2024 LOUISIANA SPORTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONTEST

Awards presented June 29, 2025, Natchitoches, La.

 

SPORTS INFORMATION/COMMUNICATIONS

 

DIVISION I – RELEASE/FEATURE (FOOTBALL)

1. MATTHEW BONNETTE, McNeese

Feature on Kerry Joseph entering the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame

JUDGES COMMENTS: “The winner left no stone unturned in chronicling the college and pro career of new Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame inductee Kerry Joseph. There were hidden gems of Joseph’s McNeese’s career, like when he was forced into action as a punter, chased down a bad snap, and kicked a 78-yard punt. Additionally, some legwork was done in tracking down CFL voices attesting to Joseph’s outstanding professional career.”

2. Jason Pugh, Northwestern State 

3. Matt Sullivan, Louisiana 

 

DIVISION II - RELEASE/FEATURE (MEN’S BASKETBALL/BASEBALL)

1. JASON PUGH, Northwestern State

Feature on NSU baseball Leonard twins’ mother’s breast cancer fight

JUDGES COMMENTS: “Poignantly scribed story about NSU’s baseball-playing twins, Brooks and Bryce Leonard, rallying around their mother after she was diagnosed with a serious disease.” 

2. Kane McGuire, Louisiana Tech 

3. Matthew Bonnette, McNeese

 

DIVISION III - RELEASE/FEATURE (WOMEN’S BASKETBALL/SOFTBALL)

1. ED CASSIERE, Xavier 

Xavier/William Carey women’s basketball game story  

JUDGES’ COMMENTS: “A well-organized, succinct account of the Xavier women’s basketball team advancing past the NAIA tournament second round for the first time in 10 tries. The category winner packed a lot of facts and a couple of pertinent quotes in a 380-word story.” 

2. Matt Hebert, Louisiana 

3. Matt Hebert, Louisiana 

 

DIVISION IV - RELEASE/FEATURE (OLYMPIC SPORTS)

1. KENT LOWE, LSU

Geaux Lowe Feature on LSU Women’s Golf

JUDGES COMMENTS: “It’s not often an athletic department trusts an employee enough to infuse their personality into their writing. The winner of this category, who has a folksy style befitting a Mayberry Gazette columnist, bids adieu to history-making members of LSU’s women’s golf team. 

2. Brad Welborn, Northwestern State 

3. Tom Perpetua, Louisiana

 

DIVISION V – GAME NOTES (ALL SPORTS)

1. KANE MCGUIRE, Louisiana Tech 

LA Tech Men’s Basketball game notes versus UTEP

JUDGES COMMENTS: “The best game notes are those that are clean and clear, allowing a member of the media to quickly find what they need, especially when doing a broadcast. The front page has all of that, while maintaining a good font size late in the season. The Bulldog Storylines and Projected Starters are a nice touch, while immediately jumping into the roster on page 2. The Fun Facts of The Game for each game is a nice touch – just a quick bullet that could be referenced from that game if a media member needed something in a pinch. The Fresh Uniforms note is creative as well. Once you get deeper into the notes, there is plenty of great information that could be used for the media member who is either seeing the team for the first time or wanting to do a deeper dive.”

2. Jason Pugh, Northwestern State 

3. Matt Sullivan, Louisiana

HM – Stephen Featherston, Louisiana Tech

 

DIVISION VI – COLLEGE RADIO PLAY-BY-PLAY

1. CHRIS BLAIR, LSU Sports Radio Network

LSU Baseball vs. Tennessee 

JUDGES COMMENTS: “Chris, once again, handles the big moment and the big play like it's routine. His call in the moment is tremendous, but also his ability to go back and elaborate more while seamlessly calling the live action is incredibly well done. His pacing to allow the crowd to help elevate his call is the work of a true pro. Chris is, without question, one of the best voices in college athletics.”

