Friday, Jan. 25, briefs

PANTHERS, BUCS, VIKINGS WIN BOWLING OPENERS

The Parkway Panthers, Haughton Bucs and Airline Vikings opened the bowling season with victories Thursday at Holiday Lanes.

Parkway defeated Loyola 21-6, Haughton downed Minden 15-12 and Airline dropped Bossier 23-4.

Matt Flynn led Parkway with a 622 series, including a 225 game. Jamie Neely had a 209 and Colby Miller bowled a 192.

Haughton’s Hunter Thomas bowled a 482 series with a 162. Jeremy Vaughn had a 177 and John Crawford had a 158.

Myra Martinez led Bossier with a 476 series, including a 184. Shon Sainz bowled a 166, and Adam McDaniel had a 144. Airline’s Timer Mallory bowled a 542 series with a 201. Chandler Carr had a high game of 208. Tyler Harvill bowled a 184.

PERRY SCORES CAREER HIGH 21 IN TECHSTERS’ VICTORY

RUSTON — Louisiana Tech freshman Lulu Perry, a former Benton star, scored a career-high 21 points in the Lady Techsters’ 94-80 victory over San Jose State Thursday night.

Perry also had nine rebounds, two assists and two steals as Tech improved to 9-9 overall and 5-3 in the WAC.

BOSSIER FRESHMEN, JV DEFEAT BENTON

Bossier defeated Benton in junior varsity and freshmen boys basketball games Wednesday night, 39-32 and 44-16.

Darius Leary paced the Bossier JV with 13 points. Malik Dunn added nine, and BJ. Harris had eight. Travis Manning led the freshmen with 16 points. Donnell Mason and Javarie Kirkendoll combined for 14.

The Bearkats freshmen team dropped a 43-35 decision to Captain Shreve Thursday. Manning topped Bossier with 11 points, and Kirkendoll had nine.

NSU ANNOUNCES DEFENSIVE COACHING STAFF

NATCHITOCHES — The new Northwestern State football defensive coaching staff includes three coaches who have been collegiate defensive coordinators and quality recruiters, first-year head coach Jay Thomas said Thursday.

Joining previously-announced defensive coordinator and associate head coach Chris Boone, who will coach the safeties, are linebackers coach Shep Campbell, cornerbacks coach De’Von Lockett and defensive line coach Jake Landoll. Thomas will also work with the defensive tackles.

Campbell will also serve as special teams coordinator. He was defensive coordinator at Ouachita Baptist for the last two seasons. Thomas was defensive coordinator at Nicholls State before he became head coach there for six seasons.
Lockett, a former standout receiver for the Demons from 1999-2002, was retained after working for two years on the previous coaching staff.

LA. TECH HIRES MOORE AS OFFENSIVE LINE COACH

RUSTON — Matt Moore has joined the Louisiana Tech staff as the offensive line coach.

Moore comes to Tech after spending a year at Middle Tennessee State where the Blue Raiders went 8-4 and upset Atlantic Coast Conference Coastal Division Champion Georgia Tech.

He brings a wealth of experience in the spread offense philosophy as he has coached it his entire career.

“I am very excited to have Matt Moore join our staff,” said new Tech head coach Skip Holtz. “He is an energetic, hungry coach with a strong spread offense background that will complement the rest of our offensive staff well.”

The Blue Raider offensive line finished the season second in the nation in fewest sacks allowed while Middle Tennessee was 46th nationally in rushing with three different 100-yard rushers. MTSU topped the 200-yard rushing mark in five of the team’s 12 games.