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Tyler Junior College continued their mid-season roll Wednesday night with a 95-73 home win over Lamar State College-Port Arthur. The Apaches now have won four straight games, beginning with a victory over Region XIV South Zone leader San Jacinto College. Lamar State stayed with the Apaches through the first half and trailed by only three points, 43-40 at halftime. But the second half belonged to Tyler. The Apaches opened with a 9-0 run and the Seahawks never recovered, shooting just 3-of-19 from behind the three-point line while trying to get back in the game. Freshman guard Von Jones led Lamar State with 16 points and 6 rebounds. Sophomore guard Kavon Rose added 14. Ahyaro Phillips and Dion Waiters each had 10. The loss moves Lamar State's overall record to 15-6. The Seahawks fall to 5-6 in Region XIV action. Lamar State will be home Saturday for a 4 p.m. conference game in the Carl Parker Center against Trinity Valley Community College.

The Lamar State College-Port Arthur men's basketball team will be looking for another conference victory Wednesday, when they go on the road for a 7 p.m. game at Tyler Junior College. Lamar State is 15-5 overall and 5-4 in Region XIV play after Saturday's 89-78 victory over Bossier Parish Community College in a game that was moved from the Carl Parker Center to McDonald Gym at Lamar University after a ship collision on the Intercoastal Waterway near the college caused the evacuation of downtown Port Arthur. Lamar State head coach Matt Cross said, "Any win in this conference is a great win, especially when you give up your home court to play at a neutral site and take yourself out of normal home game routine. I was praying the decision would not come back to haunt us." Cross was pleased with the turnout for the game. "Lamar State fans made a big impression on our team when they showed up in Beaumont to support us," Cross said. Cross has been looking forward to Wednesday's game at Tyler. "This game is special to me because I coached two years at Texas College, which also is in Tyler," Cross said. "Tyler Junior College is a great college basketball venue. The atmosphere will be a big challenge for our freshman players. The match-up will be equal in talent, but Tyler has more experience, which gives them another advantage in the game." Tyler (12-5, 5-4) is coming off a 72-68 Saturday road victory at Lee College. The Apaches won their last three starts, including a victory over South Zone leader San Jacinto College. Lamar State returns to the Carl Parker Center on Saturday for a 4 p.m. conference game with Trinity Valley Community College.

The Lamar State College-Port Arthur men's basketball team will be looking for another conference victory Wednesday, when they go on the road for a 7 p.m. game at Tyler Junior College. Lamar State is 15-5 overall and 5-4 in Region XIV play after Saturday's 89-78 victory over Bossier Parish Community College in a game that was moved from the Carl Parker Center to McDonald Gym at Lamar University after a ship collision on the Intercoastal Waterway near the college caused the evacuation of downtown Port Arthur. Lamar State head coach Matt Cross said, "Any win in this conference is a great win, especially when you give up your home court to play at a neutral site and take yourself out of normal home game routine. I was praying the decision would not come back to haunt us." Cross was pleased with the turnout for the game. "Lamar State fans made a big impression on our team when they showed up in Beaumont to support us," Cross said. Cross has been looking forward to Wednesday's game at Tyler. "This game is special to me because I coached two years at Texas College, which also is in Tyler," Cross said. "Tyler Junior College is a great college basketball venue. The atmosphere will be a big challenge for our freshman players. The match-up will be equal in talent, but Tyler has more experience, which gives them another advantage in the game." Tyler (12-5, 5-4) is coming off a 72-68 Saturday road victory at Lee College. The Apaches won their last three starts, including a victory over South Zone leader San Jacinto College. Lamar State returns to the Carl Parker Center on Saturday for a 4 p.m. conference game with Trinity Valley Community College.

I didn't get a press release out because the game was moved from Port Arthur to the McDonald Gym at Lamar University because of the ship collision that caused an evacuation of parts of downtown Port Arthur. But the Seahawks didn't let the change affect their play as they won 91-76 in their third game in four days. Sophomore guard Kavon Rose had 18 points in the first half and ended the game with a team-high 23 points. Four other Seahawks also scored in double figures -- Ahyaro Phillips (14), Nick Walters (12), Dion Waiters (11) and Von Jones (10). The win moves Lamar State to 15-5 overall and 5-4 in Region XIV action. The Seahawks currently are third in the South Zone, behind San Jacinto (6-3) and Angelina (6-3). Paris Junior College (7-2) leads the North Zone. The top 12 teams in the 14-team conference qualify for the Region XIV Tournament, which is set for March 5-8 at the University of Texas-Tyler.

