Broncos girls basketball team on fire
Zachary High’s girls head basketball coach Tami McClure texted me the night before the Broncos home game against Midland on Jan. 28. Though it was a nondistrict game against an out-of-state opponent, I had already made plans. What neither I nor Ava Raymond knew (until McClure texted me) was that on the previous Friday against Oak Hill, Raymond scored her 2,000th point as a Bronco. She received that recognition before the Midland game. Raymond is also a candidate for the Louisiana Gatorade player of the year in girls basketball. Coming into the Midland game, the Lady Broncos have put together an impressive 21-3 record and is currently ranked second in the Non-Select Division I power rankings.
Northwestern Middle School Orchestra works for festival
The Northwestern Middle School Orchestra practiced after school Jan. 29. The students are preparing for the LSU Music Festival in February
Midland (21-7) is no slouch putting and a formidable opponent that is ranked first in the Non-Select Division IV power rankings. The junior varsity won the opener 41-19 with SaRhya Smith leading all scorers with 14 points. In the varsity game, the Rebels started strong scoring first on a basket and free throw to take an early lead. Asia Bell scored the Broncos’ first bucket. After Midland raced out to a 2-6 lead, McClure called a timeout to settle the team down. They responded with a Bell layup after the Broncos broke the press and a subsequent Bell layup tied the game with 5:01 remaining in the first. The Broncos took their first lead on a basket by Kennedi Whitfield but after one it was all tied up at 12.
Raymond started the scoring in the second period and a 3-point shot by Marcia Robinson gave the Broncos a 4-point lead. After Midland fought back, Robinson hit another 3-pointer and a put back by Raymond extended the to 7 (25-18). Midland stormed back throughout the period with timely 3-point shots as the game was still tight (32-29) at the half. The second half started with Raymond nailing a jumper in the lane. Bell followed with a 3-point play and a layup by Whitfield. The Broncos went up 10 with six minutes left in the period. The Broncos could not manage much more separation for the remainder of
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Easter run set for March 21 in Zachary
Elaina Moses, Northwestern seventh grader, practices her section for an upcoming the festival.
PHOTOS BY SONYA GOSS
Anna Stanley, assistant instructor, plays along with Austin Hernandez, during a Northwestern Middle’s seventh grade practice on Jan. 29.
Warren Brady ZACHARY SPORTS
DeVirgilio — took a more compassionate stance and voted down the motion, saying it would be unprecedented for the council to kick someone out of a planning and zoning commission seat. Under state law, a commissioner can be fired for three reasons: inefficiency, neglect of duty and malfeasance, said City Attorney Jacqueline Wilson. The removal must take place via a public hearing.
“I believe he follows the inefficiency and neglect of duty,” Graves said.
“Just in the past year, he’s missed more meetings than he’s come to,” Landry said. “So nine out of the 12 he’s missed,andthenhe’smissed January already, too.”
Graves said he had expressed his concerns about attendance to Floyd and asked him whether he’d step down. Floyd refused, Graves said.
The councilman said Floyd also “has not been able to give me proper information” about planning and zoning matters and often contributes little to discussions at meetings Floyd, who was not at the council meeting but said he watched it remotely, took issue with Graves’ statements in an emailed response to a request for comment.
“Councilman Graves tried, in my opinion, to attack my intelligence by saying I never really participated in the meetings he attended,” Floyd wrote, adding that “when ideas align, there’s really nothing further to say.”
As for his absences, Floyd, who works in information technology said the past year has been challenging for his business, forcing him to miss meetings. He said he has stayed in touch with the commission and “will continue to
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until my tenure is up.” He noted that his role is an unpaid, voluntary one. “I appreciate the vote of confidence and compassion but I also know that this was a warning for me to be more in place to fulfill my obligations as commissioner of this great city,” he wrote. “I’ll be happy to share that my personal grind is freeing me up to be more involved but there’s always threats to mitigate as a IT professional. I hope that we can put policies in place that can aid City legislators in every seat and capacity to fairly fund the work we all do for the health safety and wellbeing of this great City of Zachary.”
Mindy Slaughter, chair of the commission, offered her support for Floyd “What occurred last night was absolutely appalling,” she wrote in a text message Wednesday “Commissioner Floyd has been, and remains to be, an asset to the Planning and Zoning Commission He has demonstrated a commendable knowledge of code, and steadfast integrity in decision-making. I am extremely grateful to serve along side a man possessing such character as that of Commissioner Floyd!”
The motion to remove Floyd from office was made by Landry with Graves seconding. Westmoreland, LeBlanc and DeVirgilio all voted no allowing Floyd to stay on the commission and ending Graves’ bid to replace him with Albarez.
“We have to have a little grace,” said Westmoreland, who pointed out that other commissioners have absences on their records, too. “This is a volunteer position.”
Landry disagreed
“We can still love him, pray for him, wish him the best,” Landry said. “But this is also a job. I understand it’s a volunteer position, but it’s a pretty big, important volunteer position.”
defendants that have received prior amnesty bench warrant recalls.
Zachary Carnival royalty Zachary Mardi Gras’ first parade is Feb. 15. Related event include an invitation only reception and news conference Feb. 13 and a community service event and Mass on Feb. 14. Visit zmardigras.com for information.
