By Staff
From Staff Reports
Dec. 27, 2001
The Central Academy Vikings got their first win of the season and snapped a 13-game losing streak when they knocked off Newton County Academy 50-43 on Dec. 10 at Macon.
Craig Geisbrecht scored 22 points to lead Central. Tyler Huerkamp added 11 as the Vikings improved to 1-8.
Central went 1-25 last year with the lone win coming against Wayne Academy.
Marty Stamper
No Barbe dolls at this school
The Barbe (La.) Bucs defeated Booker T. Washington of Pensacola (Fla.) 77-66 to win the championship of the Cameron State Bank Classic Saturday as Dwight Boatner and David Spencer combined for 47 points. Boatner had 27 points in a semifinal win over John Ehret.
Meridian also participated in the 12-team tournament that had eight teams from Louisiana and one each from Mississippi, Florida, Arkansas, and Texas.
John Ehret took third place with a 72-66 win over Westgate. Washington-Marion won the consolation finals with a 43-32 win over Sulphur. Westgate and Sulphur both defeated Meridian in the second-annual event.
Barbe coach Shannon LaFargue played at East Central Community College.
Marty Stamper
Already better than last year
Several area basketball teams are finding this season to be more successful than last year.
The Nanih Waiya Lady Warriors were 5-15 last year, but are off to an 11-5 start in the 2001-02 season in Ken McMullan's second year as coach.
The Nanih Waiya boys turned in a 1-17 mark a year ago and are currently 4-8 under first-year head coach Fred Hickmon.
The Scott Central boys were 1-21 last season. They are 2-8 at the break with wins over Nanih Waiya and Noxapater.
The Wayne Academy Lady Jaguars were 2-18 a year ago. They already have won four games this season.
Marty Stamper
Harrison crushes Jackson Academy
In a holiday boys' hoops contest between MHSAA and MPSA schools, the Harrison Central Red Rebels used 21 points from Byron Sanders to beat Jackson Academy 66-44. Harrison improved to 8-4, while JA dropped to 8-5.
Marty Stamper
Business about to pick up at Shreve
When Captain Shreve High School in Shreveport, La., went looking for a new head football coach, it came away with a big name.
Joe Ferguson was recently announced as the new head coach of the Gators, replacing John Shoptaugh, who went 24-44 at the helm. Shoptaugh's final five teams were a dismal 14-36.
Ferguson is best known as quarterback of the Buffalo Bills for 12 years. He spent 18 years in the NFL and is a member of the halls of fame with the University of Arkansas, the state of Arkansas, and the Buffalo Bills.
Ferguson prepped at Woodlawn High School in Shreveport, leading that team to a state championship in 1968.
(Ironically, Ferguson isn't Woodlawn's most famous athlete. That honor belongs to former Boston Celtic Robert Parrish.)
One of the reasons that Ferguson returned to Shreveport was that his parents still live in that area.
Captain Shreveport principal Sandra McCalla said Ferguson's hiring has created, "unbelievable excitement and faith that this will make a difference."
The Gators were 3-7 this fall.
Ferguson was recently the quarterbacks coach at the University of Arkansas.
Marty Stamper
Duron steps down at Evangel
Denny Duron has retired as offensive coordinator at Evangel High School in Shreveport, La., to concentrate on his pastoral duties at First Assembly of God.
Duron started the Eagles' football program in 1989 and was head coach for three years.
Evangel beat West Monroe 34-27 a few weeks ago for the Louisiana Class 5A state championship. It was the seventh state championship for Evangel and avenged a 37-13 regular season loss to West Monroe.
Evangel finished 14-1 this year.
West Monroe has won six state championships since 1993.
– Marty Stamper
John Curtis extends national record
John Curtis High School in New Orleans extended its national record for state championships in football to 17 with a 30-0 win over Baker.
It was the 13th state championship for Curtis in the 21 years that the Louisiana state championships have been played in the Superdome in New Orleans.
– Marty Stamper
Hot at the beginning and the end
In last week's 74-50 win over defending Louisiana Class 5A state champion Jesuit in the War on the Shore VI at St. Stanislaus, the unbeaten Gulfport Admirals scored the game's first 21 points and then the last 21 points.
Gulfport improved to 14-0, while the Blue Jays of Jesuit fell to 11-3.
The amazing thing about Gulfport's record is that the Admirals have yet to play a home game this season. Their new gym is slated to open on Jan. 31.
– Marty Stamper
Quite a tradition at Sumter County
The Sumter County boys have had a great deal of success on the hardwood in recent years.
Sumter won Class 4A state championships in 1988, 1994, 1998, and 1999.
Neighboring Livingston won the 4A state title in 1987.
Alabama went to six classes in 1985.
– Marty Stamper
South Leake continues Leake County dominance
The South Leake Wildcats and Wildkittens swept the Leake County Tournament championships with wins over Thomastown last weekend.
The Wildkittens won 70-47 to improve to 12-3. The Wildcats posted an 83-80 win as they improved to 10-5.