Lamar State College-Port Arthur head softball coach Vance Edwards added a third recruit to his 2010-11 team this past Friday, when multi-sport standout Valerie Brown from Bridge City High School signed a scholarship letter to play for the Seahawks next fall. “Valerie will be an asset to our program,” Edwards said. “She has the desire and work ethic needed to be successful at the college level. We expect her to step in right away and become a team leader.” In addition to being an All-District 21-3A first team softball selection in 2008, Brown was the 3A state champion 198-pound powerlifter this past year. She was the regional champion in 2008 and 2009. Lamar State previously signed pitcher Katy Austin from Port Neches-Groves High School and utility player Victoria Day from Pasadena High School. Edwards said he will sign three more players this week – catcher/outfielder Tiffany Schwartzenberg from West Brook High School, plus infielders Logan LeBlanc and Krista Mayer from Nederland High School Lamar State competes in Region XIV, one of the most competitive Division I junior college conferences in the nation. The Seahawks kick off their 2010 season Thursday, Feb. 4, with a home doubleheader against Temple College, the 2009 regular season champion of the North Texas Junior College Athletic Association.

On one hand, that's true. Kilgore has been inconsistent this year. I think the Seahawks let a win slip away. However, Region XIV is a conference in which nothing is predictable. For example, a week ago, San Jacinto (then No. 5 in the nation) lost to Tyler, which is in the middle of Region XIV standings. Tyler's season includes a loss to Bossier Parish (the Cavaliers' only conference win). The teams at the bottom of the conference standings often are the most dangerous because they are tired of getting whipped. I won't feel good about Saturday's game until I hear the final buzzer and see Lamar State's score be more than Bossier Parish's.

The Lamar State College-Port Arthur men’s basketball team hopes to improve their conference record Saturday, when Bossier Parish Community College visits the Carl Parker Center for a 2 p.m. game. Lamar State (14-5 overall and 4-4 in Region XIV play) had an up-and-down week after last Saturday’s impressive victory over No. 8 Navarro College. The Seahawks went on the road Wednesday and let a victory slip away, 56-53, at Region XIV rival Kilgore College, followed by a Thursday non-conference 72-54 win in Marshall, Tx., against the Wiley College junior varsity. Lamar State head coach Matt Cross was pleased with his team’s effort at Kilgore, but was disappointed with the outcome. “The challenge to win on the road is daunting in this conference. We fought hard at Kilgore, and the team stayed focused, despite having a one-hour delay because of tornado warning, which could have been a distraction for a young team to overcome,” Cross said. “We were up 50-49 in the closing minutes, but had two unforced turnovers and could not get a call to go our way. I was proud that our guys bounced right back and won Thursday.” That victory gave this year’s Lamar State team the best-ever season record since the program began in 2004. The 2007-08 team posted a 13-13 overall record. Bossier Parish (6-8, 1-7) currently is in last place in the North Zone of Region XIV. The Cavaliers haven’t won a game since Dec.7, and lost their last five starts. “At this point in the season, we have to take one game at a time, without looking ahead,” Cross said. “That starts Saturday. We need to continue our good play at home to defeat Bossier Parish.” Lamar State will be on the road Wednesday for a 7 p.m. conference game at Tyler Junior College.

The Lamar State College-Port Arthur men’s basketball team hopes to improve their conference record Saturday, when Bossier Parish Community College visits the Carl Parker Center for a 2 p.m. game. Lamar State (14-5 overall and 4-4 in Region XIV play) had an up-and-down week after last Saturday’s impressive victory over No. 8 Navarro College. The Seahawks went on the road Wednesday and let a victory slip away, 56-53, at Region XIV rival Kilgore College, followed by a Thursday non-conference 72-54 win in Marshall, Tx., against the Wiley College junior varsity. Lamar State head coach Matt Cross was pleased with his team’s effort at Kilgore, but was disappointed with the outcome. “The challenge to win on the road is daunting in this conference. We fought hard at Kilgore, and the team stayed focused, despite having a one-hour delay because of tornado warning, which could have been a distraction for a young team to overcome,” Cross said. “We were up 50-49 in the closing minutes, but had two unforced turnovers and could not get a call to go our way. I was proud that our guys bounced right back and won Thursday.” That victory gave this year’s Lamar State team the best-ever season record since the program began in 2004. The 2007-08 team posted a 13-13 overall record. Bossier Parish (6-8, 1-7) currently is in last place in the North Zone of Region XIV. The Cavaliers haven’t won a game since Dec.7, and lost their last five starts. “At this point in the season, we have to take one game at a time, without looking ahead,” Cross said. “That starts Saturday. We need to continue our good play at home to defeat Bossier Parish.” Lamar State will be on the road Wednesday for a 7 p.m. conference game at Tyler Junior College.