2. Mike Hammett, Warhawk Radio Network

3. Kyle Roberts, Louisiana Tech Sports Properties

 

DIVISION VII – COLLEGE GRAPHICS

1. COURTNEY PUGH, Donnie Bell Design/LA Tech Sports

Cade Gibson MLB call up | April 20, 2025

JUDGES COMMENTS: “Another poster-quality graphic that all youngsters should hang in their room. Welcome to the big leagues!”

2. Heather Rogers, Louisiana

3. Brad Welborn, Northwestern State

 

DIVISION VIII – BEST COLLEGE PHOTO

1. MATTHEW BONNETTE, McNeeseSports.com

Christian Shumate dunk at the 2025 College Basketball Slam Dunk Contest

JUDGES COMMENTS: “This photo shows the arena playing Jock Jams, Ya’ll Ready for This, in the background.”

2. Josh McDaniel, Louisiana Tech

3. Ben Massey, Louisiana

 

BROADCASTING AWARDS

 

BEST RADIO SHOW HOST (SOLO & TEAM)

1) JOHN JAMES MARSHALL & BEN MARSHALL (hosts), Travis Stewart (producer), Sports Talk with JJ & Bonzai Ben, 1130 The Tiger, Shreveport

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: They’re fun! Their chemistry is really strong, they seem to be having a great time, and they bring real takes that sound genuine and not manufactured for radio. Good sports talk with a sprinkle of silly stuff.

2) Matt Moscona (host), Matt Musso & Paul O’Neil (Producers), After Further Review, 104.5 ESPN, Baton Rouge

3) Dawson Eiserloh (host), James Meche & Dawson Eiserloh (Producers), The LohDown with D-Loh, ESPN Southwest Louisiana

HM) Aaron Dietrich & Jake Martin (hosts), The Morning Drive with Aaron & Jake, 105.7 FM 

 

BEST RADIO INTERVIEW

1) RAYMOND PARTSCH III, ESPN Southwest Louisiana

Interview with McNeese men’s basketball coach Will Wade

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: Hard to poke holes in this. Textbook interview with a coach. Asked good questions. Reset the guest. Clear knowledge of the subject with guests..

2) T-Bob Hebert & Jacob Hester, ESPN Baton Rouge

Interview with LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey

3) Dawson Eiserloh, ESPN ESPN Southwest Louisiana

Interview with College Football Playoff Director Rich Clark

 

BEST LIVE RADIO EVENT

1) RUSTON HIGH FOOTBALL, KYLE ROBERTS & NICK BROWN,  Q94.1 FM

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: This was outstanding quality with great color analyst commentary with the hometown feel (emotion/passion) and great background info especially for someone listening from a different state/market.

2) Captain Shreve Football, Tony Taglavore & Jimmy Martin, KLKL-FM 

3) Ken Trahan, Crescent City Sports, Rummel vs. St. Augustine football game

HM) Vermilion Parish Game of Week Football, Craig Wall, Ward Courville, 106.3 Radio Lafayette

 

BEST PODCAST

1) RALPH MALBROUGH, ANDREW JUGE, DAVE CARIELLO & KEVIN HELD, "Saints Happy Hour Podcast"

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: This is simply a fun podcast. They don't take themselves too seriously while at the same time knowing fully what they're talking about.

2) Jim Derry, “Dattitude with Jim Derry,” NOLA.com / The Times-Picayune 

3) Dawson Eiserloh, “4 Tire Change Podcast,” ESPN 103.7 Lafayette

HM) Matthew Musso, “Musso at The Box,” ESPN Baton Rouge

 

BEST TV SPORTSCAST

1) AARON DIETRICH, KNOE

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: His coverage of college and high school football is polished and concise. However, it’s his human interest stories that really grab your attention. In his suicide prevention piece, he highlights the story of Tyler Edwards. He’s able to get Tyler’s family to open up about their loved one. He uses video in a creative way, using non-traditional cameras and camera angles to bring the viewer into the story. Aaron’s story on cancer awareness is riveting as well. There’s a twist at the end that you don’t expect. It must be very difficult to tackle these stories. Well done.

