Tracing through crags

By News Staff on Monday, April 13, 2026
Lifelong friends maintain relationship on and off the basketball court
  • Pictured from left are Holy Savior Menard head girls’ basketball coach Craig Whittington and Bell City head girls’ basketball coach Tracy Fontenot. Both coaches, from Bayou Chicot, led their teams to the state finals this season. (Photo courtesy of Craig Whittington)
    Pictured from left are Holy Savior Menard head girls’ basketball coach Craig Whittington and Bell City head girls’ basketball coach Tracy Fontenot. Both coaches, from Bayou Chicot, led their teams to the state finals this season. (Photo courtesy of Craig Whittington)
  • October 6, 1991 - Members of the Bayou Chicot Boys Elementary team are Doug Stratton, sitting from left to right, Chris Cotton, Brad Cormier, Clifton Fontenot, and Brandon Soileau; middle row from left to right are Josh Blood, Derrick Landreneau, Eddie Book, Dustin Berzas, and Kevin Soileau; top row from left are Coach Tracy Fontenot, Brock Elliot, Jacob Roberie, Jamie Vidrine, Brandon Wall, and Coach Craig Whittington. (Gazette file photo)
    October 6, 1991 - Members of the Bayou Chicot Boys Elementary team are Doug Stratton, sitting from left to right, Chris Cotton, Brad Cormier, Clifton Fontenot, and Brandon Soileau; middle row from left to right are Josh Blood, Derrick Landreneau, Eddie Book, Dustin Berzas, and Kevin Soileau; top row from left are Coach Tracy Fontenot, Brock Elliot, Jacob Roberie, Jamie Vidrine, Brandon Wall, and Coach Craig Whittington. (Gazette file photo)
    By: TONY MARKS Editor Friendships last forever. This statement may be a cliché, but two Bayou Chicot natives are living that out as they continue to impact young lives on the basketball court. As a reward for their lifetime of friendship, there paths crossed on the state biggest stage as both of their teams competed in the girls’ basketball state finals earlier this year in Hammond. “Cra...

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