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Oakdale tennis participates at state competition

The tennis program at Oakdale High School added another level on top of its already solid foundation by sending 12 competitors to the state match held last week on the campus of the University of Louisiana in Monroe. Camryn Bullock and Daniel Rodriguez were state quarterfinalists in boys’ doubles, Dawson Noblitt and Tyheim Waller finished in the Round of 16 in boys’ doubles, Madeline Jarnagin and Lexi Hankla finished in the Round of 16 in girls’ doubles, and LaKayla Simmons and Jayden Hartley also finished in the Round of 16 in girls’ doubles. Tasked with building the program  to this point was coach Zealon Solomon. Before the team left for Monroe, he reflected on the past season. “This has been a very unexpectedly good season overall,” he said. “I didn’t think we would get 29 matches in, and then we went 28-1 in those matches.” The record stands out more considering Oakdale played more 5A and 4A schools than seasons before. Solomon added about the season, “Our seniors and upperclass
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Kinder cannot hold off late Mangham surge

SULPHUR- Even though Kinder took down top seeded Many in the state semi-finals, the Lady Yellow Jackets were unable to keep up the momentum a day later in the finals as they fell to Mangham. The Lady Yellow Jackets came from behind twice to take a lead in the top of the seventh inning against Mangham, but the Lady Dragons rallied back and scored three runs with two out in the bottom of the inning to win 9-8. “We thought we had the game won several times,” Pickle said. “It just wasn’t meant to be for the Lady Jackets.” Mangham led 4-1 going into the top of the sixth inning. Nine hole hitter Asia Richard led off the frame with a single. Kinder then got doubles from Brooklyn Fontenot, Laura Gartman, and Chloe Oliver as three runners scored to tie the game. Gartman’s double drove in two of the runs with one out. Mangham leadoff hitter Kara Welcher walked to begin the bottom of the inning but was retired on a play at the plate. However, the Lady Dragons still plated a pair of runs to reta
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Lady Hornets win third consecutive Class C state softball championship

                                     SULPHUR- A range of emotions was felt by the Plainview Lady Hornets after achieving dynasty status following their third consecutive Class C softball state championship. “It’s a little bittersweet because that was my last game playing with these girls,” said starting pitcher and state tournament most valuable player Madison Pippen. “We played six years together. We’ve all grown really close, and we’re like family. It’s a great feeling.” Echoing Pippen’s sentiments was senior Allie Willis. “The first emotion I felt after we won was excitement,” she said, “but we were all sad because we’ll never get to play together again. We were all upset about that because it’s just so fun playing with your best friends all the time. We don’t want it to end, but there’s no better way to go out than the way we did.” Orchestrating this dynasty at Plainview was head softball coach Elliott West. “When we got beat four years ago in the finals,” he explained, “I was ve
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Howard, Dronet lead their teams on post-season strides including a title run

In their short time so far at their respective schools, both Dustin Howard and Mark Dronet have put their basketball programs back on their winning ways. Howard’s Oakdale Warriors took home the parish tournament championship for the first time in 11 years, and Dronet’s Reeves Lady Raiders made it the tournament formally known as the Top 28 for the first time in 46 years. For their efforts, both coaches were named as Allen Parish Coaches of the Year. “It’s definitely an honor anytime you get recognized,” Howard said, “but Coach of the Year is a team award. You can’t be Coach of the Year unless your team performs.” Equally humbled by the honor was Dronet. “I couldn’t even tell you how many basketball games I’ve won during my coaching career,” he said. “That’s not why I coach. I don’t coach for any award or anything like that. I just coach for the satisfaction I get knowing I’m having an impact on the girls who I coach.” Dronet continued, “I guess it’s nice to be recognized as Coach
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Black guides his Warriors to a parish tournament and a winning season during his senior campaign

Much like their Lady Warrior counterparts, the Oakdale Warriors picked up valuable senior leadership on their way to accomplishing two of their preseason goals. Jacob Black, the only senior in the starting lineup, led his team to a RoyOMartin Allen Parish Tournament championship and a winning season. For his efforts, Black was named as the first Allen Parish Most Valuable Player in boys’ basketball. “I never expected this,” he said about being MVP. “It just shows you where hard work gets you.” The parish tournament title was the school’s first in a decade. “That was the highlight of our season,” said Black who was the leading scorer in the parish tournament. “We were really proud of that. Those were the games where we worked the hardest and played the hardest.” The Warrior season tapered off a bit after winning the parish tournament as the team moved into district play. Also tapering off a bit was Black’s point production. Even though his points dipped, his rebounding totals remained c
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St. Andre provides senior leadership to her Lady Warrior team on way to a second round playoff appearance

For any team or organization to be successful, it takes a person to rise up and be a leader while navigating the rest of the group through the good times and the bad. That was the case for the only senior on the court for the Oakdale Lady Warrior basketball team in the 2018-2019 season. Because of  her efforts on the court, Ke’Maesha St. Andre was named as the first All-Parish Most Valuable Player in girls’ basketball. For St. Andre, it feels good to be named MVP, but she knows all the recognition goes to her team. “It was rocky being that I was the only leader on the team,” she said. “I had help from Lauren (Holmes) coming around  and shooting more. It just took a while for us to come around, but we tied for district. Overall, I couldn’t ask for a better team to play on.” Being that she was the only senior on the team, St. Andre had her trepidations on the season at the beginning. “I didn’t think we would make it very far,” she said. “I didn’t even think we would go to the playoffs, b
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Playoffs in girls’ basketball begins tonight; three area teams have first round bye

As the final buzzer sounded Friday to mark the end of the regular season in girls basketball, area teams began to await their playoff fates which were announced Monday. Once the brackets were released, three teams from the area learned they received a first round bye for their efforts during the year. The Plainview Lady Hornets, with a record of 33-7, received a first round bye as well as the top seed in Class C. “We’re just excited to get to start the playoff season and can’t wait to work this week and prepare for either Calvin or Georgetown next Monday,” said head coach Phillip George. George’s team closed out the regular season with a 77-34 win over district rival Reeves. Madison Thacker, for the Lady Hornets, led all scorers with 17 points. Plainview’s Alex Harrison and Aryn Johnson each added 15. For the Lady Raiders, Jordyn Gill and Rachael Harper each had 11 points. Reeves ended the regular season with a record of 18-14 and received a first round bye as the number 6 seed in Cl
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