Brandon A. Williams
Reporter
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Brandon Williams is a reporter at KPLC in Lake Charles, Louisiana. He is originally from Prince George's County, Maryland and graduated from Bowie State University in spring 2020. At Bowie State, he majored in communications, serving as a sports reporter and game day broadcaster for the university's TV station. Brandon served as the first president of the Bowie State University Association of Black Journalists (BSUABJ).
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As the series against the Lions inches closer, McNeese players know they have a bullseye on their backs. Outfielder Payton Harden said the team has to focus on playing their brand of baseball.
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The game between McNeese and Nicholls didn’t exactly start the way the cowboys planned, but it couldn’t have ended in a better way. The pokes not only get the 8-4 win over the Colonels, but head coach Justin Hill is now the all-time winningest coach in program history.
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Jayla Mason isn’t one to let her mouth do the talking, rather, Mason makes her statements on the track. Her voice was loud and proud at the LHSAA track and field state tournament earlier this month, as she took home three gold medals— the most in Southwest Louisiana.
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The Ole Miss signee and the Lady Saints have done nothing but win since coach Johnny’s arrival to the program. Freeman won her third discus state title and placed second in Javelin. She credits her success to the work she’s put in.
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The quarterfinal round of the baseball playoffs got underway Thursday with 11 Southwest Louisiana teams alive in the playoffs.
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The St. Louis Catholic boy’s tennis team was on a mission this season— to repeat as state champions. It was the same goal individually for Kai Reinauer after he won the Division III title last season as a sophomore.
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This years tournament carries a lot of emotion because of the passing of co-founder and former Lake Charles Police Chief Don Dixon, who had been a staple since the tournaments inception.
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Dibbley played a vital part in No. 8 Sam Houston’s toppling of No. 1 seeded Pineville in the quarterfinals of the state softball playoffs - which punched their ticket to the state tournament for the first time in four seasons. She threw a complete game - striking out 6 batters while only giving up 3 runs.
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The quarterfinal round of the LHSAA softball playoffs were in full swing today with 14 of our local teams in action across our region. A trip to the state tournament in Sulphur next week on April 29-30 was on the line today to add to the dramatics.
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A few of our Baseball teams were in action tonight as the regular season winds down. Reported final scores are found below. To report scores please send them to Sports@kplctv.com.
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This Lady Tiger has been clawing batters all season long throwing 111 strike outs in 22 games and is currently 2-0 in the playoffs with a 1.5 ERA.
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The second round of the LHSAA softball playoffs kicked off Wednesday with 22 local teams aiming to get to the quarterfinal round. Schools are just two wins away from reaching the state tournament in Sulphur on April 29-30.
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The Louisiana Tech commit holds a .443 batting average with 14 doubles and four home runs on the season. His playmaking ability has helped St. Louis go unbeaten in district play.
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Regular season softball is coming to an end, which means we are at the door step of the playoffs. Baseball is still rolling with only a few games left in the regular season.
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While her bat has always been a weapon, with her hitting nearly .800 this season, her development as a pitcher has been key in the team’s success. She eclipsed the 150-strikeout mark on Thursday.
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Another night of Baseball and softball action across Southwest Louisiana. Reported scores are found below. To report scores to us please send them to sports@kplctv.com
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A lot of district Baseball and Softball games across our area tonight. Reported scores are found below. To report scores please send them to Sports@kplctv.com
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In addition, Goff said he’d like to see both sides of the ball know their spots and have an even showing between the two units. The scrimmage kicks off at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday and is open to the public.
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The Grand Lake Hornets are on a five-game win streak and ranked as the No. 1 team in Class 5A. Senior pitcher Devin David is leading the swarm. That drive has shown in his numbers on the mound this season with 57 strikeouts in just 21 innings.
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It was another busy night of Baseball action across the lake area this evening with two teams getting adding more district wins to their records. Final scores are reported below.
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A busy night on the baseball and softball diamond with a lot of big high school games taking place across our coverage area. Final scores are reported below along with highlights.
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The Lady Yellow Jackets made it to the Class 3A state title game for the first time in program history last season, and Broussard has used that experience to fuel another championship run. She’s batting .515 this season with six home runs and 30 RBIs.
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District match ups roll on today with a few key match ups happening across our area. Final scores can be found below. BASEBALL:
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A lot of baseball and softball action took place tonight across our area. Final scores can be found below as reported.