2) Seth Lewis, WWL

3) Fletcher Mackel, WDSU

HM) Jared P. Joseph, WGNO

 

BEST LIVE TV EVENT

1) GARRETT WALVOORD & WAYDE KEISER, LHSAA Media Network

Live broadcast of Division III Select state championship game in football

JUDGE’S COMMENTS:  The broadcast team gives us a reason to watch this game. Off the top, Walvoord tells us these are two of the top QB talents in the state. Keiser obviously has a deep understanding of the game plan for both teams. Walvoord gets excited when big plays are made, but not overly excited for either team, very even keel. Keiser jumps in when he should, describing plays and giving credit where credit is due. Both Keiser and Walvoord have done their homework and have good facts and knowledge on both teams. They made it fun to watch.

2) Jeff Palermo & Wayde Keiser, LHSAA Media Network

Live broadcast of Division II Non-Select state championship game in football

3) Lynn Rollins & Victor Howell, ESPN+

Live broadcast of Grand Canyon at Louisiana Tech men’s basketball game

HM) Chris Mycoskie and Malcolm Butler, ESPN+

Live broadcast of Louisiana Tech baseball in Conference USA Championship semifinal 

 

WRITING AWARDS

 

PRO EVENT -- CLASS I

1) WILL GUILLORY, The Athletic

Story on Zion Williamson’s dream performance ends with nightmare injury

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: The writer does an excellent  job of putting Williamson’s injury into perspective with a mix of good color and quotes. It’s a new-aged game story of sorts – with a mix of reporting using The Athletic while folding the game details into the main theme. The lede drew me in. It would be hard to separate from other outlets at an event like that, and the writer had a good account of the story. 

2) Luke Johnson, The Times-Picayune | NOLA.com

Story on New Orleans Saints losing fifth straight

3) Scott Rabalais, The Advocate

Story on Sha’Carri Richardson’s quest for Olympic gold proves unstoppable

HM) Sheldon Mickles, The Advocate

Story on the final round of Zurich Classic of New Orleans

 

COLLEGE EVENT -- CLASS I

1) KEVIN FOOTE, Acadiana Advocate

Story on the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns upset of Wake Forest

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: Storytelling to lead this story kept me there — and kept me wanting to read more. The writer provided a real-game perspective, a conversation, context and what’s next, all within the first 10 graphs. Quick-hitting writing got the judge’s attention (“All the frustration. All the disappointment. All the negativity.”) followed by this power quote: “In the last two years, it just seemed like nothing bounced our way. It just seemed like everything just flipped around the other way.” Excellent storytelling lower on the obstacles overcome by wide receiver Lance LeGendre. This gamer had multiple sources, easily more than any other entry. Nicely written.

2) Koki Riley, The Advocate

Game story from LSU’s win in SEC Tournament semifinal vs. South Carolina

3) Wilson Alexander, The Advocate

Story following LSU football’s collapse vs. Texas A&M

HM) Scott Rabalais, The Advocate

Story on  LSU captures its first NCAA gymnastics championship

 

PREP EVENT -- CLASS I 

1) JOHN JAMES MARSHALL, Shreveport-Bossier Journal

Story on Haughton scores a special touchdown 

 

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: This may be a writing contest, but reporting is what sets our winning entry apart. The season finale between two losing football teams is not anyone's definition of a plum assignment, yet the writer here made it one by telling the story of Hunter "Puddin'" Cubley, a special needs student who scores a touchdown on a scrimmage play before kickoff. The reporter is with Cubley's parents for the play, which is key to this story's success. And it's not just a feature -- we do get the details of the game that followed. But the reporter correctly identified which of these events was the lede. It is the moment Haughton players will remember about an otherwise forgettable season. The best stories tell themselves, and through great reporting, this writer achieved that.

2) William Weathers, Shreveport-Bossier Journal

Story on Parkway girls stun Walker with halfcourt shot in state semifinal

3) Doug Ireland, Shreveport-Bossier Journal

Story on 69-68 football game

HM) Roy Lang III, Shreveport-Bossier City Advocate

Story on lacrosse commit leaves student section to play QB for Parkway

 

PRO COLUMN -- CLASS I

1) JEFF DUNCAN, The Times-Picayune | NOLA.com

Column on New Orleans Saints’ detail issues during 2024 season

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: Sums up Saints’ failures by pinpointing a minute detail — they can’t even park their cars by the rules. Applying a mantra from their last winning coach — “How you do anything is how you do everything,” writer makes a lawyer’s case for this team’s failure. Well thought out, well written. 

