They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, sometimes they cannot live independently without someone by their side to provide care. Unfortunately, some older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live in the comforts or their home rather than in an assisted living community. Home care in Shreveport, LA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they age. We are proud to have helped tens of thousands of seniors to maintain a higher level of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home care services in Shreveport, LA. Always Best Care is here to help.
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it's especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age. When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one ages, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes or Parkinson's or Alzheimer's.
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite activities and hobbies while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy other activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress helps reduce the risks of caregiver burnout.
When it comes to non-medical home care, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible. If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for clients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a unfamiliar assisted living community, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old. With the help of elderly care in Shreveport, LA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors. Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like an assisted living community. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, can be less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care in Shreveport, LA gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
During your Care Plan consultation with Always Best Care, your Care Coordinator will speak with you about in-home care costs and what options there may be to help meet your budget needs.
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Shreveport,LA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
An assessment of your senior loved one
An in-depth discussion of the needs of your senior loved one to remain in their own home
Reviewing a detailed Care Plan that will meet your senior loved one's needs
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
Voting is now open online for the Shreveport Times High School Athlete of the Week, sponsored by Raising Cane’s and the Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission. It includes student-athletes in Northwest Louisiana high school sports other than football from 12 northwest Louisiana schools.Fans of those students, their schools or their particular sport can vote at shreveporttimes.com under “sports” for their favorite. Voting will continue through Friday night this week only with the winner announced Saturday...
Voting is now open online for the Shreveport Times High School Athlete of the Week, sponsored by Raising Cane’s and the Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission. It includes student-athletes in Northwest Louisiana high school sports other than football from 12 northwest Louisiana schools.
Fans of those students, their schools or their particular sport can vote at shreveporttimes.com under “sports” for their favorite. Voting will continue through Friday night this week only with the winner announced Saturday.
Previous winners include BrodyHutchison and Claire Allen of Benton, Cheyenne Olson of Parkway and Jade Smith of Ruston.
Weekly winners will receive a duffle bag, a boxed lunch combo and some additional swag courtesy of Raising Cane’s, along with a short story on their accomplishments, courtesy of The Times.
WHAT'S NEXT:Many football coach Jess Curtis leaves for Natchitoches Central after third state championship
On the Week 19 ballot for the 2022-23 school year are Lexy Bouillon, Benton soccer; Felix Deras, Bossier soccer; Adam Parker, Calvary soccer; Alex Baltov, Caddo Magnet soccer; Maddie Aubrey, Captain Shreve soccer; Tatiana Oliver, Byrd basketball; Fred’Travious Benjamin, Green Oaks basketball; Jamaria “Juicy” Clark, Doyline basketball; Samora Sampson, Gibsland-Coleman basketball; Lathan Tabor, North DeSoto wrestling; Charles Lindsey, Haughton wrestling and Jada Payne, Parkway cheer.
These athletes were chosen because of their performance last week or because their names were submitted by their coach.
The High School Athlete of the Week includes athletes from all LHSAA-sanctioned sports other than football. In the fall, that includes volleyball, cross country, swimming and cheerleading.
Coaches and school administrators can submit their candidates for the recognition to [email protected]
Week 1: Cheyenne Olson, Parkway cross country
Week 2: Claire Allen, Benton cross country
Week 3: Jade Smith, Ruston volleyball
Week 4: Brody Hutchison, Benton cross country
Week 5: Madison Hicks, Captain Shreve volleyball
Week 6: K’laina Bieniek, Byrd volleyball
Week 7: Ember Pierce, Parkway cross country
Week 8: Haylee Crowder, Haughton volleyball
Week 9: Ella Vickers, Haughton volleyball
Week 10: Isabelle Russell, Benton cross country
Week 11: Eva Johnson, Benton cheer
Week 12: Devon Viers, Parkway wrestling
Week 13: Jacob Kershaw, North DeSoto wrestling
Week 14: Ashlyn Paul, Northwood soccer
Week 15: Ernie Perry, Airline wrestling
Week 16: Jamie Willis, Benton soccer
Week 17: Ty Parker, Airline wrestling
Week 18: Logan Olson, Airline wrestling
Jimmy Watson covers Shreveport-Bossier area sports. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @JimmyWatson6.