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The first scrimmage of spring ball is coming up this weekend for the McNeese Cowboys. According to head coach Gary Goff, they’re using this time to iron out the details so that they can get better as spring ball progresses.
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The Sulphur Golden Tors currently sit as a top five team in class 5A, and first baseman Dillion Bird believes the team is just getting started.
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Two notable match ups that took place in the lake area was Rosepine knocking off Sulphur 5-2 and Barbe continuing to show their dominance with a 7-4 win over St. Louis Catholic.
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The Fairview Lady Panthers completed a three-peat after downing Oak Hill, 82-66, in the class B state title game. Freshman point guard Reesle Jinks showed up and showed out, scoring a double-double. For her efforts, she was named the game’s most outstanding player.
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Spring ball is finally in the air for the McNeese Cowboys under new head coach Gary Goff who saw some good moments today in their first practice but also had some learning moments as well, but overall he’s just glad they were able to get the good reps in so they can learn moving forward.
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Now that the Cowboys know they’ll face Northwestern State to open the Southland Tournament, McNeese head coach John Aiken said it’s time for them to focus on just winning.
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A big 10-0 run in the fourth quarter propelled the number four seeded Lacassine Cardinals past No. 5 Doyline in the quarterfinals on Friday night.
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The McNeese indoor track team made history at the Southland Conference Indoor Championship, winning the school’s first-ever title. Senior Malaiya Jedkins was a big reason why the Pokes brought home a lot of hardware.
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A late three pointer and some timely plays down the stretch by Southern Lab allowed them to beat No. 4 seeded Hamilton Christian in the Division IV semifinal game 61-60 on Wednesday afternoon.
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Tonight began the first round of the boys basketball playoffs with plenty of our local teams in action tonight across our area. Final scores can be found below.
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The Lady Saints, led by Touchet, racked up on plenty of hardware at Division II Indoor Track and Field State Tournament last weekend, winning six event titles while bringing home the school’s third straight Division II team title.
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Now at 17, he’s coming off the heels of his second-straight Division I wrestling state championship in the 195Ibs weight class. Hyatt also boasts an undefeated streak that dates back to 2020.
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Final scores from some of the high school basketball and softball action across the area tonight. Final scores are reported below.
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With over a 4.0 GPA and some skills on the hardwood, Lucy Bellon was able to make her dream of playing college basketball a reality. The Sam Houston Lady Bronco signed with Louisiana Christian University last week.
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It’s almost time to play ball and the Cowgirls are ready to get back in the swing of things.
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He may not be six feet tall, but size doesn’t stop Landon Langley’s ability to impact the game. He’s a straight shooter on the court.
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In his first signing class as the head coach of the McNeese Cowboys, Gary Goff was out looking for talent and not so much need being that he’s never seen this group of Pokes on the field.
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The Lady Saints of St. Louis Catholic have been on a tear the past few seasons, and forward Myca Trail’s impact has been a big factor why.
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In 20 games with the Pokes, Shumate is averaging double-figures scoring the ball and is coming off the heels of a career performance against Incarnate Word in which he scored 29 points and grabbed 11 boards. It was his fourth double-double of the season. He says the will to improve and be the best drives him.
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Highlights from Tuesday night’s high school basketball action from across the lake area. Final scores can be found below.
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Coach Hill brought three state championships (1986, 1989 and 1990) to Trojan land in addition to the two state title’s he won at his alma mater Pitkin.
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McNeese Cowboy Jalon White didn’t. In fact, he set a new indoor track record running a 47.05 in the 400m at the Ted Invitational last weekend— good for the sixth-fastest time in the country.
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District play is heating up in our area with a lot of our teams seeing action on the hard wood tonight.
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A lot of high school action tonight on the hard wood and the soccer field. Some district match ups we saw tonight were the St. Louis Lady Saints downing the Lady Trailblazers of LCCP to stay unbeaten in district play. Kinder picked up their second district win after beating Oakdale.
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Coming off the heels of a southland conference championship win and an NCAA appearance it’s understandable that the expectations are high for this team, but head coach James Landreneau is confident that his team will be prepared for what’s to come this season.
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As expected, the Cowboys dominated from start to finish against an inferior opponent both on offense and defense. It was one last tune-up game before the Pokes head into conference play.