There was a time in the not-too-distant past when school started, so did the basketball season for the smaller high schools in the state of Louisiana, or more specifically those classified by the Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA) as Class B and C schools. Due to an LHSAA rule limiting varsity teams to a set number of games each year, those days are gone.
At least for the high schools.
When it comes to the junior high basketball programs of these same “small schools” across the state, the age-old tradition is still alive and kicking. Evidence indicates that Quitman Junior High (QJH) and Weston Junior High (WJH) started classes on Monday, August 17th, and that the same night, WJH traveled to Saline for girls’ and boys’ basketball games. Just one night later, WJH was in action again at Castor while QJH hosted Calvin for a girls’ and boys’ contest.
Both schools will take to the court again on Thursday and Friday (August 20-21) when they compete in the annual Dodson Junior High School tournament. Along with Quitman and Weston, additional area schools competing for the right to be the first tournament champion of the 2026-27 school year are Saline, Calvin, Castor, and host Dodson.
The first round of competition begins with Weston taking on Saline in a girls contest at 4:00 pm on Thursday, followed by the same two boys’ teams playing at 4:45 pm. Host Dodson will play Calvin in a girls’ game at 5:30, with the boys’ squads ending Thursday’s play with a 6:15 pm tipoff.
Quitman girls and boys will play the winner of Weston and Saline at 4:00 pm and 4:45 pm on Friday, with the two Castor teams taking on the winner of Dodson and Calvin at 5:30 and 6:15 pm. The girls’ championship game is slated to start at 7:00 pm on Friday, with the boys’ title contest to close out the tournament next.
Quitman Junior High School Rosters and Schedule
QJH Girls Roster: Elliot Savage, Brelaina Hall, Jaicee Watkins, Aaliyah Mixon, Chloe Maxwell, Abigail Sullivan, Savannah Porter, Dally-Kate McCurdy, Mia Gonzalez-Ulloa, Lily Tolar, Charlea Jones
QJHS Boys Roster: Jaxen Culpepper, Sheppard Norred, Aiden Reed, Thatcher Savage, Kutter Blalock, Khree Boston, Luke Davis, Asher Norred, Jase Reed, Clay Burton, Jamikal Hall, Bentley Ponder, Andrew Seymore, Koplen Taylor Sutten Vail
Weston Junior High School Rosters and Schedule
WJH Girls Roster: Kate Keiffer, Saniyah Salsberry, Brooklyn Keiffer, Hannah Aldy, Isabel Morris, Raylie Hall, Shelby Johns, Bailey McCurdy, Ashlynn Petre, Miriam Shuler, Kylee Allen, Cadie Conn, Myla-Ruth Jones, Ryleigh Puffer, River Waggoner, Aubrie Allen, Carrington Bond
WJH Boys Roster: Quaylyn Snuggs, Ashton Paggett, Pistol Nickarz, Jordan Young, Richie Faust, James Lewis, Bradley Keeney, Parkter Hightower, Mason Greer, Eli Jones, Kaine Stassen, Grant Griffin, Remi Davis, Waylon Fair, Haiden Jones, Brett Rasbury, Cameron Pardue, Colton Haney
Game Recaps
Monday, August 17
Weston 38, Saline 8 (Girls) – Saniyah Salsberry scored more points in the first quarter (10) than Saline did all game as Weston opened the 2026 season with an easy victory on the road. Kate Keiffer scored 15 points, followed by 12 from Salsberry, to pace the Lady Wolves’ scoring. Brooklyn Keiffer chipped in with four points, and Hannah Aldy, Bailey McCurdy, and Ashlyn Petre all made a basket.
Saline 33 Weston 22 (Boys) – The host exploded for 16 points in the second quarter to break open a close game and send Weston to defeat in the season opener for both teams. Ashton Paggett led the Wolves in scoring with 8 points, six coming in the final frame that saw Weston outscore Saline 11-4. Grant Griffin and Quaylyn Snuggs added four points each; Kaine Stassen made a three-pointer; Mason Greer scored two; and Brett Rasbury sank a free throw for the Wolves.
Tuesday, August 18
Weston 45 Castor 18 (Girls) – For the second straight night, Weston came out of the locker room hitting on all cylinders as they outscored the home team 16-4 and never looked back for the one-sided victory. Kate Keiffer and Saniyah Salsberry once again led the offensive onslaught with 16 and 10 points, respectively, on a night when 8 players posted points. Ashlyn Petre also had a big game with 8 points, followed by 4 from Hannah Aldy. Shelby Johns added three, Raylie Hall hit a basket, and both Brooklyn Keiffer and Bailey McCurdy added a free throw each.
Weston 30 Castor 28 (Boys) – After spotting home standing Castor an 18-14 first half lead, the Wolves came storming back to win the second half by a 16-10 margin and claim their first victory of the 2026 season. Eight players tallied points for the Wolves led by Ashton Paggett and Mason Greer with 8 points each. Grant Griffin added four,James Lewis hit a three pointer, and Quaylyn Snuggs, Eli Jones, and Kaine Stasson all scored two points apiece. Brett Rasbury chipped in with a free throw.