Baton Rouge Area Weekly Notebook Presented By Trade Construction • June 1
by Jerit Roser // Capital Area High School Correspondent
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Catholic (Baton Rouge) provided the major news of an otherwise quiet prep sports week in the capital city.
The Bears announced 1996 alumnus Derrick Jones as its new basketball coach Wednesday.
Jones had spent the past four years across the Mississippi River at Port Allen, where he led the Pelicans to an 88-26 record and the past two Class 2A state championships.
He succeeds another alumnus in Mark Cascio, who recently accepted a college position on Appalachian State’s women’s staff.
Former Christian Life and Ragin’ Cajuns star Johnathan Stove, who played for Cascio in high school, will join Jones as an assistant, Catholic announced Friday.
Broadmoor names new football coach
Broadmoor announced track coach Vernon Langley as its new football coach this past Wednesday.
The Glen Oaks and Southern University alumnus had previously coached his alma mater’s Panthers for three seasons in 2007, 2008 and 2012.
He succeeds Cyril Crutchfield in the position.
Hilton, Pedigo lead “Star of Stars” award winners
The Advocate held its 35th annual “Star of Stars” award ceremony last week, recognizing many of the year’s standouts across all sports.
Leading the way with top individual honors as Boys Athlete of the Year and Girls Athlete of the Year were Zachary’s Chris Hilton and Parkview Baptist’s Ariel Pedigo.
Hilton has signed with and enrolled at LSU as a football player just weeks after winning Class 5A state championships in 400-meter dash and high jump.
Pedigo, an Oklahoma signee, meanwhile capped her own high school career with Class 3A state championships in the 100-meter hurdles, long jump, high jump and javelin.
A pair of state champions in Catholic’s soccer team and East Iberville’s girls basketball team garnered Boys Team of the Year and Girls Team of the Year recognition, respectively.
Mark Temple earned Girls Coach of the Year honors for his role leading the Lady Tigers to the title.
And Legendary Episcopal (Baton Rouge) track coach Claney Duplechin was named Boys Coach of the Year after his Knights swept the cross country and indoor and outdoor track titles.
Bryson McCoy and Meghan Burns won the Special Olympics Athlete of the Year awards.
Katherine Scully, captain of St. Joseph’s state championship swim team, was honored as the Courage Award winner.
And Scotlandville alumnus James Johnson was recognized with the Spirit Award for his support of the Hornets’ athletics programs.