The last few days have been action packed with star-studded tourneys taking place across Louisiana, including the St. Thomas More Sunkist Shootout, which featured several ranked teams and was won by the host Cougars over Calvary Baptist.
Here is a look at this week’s top 25 boys basketball teams in Louisiana as sizzling holiday matchups unfold again this week ahead of the start of district play.
Previous rank: 1
Power rating: No. 1 (Division I nonselect)
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The Broncos played three games against Texas schools, defeating Grand Prairie and Dallas Kimball and losing to Lancaster (games against out of state schools aren’t reflected on the Geaux Preps power ratings). Sophomore Ian Edmond scored 23 points with six assists, two steals (and no turnovers) in the win over Kimball. Xavier Ferguson scored 30 points.
Previous rank: 2
Power rating: No. 1 (Division I select)
The Patriots defeated Southern Lab and Broadmoor. Leading scorers are Malek Robinson (14.9 ppg), Chivas Lee (10.7) and Kingston Jarrell (10.6). Robinson is averaging 6.7 steals, 6.2 assists and six rebounds. Jarrell is grabbing 7.8 boards.
Previous rank: 3
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Power rating: No. 2 (Division I select)
The Bears picked up wins over Texas schools Ridge Point and Wheatley. Catholic showed crisp ball movement against Ridge Point (15-5), which is considered a top 25 team in Texas, with a kickout to Tate McCurry for an early 3-pointer from the top of the key. Later in the quarter, McCurry added a 3 from the wing for an 18-9 lead.
The Bears are scheduled to face undefeated East Ascension at the University Lab Tournament on Jan. 2.
Previous rank: 4
Power rating: No. 1 (Division II select)
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The Eagles defeated Mount Vernon Christian (Georgia) and Westlake (Georgia). Kobe Butler scored 30 points in the win over Mount Vernon. Triston Naquin added 19. Butler (6-7, Sr.) had 20 in the win over Westlake. Khalil Awogboro had 17, and Naquin (6-5, Soph.) chipped in 16 points.
Previous rank: 5
Power rating: No. 6 (Division II select)
The Warhorses were busy, winning games over Lafayette High, St. Martinville, Acadiana, Ouachita Parish and Bunkie. Peabody overcame a double-digit halftime deficit to beat St. Martinville, 57-53, at the Tigers’ Darrel Mitchell Sr, Holiday Classic. Rashad Mitchell was named tourney MVP. He had 21 points and five steals in the St. Martinville game. Telek Love recorded a double-double (12 pts, 13 rebs).
Previous rank: 6
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Power rating: No. 3 (Division I nonselect)
The Yellow Jackets defeated Glen Oaks, East Iberville, Franklin Parish and Washington-Marion. DaSean Golmond finished with 19 points, six rebounds and four assists in the 63-56 win over Washington-Marion. Jermaine O’Conner totaled 20 points, seven assists and four rebounds in the 79-62 win over Franklin Parish.
Point guard Trae Dorsey is averaging 10 points, three assists, three rebounds and 2.8 steals per game and is shooting 40% from beyond the arc.
Previous rank: 7
Power rating: No. 4 (Division I select)
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The Trojans defeated Montgomery and Red River. Trey Dorty made a breakaway lay-up for an early 7-1 lead in the 77-38 rout of Montgomery, then scored again on the next possession on a double-pump shot off the glass. Jordyn Johnson and Tyshawn Duncan made the Hudl highlights with smooth plays in transition.
Previous rank: 9
Power rating: No. 4 (Division II select)
The Trailblazers were idle. Five of the top six scorers are underclassmen, led by juniors Jaiven (12 ppg) and Juriah Matthews (9.5 ppg). LCCP will take on an always-tough Beau Chene team on Jan. 4 at Mal Mundy’s Lake Charles Classic.
Previous rank: 10
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Power rating: No. 2 (Division II select)
The Chargers defeated Donaldsonville, East St. John and St. Charles. Elijah Garner scored 13 points with seven rebounds in the 48-40 win over St. Charles. William Nelson also scored 13 points (eight rebs). Madison Prep blew out East St. John, 76-28, and will face David Thibodaux (13-1) on Jan. 1.
Previous rank: 12
Power rating: No. 3 (Division I select)
The Cougars won their Sunkist Shootout, defeating Patterson, Westgate, Sulphur and Calvary Baptist. Elijah Guidry, who was named Mr. Basketball, scored 19 points in the 49-44 semifinal win over Sulphur. He and Matthew Cook each scored a team-high six points in the 33-31 championship win over Calvary Baptist. Grayson Roy was named to the All-Tourney Team.
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Previous rank: 13
Power rating: No. 1 (Division II nonselect)
The Wildcats defeated Carroll and Bastrop. 6-foot-1 senior guard Zion Weeks scored 28 points with seven assists, four rebounds and three steals in the 72-59 win over Bastrop, which had former Wossman guard Antron Mason on its team. The Wildcats host Liberty and Zachary on Jan. 3 and 4.
