly changing society.

The Natchitoches School Board was pleased to hold its committee meeting on March 10 with a whole new setup. It was the first night in their newly remodeled board room and the board recognized Ken Foy, who was responsible for building the new furniture.

“When I build something it comes from nothing but a pile of wood,” he said. “I want to thank this community for believing in me enough to do this for you. It’s easy to do things like this for people you care about and love.” 

Foy has been a member of the Natchitoches community for 16 years and was a teacher for 12 years.

“It was my pleasure to do it,” he shared.

The Natchitoches Parish School Board is thrilled to announce a new app, available for android and apple devices. It’s everything NPSB, in your pocket. This provides access to documents, dining menus, events, news updates, emergency notifications, and more!

The new district website features branding across all school pages, easy access to documents, and curated staff listings. The School Board is proud to release a website that the entire district will love.

By Warren Arceneaux, Special to the Journal 

For the third straight season, Lakeview advanced to the big stage of the boys basketball state tournament. Once again the big lights proved a bit too bright as the Gators went haywire in the first half and despite a strong rally, lost a Class 2A semifinal for the third straight season, falling 73-69 to Amite.

After an opening spurt in which they scored the first five points of the game, the Gators were out of sorts in the first half, hurrying shots on offense and fouling on defense.

Amite ended the first quarter with a 17-3 run and closed the second quarter with a 12-4 spurt to build a 36-20 halftime lead.

“Bright lights, everybody trying to be a superstar,” Gators head coach Brian Williams said of the early struggles. “Those that weren’t trying to be a star were nervous. The woke halftime talk was about going back to playing like a team, like we have all year. We have never had a half like that.”

Things got better in the second half. Lakeview opened the third quarter with an 8-2 to narrow its deficit to 10 points. 

The Gators got within nine halfway through the fourth quarter, then had a late 7-0 spurt to get within 68-64 with 1:33 left. 

Amite made three of four free throws to stretch the lead back to seven and wasn’t threatened again.

The Gators scored 49 points in the second half after putting up only 20 in the first half. Amite shot 56 percent from the floor in the game and was even better from long range, connecting on 8 of 12 3-point attempts. 

The Warriors won the state football championship and will try to pull off a rare double in Saturday’s finals.

The Warriors’ shooting display offset a brilliant individual performance by Lakeview’s Javonte Howard, who scored 25 points on 9-of-13 shooting, including 5-of-7 on three pointers.

“He’s a great player and a great young man,” Williams said of Howard. “He’s been with us since seventh grade and started as a freshman. He wasn’t even allowed to shoot the ball then but has grown into a great player who led us here. He has a few opportunities to play at the next level if he chooses.”

Fellow senior Cameron Holden had 5 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists. 

“I’m going to miss it. Coach Williams was great, like a father figure to me,” he said. “Javonte, that’s my brother right there. I’ll always remember what we’ve done together.”

Being the blessed mom with two girls of my own, and being a girl myself, I have witnessed more than the average share of mean girl shenanigans. Unfortunately, I have been on both sides of the mean girl coin. I was constantly navigating the murky waters of female adolescent friendships. One day everything is coming up roses. The next day someone is mad for something as simple as you not wearing pink on Wednesdays or something more complex like speaking to someone who has been formally removed from the friend circle.

It is so very stressful living the mean girl life, and especially being the victim of a mean girl.

When my oldest was approaching her mischievous middle school years it became an epidemic. Every single day there were tales from the halls of the school house that had me so deeply disturbed for the morale of the girls and their future. During these years, I was blessed with an older mom friend who had two older girls and she was constantly calming me down and letting me know it would be okay. She even told me that our girls will survive this with minimal input from moms.

I know God put her in my life. Her counsel and hands off approach always left me with peace and wisdom. After my oldest daughter I really put things in perspective as a mother.

Not at all saying that it is not heartbreaking when your daughter is left out, bullied, made fun of or uninvited, because it is. It rips your heart into a million shreds when this happens. As mothers we feel everything our children are going through. We have all been there and know the isolating and painful feelings it can cause.

Unfortunately, it is even more disheartening when the “Mean Girl” mentality continues into adulthood and spills over to the workplace, the church, the grocery store or even the ball field. This one is a bit harder to explain to my daughters.

