SW La.’s best in show

Look who’s going where

Alexandria Goodly’s big week started with a return to the basketball court with St. Louis this weekend. On Wednesday, Goodly sealed her next step by signing a letter of intent to play at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette.

Wednesday was the first day of the fall signing period for all sports but football.

Goodly said the Cajuns stuck with her while she missed last season due to a knee injury.

“I liked the dedication and commitment they had, I got injured and throughout the whole process they stayed with me, checked with me and made sure I was OK. I’m a loyal person. I will be loyal to UL-L because they were loyal to me.”

The Sam Houston baseball team produced four Division I signees. Catcher Silas Ardoin signed with Texas, shortstop Hunter Gotreaux signed with Nicholls State, outfielder Braden Duhon signed with Louisiana Tech and pitcher Cameron Meeks signed with McNeese.

“I went to see other schools, but I knew I wanted to go to Texas as soon as I went over there,” Ardoin said. “The campus and coaches were great.”

Duhon is the younger brother of McNeese catcher Dustin Duhon.

“I didn’t want to follow the same path. I wanted to create my own path,” Braden said.

Gotreaux said comfort was the deciding factor in his choice of Nicholls.

“I love it over there. Everytime I go there I feel like I am at home,” he said.

Meeks, a transfer from Captain Shreve, said he wanted to stay in the Lake Charles area.

“I picked McNeese because it was the best opportunity for me. I love the coaches. It just seemed like home. Since we are new here, it seemed like a great place to be.”

Bronco pitcher Will Thompson signed to play at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas.

The Lady Broncos also had a Division I signee, with infielder Jilyen Poullard signing with McNeese.

“It is just close to home and it has caught my attention my whole life and I always wanted to go there,” she said. Barbe had a trio of baseball signees. Damon Fountain is headed to Tulane, Carter Quinn to South Alabama and Isaac Duplechain to McNeese.

“It is something I dreamed of as a kid, to finally get to do it is a blessing,” Fountain said. “Once they brought me in to visit the campus, it felt like the only place I wanted to be.”

Quinn said he expects a smooth transition to college life.

“All of the coaches welcomed me with open arms and I enjoyed being around all the players and coaches,” Quinn said. “I want to leave a legacy here at Barbe and win a state championship.

Duplechain said the McNeese staff made a big impression on him.

“I get to take another big step and play baseball, which I love,” he said. “I loved the campus and the coaches, it felt like a second family.”

LaGrange’s Cameron Pradia signed to play baseball at UL-Monroe.

McNeese added a pair of local soccer players in Jillian Bech of Barbe and Olivia Broussard of St. Louis. The Saints had another signee in Madeline Howard, who will play for Louisiana College.

South Beauregard had a pair of signees, with baseball player Chase Fisher signing with Christian Brothers and softball player Jaclyn Deason inking with Delta State. Joining Deason at Delta State will be Sam Houston’s Jenny Griggers.

Heading to Eunice for softball are Westlake’s Audrey Fisher and Sam Houston’s Kyla Hamilton and Makenah Hamilton, Lady Bronco infielder Jordan Lafosse signed with Mississippi College.

Barbe volleyball player Mal Black signed with Lakeland University.

DeRidder Lady Dragons guard Dominique Davis is expected to sign with LSU later this week.

””

From left, Isaac Duplechin, Damon Fountain and Carter Quinn sign their letters of intent at Barbe High School in Lake Charles, La., Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018. (Rick Hickman/Lake Charles American Press)

Rick Hickman

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