2) Glenn Guilbeau, OutKick.com/FOX News

Column on why the New Orleans Saints need to hire a new general manager

3) Scooter Hobbs, Lake Charles American Press

Column on Drew Brees deserves at least a mild scolding for skipping Hall of Fame weekend

HM) Rod Walker, The Times-Picayune | NOLA.com

Column on Saints wide receiver needing to protect himself
 

COLLEGE COLUMN -- CLASS I

1) SCOOTER HOBBS, Lake Charles American Press

Column on governor’s showboating not fair to LSU women

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: The writer deftly used humor and history to highlight the absurdity of Gov. Landry’s national-anthem stance.

2) Raymond Partsch III, ESPN Southwest Louisiana

Column on Texas A&M baseball coach joining Liars Anonymous Club for college coaches

3) Scott Rabalais, The Advocate

Column on LSU women’s coach Kim Mulkey deserves apology from Gov. Jeff Landry

HM) Glenn Guilbeau, OutKick.com/FOX News

A column on one of the GOATs got outcoached by going against Caitlin Clark 

 

PREP COLUMN -- CLASS I

1) LENNY VANGILDER, Crescent City Sports

Column on a senior day from a father’s perspective

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: The best columns either resonate emotionally or show us a unique angle. This column does both. Bowling may seem like an unlikely palette to paint a masterpiece, but the author does so by giving us a unique lens: after covering many memorable Senior Days professionally, he is now experiencing the event in the more important role of proud dad. I think the perspective is very important to the success of this piece. Providing the context of significant senior days for Tulane basketball and LSU football allows the reader to understand how important this day is to the author. Closing with the anecdote about Bob and Pat Knight was a nice button -- maybe even The General would have had something nice to say about this piece of sports writing, which would be a rare feat indeed.  

2) Doug Ireland, Shreveport-Bossier Journal

Column on 13-man winless high school football team

3) Roy Lang III, Shreveport-Bossier City Advocate

Column on don't judging local football coach by wins on Friday nights

HM) Robin Fambrough, The Advocate

Column on one night, one man contrasts right/wrong in prep football

 

PRO FEATURE -- CLASS I

1) LUKE JOHNSON, The Times-Picayune | NOLA.com

Feature on Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: This piece had a terrific pace, especially important for a longer feature. It’s no easy task to make the reader feel as if they’re in the room as the story is being told, but the writer brought me from New Orleans to New Jersey with a deft pen. Crisp writing kept me there the whole time and made me feel like I was sitting on the couch as the mom spoke. As another of the judges commented, “Really enjoyed the mother’s stories and the description that she could talk a hungry dog off a meat truck.” In these trying economic times, it’s nice to see an investment in travel to be able to tell a good story too.

2) Jeff Duncan, The Times-Picayune | NOLA.com

Feature story on Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton

3) Rod Walker, The Times-Picayune | NOLA.com
Feature on Knicks center and Challmetee native Mitchell Robinson

HM) Will Guillory, The Athletic

Feature on Williamson, Pelicans working to improve trust with each other

 

COLLEGE FEATURE -- CLASS I

1) KOKI RILEY, The Advocate

Story on Ashton Larson and the people in his life who have inspired him

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: Love the emotion of this story and some of the mystery regarding why the initials were being put in the ground. This goes beyond the competitive nature of sport and someone taking real time to reflect on life before carrying the hearts of those close to him. The narrative is explained well with a compelling lead and solid end.

2) Scooter Hobbs, Lake Charles American Press

Story on LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier never forgetting his “roots”

3) Rod Walker, The Times-Picayune | NOLA.com

Story on 40-year anniversary of UNO baseball team to Omaha.