I often wish that I could tell them that the mean girl stage of life stops in childhood. But, it doesn’t. As the world is always turning there will be mean girls who try to steal your joy and your peace. There is always someone trying to make you feel less than what God created you to be. There is always someone who laughs and makes light of your life’s misfortunes.

It is sad, but the world has an unlimited supply of people who do not mind bringing you down a peg or two, whether you need it or not.

One of the biggest revelations in my life came when I realized that the way people treat you is a reflection of them, their character and lack of Jesus in their life. It has nothing to do with you as a person.

The Bible is very clear when it talks about encouraging others. I have recently saturated my life with the wisdom of Proverbs. No where does it say that it is permissible to make others feel like they don’t belong, or make people feel like they are not good enough. Frankly speaking, it only speaks of building people up, putting yourself last and others first as well as turning the other cheek. It also speaks of walking two miles with a friend even though they only ask you to walk one mile.

We are faced with so many choices in our daily lives. We can live as a Christ-like example, accepting people as they are, and winning more people for the Kingdom of God. Or, we can live our lives as cautionary tales. No one wants to be the cautionary tale in a story riddled with meanness, jealousy, selfishness and pride. Our breaths that are breathed on this earth are very limited. Life is too short to treat others poorly.

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also the interests of others.”
Philippians 2:3-4

“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”
Romans 8:31

By Tommy Rush

Have you ever noticed how most doctor and dentist offices are deeply committed to communicating with those who have a scheduled appointment? This week I had a dentist appointment. I was given a card with the appointment date and time written on it six months ago. About one month ago, I received a post card in the mail that reminded me of the date and time for my scheduled appointment. Two weeks ago, I received an email, then a text message asking me to reply if I would be keeping or canceling my appointment. The day before my scheduled visit, I received a phone call from the office assistant to remind me of my scheduled appointment and then another text the morning of my appointment.

I hope I’m not the only one who receives all these reminders! Honestly, it’s a rare occasion for me to postpone or cancel a doctor or dentist appointment, but I will admit that the thought does cross my mind. It must be common for people to cancel dentist appointments. What other possible reason for all the reminders? It is human nature to avoid appointments that we think might be unpleasant.

Scripture tells us in Hebrews 9:27 that we all have an appointment that has been set. It’s an appointment that most people really don’t like to talk about. We get a lot of reminders in life but we can’t postpone or cancel. The verse is clear, ”Man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.”We all have an appointment with our Creator–or, as the old-timers used to say, to “Meet our Maker.” No one wants to think about this appointment, because we all know we’ve sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. No one has lived up to God’s standards. This is why so many people try to pay their sin debt by being good or striving to be more religious. These are not bad things in themselves, but you will never pay your sin debt by being more religious, generous or good. Our hope is built on Jesus blood and righteousness.There’s only one answer and that’s to place your faith and trust in Jesus Christ. Don’t miss the very next verse, Hebrews 9:28, which says we are “justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

Friend, that is Good News! We cannot cancel our appointment. However, we can rest in knowing that our sin debt has been paid in full. Jesus paid our debt on the cross of Calvary! If you put your trust in Christ and declare Him Lord of your life, you can be at peace with your appointment!

The City of Natchitoches would like to notify the public, a Town Hall Meeting that will be held on Tuesday, March 15 at 6:30 pm at East Natchitoches Elementary School located at 1001 E. 5th Street, Natchitoches, Louisiana 71457.

The purpose of the meeting is for Mayor Ronnie Williams Jr.  to present detailed information from the State of the City Address and answer any questions from the public.  

For more information, please contact (318)352-2772.

NATCHITOCHES – The road and less-than-welcomed weather have been constants for the Northwestern State baseball team early in the 2022 season.

At least one of those changes this weekend when the Demons start a nine-game homestand by hosting Alcorn in a three-game series. The set begins with a 6:30 p.m. Friday first pitch, continues with a 2 p.m. Saturday start and ends with a 1 p.m. Sunday matinee – weather permitting.

“We’ve played a bunch on the road early on,” sixth-year head coach Bobby Barbier said. “That’s the way it worked out. We had some home games that got rained out or moved. We’ve got more weather coming this weekend. That’s part of it early in the season. We’ve dealt with it before. It will be good to come home, work on a few things (Thursday) and be ready to go Friday.”

