Sports

The parish’s co-MVP was the key to any success the Lady Bulldogs had this past season. Her quickness, shooting and passion fueled Ville Platte to a playoff berth despite a .500 season. (Gazette photo by Rhett Manuel)

The parish’s co-MVP was the key to any success the Lady Bulldogs had this past season. Her quickness, shooting and passion fueled Ville Platte to a playoff berth despite a .500 season. (Gazette photo by Rhett Manuel)

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VPHS’s Wilson small frame left huge legacy

News Staff
Thursday, April 6, 2023
By: RHETT MANUEL Sports Editor There are a lot of adjectives you could use to describe Ville Platte senior guard and co-parish MVP Vandryua Wilson. And when talking to girls basketball head coach Rhonda Thomas, she uses most of them to describe her.
Josh Harper, head coach of the Sacred Heart Lady Trojans, was selected coach of the year. (Gazette photo by Tony Marks)

Josh Harper, head coach of the Sacred Heart Lady Trojans, was selected coach of the year. (Gazette photo by Tony Marks)

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Consistency key in Harper’s success at SHS

News Staff
Thursday, April 6, 2023
By: RHETT MANUEL Sports Editor When it comes to art, people look forward to the climax of a work. It’s when Romeo kills Tybalt and is banished in “The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet.” It’s the guitar solo of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Freebird.” It’s Keyzer Soze in “The Usual Suspects.
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Sports Headline

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Lemalle carries PPHS to parish boys title; VPHS repeats on girls’ side

News Staff
Thursday, April 6, 2023
By: RHETT MANUEL Sports Editor BASILE – In any given year, the Evangeline Parish track meet is usually dominated by Ville Platte. But, it didn’t shake that way this year. Not with Pine Prairie’s De’jon Lemalle dominating events.
This season’s parish MVP was in serious consideration for the award last season, but was one-upped by Sacred Heart’s Austin Darbonne. With the way cleared, Papillion delivered. He was the district MVP in District 4-3A, and oftentimes carried Ville Platte on his shoulders with his explosive second-half performances. (Gazette photo by Rhett Manuel)

This season’s parish MVP was in serious consideration for the award last season, but was one-upped by Sacred Heart’s Austin Darbonne. With the way cleared, Papillion delivered. He was the district MVP in District 4-3A, and oftentimes carried Ville Platte on his shoulders with his explosive second-half performances. (Gazette photo by Rhett Manuel)

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VPHS’s Papillion not shying from next step

News Staff
Monday, April 3, 2023
By: RHETT MANUEL Sports Editor Personality wise, there is nothing Hollywood about Ville Platte junior guard Sage Papillion. His frame is unintimidating. His game isn’t flashy. All-in-all, he gives the air of a pretty straight-forward person.
Ville Platte High head basketball coach Launey Coward was selected as the boys’ coach of the year. His team of Bulldogs this past season made it to the state quarterfinals where it lost to Port Allen. (Gazette photo by Rhett Manuel)

Ville Platte High head basketball coach Launey Coward was selected as the boys’ coach of the year. His team of Bulldogs this past season made it to the state quarterfinals where it lost to Port Allen. (Gazette photo by Rhett Manuel)

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VPHS humble hoops culture begins with COY Coward

News Staff
Monday, April 3, 2023
By: RHETT MANUEL Sports Editor Watching Ville Platte head coach and Evangeline Parish Coach of the Year Launey Coward on the sideline is sometimes just as interesting as watching the game itself unfold. He’s got the quality that you see in many good coaches. He’s never too high or too low.
Standing left to right: Coach Chuncey Fontenot, Laiken O’Connor, Kynaddi Ware, Callie Byrd, Ella Fontenot, Ella Ortego, Leighanna Lejeune, Cheyenne Maricle, Angel Tezeno, Julie Messer, and Coach Michelle Griffing; Kneeling left to right: Lilly Bordelon, Adalynn Fontenot, Jolie Naquin, Aniyah George, Callie Johnson, and Macy Hebert. (Photo courtesy of Chuncey Fontenot)

Standing left to right: Coach Chuncey Fontenot, Laiken O’Connor, Kynaddi Ware, Callie Byrd, Ella Fontenot, Ella Ortego, Leighanna Lejeune, Cheyenne Maricle, Angel Tezeno, Julie Messer, and Coach Michelle Griffing; Kneeling left to right: Lilly Bordelon, Adalynn Fontenot, Jolie Naquin, Aniyah George, Callie Johnson, and Macy Hebert. (Photo courtesy of Chuncey Fontenot)

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BCE softball team wins first state title

News Staff
Thursday, March 30, 2023
By: TONY MARKS Editor MONROE - Behind a 34 strikeout performance from Kynaddi Ware in 13 innings over the course of three games, a .
Pictured on the left is Sacred Heart’s Lily Deshotel as she squats on Thursday. (Gazette photo by Tony Marks)

Pictured on the left is Sacred Heart’s Lily Deshotel as she squats on Thursday. (Gazette photo by Tony Marks)

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SHS lifters win state

News Staff
Thursday, March 30, 2023
By: TONY MARKS Editor LAFAYETTE - Sacred Heart High School was one of two host schools of this year’s LHSAA State Powerlifting Meet at the Cajundome.
Bastian Veillon (9) stands ready in the batter’s box for Ville Platte High in its game against Pine Prairie. (Gazette photo by Rhett Manuel)

Bastian Veillon (9) stands ready in the batter’s box for Ville Platte High in its game against Pine Prairie. (Gazette photo by Rhett Manuel)

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Once-in-a-lifetime frame lifts PPHS over VPHS

News Staff
Thursday, March 30, 2023
By RHETT MANUEL Sports Editor PINE PRAIRIE – Let’s face it, it’s rare to meet anyone that has won the lottery. It’s a game of pure luck, and even the idea of merely knowing a winner is truly a once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon.
Sacred Heart slugger Wade Pitre (24) attempts to lay down a bunt against St. Edmund. (Gazette photo by Rhett Manuel)

Sacred Heart slugger Wade Pitre (24) attempts to lay down a bunt against St. Edmund. (Gazette photo by Rhett Manuel)

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Trojans slug past St. Ed’s in district play

News Staff
Thursday, March 30, 2023
By RHETT MANUEL Sports Editor EUNICE – As the baseball season nears its home stretch, one thing is clear … The Sacred Heart Trojan baseball team is only getting better and finding different ways to win. On most days, it’s a solid pitching staff that does the job for it.
Miya McKinney, of Louisiana Christian University, was named player of the year in the Red River Athletic Conference and was named to the All RRAC First Team. (Photo courtesy of Niki McKinney)

Miya McKinney, of Louisiana Christian University, was named player of the year in the Red River Athletic Conference and was named to the All RRAC First Team. (Photo courtesy of Niki McKinney)

McKinney is named player of the year

News Staff
Thursday, March 30, 2023
PINEVILLE – Louisiana Christian University women's basketball player Miya McKinney has continued to add awards and accolades since the conclusion of the 2022-23 season.
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