HM) Doug Ireland, Shreveport-Bossier Journal

Story on 92-year-old state college basketball icon

 

PREP FEATURE -- CLASS I 

1) WILLIAM WEATHERS, GeauxPreps.com

Feature on Cecil Collins gaining entry into school's hall of fame three decades after career 

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: This story is compelling, taking you back in time where Cecil Collins was a star, and how his starburst. The entire key to this story was getting Collins to open up about his past, while the writer also drew in his past teammates and coaches, to complement Collins. The interviewing was the star of the story because Collins’ openness was needed to make this story work.

2) John James Marshall, Shreveport-Bossier Journal

Feature on Northwood’s Justin Thomas overcoming multiple adversities

3) Jeff Duncan, The Times-Picayune | NOLA.com

Feature story on high school football prodigy Jahkeem Stewart.

HM) Shannon Mia Belt, Lafayette Daily Advertiser 

Feature on Comeaux football moms coming together to support team 

 

BREAKING NEWS -- OPEN CLASS 

1) LES EAST, Crescent City Sports

Story on Saints firing head coach Dennis Allen and promoting Darren Rizzi

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: The piece expertly lays out the lead-up to and aftermath from former New Orleans Saints coach Dennis Allen’s firing. The reporter’s expertise shines through as they combine insightful interviews, canned statements and extensive background for an article that, while somewhat lengthy for a breaking-news piece, doesn’t feel overly long. Instead, it shows that the reporter was prepared for the news to break.

2) Piper Hutchinson, Tiger Rag Magazine

Story on LSU’s VP for Communications wanting publication to reveal anonymous source

3) Joseph Halm, St. Tammany Farmer

Story on Pearl River baseball coach stepping down after semifinal run

HM) Lenny Vangilder, Crescent City Sports
Story on death of former Rummel baseball coach Larry Schneider

 

AMATEUR SPORTS -- OPEN CLASS

1) TEDDY ALLEN, Shreveport-Bossier Journal

Story on the Real Boys of Summer – Area Little League teams

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: This was absolutely heart-warming. To able to reach that far back into the past and pull out such memories is a blessing and a testament to the writer's talent. As most of us have probably learned by now, youth sports teaches the adults just as much about life as it does the kids. Maybe even a little bit more. Thank you for capturing that feeling and helping us remember our own pivotal experiences. Truly a phenomenal piece.

2) Roy Lang III, Shreveport-Bossier City Advocate

Story on amateur star hockey player who lauds parents for perseverance, support

3) John James Marshall, Shreveport-Bossier Journal

Story on remembering the early days of the Firecracker 5K

HM) Doug Ireland, Shreveport-Bossier Journal

Story on two-time medalist reflects on his Olympic experience

 

OUTDOORS WRITING -- OPEN CLASS

1) GLENN QUEBEDEAUX, Crowley Post-Signal

Story on Crowley retiree hauls in double-digit largemouth bass

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: Man catches 10-pound bass on Toledo Bend. Writer captured the excitement of the moment. 

2) Tony Taglavore, Shreveport-Bossier Journal

Story on Professional fisherman Nick LeBrun who overcame an ugly addiction

3) Don Shoopman, The Daily Iberian

Story on 83-year-old making up for late start in hunting

HM) Louis Bonnette, Lake Charles American Press

Story on how fishing is fishing no matter where it is at

 

PHOTOGRAPHY -- OPEN CLASS

1) MICHAEL JOHNSON, The Advocate

Photo from LSU-Alabama men’s basketball game

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: The winning entry gets the edge because I believe the photo does the best job of the three with composition (filling the frame). I also believe it is the most unique photo of the three as far as what it is trying to convey. All three tell a story, but this one is the one that I most want to know what happened in the milliseconds after this photo was taken.

2) Tom Morris, The Ouachita Citizen

Photo of John Pearson homering in state championship win 

3) Joseph Halm, St. Tammany Farmer

Photo of Northshore’s Ryleigh McCreary competing in the butterfly

HM) Reggie McLeroy, Lincoln Parish Journal

Photo of Dalen Powell hurdling a defender into the end zone.

