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

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

                                     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