Northwestern State (3-9) last played at home March 1 against UL Lafayette, which was the Demons’ lone home appearance in a nine-game stretch. Five of those games were neutral-site contests in Arlington, Texas, against Oklahoma and Nebraska.

In NSU’s lone home weekend series of 2022, the Demons took two of three games from former Southland Conference rival Stephen F. Austin.

For Barbier and the Demons, coming home is as much about playing in front of familiar faces as it is about playing on a familiar field.

“The first weekend we had great crowds,” Barbier said. “They’ll be here again. I know the weather will be tough Saturday, but it’s supposed to be pretty nice on Sunday. It will be nice for them to see us again. It’s tough when you play at home and go away for a long time. It will be nice for the home fans to see us again.”

What has been consistently nice for the Demons has been the starting pitching on the weekends.

This past weekend, left-hander Cal Carver and right-handers Johnathan Harmon and Drayton Brown all recorded quality starts against Nebraska and UT Arlington. It marked the first time in 2022 all three weekend starters accomplished that feat. That trio will start in the same order this weekend.

Harmon worked a season-long seven innings while Carver and Brown each went six. Brown set a career high with his six-inning outing as he continues his transitions into a starting role after saving six games in 2021 as a freshman.

Against UTA, Brown allowed one hit and one run in six innings in a 1-0 Demon loss.

“He was fantastic,” Barbier said. “There are outcomes in pitching that are good, bad or indifferent – how the linescore looks – then there is execution of pitches and the quality of how your body is moving,” Barbier said. “That was important for him. He even mentioned it after the game. His body was live. He was athletic. Things we saw last year that maybe we didn’t see as much in his first two starts even though the outcomes were OK.

“It’s good for a guy to realize that and continue to work even though he’s had a little success. We’ve seen him pitch in a lot of big games and what he can be. He showed it on Sunday.”

Alcorn (0-8) enters the weekend off a 16-1 loss at Ole Miss on Wednesday.

“It’s coach-speak, but it’s about us getting better no matter who it is on our schedule – us getting better as we inch toward conference,” Barbier said. “We just need to continue to put back-to-back or multiple days of work in a row. That’s important for us.”

PHOTO: Gary Hardamon/NSU Photographic Services

KATY, Texas – A microcosm of the things that plagued Northwestern State at times all season all occurred on the biggest stage Thursday afternoon, ending NSU’s season in a 57-48 loss to New Orleans in the Southland Conference Tournament.

The Lady Demons (12-14, 5-9) committed 22 turnovers, were outrebounded by nine and have more than one scoreless stretch that spanned at least four minutes. UNO scored 15 points off turnovers, including some critical one in the second and third quarters, serving as the biggest difference in the outcome.

“I don’t think anyone saw the best of Lady Demon basketball today,” head coach Anna Nimz said. “But I think our entire program and all of our players need to hold their heads up because we didn’t get the outcome, we wanted but there are so many positives to walk away with from this season.”

NSU had five turnovers in the first five minutes of the game, but were able to keep the Privateers off the scoreboard for the most part.

The first-quarter media timeout seemed to settle NSU’s nerves as they had just one the rest of the period and took quick advantage of UNO’s miscues. Candice Parramore used her speed and quickness for two steals and two layups on consecutive possessions to give NSU a 13-11 lead near the end of the period.

Over the next seven minutes of the game, the Lady Demons played some of their best basketball. Sharna Ayres scored on an offensive put back then got an easy layup on the next trip through a wide open lane getting the pass from Jordan Todd.

JaMiya Braxton drained a 3 on the next trip and the Lady Demons took a 24-18 lead on another Ayres bucket with 4:06 left in the half.

Following the energy bumps from Ayres and Jasmin Dixon, who blocked a shot then scored on a pass from Ayres on the next trip, the Privateers seized control of the game by taking advantage of the turnovers that plagued the Lady Demons earlier in the game.

UNO scored six of its 11 points in the final 3:19 of the half directly off of NSU turnovers. Back-to-back layups in the final two minutes tied the game and gave the Privateers the lead as the Lady Demons failed to cash in on the opportunities they did have to score.

The run to end the half was the beginning of the roughly 10 minute period that ultimately decided who would move on to face Southeastern in the next round of the tournament.

The Lady Demons went scoreless for more than seven minutes at the end of the half and into the third then had another four minute drought at the end of the period that allowed the Privateers to take the 47-31 lead into the final period.