 

PREP EVENT -- CLASS II

1) JAKE MARTIN, The Ouachita Citizen

A story on West Ouachita ends playoff drought in 42-41 overtime thriller

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: I liked the imagery of the intro. Captured the passion and relief of the moment with the long playoff drought ending. Good quotes and narrative arc.

2) Joseph Halm, St. Tammany Farmer

A story on Mandeville boys basketball snapping a 9-year drought against St. Paul’s

3) Raymond Partsch III, Crowley Post-Signal

A story on Notre Dame being upset at home in playoffs by LCA

HM) Tony Marks, Ville Platte Gazette

A story on Sacred Heart bowing out in state semifinals

 

PREP COLUMN -- CLASS II

1) JAKE MARTIN, The Ouachita Citizen

A column on how Tannehill, Guerreiro names were tarnished for nothing

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: A good, strong editorial opinion. These are the issues journalism is all about -- pressuring those in power for transparency. Good work calling out the school board for hiding out behind flimsy "personnel" excuses.

2) Bob Tompkins, Rapides Parish Journal

Column on Tinsley’s coaching career worth whistling about 

3) Kevin Fambrough, The Pointe Coupee Banner

Column on parents being asked about the personal-family sacrifices coaches make

HM) Joseph Halm, St. Tammany Farmer

A column about how redistricting split up the Class 5A schools in the parish

 

GENERAL SPORTS COLUMN -- CLASS II

1) GLENN QUEBEDEAUX, Crowley Post-Signal

A column on how proud Leonard Habetz would be of his daughter taking over Cajuns program

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: An incredibly moving piece that connects generations - both living and past - under the umbrella of sports and UL-Lafayette. Extremely well-written!

2) Doug Ireland, Natchitoches Parish Journal

Column on state of NSU football program coming back from abyss

3) Don Shoopman, The Daily Iberian

Column on remembering fellow outdoorsman, and brother, who died from cancer

HM) Kevin Fambrough, The Pointe Coupee Banner

Column on remembering first meeting and 40-year relationship with retiring coach

 

GENERAL SPORTS FEATURE -- CLASS II

1) KYLE ROBERTS, Lincoln Parish Journal

Feature on longtime Ruston High fan who went into cardiac arrest before title 2023 game

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: I loved the lede. Quick, punchy and a pun that hinted at the story. It felt like you were along this scary ride with the family. The writer did a great job of letting the family tell the story of this untimely heart attack, and did so with a variety of viewpoints of how it went down. It's not always easy to describe details of a life-threatening event and I thought the writer did a great job of that from start to finish. The tone felt appropriate for the subject matter, too. The chronological cadence was necessary to paint the picture, and the writer executed on that. Overall, just a great read.

2) Doug Ireland, Natchitoches Parish Journal

Story behind revival of decades-long rivalry trophy tradition

3) Lori Lyons, BR Rougarou.com

Feature story on Baton Rouge Rougarou summer intern who was really a pitcher in disguise. 

HM) Joseph Halm, St. Tammany Farmer

A feature about Covington native Edgerrin Cooper’s journey to the NFL

 

MAJOR WRITING AWARDS

 

BEST SECTION -- OPEN CLASS

1) THE ADVOCATE

JUDGE’S COMMENTS:  Comprehensive preview and live coverage sections from the sister publications. Excellent digital/print presentation, especially the Dejounte Murray and Emery Jones Jr. covers, as well as attention-grabbing headlines throughout the entries. Thumbnails in previews were packed with tidbits; sections provided analysis (and solutions) from columnists; cover stories were “talkers,” and sections offered state, regional and national perspectives. The Varsity Zone (high schools) goes unmatched amongst all entries because of its depth of coverage and number of schools covered. Also of note was the preview of LSU vs. Wofford baseball at the Chapel Hill, N.C., regional. Again, comprehensive work overall. Readers were given those little extras and that element of surprise throughout the sections/coverage. The sports fanatics got a taste of everything: preps, colleges, professional.