For years, Louisiana's neighboring southern states have added locations of Buc-ee's, the wildly popular Texas-based travel center chain.Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee and South Carolina all have locations of the travel culture phenomenon. Several stores are scattered throughout Texas. And another location is in the wo...
For years, Louisiana's neighboring southern states have added locations of Buc-ee's, the wildly popular Texas-based travel center chain.
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee and South Carolina all have locations of the travel culture phenomenon. Several stores are scattered throughout Texas. And another location is in the works across the Louisiana state line along Interstate 10 in south Mississippi.
So when sister publication The Shreveport Times reported Buc-ee's might finally arrive in Louisiana, the news certainly raised the eyebrows of the store's faithful as the article's shares soared on social media.
For residents of south Louisiana, Ruston is a bit of a trek though. The drive up to north Louisiana from the Baton Rouge area is around four hours, but the drive from Baton Rouge to the planned location in Pass Christian, Mississippi is half that at about two hours.
Back in 2016 the Baton Rouge area reportedly was considered, but by 2017 plans had fallen through for a location in the Greens at Millerville, just off Interstate 12.
Buc-ee's locations generally appear to be found in suburban areas off of interstates, away from the hustle and bustle of larger cities.
For example, the Loxley, Alabama, location is off of Interstate 10 east of Mobile. The one in Leeds, Alabama, is east of Birmingham along Interstate 20. And the Athens, Alabama, location is west of Huntsville off of Interstate 65.
A similar pattern can be found in Calhoun, Georgia, which is along Interstate 75 northwest of Atlanta. The Warner Robins location off of Interstate 75 is south of Atlanta.
Also, travelers can find the Crossville, Tennessee, location along Interstate 40 between Nashville and Knoxville.
Following that logic, the ideal location for Louisiana may not be anywhere close to a historic area like the French Quarter in New Orleans, right next to the capitol in Baton Rouge, or even convenient to downtown Lafayette. Catering to travelers ready for a rest stop appears to be the name of the game for the chain.
That theory would open more possibilities to suburban areas like Ascension and Livingston parishes, which have interstates 10 and 12 running through its larger communities.
But of course, any discussion of southern Louisiana has to involve waterways and swamps - as well as political maneuvering like the tax incentive package and a cooperative endeavor agreement expected for the Ruston location.
Down the Mississippi River parishes toward New Orleans, available land for such a concrete footprint becomes an issue. In that case, areas north of Lake Pontchartrain along Interstate 12 near Hammond might be appealing.
Then of course, there are options in the southwestern part of the state. The Opelousas area is just north of Lafayette along Interstate 49. Then there are spots along Interstate 10 like Lake Charles, Jennings, and Crowley.
So you've been invited to attend your first Mardi Gras bal here in Shreveport, but you have no idea what to expect. No worries! We've got a full list of what you should and shouldn't do.First off, you may be wondering about tickets. Tickets can generally be purchased through the host krewe's website. If you can't purchase your tickets that way, ask a friend who's a member of the host krewe and they should be able to hook you up. Remember, just because you were invited, you'll still more than likely have to purchase a ticket.Sec...
So you've been invited to attend your first Mardi Gras bal here in Shreveport, but you have no idea what to expect. No worries! We've got a full list of what you should and shouldn't do.
First off, you may be wondering about tickets. Tickets can generally be purchased through the host krewe's website. If you can't purchase your tickets that way, ask a friend who's a member of the host krewe and they should be able to hook you up. Remember, just because you were invited, you'll still more than likely have to purchase a ticket.
Secondly, you should know that Mardi Gras bals are formal events. Depending on the host krewe, ladies should wear a long formal gown. For less formal events, a cocktail dress is acceptable. Word to the wise, if you have the option, go with the full-length formal dress. You'll thank me later! Men should either wear a tuxedo or if they're in the military or law enforcement, a formal dress uniform. Hint: You can purchase your own tuxedo new for about the same price and renting one, so go ahead and invest in yourself.