“The last time we played them they started off in man and couldn’t really keep in front of us so they switched to a sagging 2-3 zone and that kind of rattled us,” Parramore said. “They showed that again today, and we talked about it in practice but we just couldn’t get past it.”

Although the NSU offense struggled to crack through the UNO defense, on the other end of the floor the Lady Demons were doing the job on defense.

In the 4:32 scoreless stretch at the end of the third quarter, NSU allowed just two points, forced three turnovers and blocked one shot. The shots on the other end, especially the ones from beyond the arc, just would not fall through the basket.

“You’ve got to be able to hit the outside shot,” Nimz said of the 3-for-20 effort from deep in the game. “That’s the best way to get a team out of a zone is making those shots. We hit a few extra shots and that pulls them out of the zone and we weren’t able to do that.”

Even though the 13 points that UNO scored off turnovers in the second and third quarters were not the most against the Lady Demons this season, they came at a time when the offense was searching its hardest to find its way.

“I think we got into a few possessions where we felt pressure to try and do too much or put the team on our back,” Nimz said. “We had 22 turnovers and that makes it tough to get into a rhythm. It’s something that has been plaguing us and it hasn’t been because anyone has run and jumped us it’s just about continuing to grow our basketball I.Q.”

The Lady Demons finish the season with the largest win improvement (11) from one year to the next in program history and group of players that have only just begun to blossom as a team after just six months of on-court work together.

“This is the right team to lead the Northwestern State Lady Demons,” Nimz said. “We did not win today, but this is a process, and this is a program and I believe whole-heartedly in this group. I think the 12 wins that these girls earned, and a lot more, shows how good of a job they did. I’m disappointed in the game no doubt, but I’m proud of the program.”

Photo: Chris Reich, NSU Photographic Services

POSITION: Animal Control Officer

DESCRIPTION: Enforcement of the Animal Control Ordinance; maintain records and reports regarding impounded animals, animal bites, quarantines, investigations, citations and daily statistics; ability to operate Microsoft Word and Excel; clean and disinfect kennels and cages; provideanimals with proper food, water, and medical care; must be available for after hours and weekend work.

EDUCATION: High School diploma or equivalent. Must be a licensed driver.

CONTACT: City of Natchitoches, Human Resources​ Department located at 1400 Sabine St. 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 can download an application online at http://www.natchitochesla.gov

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: Applications will be accepted through March 21, 2022.

THE CITY OF NATCHITOCHES IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Northwestern State University Theatre and Dance will present Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night,” on March 16-19 at 7:30 p.m. and March 19 at 2 p.m. in the A.A. Fredericks Auditorium.

Tickets are $15 and $12 for senior citizens. NSU, Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts students are admitted free with a current I.D. Those attending are asked to wear a mask in keeping with School of Creative and Performing Arts protocol. For ticket information, contact the Theatre Box Office at (318) 357-4483.

The show is directed by former NSU Artistic Director Dr. Jack Wann.

“Twelfth Night” takes place in the imaginary land of Illyria, a place that, as its name suggests, combines illusion with delirium. Imagination, delusion, madness and love are all part of this festive comedy written at the height of Shakespeare’s most life-enhancing period. A set of twins are ship-wrecked and believed lost. But in Shakespeare, the lost is always found. After a zany series of mistaken identity mix-ups and misplaced romantic interludes, the characters are reunited. Aiding and abetting and often standing in the way of the eventual reunion of Viola and her brother Sebastian are a group of memorable characters including the ambitious and Puritanical steward Malvolio; a drunken uncle Sir Toby Belch; his guileless comrade-in-drink Sir Andrew Aguecheek, a resourceful gentlewoman Maria and an all-knowing singing Fool named Feste. The nobility of Illyria, Duke Orsino and the beautiful Lady Olivia, are both victims of the confusion, but all’s well that ends well. The ‘improbable fiction’ of “Twelfth Night” has delighted audiences for many, many years and provides a delightful journey into a Carnivalesque kingdom of excess and high spirits.  