2) St. Tammany Farmer

3) The Ouachita Citizen

 

PREP WRITER OF THE YEAR -- CLASS I

1) JOHN JAMES MARSHALL, Shreveport-Bossier Journal

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: An impressive collection of entries. Louisiana is fortunate to have good writers on the prep beat. That's not happening in many other places. For the winning entry, four quality and uplifting stories that showed great range. All were engaging and well-crafted. Also, good use of quotes to move the stories along. It also shows the high schools can provide fascinating stories...if you know where to find them. This writer did just that.

2) Roy Lang III, Shreveport-Bossier City Advocate

3) William Weathers, GeauxPreps.com

HM) Doug Ireland, Shreveport-Bossier Journal

 

PREP WRITER OF THE YEAR - CLASS II

1) JAKE MARTIN, The Ouachita Citizen

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: Solid compilation of entries in a really tough division to judge. This writer does a fantastic job of using descriptive words to create wonderful imagery. All four entries in this compilation are very well-written. The gamer/feature on the baseball player paying tribute to a fallen friend has one of the best lines I’ve ever read in journalism — “(wearing a) uniform that felt less like a number and more like a weighted vest.” That’s the kind of writing that grips you immediately and makes you fully invested in the story. This writer was able to capture the emotion of every subject he wrote about, and each feature/gamer/column showcased this writer’s style of keeping the story going without bogging it down with extra words. Really enjoyed reading this writer’s works. Well done!

2) Malcolm Butler, Lincoln Parish Journal

3) Tony Marks, Ville Platte Gazette & Oakdale Journal

HM) Joseph Halm, St. Tammany Farmer

 

COLUMNIST OF THE YEAR -- CLASS I

1) GLENN GUILBEAU, OutKick.com

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: All we ask of a columnist is to present his opinion, and provide some reasoning behind said opinion. This writer gives his readers that and then some — some history, some deft but not showy word skills, some scene-setting, some perspective, some humor where warranted. This is truly solid work.

2) Ron Higgins, Shreveport-Bossier Journal

3) Doug Ireland, Shreveport-Bossier Journal

HM) Scooter Hobbs, Lake Charles American Press

 

COLUMNIST OF THE YEAR -- CLASS II

1) BOB TOMPKINS, Rapides Parish Journal

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: Three well-told, human-centric pieces that tell us a story and then go just a little bit beyond that to find the deeper lesson. These pieces were very well-crafted and the writer should be proud of them.

2) Malcolm Butler, Lincoln Parish Journal

3) Kevin Fambrough, The Pointe Coupee Banner

HM) Tony Marks, Ville Platte Gazette 

 

BEAT WRITER OF THE YEAR -- OPEN CLASS

1) LUKE JOHNSON, The Times-Picayune | NOLA.com

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: The entries were consistently good, with stylistic similarities that reveal a writer who has cultivated a clear voice. The feature story about Taysom Hill's training exploits was best of the lot -- clear, crisp and teeming with illustrative details. But I found all the stories to be a bit windy. Without the old-fashioned space constraints of newsprint, it's not uncommon to read overlong pieces online. "Notebook dumps," as an old journalist friend likes to put it. All of this year's entrants could stand to write tighter and brighter.

2) Matthew Paras, The Times-Picayune | NOLA.com

3) Koki Riley, The Advocate

HM) Wilson Alexander, The Advocate

 

STORY OF THE YEAR

LUKE JOHNSON, The Times-Picayune | NOLA.com

JUDGE’S COMMENTS: A local story with roots in the road, this feature of an interim head coach returning home as an opponent is not only informative, but also a heartfelt story of a man achieving a career milestone in front of and alongside the community that helped him achieve success.

 

SPORTS WRITER OF THE YEAR

Awarded to the writer who accumulates the most points (points awarded on a 3-2-1 basis) in regular writing categories. Points are NOT awarded for Prep Writer of the Year, Beat Writer of the Year, Columnist of the Year, or Story of the Year.

 

DOUG IRELAND, Natchitoches Parish Journal & Shreveport-Bossier Journal