SWLA road to Alexandria could be crowded

Southwest Louisiana sent a quartet of teams to the girls state tournament in Alexandria last year, with Lake Arthur and Merryville both finished as runner-up. That number could rise this year with several of the area’s top players back to make another run at bringing a state title to the area.

Among the top returning players are high-scoring guard Dominique Davis of DeRidder, a LSU commitment and fist team all state selection; Alexandria Goodly of St. Louis, an all state performer as a sophomore who missed last season due to injury; Oakdale’s tandem of Sanaa and KaMasha St. Andre, first and second team all state selections, respectively; Fairview’s Maggie Manuel, a 20 point per game scorer and all state selection as a sophomore and Johnson Bayou’s Grace Young, also an all state selection as a sophomore.

Among the large schools, a tight race is again expected in District 3-5A, where LaGrange, Sulphur and Sam Houston all return the nucleus of their teams.

The Broncos return all five starters after reaching the quarterfinals last year. The Broncos are led by guards Kyla Hamilton and Jil Poullard.

"This is the first time since I have been here that we have every starter back," said head coach Jason Jagneaux. "We are looking forward to a great season, the kids worked hard all summer to get better. I think pushing the ball and shooting the three are going to be our strengths."

Jagneaux expects another close district race.

"Sulphur going to be good, LaGrange is probably going to be the favorite, New Iberia is going to be improved and so is Acadiana, who I think has everybody back. The district is always competitive."

The Gators return top players Aasia Sam, Jeriah Warren and Nadailyn Carrier. Head coach La’Keem Holmes said depth will be a strength for his team.

"We have kids who are really unselfish and bought into being stars in their roles," he said. "This is probably the most athletic group we have had since I’ve been here."

Holmes wants his team to show more consistency.

"We have a tendency to play to our level of competition," he said. "Our focus varies, a common issue with younger teams. I’m hoping we mature this year."

Holmes said there will be plenty of quality teams in the area this season.

"Sam Houston is a well-coached squad who returns their whole team, they knocked us out of the playoffs. Sulphur is always good, only graduated two girls and return post Mo Patterson, a difference maker in the paint. At St. Louis Alexandria Goodly is special, I’m glad she’s back. Washington Marion is much improved. Elton and Grand Lake both have good squads. Barbe, Iowa and South Beauregard have new coaches and have young teams, I’ll keep an eye on their development. It’s a exciting year in girls basketball."

Other top returnees at small schools include Jamaica and Jameica Jones at Elton, Diamond and Deonna Brister at Lake Arthur, Maddie Mahfouz of Merryville and Brooklyn Fontenot of Kinder.””<p>FILE PHOTO: In this 2017 photo, Barbe’s Khayjah Jack (25) wrestles the ball away from Fairview’s Laynae Jinks (1) and Maggie Manuel (40).</p>Rodrick Anderson/American Press

SportsPlus

McNeese Sports

Showdown in Hammond

McNeese Sports

Diamond roundup: Cowboys fall, Cowgirls win

Local News

US eggs prices hit a record high of $4.95 and are likely to keep climbing

Local News

Several Louisiana public university athletic programs — including McNeese — face financial deficits

Local News

Getting back on par: The long and short of the National Golf Club of Louisiana

Local News

NASA sending DeRidder students’ experiment into stratosphere

Local News

Shady Lane man found unresponsive has died

McNeese Sports

Richards shoots Cowboys by UNO

McNeese Sports

Cowgirls end skid at UNO

McNeese Sports

Late power lifts Pokes

McNeese Sports

Record win for Landreneau

Jim Beam

Jim Beam column:Movie highlights injustice

Informer

The Informer: LC was almost the home of a US naval base

McNeese Sports

Roundup: Cowboys win opener, Cowgirls fall to Tennessee

Business

Trump grants conditional export authorization for Commonwealth LNG project

Local News

Weekend thunderstorms followed by a mid-week cold front in the forecast

Local News

PHOTO GALLERY: Free Valentine’s Day dental care

Local News

Landry, Murrill target New Orleans sanctuary policies in federal court

McNeese Sports

Cowboys take on struggling UNO

Local News

Ann Lagneaux teaches students to turn negative thoughts into positive ones

Local News

Trump administration begins sweeping layoffs with probationary workers, warns of larger cuts to come

Local News

Unrestrained man killed in I-10 crash

McNeese Sports

Reyna, Chance lead Cowgirl comeback

Local News

Louisiana to end mass vaccine promotion