The cast is Dylan Fuselier of Chalmette, as Orsino, Duke of Illyria, Mia Claire Huffman of Pineville as Curio, Summer Jones of Shreveport as Valentine and officer 1, Joy Davis of Minden as a sailor, officer 2 and a gentlewoman, Jarius Killings of Alexandria as a sea captain and a priest, Kristi Contreary of Geismar as Viola, Mikiah Odom of Marshall, Texas, as Maria and Jackson Holoubek of Shreveport as Sir Toby Belch.

The cast also includes Heather Lott of Natchitoches as Fabian, Sarah Lord Holoubek of Shreveport as Sir Andrew Aguecheek, Victoria Hickman of Mandeville, as Olivia, Robert McCandlish of Calhoun as Feste, Jeremiah Mitchell of Alexandria as Malvolio, Maudiel Aguilar of Cuyamel Omoa, Honduras, as Sebastian and Jordon Thomas of Geismar as Antonio.

NATCHITOCHES:
Maniel Bacon
November 22, 1933 – March 8, 2022
Service: Wednesday, March 16 at 3 pm at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home

Pansy Morgan
February 9, 1957 – March 8, 2022
Service: Saturday, March 12 at 1 pm at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home

Pamela Ann Roque
February 9, 1968 – March 7, 2022
Service: Monday, March 14 at 10 am at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church

Robert “Bobby” Alvin Raynes
July 17, 1950 – March 8, 2022
Service: Friday, March 11 at 11 am at Creston Baptist Church

Clyde Francis Vienne
October 19, 1936 – March 9, 2022
Service: Tuesday, March 15 at 11 am at the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church

Lenora Owen Merrell Brown
June 2, 1934 – March 7, 2022
Service: Saturday, March 12 at 10 am at Galbraith Church of God near Lena

SABINE:
Glenn Dowden
November 10, 1947 – March 8, 2022
Service: Saturday, March 12 at 1:30 pm at Lakeside Baptist Church

WINN:
Patricia Stroud Hennigan
July 27, 1946 – March 9, 2022
Service: Sunday, March 13 at 2 pm at East Jena Baptist Church

RED RIVER:
Dora Jean Ward
April 2, 1952 – March 9, 2022
Service: Saturday, March 12 at 1 pm at Oak Grove Cemetery, Chestnut

KATY, Texas – Momentum, confidence and belief are the three pillars on which Northwestern State will try to replicate another deep run in the Southland Conference Tournament.

The Lady Demons (12-13, 5-9) enter as the No. 6 seed in this year’s bracket, the same spot they were in the last time they cut down the nets in 2015. Starting Thursday, NSU has designs on playing four games in four days beginning with a 1:30 p.m. game against No. 7 New Orleans.

The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ with free streaming audio available at http://www.nsudemons.com/watch, on the NSU Athletics mobile app or locally in Natchitoches on 95.9 FM Kix Country.

LISTEN LIVE to Kix Country

The seeding is not the only similarity between the 2015 team that won it all and this year’s squad that hope to recreate the feat. Both seasons ended with a home loss to New Orleans and a home win against Southeastern in the final three games of the year.

The order went a little different this season with the 56-51 win against Southeastern coming on the final day of the season, providing at least one of the pillars to the Lady Demons in the process.

“I think that win definitely helped our confidence,” Southland Conference Newcomer of the Year Candice Parramore said. “We all know how we played against them at their place, so when they came here it was kind of like we owed them one and we wanted to go out with a bang and we did that. I feel like that’s going to do nothing but help us this week.”

From the beginning to the end the Lady Demons played with energy and effort, something they unfortunately did not do in the loss to New Orleans the week prior. The recognition of that fact paid immediate dividends in the final win and according to Parramore will add to the still growing connections on the floor.

“It helps us have confidence and to trust each other more,” she said. “It proves that when we do come out with energy and effort how the came can go in our favor.”

Two wins in the final three games heading into the tournament should serve as an energy boost for any team. This season the Lady Demons have been guilty of not coming out of the gate like they would have liked. But with the past two games fresh on their minds, plus the knowledge of past program success, the feeling of momentum and belief that it can be done only strengthens the other pillars for success.

“I like to think we have some steam behind us, but sometimes it feels like we’ve been that heartbreak team, showing up one day and not the next,” head coach Anna Nimz said. “But I think the girls are really ready and excited though.

“We brought out the bracket from 2015 when that team went in as the six seed and made it through those four long games and cut down nets. So, it’s not that it can’t happen. I think a lot of it is just getting kids to believe that it is possible. Getting them to believe and visualize that they can do it, win this first one and make some noise.”

