City showdown

Washington-Marion, LC College Prep tied for 4-3A lead

In nine years as Washington-Marion head coach, Albert Hartwell has lost only six district games and won at least a share of the district title every season.

That streak is in jeopardy tonight when the Charging Indians play Lake Charles College Prep at the LC-B gymnasium at 7:15 p.m. The teams are tied atop the District 4-3A standings with one loss each. W-M won the first game between the two 72-53 on Jan. 12, but allowed the Blazers a chance to win the title outright with a home loss to Westlake last week. That loss snapped a 39-game district win streak for the Charging Indians. The streak started with the final game of the 2014-15 regular season, which was followed with three straight undefeated district titles.

LCC Prep (20-7, 7-1) has stayed alive by winning all five of its games since losing to W-M. Those wins have come by an average of 18.6 points per game.

W-M (15-10, 8-1) has won nine out of 11 overall after starting the season 6-8. Hartwell said defense and unselfishness has fueled the surge.

“We started playing together and started playing defense,” he said. “We just had to settle down and learn how to play together. We got better on defense and then really got going.”

Senior center Jaylon Ned sets the tone for the Charging Indians.

“He plays hard, gives us his all every night,” Hartwell said. “He blocks shots for us and helps a lot when he stays inside.”

Hartwell said dictating the tempo will be the key against Prep, which played W-M tough twice last year, losing in overtime at home and by four on the road.

“We can’t let them get out and running, we have to slow them down,” Hartwell said. “They do a good job in the transition game, they have a lot of guys that can get out and run.”

The Blazers are led by win Raymond Guillory and forward Caleb Robinson. In the first W-M game, Robinson scored 24 points and Guillory added 14. Ned had 12 points and 13 rebounds to lead W-M while Keyshawn Mark added 11 points.

 

‘We started playing together and started playing defense. We just had to settle down and learn how to play together. We got better on defense and then really got going.’

Albert Hartwell

Washington-Marion head coach

””

Washington-Marion’s Jaylon Ned (3) is fouled by LCCP R. Raymond Guillory (10) during a 3A District match up at Washington-Marion High School in Lake Charles, Louisiana on Friday, January 11, 2019. (Dennis Babineaux/Special to the American Press)

SportsPlus

Jim Beam

Jim Beam column:Second Harvest news unsettling

Local News

Meet the candidates: Five throw hat in ring for mayor’s race

McNeese Sports

SLC games set for McNeese

McNeese Sports

Cowgirls look for four-peat

Local News

UPDATE: Drug charges against veterinarian cleared of rape dropped

Local News

Cassidy, Senate committee advances Robert F. Kennedy Jr. nomination to be health secretary

Business

Waffle House adds surcharge to eggs as massive bird flu outbreak leads to soaring prices

Local News

Federal judge blocks enforcement of La. police ‘buffer-zone’ law

Local News

Louisiana Armed Forces Alliance opens new offices

Local News

NY shields abortion pill prescribers after doctor indicted in La.

McNeese Sports

Cowboys win by a tick

Business

Wall Street swerves lower after Trump announces tariffs and then puts some on hold

Local News

A heart for kids: New Big Brothers Big Sisters CEO driven to help others

McNeese Sports

Hot-shooting Nicholls guns down Pokes

McNeese Sports

Cowgirls struggle early, fall to Nicholls

Informer

The Informer: Floods followed in wake of 1940 Gulf Coast storm

Business

Economic advisor: Collaboration, focus on workforce development key

Jim Beam

Jim Beam column:Professor back in classroom

life

String theory: Thompson rediscovers her art voice in fabrics

Local News

Qualifying ends, ballots set for March election

Crime

1/31: Calcasieu Parish Sheriff announces arrest list

life

Southwest District Livestock Show: Time again to hit the dirt

Crime

Former veterinarian found not guilty in rape of young girls at Kinder casino

McNeese Sports

Cowboys end road trip at Nicholls