Over the last several months, local high school athletes have been signing to play at the next level and continue their education.  Congratulations!

The Leesville football duo of Xavier Ford and Deandre Herron were among the first to sign.  Ford, the all-everything running back, inked the highest profile, when he committed to play for the University of Wisconsin.  Ford goes from being a Wampus Cat to a Badger.  Herron, a disruptive force on the defensive line will stay a little closer to home.  Herron signed with Louisiana Christian University in Pineville, La.  He goes from being a Wampus Cat to being a Wildcat.

Leesville’s Shyann McCummings, a two time all-state basketball player and two time district 3-4A MVP, will play roundball for Mars Hill University, a liberal arts college in North Carolina.

Anacoco Lady Indian point guard, Brooklyn Bryant, has accepted an offer from LSU-Eunice.  The all- state, all-district, and all-parish basketball performer is currently ripping the cover off the ball for the Lady Indians softball team.  They made the Class B quarterfinals next week against Zwolle.

Hayden Brister, who helped lead Rosepine to the Division III-Select semi-finals in basketball has signed a letter of intent to play ball for the Northwestern State Demons.  Brister, a 6’4” forward was the 2025 Vernon Parish Player of the Year and a second team all state selection.  Brister averaged 23ppg. for the Eagles his senior year.

Congrats to former Pickering Lady Red Devil basketball player, Amanda Clemons.  Clemons was recently named Head Coach of the DeRidder Lady Dragons basketball program.  Clemons, a graduate of Louisiana College, coached at Leesville for three years.  She is a former head coach at Northside High in Lafayette.  On the collegiate level, Clemons was head coach at LSU-E and an assistant at McNeese.  She brings over 20 years of coaching experience to the Lady Dragons program.