Always, and I mean always, plan on a safe ride. Depending on the event, there may be an open bar. Regardless, the alcohol will be flowing. Make sure you have a safe ride home for the evening and bring plenty of cash to tip and purchase drinks if needed.
Generally, some type of food is provided. A lot of local krewes serve a breakfast buffet towards the end of the evening to help soak up some of the adult beverages you may have imbibed. At some bals in south Louisiana, they'll allow you to bring your own cooler stocked with snacks and drinks!
Bring a camera! You'll want pictures of your big night! Ladies, you also might want to bring a pair of flats or ballet slippers for dancing later in the evening when you just can't handle those heels anymore. Nothing looks worse than someone who is dressed to the nines running around drunk with dirty Walmart feet.
Drink LOTS of water beforehand. Hydration is key! Eating something light before the event is a smart move as well.
If you are invited to sit at a royalty table, make sure you RSVP as soon as possible. Also, you might find fun trinkets and gifts at your place setting. Those are yours to keep. However, it's considered rude to remove centerpieces and other decorations without the express permission of your host. Also, keep in mind that its tradition to bring a congratulatory gift if you're a guest at a royalty table. Gift ideas include anything Mardi Gras or Louisiana-themed. Hint: Gift bags are a great way to sneak in alcohol if the event doesn't feature an open bar.
A few other notes, when you arrive at the event, you'll check in and present your ticket. At that time, make sure to ask where you'll be seated. That way they can direct you to the specific royalty or float table you belong at or seating reserved for visiting royalty and guests. The first hour or two are dedicated to socializing, then you'll be asked to be seated for the 'tableau.' This is the program part of the evening when the krewe will celebrate outstanding members and present their royalty. During the presentation, you can expect royals to throw beads and other trinkets. If you're there supporting a specific royal, they will usually have confetti cannons and such on their tables for you to use when they are presented. After all of the royal shenanigans, the band usually plays and food is served. After that, just have fun! FYI, you don't actually have to be a member of a krewe to go to their Grand Bal. They love having visitors!
Happy Mardi Gras and let the good times roll y'all!
Oh so you are on a low carb diet? You thought you couldn't enjoy a king cake? Think again, Prep Cakes has perfected their recipe. Check out their Facebook page and order yours today. 504 E Kings Hwy Ste B, Shreveport, LA 71104
PJ's Coffee in Bossier has one of my favorite king cakes, they bring in Caluda's from New Orleans and they sometimes sell it by the slice.
It's no secret that Southern Maid makes the best donut, did you know they also win when it comes to king cake? 1409 E 70th St Unit 116 Shreveport, LA 71105
Every year I have to send off some king cake to Dallas to friends who are obsessed with Tubbs Extreme King Cake. This is the first king cake I ever tired and probably the reason I love king cake so much. 615 Benton Rd, Bossier City, LA 71111
This baker runs the business from a commercial kitchen and there is no storefront so you'll have to message them on Facebook or call them to order this Haughton favorite. (318) 415-8811
Maybe it's the countless flavors or the fact that they are the place we think of when it comes to king cake, but Lilah's king cake is without a doubt a crowd favorite. The biggest problem will be choosing your favorite flavor. 1718 Centenary Blvd, Shreveport, LA
Not only does Lowder's make delicious pastries, they can roll out a delicious king cake. I love the fact that it's ready for pick up and you don't have to wait. 4019 Fern Ave Suite 500 Shreveport, LA 71105
A Shreveport favorite that is always ready for pick up. You can't beat something being ready to go when you're picking up lunch at the cafe. 825 Kings Hwy, Shreveport, LA
One of the most celebrated cakes in Bossier comes from Fat Tuesday, I mean the name of the shop is very fitting. 1201 Shady Grove Dr Suite B, Bossier City, LA, United States, Louisiana
Cheesecakes and More has been locally owned and family operated for more than 20 years, so naturally several Shreveport residents claim this is the only place to get their king cake fix. 2710 Centenary Blvd, Shreveport, LA 71104
Wait a minute, king cakes on a stick? Umm yes please! Stick with the traditional king cake or opt for the king cake on a stick.