The arena may be different and the stakes a little higher, but the lines on the floor and the call from Nimz for her team to start with energy, passion and determination remains the same.

NSU and New Orleans split their two games this season, each winning on the other’s home floor. The Lady Demons won in a runaway performance that was the largest margin of victory in a conference game since 2014 in New Orleans, but the sluggish start in Natchitoches proved too much to overcome, one of the key talking points entering Thursday afternoon.

“First and foremost, we have to show up,” Nimz said. “You go back and watch that first half in the last game and it was very lackluster on our part. They (UNO) had several get above their averages and played a great game, especially coming off an overtime loss. They came in and earned the win, but I also think they didn’t see great Lady Demon basketball.

“We don’t have to worry about that cliché of it’s hard to beat a team three times because they got that one. But we’re going to go in trying really hard to get the one that matters the most.”

TICKET INFORMATION

Northwestern State basketball fans can purchase digital tickets to this week’s Southland Conference Tournaments through etix.com.

Fans should use NSU’s code (NWST22) when purchasing tickets through the website/phone app so the university gets credit for the ticket sold.

The No. 6 seed women start their SLC Tournament journey Thursday with a 1:30 p.m. tipoff against No. 7 seed New Orleans at the Merrell Center in Katy, Texas, the 15th and final season in which the tournament will be held in Katy.

General admission tickets are $20 for each session, which includes two games. Tickets of $10 are available for groups of 10 or more.

The Lakeview Gators are once again knocking on the door of a state basketball championship after a dominating regular season.

Lakeview is the top seed in Class 2A entering the state semifinals today at Marsh Madness, at Lake Charles in Burton Coliseum. In the LHSAA’s Top 28 state tournament, the Gators (29-4) meet fourth-seeded Amite (28-5) in a 5 p.m. contest.

A pay-per-view telecast is available online at NFHSNetwork.com.

The other 2A semifinal, at 7:30, pits second-seeded Port Allen (22-10) against No. 3 Rayville (21-8) at 7:30. The winners meet Saturday afternoon at 5 for the state title.

KATY, Texas – In the regular season, McNeese used large late-game surges to pull out a pair of regular-season wins against Northwestern State.

In the first round of the Southland Conference Tournament on Wednesday, the No. 7 seed Cowboys made their big push in the first half en route to an 80-67 win to end the No. 6 seed Demons’ season.

Up 10-9 early, the Cowboys constructed a 21-2 run to lead 31-11 and maintained that edge 43-23 at the half.

NSU (9-23) cut McNeese’s edge to 12 on three different occasions in the second half, but the Cowboys (11-21) had the answers to beat the Demons for the third time this season. McNeese is 3-10 in its last 13 games with all three wins coming against NSU.

“The matchup wasn’t very good for us because we couldn’t play Kendal Coleman and Larry Owens together,” said NSU coach Mike McConathy. “McNeese made some shots, but they had early advantages in points off turnovers and second-chance points that were really big.

“Brian White was hurt and couldn’t move laterally, so it changed our lineup. We figured it out in the second half, but we had already gotten in a hole and couldn’t get over the hump. Sometimes when you down like that, you hold on every shot and McNeese made every shot they needed to.”

In McNeese’s 21-2 run, Christian Shumate, an All-SLC Third Team selection, scored seven of his nine points during the run and was part of a 24-6 bench points edge, a typical strength for NSU. The Cowboys held a 34-18 bench points edge overall.

Another usual strength is the offensive efficiency of its posts, but the Demons Kendal Coleman and Larry Owens combined to shoot 3-13 in the first half as NSU shot 35 percent overall as a team.

The Demons shot better in the second half (53 percent) as Coleman and Owens finished 6-17.

“The coaches told me that the double team might come, and I tried to make moves quick or kick out to an open man,” said Coleman, who logged his 17th double double of the season with 14 points and 12 rebounds. “We were prepared for it and did the best we could.”

McNeese made 3 3-pointers during the run and five in the first half for a team that averages just six 3-pointers per game, but the Cowboys shot the Demons out of their zone defense. The Cowboys finished 7-19 from deep in the game and shot 50 percent from the floor overall.

Carvell Teasett contributed 15 of his 20 points in the second half with five assists to join Coleman in double figures. Houston native Cedric Garrett added 12 points (6-11 shooting) and five rebounds.

