It will not be an official Homecoming for Jonesboro-Hodge this coming Friday night but for a couple of area coaches with Jackson Parish ties it will be a homecoming all the same in girls and boys prep action that highlight the January 7th through 12th schedule.
Friends, family members, former teammates and players will surely be in attendance when the Richwood girls and Ruston boys invade the J-H gymnasium for the Friday games that will begin at 6:00pm. The first will feature the Lady Tigers, ranked fourth in Class 2A, taking on Richwood, who is coached by former J-H star and coach Kristy Holland, while the Tigers boys will welcome Ruston, coached by former Weston High star and coach Ryan Bond.
Holland, who led JHHS to the Class 2A state tournament as a player in 1986 and again as a coach in 2017 comes home to coach her first game against her alma mater. For Bond, who has led Ruston to one of their best starts in school history, it is his second visit in the past 30 days to his home parish after returning to coach against Weston in early December.
In other games featuring Jackson Parish schools both Quitman and Weston will be on the road. The Wolverines travel to Farmerville to take on Class 2A D’Arbonne Woods while Weston wins the long distance travel award as result of their two hour trek to Kilbourne in West Carroll Parish.
A rematch of one of the most thrilling games played in recent history highlight the Tuesday schedule when Jonesboro-Hodge travels to Winnfield who will be seeking revenge for their heartbreaking loss suffered on a pair of last second J-H free throws last week. Weston will also be on the road as they make the short journey to Saline while Quitman will be the only parish team to play at home when they host Calvin.
In action involving area teams, Cedar Creek begins their district 2-1A schedule Thursday, January 7th, by traveling to Ouachita Christian. Dodson will also head to River Oaks (Monroe), Castor goes to Downsville and Saline takes a trip to Union High in Farmerville.
On Friday, Ruston High girls open district 2-5A play by welcoming Alexandria Senior High, Gibsland-Coleman goes to Choudrant, Dodson goes to Calvin for back to back road games and Arcadia, ranked 2nd in Class A, invades Class B’s 3rd ranked Simsboro for a boy’s only contest that will begin at 7:00 pm.
Cedar Creek continues district play on Saturday, January 9th, by traveling to Delhi. On Monday, January 10th, Doyline comes to Choudrant and Dodson finally gets to play on their home floor when they host FCCS for their third game in as many days.
A full slate is on hand on Tuesday, January 12th for neighboring schools that features two Ruston schools playing district contests. Cedar Creek will play their third district 2-1A contest in six days when Oak Grove comes to town and Ruston will continue 2-5A play by traveling to Pineville. It will be the Ruston boy’s first district game. Simsboro will host Neville and Castor will welcome Florien while Dodson and Choudrant will take a ride on the buses to visit Downsville Charter and FCCS respectively.
Area Prep Schedule: (January 7-12)
January 7 (Thursday): Cedar Creek at Ouachita Christian, Dodson at River Oaks (Monroe), Castor at Downsville, Union at Saline
January 8 (Friday): Richwood at JHHS (girls only), Ruston at JHHS (boys only), Dodson at Quitman, Weston at Kilbourne, ASH at Ruston (girls only), Gibsland-Coleman at Choudrant, Dodson at Calvin, Arcadia at Simsboro (boys only)
January 9 (Saturday): Cedar Creek at Delhi
January 11 (Monday): Doyline at Choudrant, FCCS at Dodson
January 12 (Tuesday): JHHS at Winnfield, Weston at Saline, Calvin at Quitman, Choudrant at FCCS, Dodson at Downsville Charter, Oak Grove at Cedar Creek, Ruston at Pineville, Florien at Castor, Neville at Simsboro