Previous rank: 14
Power rating: No. 5 (Division I select)
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The Blue Jays defeated H.L. Bourgeois and The Willow School. Seniors Ben Cimini and Ethan Lapeze scored 15 and 13 points in the 66-47 win over H.L. Bourgeois. Juniors Zachary LaGraize and Tanner Hughes added 10 and nine points, respectively.
Previous rank: 15
Power rating: No. 1 (Division III select)
The Cavaliers defeated Lafayette Christian, Vandebilt Catholic and Isidore Newman and lost to host St. Thomas More at the Sunkist Shootout. Tyrone Jamison and Jaiden Hall were named to the All-Tourney team after the Cavs finished as runner-up. Hall scored 17 points in the 33-31 loss to STM. Calvary Baptist beat Vandebilt, 61-60, and routed Newman, 49-28.
Previous rank: 18
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Power rating: No. 6 (Division I select)
The Purple Knights defeated Lutcher, Ponchatoula and Hammond. Aaron Miles scored 19 points in the 61-50 win over Lutcher, according to Ken Trahan of Crescent City Sports. Ja’Vardes Brazile (6-6, 200) added 16 and Khalil Jones contributed 11 points.
Previous rank: 19
Power rating: No. 3 (Division II select)
The Hawks defeated Chalmette, Mandeville and Sophie B. Wright, winning the last game by a 75-44 margin. Brenton Gordon and Zachary Lauro hit 3-pointers early in the 79-22 win over Chalmette. Cornelius Woodard converted a reverse lay-up off a turnover in full-court pressure. Gabe Timmons had a two-handed monster jam.
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Previous rank: 22
Power rating: No. 11 (Division I nonselect)
The Bearcats defeated Minden, Bossier, Huntington and Benton. It was Minden’s first loss. 6-foot-7 sophomore Ahmad Hudson was named MVP of the Doc Edwards Tournament at Airline. He scored 30 points with 20 rebounds in the championship win over Huntington, according to Brian Trahan of The Ruston Daily Leader.
Previous rank: Not ranked
Power rating: No. 2 (Division I nonselect)
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The Lions bounced back from losing three of four games by defeating Central-BR and Booker T. Washington-Shreveport. Freshman guard Darren Ford has been playing at a high level.
Previous rank: 11
Power rating: No. 6 (Division I nonselect)
The Wildcats lost to Ouachita Parish and defeated West Monroe. Markell Sampson threw down a vicious slam, and Jace Conrad knocked down a corner 3 in the early going against West Monroe. Kedrick Franklin (6-5, 205) showed off his range from the wing, and Conrad had another 3 from way beyond the arc.
Previous rank: 16
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Power rating: No. 8 (Division I select)
The Green Wave lost to St. Augustine (51-48) and defeated Destrehan. Ponchatoula has upcoming games of interest in early January vs. Dunham (5-0), which should be a force with its football players, and Catholic-BR. Jarvis Labee had a left-handed slam dunk in the first quarter of the 51-48 win over Destrehan. Cory Jackson picked the opposing point guard’s pocket near midcourt and outmaneuvered him for a finger roll.
Previous rank: 8
Power rating: No. 7 (Division I nonselect)
The Chiefs lost to Red River and Northside. Ja’Dell Demery had 16 points and 11 rebounds in the 55-49 loss to Red River. Jaden Braden added 11 points and five boards. Harold Remo chipped in eight points and five assists.
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Previous rank: Not ranked
Power rating: No. 1 (Class B & C)
The Cardinals’ only loss was by three points in the season opener to Negreet. Lacassine has wins over Sulphur, Pleasant Hill, Westlake, Crowley and Eunice.
Previous rank: Not ranked
Power rating: No. 4 (Division I nonselect)
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The Tors have wins over Newman, Marksville, Westgate and David Thibodaux with losses to Washington-Marion, St. Thomas More and Lacassine. Ian Malone was named to the Sunkist Shootout All-Tournament team. The Tors defeated Newman, 46-38, for third place.
Previous rank: Not ranked
Power rating: No. 3 (Division III select)
The Tigers will be a force with Elijah Haven and Jarvis Washington transitioning from the football field to the hardwood. Upcoming games include Ponchatoula, East Ascension (12-0) and St. Thomas More.
Previous rank: 23
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Power rating: No. 9 (Division II select)
The Vikings rebounded from a one-point loss to Carencro with a win over Natchitoches-Central. Tashawn Coleman made an early 3-pointer in the 58-52 win over Natchitoches-Central at the Alexandria Tournament.
Previous rank: Not ranked
Power rating: No. 2 (Division III select)
The Cajuns’ last two wins are over Sophie B. Wright and Archbishop Hannan.
RUSTON, La. (KNOE) – Louisiana Tech University’s College of Education and Human Sciences announced it has established a new Center for Literacy and Learning designed to expand evidence-based reading support for children and professional development for educators across North Louisiana.
The university’s Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Leadership said the launch of the Center for Literacy and Learning at Louisiana Tech, also known as L3, will provide diagnostic assessments, tutoring and workshop opportunities, combining academic research with hands-on clinical practice.
“As literacy rates and reading achievement continue to present challenges across Louisiana and the nation, the Center for Literacy and Learning is rooted in supporting evidence-based instruction, applied research, and community partnerships,” said Dr. Dustin Whitlock, interim department head of Curriculum, Instruction, and Leadership.
