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The Livingston-Tangipahoa Advocate 07-22-2026

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DENHAM SPRINGS • LIVINGSTON • WALKER • WATSON • AMITE • HAMMOND

ADVOCATE THE LIVINGSTON -TANGIPAHOA

T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M

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W e d n e s d ay, J u ly 22, 2026

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PHOTO BY FRANCES Y. SPENCER

Cole Watkins, left, and Brantley Broussard will represent Louisiana at the Bassmaster Junior Championship at Kentucky Lake in Paris, Tenn., on Friday and Saturday.

KICKING B.A.S.S.

Young anglers catch fever for bass-fishing glory BY FRANCES Y. SPENCER Contributing writer

For most teenagers, summer is a time for sleeping in and taking it easy. But for 13-year-old Brantley Broussard and 14-year-old Cole Watkins, the summer of 2026 is all about early morn-

ings, intense strategy, and the thrill of the chase. As the sun rises over the water, these two young anglers are locked in, focused on a singular goal: reaching the pinnacle of the youth sports fishing world. Far from a casual hobby, competitive bass fishing has become a

They will compete against elite teams from 38 states. Both fish for the Junior Southwest Bassmasters of Denham Springs — the largest youth bass fishing club in Louisiana. The club, which meets monthly at Bass Pro

ä See ANGLERS, page 2G

French Settlement fifth graders lose only to themselves in End of Summer Classic

Kentwood’s Stearns will represent USA in world championships BY RICHARD MEEK Contributing writer

Stymied by stage freight as a freshman in high school, four years later Kentwood resident Caeden Stearns is preparing to represent his country on a world stage nearly 9,000 miles away from his comfortable Kentwood home. Stearns, a recent graduate of Jewel Sumner High School, will represent USA in the world championships in August in South Africa. His invitation to compete in the world championship came not long after he won the Powerlifting America High Schools Nationals, which were held April 16-19, in Omaha, Nebraska, competing in the Equipped 246-plus pound weight class. “I had sort of had an idea (I might be invited to the worlds) but I did not really know until I got the email,” Stearns said. “I was out of this world and really grateful.” Stearns said his sole focus heading into the season was to win the state championship. With that goal ticked off and armed with the mantle of a champion, he then set his sights on Omaha and winning the nationals, which he said he was very proud to win.

defining passion for the duo. Later this week, their dedication pays off on the grandest stage possible. Brantley and Cole are heading to Paris, Tennessee, to represent Louisiana in the prestigious Tackle Warehouse Bassmaster Junior Championship on Friday and Saturday, July 24-25.

PROVIDED PHOTO

Jewel Sumner High school powerlifter Caeden Stearns lifts 738 points in the squat competition during the Powerlifting America High Schools Nationals, April 16-19, 2026, in Omaha, Neb. Stearns will compete in the IPF World Sub-Junior & Junior Classic & Equipped Powerlifting Championships scheduled Aug.18-Aug. 29 at the Sun City Resort in Sun Park, South Africa.

Winning on the state level, much less on the national level and earning an invite to the world championships seemed unlikely four years ago when powerlifting coach Zach Kellum first asked Stearns to join the

ä See STEARNS, page 2G

two, so its always a good game. I’ve Youth basketball has been in full got 12 or 13 kids that can all play bloom this summer, particularly at pretty well together.” French Settlement, where the End The fifth-grade unit has been playof Summer Classic took place last weekend. ing together for three years. The Jake Bourgeois, the multitasking exact numbers show 10 moving into Charles the fifth grade in August, while three head coach of French Settlement’s Salzer boys and girls high school teams, will be in the sixth grade. The Lions SPORTS has been busy running youth tournafifth and sixth grade teams have each ROUNDUP won district championships in recent ments and camps this summer. seasons, so there is a standard that The annual End of Summer tournahas been set. ment was just another busy day from Seth Wilson set the pace with a differencehim, and any team wanting to join in. making performance in the intrasquad One of those teams was the French Settlegame. He made a steal and banked in a ment fifth grade team, which went undefeated against outside competition Saturday. 3-pointer giving the green squad its 23-21 There was an inevitable loss thrown in there, lead with 40 seconds left to play. The closwhen coach Evan Balfantz split his team into ing seconds were then frantic as the white two six-man groups for an intrasquad game. team’s Madden Romero, Cooper SchexnayThe intrasquad contest produced one of der and Parker Andrews all got off shots to the most competitive games of the day, with no avail. the green team defeating the white 23-21. There was playful banter after the green With the tournament format allowing multiteam, coached by Balfantz’ cousin Boston ple games on Saturday, the intrasquad game Balfantz. picked up the win. Wilson finished with a game-high 12 points and two 3-pointwas just one more opportunity to get in real time work before single-game elimination ers. play began on Sunday. “These kids love to play basketball,” BalThe Lions’ fifth-grade squad showed prom- fantz said. “You can see they’ve got pretty good skills for being young. They play toise. “We just separated into two teams, trying gether, they pass the ball, they all dribble the to make them even, and then we let them ball well. We play good man-to-man defense, play,” Balfantz said. “Last week, my team and that was our goal when we started a (white) won 33-32 and this time they lost by couple of years ago.”

La. 16 bridge near Southside Junior High School closed for repairs Darlene Denstorff AROUND LIVINGSTON

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development has temporarily closed the La. 16 bridge just south of Southside Junior High School for scheduled bridge maintenance and repairs. Weather permitting, it should reopen Aug. 5. To detour traveling south on La. 16,

take U.S. 190 West to La. 3002 (South Range Avenue) to La. 1034 (Vincent Road), back to La. 16. Traveling north on La. 16, take La. 1034 (Vincent Road) to La. 3002 (South Range Avenue) to U.S. 190 East, back to La. 16. Allow extra travel time, especially

during the morning and afternoon commute. Follow all posted detour signs and use caution in work zones to help keep everyone safe.

Learn to be a poll commissioner People interested in becoming an Election Day Poll Commissioner are

invited to a New Commissioner class at 6 p.m., Aug. 31, at the Livingston Parish Courthouse, 20300 Government Blvd., Livingston. Sign up is not necessary. Just show up on Aug. 31. This is only for people wanting to

ä See AROUND, page 2G


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