Renew pesticide certificates A Private Pesticide Applicator Recertification training session will be March 12 at the Zachary Branch of the East Baton Rouge Parish Library, 10 a.m. to noon, 1900 Church St., Zachary Attendees needs to bring a current pesticide card and two checks — one made to the LSU AgCenter for $15 and one made to LDAF for $25.
To reserve a spot, call Donna Gentry at (225) 683-3101 or dsgentry@agcenter.lsu.edu.
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the period and went into the fourth up 52-40. Broncos defensive pressure and hot shooting put them up 15 with two minutes left in the fourth as they cruised to victory 66-53. Bell was the top scorer with 17, Ayja Walker had 8 assists and Ramond finished with 11 points and 7 rebounds.
The Broncos girls will be close out the regular season and 4-5A play at home against Woodlawn Feb. 13.
ZHS soccer recognizes seniors
Also on the night of Jan. 28 the ZHS girls soccer team recognized their seniors before their game against Live Oak, which they won 1-0.
The ZHS girls soccer team has put together a pretty impressive season brandishing a record of 15-4-2 and a 15th power ranking.
Seniors recognized at the game were Yessica Arboleda, Shalaila Collins, Ariana Davis, Laila Johnson, Alaina Leet, Amara Nwabueze, Trinity Spence, Taylon Spurlock, Mikenzee Washington and Marleigh Wright.
City wrestling championships results
The Zachary High girls finished second and the boys finished sixth overall at the 2026 Greater Baton Rouge City Championships at Catholic High on Jan. 24.
Top finishers for the boys were junior Joshua Scott (second at 120 pounds), senior Eli Roberts (third at 138 pounds), senior Landon Blackwell (fourth at 106 pound) and freshman Kelby Gosserand (fourth at 126 pounds). Finalists for the girls were sophomore Adia Wells (second at 185 pounds) and senior Nachell Weaver (second at 126 pounds). Third place finishers for the Broncos girls were freshman Kaelyn Anthony (100 pounds), senior Jaiden Dyer (107 pounds), junior Kaitlyn Allen (120 pounds), junior Marlee Ballmer (152 pounds) and senior Gabby Anthony (235 pounds).
Among the items needed to stock the shelves are flour, sugar, cereal, Hamburger Helper, jambalaya mix, chicken, hamburger meat, hot dogs, mustard, instant mashed potatoes, ketchup, mayonnaise, peanut butter, jelly, snacks, seasoning, toilet paper and paper towels.
Learn about Louisiana’s first Black elected officials
Join Charles Vincent at the Baker Branch Library Feb. 28 at 3 p.m. for his annual series, Heroes in African American History
This year’s theme is “A Century of Black History Commemorations.”
He will give a presentation on
the first black elected officials in Louisiana, then autograph copies of his book, “Black Legislators in Louisiana During Reconstruction.”
School supplies will be provided for the first five students in attendance.
Help with food needs
The Zachary Food Pantry is seeking post-holiday help.
Contact (225) 654-4028 or info@ zacharyfoodpantry.org for information.
Books and music with Kids’ Orchestra
Kids’ Orchestra has programs at area library branches for ages 3-11, including the Zachary Branch at 11 a.m. Feb. 7. In February, Books & Music will highlight Louisiana native Trombone Shorty’s second book, “The 5 O’clock Band.” In addition to hearing the book, children and families are invited to sing, dance, play instruments, and meet a professional musician.
Murder mystery at Mardi Gras
The Pride-Chaneyville Branch Library, 13600 Pride-Port Hudson Road, is hosting Murder at Mardi Gras: Murder Mystery Party for
adults at 3 p.m. Saturday Call (225) 658-1540 for information and to register Apply for Leadership North 2026 Leadership NORTH is an annual leadership development program for the north Baton Rouge region. The Zachary Chamber of Commerce hosts the program. Participation in the program is open to people living or working in Baton Rouge, Zachary Central, Baker Pointe Coupee, East and West Feliciana Parishes who have the full support of the organization or business they represent.
The program is designed to engage emerging leaders in our region and prepare them to meet the future needs of our communities.
Through the exchange of viewpoints and experiences, participants are exposed to the challenges, opportunities and vital issues affecting the northern Baton Rouge region.
The application is at forms.office.com/r/7feLGC5qtF
Email Leila Pitchford at lpitchford@theadvocate.com.
Ava Raymond launches a 3-pointer during a recent Zachary High game.
Asia Bell shoots during a recent basketball game.
PHOTOS BY WARREN BRADY
Zachary High’s Ayja Walker shoots from down the lane during a recent game.
Northwestern Middle School students who were selected by their Orchestra Instructor to participate in the Stately Oaks Music Festival February 5-7. Left to right are Madison Howells, eighth grade, Haleigh Goss, eighth grade, Austin Hernandez, seventh grade, Caia Thomas, seventh grade, and Anna Stanley, seventh grade.
PHOTO BY SONYA GOSS
Northwestern Middle School Orchestra students practice for the Stately Oaks Music Festival that they will be participating in Feb 5.
Orchestra instructor Alicia Monroe plays a section on her violin for Northwestern Middle eighth grader Haleigh Goss to provide Goss some tips.