A tornado warning added a one-hour delay in the middle of Lamar State's Wednesday night game at Kilgore College. But the delay didn't help the Seahawks, who played far below their season average and lost, 56-53, to move their season record to 13-5 and even their conference record at 4-4. Unlike most of this season's games when several Seahawks scored in double figures, only one player reached that mark against the Runnin' Rangers. Freshman guard Keenan Coleman led Lamar State with 11 points. Kavon Rose and Dion Waiters each had eight points. The game was tied at 53-53 with 40 seconds left in the game. Kilgore hit a three-point basket. The Seahawks committed a turnover on the next possession and missed a three-pointer at the buzzer. Assistant coach Kyle Blankenship said Lamar State lost the game at the free throw line, where Kilgore hit for 29 points and the Seahawks scored only 7 points. Lamar State will remain on the road to play Thursday night in Marshall, Texas, against the junior varsity team at Wiley College. The Seahawks will be home Saturday for a 2 p.m. conference game with Bossier Parish Community College.

A tornado warning addedd a one-hour delay to the middle of Lamar State's Wednesday night game at Kilgore College. But the delay didn't help the Seahawks, who played far below their season average and lost, 56-53, to move their season record to 13-5 and even their conference record at 4-4. Unlike most of this season's games when several Seahawks scored in double figures, only one player reached that mark against the Runnin' Rangers. Freshman guard Keenan Coleman led Lamar State with 11 points. Kavon Rose and Dion Waiters each had eight points. The game was tied at 53-53 with 40 seconds left in the game. Kilgore hit a three-point basket. The Seahawks committed a turnover on the next possession and missed a three-pointer at the buzzer. Assistant coach Kyle Blankenship said Lamar State lost the game at the free throw line, where Kilgore hit for 29 points and the Seahawks scored only 7 points. Lamar State will remain on the road to play Thursday night in Marshall, Texas, against the junior varsity team at Wiley College. The Seahawks will be home Saturday for a 2 p.m. conference game with Bossier Parish Community College.

Lamar State College-Port Arthur head softball coach Vance Edwards got a quick start in signing recruits for his 2010-11 team this past Friday – the first official signing day – when pitcher Katy Austin from Port Neches-Groves High School and utility player Victoria Day from Pasadena High School signed scholarship letters to play for the Seahawks. “The first two signees are the kind of players we are looking for – ones who can deliver on the field and in the classroom,” Edwards said. “One of our goals was to recruit pitchers who can step in and make an impact at the college level. Katy Austin can do that. Vicki Day also will be an asset because she can play multiple positions, and she excels in the classroom. Lamar State competes in Region XIV, one of the most competitive Division I junior college conferences in the nation. The Seahawks kick off their 2010 season Thursday, Feb. 4, with a home doubleheader against Temple College, the 2009 regular season champion of the North Texas Junior College Athletic Association.

The Lamar State College-Port Arthur men’s basketball team hopes to extend their win streak to six games Wednesday, when they go on the road for a 7 p.m. conference game at Kilgore College. Lamar State (13-4 overall and 4-3 in Region XIV play) stunned No. 8 Navarro College, 62-56, this past Saturday in the Carl Parker Center for the Seahawks’ fifth straight win and the Bulldogs’ second straight conference loss. The first, a 72-70 overtime loss to Paris Junior College, caused Navarro to drop from No. 2 to No. 8 in the NJCAA Division I weekly poll. Lamar State head coach Matt Cross was impressed with his team’s performance. “I told them before the game that it was going to be a war, and they had to be warriors for all 40 minutes if they hoped to win. They answered the call and proved they can play with any team in the conference,” Cross said. “This game was a measuring stick to see where our program stands. With the win, I know we are headed in the right direction.” However, Cross won’t let his team dwell on Saturday’s positive results. “It was just one game, and we still have a tall mountain to climb this season if we want to win a championship,” Cross said. “It’s very easy to have a let-down in a game that follows a significant achievement. So, we must be extra-focused in preparing for Kilgore, which has struggled lately. But we know anything can happen on the road in this conference.” Kilgore is 9-8 overall and 2-5 in Region XIV action. The Runnin’ Rangers are coming off four straight losses, capped by a 75-61 defeat Saturday at Lee College. Lamar State returns to the Carl Parker Center on Saturday for a 4 p.m. conference game against Bossier Parish Community College. Region XIV North: Season Conference Paris 15-3 5-2 Navarro 15-3 5-2 Trinity Valley 15-3 4-3 Tyler 11-4 4-3 Kilgore   9-7 2-5 Panola   9-8 2-5 Bossier Parish   6-6 1-6 Region XIV South: Season Conference San Jacinto 16-2 5-2 Angelina 11-7 5-2 Lamar State 13-4 4-3 Blinn 12-6 3-4 Lon Morris 11-7 3-4 Lee   9-9 3-4 Jacksonville 8-10 2-5

