Rules for 8th-graders participating in spring football announced

The Louisiana High School Athletic Association has released its guidelines for eighth-graders who can participate in spring football practice at its member high schools this spring based on a new by-law passed in January.

Eighth-graders who live in an attendance zone that includes more than one school are required to fill out and submit a specific form. Once a student-athlete completes this LHSAA form and participates in one practice, he has made his school of first choice and will be ineligible to compete for another school in 2012-13. Athletes must also be registered on the LHSAA’s members-only website for schools before they can participate in a spring practice.

Athletes participating for a school that is the only one in its attendance zone do not have to fill out these special forms or register. They must, however, submit a current physical exam/medical history form and a student participation form before being allowed to practice.

Student-athletes who are part of a school configuration that includes eighth-graders also do not have to submit forms declaring a school. They are required to provide the physical/participation forms before practicing in a practice. Contact the LHSAA at [e-mail] with any questions.

Track superlatives

Winning the Outstanding Performer honor at the Class B boys track meet was an unexpected honor for Hosanna Christian Academy’s Dedrick Jones.

This spring marked the first time Jones, a senior, had participated in track and field since his freshman year. Jones won the 400 meters (52.05 seconds, placed second in the 200 (23.18) and was third in the 100 (11.40) on Friday.

• Hurdler Madelinn Fink of Runnels was also among the area’s top three finishers in 2A on Thursday. Fink finished third in 15.76 seconds.

Job openings

St. Amant High is accepting résumés from anyone wishing to apply for its head baseball coach position. The deadline to inquire is May 18.

After a review of applicants, interview will begin. Fax résumés to St. Amant Athletic Director David Oliver at [phone] or submit by mail to Oliver at St. Amant High School, 12035 Highway 431, St. Amant 70774.

• Dutchtown High seeks an assistant coach for girls soccer in 2012-13.

Call DHS coach Anant Vyas at [phone] or send email [e-mail].

Top times needed

Metro area track coaches are asked to submit the top times and distances for their athletes during the 2012 outdoor season. Times will be used for All-Metro and LSWA All-State consideration.

Send emails to Robin Fambrough at [e-mail] by May 10. Times can also be faxed to Fambrough at [phone].

Metro softball meeting

High school softball coaches are scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Brusly High to select All-Metro teams for Class 5A-4A and 3A and below.

Area coaches are invited to attend. Nominations should be sent to Brusly coach Beau Bouvier by Sunday at [e-mail].

All-state nominations

The Advocate seeks nominations for the Louisiana Sports Writers Association’s all-state baseball and softball teams.

Players must be first-team all-district to be nominated. Coaches must supply full season statistics for their players to make the nomination complete.

District statistics and other accomplishments can also be included.

All softball nominations and baseball nominations for Class B-C are due Wednesday. Baseball nominations for all other classes must be submitted by May 12.

Recruiting, etc.

Two former Catholic High baseball players who graduated in 2009 have signed with SEC schools.

Jamie McClure is an LSU signee. He played most recently at Texas-based Panola Junior College. Scott Ashford signed with Ole Miss after spending two years at Mississippi’s Pearl River Community College.

• Brusly High wrestlers Jacob Haydel and Austin Schermer signed with out-of-state schools last week. The duo became the area’s first wrestling signees in a couple of years.

Haydel, the All-Metro MVP for Division III, signed with South Dakota State. Schermer signed with Iowa-based Ellsworth Community College.

• Zachary guard Kasiney Williams signed with Baton Rouge Community College women’s basketball team.

Williams was an All-Metro selection.

• University High defensive end Hayes Stewart has committed to play football at Tennessee-based Rhodes College. He was a two-year starter for the Cubs and is also a starter for the UHS baseball team.

Open dates

Parkview Baptist needs one boys basketball team for its tournament set for Dec. 5-6.

Contact Parkview Baptist assistant coach Yancy Wilmot at [phone] or send email to [e-mail].

• Scotlandville High needs boys basketball opponents on Nov. 19 and Nov. 20. Contact coach Carlos Sample at [phone].
• The Dunham School is looking to fill girls and boys basketball open dates for 2012-13.

The Dunham girls need a tournament for Nov. 29-Dec. 1. Both the boys and girls teams seek an opponent for Dec. 4. Contact coach Chad Myers at [phone].

Raiders’ century club

Runnels juniors Josh Morris and Alden Cartwright have made 112 straight baseball starts going into Monday quarterfinal game with Evangel Christian.

Both players have been starters for the Raiders since they were eighth-graders.

Morris helps lead the offense with a .366 batting average along with six home runs and 30 RBIs. He is hitting .571
in the playoffs. Cartwright is 8-2 with a 1.05 earned run average.

Prep notables

Dunham basketball coaches Jonathan Pixley and Chad Myers achieved milestones during the 2011-12 season. Myers won his 100th game in six seasons as head girls basketball coach.

Pixley notched his 200th career win in what was his 11th year as head coach at Dunham.

• Former Albany pitcher Hanna Gill of Southern Arkansas made the inaugural All-Great American Conference softball team.

Gill, a freshman, finished 19-18 and earned second-team all-conference honors.

She set a school record with 246.1 innings pitched and struck out 148 with an ERA of 2.61.

Gill led the conference in appearances, games started complete games and innings pitched.