Senior LaTerrance Reed scored nine points on 4-6 shooting.

The Demons put together a 15-8 run to slice McNeese’s lead to 56-44, but the Cowboys scored six of the next eight points.

“We had the will not to lose, and we fought hard in the second half,” Garrett said. “McNeese made the shots and it was their game today.”

NSU ended the game on a 12-1 run, but McNeese’s free-throw efficiency (15-18) thwarted in serious comeback attempt given the Demons poor free-throw shooting (8-15).

McNeese’s Kellon Taylor led all scorers with 22 points on 7-8 shooting and 8-8 from the free-throw line. Taylor scored 16 points in the second half.

He was joined by Trae English (12 points) and Zach Scott (11 points), who shot 3-6 from deep along with Harwin Francois.

The Cowboys owned the rebounding edge (41-28) which led to an 18-7 advantage in second-chance points.

NSU did commit just 10 turnovers and held a 19-10 edge in points off turnovers, usually a McNeese strength.

This tournament was just the fourth time in 15 SLC Tournament appearances in which a Mike McConathy NSU team didn’t win a game as McConathy is 19-11 all-time.

Owens finished his career with 536 rebounds, ranking 24th all-time in NSU history.

Coleman joined the single-season 300 Rebound Club and finishes with 304, which ranks 13th in NSU history.

PHOTO: Chris Reich/NSU Photographic Services

Title: Director of Children’s Ministry and Special Events Coordinator

Position Status: Full-time Salaried

Salary Range: $38,000 – $42,000

Summary Purpose: Responsible for developing and directing the Christian Education Program for Children to include Sunday School and small group study programs, creating environments and processes that foster discipleship to Christ. In addition, responsible for creating and implementing church-wide events that promote community-building and missional outreach.

Qualifications: Undergraduate degree or background in education; spiritual and scriptural maturity; love of children; good organizational, teaching and communication skills; ability to relate to children and parents; self-motivational; proficient with computers and social media.

Email resume’ to office@fumcnla.org or mail to 220 Amulet St., Natchitoches, LA 71547. Phone inquiries: 318-357-8296.

The genealogy department in Northwestern State University’s Creole Heritage Center invites the public to participate in a project to create a national database of Creole family histories that will serve as a central clearinghouse for researchers.

“We welcome you and your family’s history to our world,” said Markita Hamilton Small, CHC clerk. “Our efforts include gathering data from every Creole colony within the state as well as to their links nationwide. Your help is needed to accomplish this.”

The Center and its resource unit are also involved in cataloging as much of the documentation regarding Creole family histories that can be located.

“We are asking that you submit copies of family papers and photos that would add to the catalog and help preserve your family’s legacy,” Small said. “Our current collections contain documents such as baptismal and marriage records, funeral cards and programs, photographs, military records, letters, census records, succession papers, etc. If you are interested in donating copies of any such documents, please contact either the Center via email, telephone at (318) 357-6685 or mail to The Creole Heritage Center, NSU Box 5675, Natchitoches, LA 71497.”

The searchable database online reflects the information presently available on individuals born before 1921. Users will have the option to search on all fields shown as well as an option of updating any of the information returned as a part of a search. Use the Update tab for the individual and enter the information to either add, correct or change. The information is then submitted to the genealogy department who are responsible for updating the database.

“A current report from the Center’s cataloging program of associated Metoyer records gives an example of many of resource documents available. This is a listing of some of the documentation received from various individuals that is located in our Collection Files. We currently have over 1,200 Collection files representing over 30,000 pages of information. This information is currently available for research at the Center only. Plans for free online access are in the works as soon as funding becomes available,” Small said.

It is time for NSU Elementary Lab Kindergarten applications. If you have a child that will be 5 before 9/30/22, please fill out an application (proof of address needed) and turn in to the school by March 19, 2022.

Applications are available online (https://npsb.la/nsu-elementary-lab-school) or in the school office.

NATCHITOCHES:
Clyde Francis Vienne
October 19, 1936 – March 9, 2022
Service: Tuesday, March 15 at 11 am at the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church

Lenora Owen Merrell Brown
June 2, 1934 – March 7, 202
Service: Saturday, March 12 at 10 am at Galbraith Church of God near Lena