The 2025-26 season for Class 1A and above schools got underway Monday night with one game.
The Benton Lady Tigers fell to Ruston 70-51 on the road.
Kryshna Bostic led the Benton with 14 points. Cylah Grigsby added eight and Lainey Lafitte seven.
The Lady Tigers got off to a slow start but got going in the second quarter and trailed 37-30 at the half. Ruston began pulling away in the third quarter.
Jaylen Spann led Ruston, a playoff team last season, with 16 points.
Benton plays 2025 non-select Division IV runner-up Arcadia in the first round of the Don Stahl Memorial Tournament hosted by Lakeside at 3:45 p.m. Wednesday in the junior high gym.
In a Tuesday opener, Parkway visits Arcadia in new Lady Panthers Head Coach Brittney Dukes.
In other openers, Airline is at West Monroe, Haughton visits Homer and Plain Dealing is at North Webster.
Providence Classical Academy (4-2), fresh off winning the Jimmy Street Memorial Tournament hosted by Doyline, hosts Converse.
In boys openers Tuesday, Haughton hosts Magnolia School of Excellence, Plain Dealing is at North Webster and PCA hosts Converse.