Louisiana Tech made West Monroe defensive back Rayshawn Pleasant feel at home, which in turn led to the 3-star Rebel committing to the Bulldogs back in June. 

There's a good news, bad news element to the Carroll Bulldogs football team this season. 

Ask any local Class 5A coach and they'll likely tell you the same. District 2-5A is a "line of scrimmage" district. 

Confession time — You’ll likely never hear me say, “This is going to be a really disappointing year on the prep football scene for Ouachita Parish.”

Doubt crept in for Slade Bolden. Alabama's wide receiver questioned internally whether or not he would ever truly win it all.

Don't let Chris Bell's size fool you. He's a gamer. 

In a game where West Monroe picked up its 27th consecutive win against Ouachita — a 23-14 home victory in 2020 — Jaylen Kincaid delivered a game-tying play that rendered gasps from the West Monroe faithful.

Ouachita track and field star Kashie Crockett was named Louisiana’s 2020-2021 Gatorade Player of the Year.

Danielle Miller is a trailblazer.

He'll admit it. Josh Pearson had a slow start to his final high school season at West Monroe — by his lofty standards — but once he tweaked his stance around the midseason point, Pearson rounded into form and never looked back. 

Jake Hammond will soon have a chance to leave his mark with the University of Louisiana-Lafayette baseball team, and if it’s anything similar to Hammond’s run with LSU Eunice, it’ll be a story worth telling some day.

The star power at Neville High School this offseason rivals just about any other year in the program’s history. And that's saying a lot. 

Jeremy Madison has trouble containing his excitement. 

Mike Rainwater stared deep into an office computer back in July 2017, as his gaze into that empty screen reflected his impoverished competitive spirit. Working in insurance simply wasn't cutting it. But he sure did enjoy spending time with his daughters.

The West Monroe basketball program might not have participated in as many summer basketball camps as it has in years prior, but the reason for that might actually be a positive come December.

Todd Garvin is all business at Ouachita.

Kade Woods didn’t foresee “cheerleading” becoming his primary role with the Ouachita Christian Eagles on the team’s journey to winning a Division IV State Championship in 2021. But he embraced even if he couldn't help his teammates win back-to-back state titles. 

The question, "What if?" routinely dominates the conversations of most sports fans. 

Wayne Johnson left the coaching industry his way.

It’s safe to say South Alabama’s “Extra Mile Award” is self-explanatory.

The thought of creating a legacy worth remembering is too exciting to pass up for Mariah Ambers as she makes her way to Blue Mountain College in Mississippi. 

Ouachita Christian and Sterlington High School might not have a date with one another on the regular season schedule this fall, but the two schools will meet in the The Bayou Jamb 2021 event. 

Donning a ULM fishing jersey means something to Jacob Andrews and Connor Nimrod. It also means something to their opponents.

Camille Crockett couldn't let her son play sports growing up. 

Taylor Young always wanted to be an All-American at LSU. But LSU’s baseball program didn’t pursue West Monroe’s talented infielder to be part of their program in Baton Rouge. Louisiana Tech welcomed Young with open arms, and it’s been one heck of a ride ever since.

After a season that featured three state championships in the parish, it should come as no surprise to see a strong Ouachita Parish influence in the Louisiana Sports Writers Association’s All-State lists.

Louisiana Sports Writers Association’s All-State lists featured a strong Ouachita Parish flavor with several teams in this area featuring multiple selections.

Player of the Year: Parker Coley, Sterlington

The 2021 baseball season reaffirmed a belief that John Parker has at Ouachita Christian. Kids can handle a whole lot more than some adults think.

Minutes after Brandon Brewer threw a no-hitter against Ouachita Christian during the 2021 baseball season, assistant coach Ben Sheets shook his head as he walked past the dugout and said one word. “Godsend.”

Significance. Fans banged on the outfield wall of J.C. Love Field while Hunter Wells trotted around the bases after his second homer of the regional opener, and that’s when it hit me. This Louisiana Tech baseball team was worthy.

If head coach Mark Sims had to choose one Panther batter he's coached to stand in the box for a championship-defining moment, Parker Coley would be on the short list. 

Pitcher of the Year: Maddie Nichols, West Monroe

One challenge stood above the rest for Amy Daigle's softball team: “Be the story.”

Unproven. That was the sentiment of fans, players and coaches regarding West Monroe High School softball’s program entering the 2021 season.