Bergeron's Boudin and Cajun Meats is known for all the delicious savory food, but every year they bring in something delicious from New Orleans, Randazzo’s King Cakes.
Mardi Gras is big business in Shreveport-Bossier and the Krewe of Centaur parade is the biggest of them all. Centaur's parade features 29 throwing floats in addition to specialty units, bands, etc... According to the latest economic impact study done by the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourism Bureau, the 2019 Mardi Gras parades had an overall estimated impact of $22,998,891!
Not only does the Krewe of Centaur put on one heck of a parade each year, Centaur is also the reason why the Highland parade is so big. If Centaur didn't allow its floats to be used in other parades, you'd end up watching a lot of kids on flatbed trailers.
One of the many things that Centaur prides itself on is its floats. Centaur builds and decorates its own floats and purchases the materials to do so locally. In my humble opinion, float workdays are my favorite part of the Mardi Gras experience. It gives you a chance to bond one on one with other members of your float and the rest of the krewe.
The Krewe of Centaur is all about giving back to the community. In the past, they've hosted numerous drives to support everything from Operation Santa Claus and local junior fishing teams to gifting ballistic vests to local K-9 officers.
While a lot of people think Mardi Gras is all about public drunkenness and showing off your assets for beads, it's really about so much more. I've personally seen an entire generation of kids grow up at the Centaur den. They have more honorary aunts and uncles than they know what to do with! On top of that, I've added many members to my own personal extended family through my time in Centaur.
Centaur is huge when it comes to benefiting our community with members volunteering for everything from the annual Volunteers for Youth Justice gumbo cook-off, the Red River Revel Arts Festival, the Independence Bowl, Holiday In Dixie, Mudbug Madness, etc... Our royal court is known for its visits to local schools, nursing and veteran's homes, and hospitals. Centaur has even adopted a local cemetery and helps to maintain it in an attempt to keep the area free from blight.
The Krewe of Centaur is known for throwing the good stuff! Each member's bead package includes 145 dozen throw beads, 250 cups, and 3 dozen specialty items. And that doesn't include all of the extras most members add like plush, toys, etc...
As north Louisiana's only 'super krewe' with approximately 760 members, there are a ton of opportunities to network with other Centaur members and their friends and family. Remember, it's not what you know, it's who you know;) Centaur actively supports its sponsors and krewe members' business endeavors.
SHREVEPORT, La. – Councilman James Green has been elected chairman of the City Council once again.The vote Friday morning was taken because of questions raised about the legality of a vote taken on Dec. 31 after city council members and Mayor Tom Arceneaux were sworn in.As a result of that vote, Shreveport resident John Settle filed a lawsuit challenging the validity of Green’s assertion he was re-elected as chairman. Settle contends Councilman Grayson Boucher was actually elected chairman.Boucher addressed t...
SHREVEPORT, La. – Councilman James Green has been elected chairman of the City Council once again.
The vote Friday morning was taken because of questions raised about the legality of a vote taken on Dec. 31 after city council members and Mayor Tom Arceneaux were sworn in.
As a result of that vote, Shreveport resident John Settle filed a lawsuit challenging the validity of Green’s assertion he was re-elected as chairman. Settle contends Councilman Grayson Boucher was actually elected chairman.
Boucher addressed the confusion at Friday’s meeting without talking directly about the lawsuit, which is set for a hearing on Thursday morning. Boucher called the outcome “somewhat embarrassing.”
Boucher asked the council clerk and internal auditor to determine whether Friday’s meeting was even legally called. The city charter requires special meetings to be called by the mayor, council chairman or four council members.
If it was called by a chairman, then by what chairman, Boucher asked, since that’s at issue with the pending litigation. If four council members called it, then Boucher wanted to know which ones since it would have been done by telephone polling – an action that could be considered in violation of the Open Meeting Law. He said neither he nor Taliaferro were contacted.
Green asked the interim city attorney for clarification about a paragraph in District Judge Brady O’Callaghan’s order setting Settle’s lawsuit for a hearing. O’Callaghan said it appears from Settle’s argument that the mandatory procedure to elect a chairman was not followed for either the first or second meeting on Dec. 31. However, he said if no valid election occurred then Green would remain as chairman.