Officials said planning for the center began more than a decade ago as faculty sought to expand literacy services for local schools and the surrounding community, but the effort faced delays due to space and funding challenges.
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University leaders said momentum increased after faculty partnered with the Louisiana Department of Education and literacy experts nationwide to create a professional learning course for Louisiana K-3 educators. The course, “The Science and Art of Teaching Reading,” focuses on structured literacy practices aligned with Science of Reading research. Louisiana Tech said funding connected to the course and the state education department helped make the center possible.
Megan Hunt, a teacher at A.E. Phillips Laboratory School, was selected to lead the center. Whitlock said Hunt brings a strong background in foundational literacy instruction and is working toward becoming a certified UFLI coach.
“Mrs. Hunt’s skill and expertise allow her to support both students and educators through high-quality literacy instruction and professional learning,” Whitlock said.
Hunt said the center is aimed at building long-term support for literacy instruction through collaboration with districts, families and community partners.
“Literacy affects all aspects of life and is ultimately how people access opportunity and how communities grow stronger,” Hunt said. “When children become proficient readers, it represents more than just academic progress; it changes the trajectory of their lives.”
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Local school leaders also praised the partnership. Michelle Thrower, K-2 facilitator for Lincoln Parish Schools, said professional development and resources connected to Louisiana Tech have supported literacy growth in the district.
“Our collaboration with Louisiana Tech has been a cornerstone of our success in elevating literacy proficiency across Lincoln Parish Schools,” Thrower said, citing DIBELS growth tied to the UFLI Foundations curriculum in K-2.
Louisiana Tech said the center will operate through three main components:
The Literacy Clinic
The Literacy Institute
The Literacy Resource Center.
The center is expected to provide individualized assessments, targeted intervention services, literacy workshops and educator professional development.
Officials said the components will be developed in phases over the next few years.
For more information, Louisiana Tech said the public can contact Dr. Dustin Whitlock at whitlock@latech.edu.
The U.S. Department of Energy announced Tuesday that Louisiana was one of the few states chosen for a $134 million rare earth element initiative in a move that would give the U.S. more independence from China, Reuters reports.
ElementUSA has been awarded about $67 million for a rare earth refining facility projected to cost $850 million in St. John the Baptist Parish to ramp up its production of core material for military vehicles, naval ships and aircrafts.
Louisiana’s rare earth element initiatives are aimed at relocating the critical American minerals supply chain for electric vehicles, renewable energy and national defense. The minerals include bauxite residue, which is a waste product from aluminium production. The plant is expected to produce roughly 150-1,000 metric tons of rare earths annually.
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Oklahoma was also chosen to receive grant money for a refining facility in Tulsa.
A Department of Homeland Security watchdog report revealed that staff members at an ICE detention center in Louisiana used a prohibited chokehold to “gain control” of a person being held there and stabbed another in the hand with a pen when an officer could not close the door to a housing unit.
The newly released findings about Winn Correctional Center in central Louisiana follow the DHS inspector general’s review of video of the use-of-force incidents as part of an unannounced facility inspection. The report, which was published on the DHS website, also noted that the officer who stabbed the detainee with a pen was disciplined.
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Staff members failed to maintain safe and sanitary conditions, the report says, noting leaking vents and ceilings with insulation falling through. Staff members used napkins and Styrofoam containers to collect the water from the leaks, according to the report.
Scrutiny of conditions inside ICE detention centers that house more than 60,000 detainees has been growing.
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Earlier Wednesday, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin defended his agency’s detention standards on Capitol Hill amid complaints about ICE’s Delaney Hall detention facility in Newark, New Jersey. That center has been the site of frequent protests.
Rep. Tim Kennedy, D-N.Y., accused Mullin of leaving detainees without food or medical care.
Mullin rejected the claims. “You can say all you want, but don’t accuse me of something that’s not accurate,” he said.
The inspector general made nine recommendations, ranging from environmental health and safety standards to proper handling of use-of-force incidents and maintaining food service standards.
ICE is working to address all of the issues, including by providing additional staff training, a spokesperson for the agency said.
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“These minor infractions included failing to provide detainees exercise equipment, record keeping errors and leaking vents. Another infraction included providing a shared computer for legal research that would allow other detainees to see other detainees’ case information,” the spokesperson said.
A spokesperson for DHS said the report shows that the facility complies with detention standards.
“ICE has higher detention standards than most U.S. prisons that hold actual U.S. citizens,” the spokesperson said.
Winn Correctional is one of the largest ICE detention centers in the country, housing more than 1,500 men. It opened in 1990, and ICE took it over from the state in 2019.
The report was produced after an unannounced inspection by the DHS inspector general, whose office recently got an infusion of $20 million and plans to boost its inspections from four to six per year to potentially as many as 40 to 60.
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ICE lists 70% of the 1,500 detainees at Winn as having “No ICE threat level,” meaning they do not have violent criminal histories.
Winn is an hour north of Alexandria, which is one of four hubs for ICE deportation flights around the country.
