Sports

McNeese Rodeo team members going to the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyoming. Pictured left to right is Coach Justin Browning, Drew Bordelon, Caleb Miller, Kamryn Duncan, Kash Martin, Isaac Richard, Jude Leonards and Kash Krogman. Not pictured is Brad Hesnor. (Photo courtesy of McNeese State University)

McNeese Rodeo team members going to the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyoming. Pictured left to right is Coach Justin Browning, Drew Bordelon, Caleb Miller, Kamryn Duncan, Kash Martin, Isaac Richard, Jude Leonards and Kash Krogman. Not pictured is Brad Hesnor. (Photo courtesy of McNeese State University)

Bordelon, Hesnor, Fontenot, going to the College National Finals Rodeo with McNeese

News Staff
Thursday, June 6, 2024
By: TONYA BREWSTER McNeese State University The McNeese State University men’s rodeo team is the champion of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association’s (NIRA) Southern Region for the third year in a row.
Sports Headline

Sports Headline

Tigers, Cajuns fall in regionals

News Staff
Thursday, June 6, 2024
By: RHETT MANUEL Sports Editor North Carolina second baseman Alex Madera lined the go-ahead single in the top of the 10th inning Monday night as the Tar Heels posted a 4-3 win over LSU in the championship game of the NCAA Chapel Hill Regional to end the Tiger’s season at 43-23.
Physical therapist Clay Landreneau (left) checks range of motion on two athletes from Ville Platte High, including Kyle Gallow (right).

Physical therapist Clay Landreneau (left) checks range of motion on two athletes from Ville Platte High, including Kyle Gallow (right).

Checking off boxes

News Staff
Monday, June 3, 2024
By: TONY MARKS Editor There were registered nurses taking vitals, optometrists screening vision, physical therapists doing musculoskeletal screens, dentists doing oral/maxillofacial (TMJ) screens, physicians screening for final clearance, and ducks being cooked for physicians, healthcare providers,...
New President of Evangeline Parish Tourist Commission Tony Marks (left) is pictured with Rotary of Ville Platte President Brian Ardoin (right). (Gazette photo by Heather Bogard)

New President of Evangeline Parish Tourist Commission Tony Marks (left) is pictured with Rotary of Ville Platte President Brian Ardoin (right). (Gazette photo by Heather Bogard)

VP Rotary: Marks shares update on tourist commission and LSHOF

News Staff
Monday, June 3, 2024
By: HEATHER BOGARD Associate Editor Tony Marks, president of the Evangeline Parish Tourist Commission and editor of the Ville Platte Gazette, was the guest speaker for the May 28, meeting of the Ville Platte Rotary Club.
Our Parish MVP Cayden McCollough was the most well-rounded player in Evangeline Parish. He hit over .400 for the year, drove in nearly 30 runs, stole a plethora of bases and gave some innings on the mound as well. (Photo by Abby Reed))

Our Parish MVP Cayden McCollough was the most well-rounded player in Evangeline Parish. He hit over .400 for the year, drove in nearly 30 runs, stole a plethora of bases and gave some innings on the mound as well. (Photo by Abby Reed))

MVP McCollough parlayed talent into something bigger

News Staff
Monday, June 3, 2024
By: RHETT MANUEL Sports Editor Parish Baseball MVP Cayden McCollough is one of those players that, at first glance, kind of just looks the part. During his senior season, it sort of seemed like it came naturally. The hitting, pitching, defense, power. It seemed like it sort of just happened.
For Evangeline Parish Baseball Coach of the Year Dylan Manuel, the formula for success hasn’t changed. The school has always had the same talent pool. It’s only grown in size and therefore, had to move up in classifications. (Photo by Abby Reed))

For Evangeline Parish Baseball Coach of the Year Dylan Manuel, the formula for success hasn’t changed. The school has always had the same talent pool. It’s only grown in size and therefore, had to move up in classifications. (Photo by Abby Reed))

COY Manuel sees value of past in PPHS future

News Staff
Monday, June 3, 2024
By: RHETT MANUEL Sports Editor It’s almost a footnote now. But there are few, if any, schools in Evangeline Parish that are as decorated and storied in athletics as Pine Prairie High.
An all-district second-teamer who felt disrespected was Jolie Vidrine. Not only did she provide crucial innings in the circle, but teams pitched around the Parish MVP. It’s hard to ignore that kind of impact. (Photo courtesy of Will Pitre)

An all-district second-teamer who felt disrespected was Jolie Vidrine. Not only did she provide crucial innings in the circle, but teams pitched around the Parish MVP. It’s hard to ignore that kind of impact. (Photo courtesy of Will Pitre)

Versatility the key for MVP Vidrine

News Staff
Thursday, May 30, 2024
By: RHETT MANUEL Sports Editor It’s easy to see why the Evangeline Parish Softball MVP, Sacred Heart’s Jolie Vidrine, was disrespected throughout the year. In a senior-laden group, the respectful move was to get as many senior girls as possible on the first-team of District 6-1A.
New Sacred Heart softball coach Will Pitre was named Evangeline Parish’s softball coach of the year after leading his team to the state semifinals in Sulphur for the first time since 2019. (Photo courtesy of Will Pitre)

New Sacred Heart softball coach Will Pitre was named Evangeline Parish’s softball coach of the year after leading his team to the state semifinals in Sulphur for the first time since 2019. (Photo courtesy of Will Pitre)

Fun the key ingredient in Pitre’s success at SHS

News Staff
Thursday, May 30, 2024
By: RHETT MANUEL Sports Editor Sacred Heart softball head coach and Evangeline Parish Softball Coach of the Year William Pitre was no stranger to where he brought the Lady Trojans this past season. He’d been to the state tournament in Sulphur at his previous job at Opelousas Catholic.
Members of the LSU softball team celebrate inside the pitching circle after the final out was recorded in Sunday’s run-rule win against Southern Illinois. (LSN photo by Tony Marks)

Members of the LSU softball team celebrate inside the pitching circle after the final out was recorded in Sunday’s run-rule win against Southern Illinois. (LSN photo by Tony Marks)

Teeing off: Three Sunday homers send LSU into super regionals

News Staff
Thursday, May 23, 2024
By: TONY MARKS Editor BATON ROUGE - After losing its own regional last season, the LSU softball team ran through this year’s regional undefeated with wins over Jackson State and Southern Illinois.
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