When it came time to vote Friday, newly seated Councilman Jim Taliaferro nominated Boucher as chairman. Boucher expressed appreciation but declined and said he’s rather let the issue play out in court.
“I do not want to be chairman until this litigation is taken care of,” he said.
Boucher nominated Taliaferro as chairman, citing his past experience on the Caddo Commission and chairing other boards. Councilman Alan Jackson nominated Green.
Boucher was the only vote for Taliaferro. Jackson, Tabatha Taylor, Gary Brooks and Ursula Bowman voted for Green, which gave him the majority.
For the past decade, the Bossier Invitational Tournament has been the preeminent event for area boys basketball teams as it traditionally has closed out the tournament season.As late as 2014, there was a 16-team, single-elimination bracket with teams on the waiting list to get in. If a coach thought their team had district or state title aspirations, the competition in this January tourney would sharpen iron with iron and prepare their team for a long playoff run in whichever classification they competed.Fast for...
For the past decade, the Bossier Invitational Tournament has been the preeminent event for area boys basketball teams as it traditionally has closed out the tournament season.
As late as 2014, there was a 16-team, single-elimination bracket with teams on the waiting list to get in. If a coach thought their team had district or state title aspirations, the competition in this January tourney would sharpen iron with iron and prepare their team for a long playoff run in whichever classification they competed.
Fast forward to the 2023 version, which had just nine teams competing in a round-robin format that concluded Saturday evening with three stand-alone contests. Three teams dropped out prior to Wednesday’s opening tip for varying reasons.
“We wish other teams could find a way to continue the tradition of a great Bossier Tournament instead of a round robin,” Huntington coach Mack Jones said. “It’s the granddaddy of them all.”
First-year Bossier coach Justin Collins said losing the three teams (Richwood, Mansfield, North Caddo) late made scheduling tough for his Bearkats, currently the No. 4 team in Non-Select Division II.
“But we have kept on working,” Collins said.
Parkway principal Jeremiah Williams was the Bossier coach during the heyday of the event in 2014 when he was able to bring in Illinois powerhouse Chicago ORR to Bossier through his coaching connections. He also managed to get Oklahoma’s Douglas High School and Stevie Clark, who scored 55 points in a game, to come. Williams was on his way to the tournament Thursday evening after watching his son’s team play.
“There were some great games, and it was our major - our only - fundraiser,” Williams said. “It allowed us to travel to tournaments and to purchase new uniforms for the kids. On a good year, we’d make around $10,000 from it.”
One of the keys to a good tournament is having a quality hospitality room for coaches and game officials. And Bossier’s has always been tops, thanks to the efforts of Norma Anderson for about 30 years and to Tammie Evans for the past several campaigns. They’ve incorporated a stunning mix of home-cooked delicacies juxtaposed with others donated by area merchants. The room has been so popular that the organizers had to institute an arm-band requirement to enter.
While there may not have been a Chicago juggernaut in the 2023 tournament, the competition wasn’t lacking Thursday when Calvary’s Rondae Hill drilled a 3-pointer off a Konnor Cotton assist at the buzzer to vault his Cavaliers past Select Division I No. 5 Huntington, 52-49.
“It was a playoff atmosphere and a great game from start to finish,” Calvary coach Vic Morris said. “My guys came out and executed the game plan from the beginning and we were up 11 to start the fourth quarter. But Huntington is a great team, and they fought back and tied it up.”
Hill led the way with 20 points with Malaki Thomas adding 17 points and 17 rebounds. DeCedric Webb topped the Raiders with 17 points and 12 boards.
Doubtless the Invitational will continue its evolution as the face of high school basketball in the LHSAA is also evolving with divisional play a part of the playoff scene in a few weeks. Meanwhile, the Bossier Invitational is doing just fine.
“I know it’s difficult to get teams because district games have begun,” Williams said. “But I’m glad it’s still going and going strong.”
Jimmy Watson covers Shreveport-Bossier area sports. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @JimmyWatson6.