The Lamar State College-Port Arthur men’s basketball team hopes to extend their win streak to six games Wednesday, when they go on the road for a 7 p.m. conference game at Kilgore College. Lamar State (13-4 overall and 4-3 in Region XIV play) stunned No. 8 Navarro College, 62-56, this past Saturday in the Carl Parker Center for the Seahawks’ fifth straight win and the Bulldogs’ second straight conference loss. The first, a 72-70 overtime loss to Paris Junior College, caused Navarro to drop from No. 2 to No. 8 in the NJCAA Division I weekly poll. Lamar State head coach Matt Cross was impressed with his team’s performance. “I told them before the game that it was going to be a war, and they had to be warriors for all 40 minutes if they hoped to win. They answered the call and proved they can play with any team in the conference,” Cross said. “This game was a measuring stick to see where our program stands. With the win, I know we are headed in the right direction.” However, Cross won’t let his team dwell on Saturday’s positive results. “It was just one game, and we still have a tall mountain to climb this season if we want to win a championship,” Cross said. “It’s very easy to have a let-down in a game that follows a significant achievement. So, we must be extra-focused in preparing for Kilgore, which has struggled lately. But we know anything can happen on the road in this conference.” Kilgore is 9-8 overall and 2-5 in Region XIV action. The Runnin’ Rangers are coming off four straight losses, capped by a 75-61 defeat Saturday at Lee College. Lamar State returns to the Carl Parker Center on Saturday for a 4 p.m. conference game against Bossier Parish Community College. Region XIV North: Season Conference Paris 15-3 5-2 Navarro 15-3 5-2 Trinity Valley 15-3 4-3 Tyler 11-4 4-3 Kilgore 9-7 2-5 Panola 9-8 2-5 Bossier Parish 6-6 1-6 Region XIV South: Season Conference San Jacinto 16-2 5-2 Angelina 11-7 5-2 Lamar State 13-4 4-3 Blinn 12-6 3-4 Lon Morris 11-7 3-4 Lee 9-9 3-4 Jacksonville 8-10 2-5

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The Lamar State College-Port Arthur men’s basketball team will be looking to extend their win streak to five games Saturday, when they return home to the Carl Parker for a 4 p.m. conference matchup with No. 8-ranked Navarro College. Lamar State is 12-4 overall and 3-3 in Region XIV play, after the Seahawks posted their fourth straight win of 2010, defeating Lee College, 86-80 in overtime, Wednesday night in Baytown. Freshman guard Von Jones had a perfect 8-for-8 night from the free-throw line, including two he made with two seconds left in regulation to force the overtime period. Freshman guard Roman Vaughn hit two free throws to ice the win with six seconds left in OT. Four Seahawks scored in double figures, led by freshman forward Keenan Coleman with 19 points. Jones scored 18 points and had 10 assists. Sophomore guard Kavon Rose had 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Vaughn added 13 points. Freshman forward Gordon Ball also had 10 rebounds. Lamar State head coach Matt Cross said his team was impressive against Lee College. “I am so proud of our team for how they overcame so much adversity on the road in a hostile environment and pulled out a victory against a very talented team. It was an incredible effort,” Cross said. “I am very excited to see how fast our freshman class has developed. Their progress really showed down the stretch in the Lee College game.” The Navarro Runnin’ Bulldogs dropped from No. 2 to No. 8 in this week’s National Junior College Athletic Association poll after losing 72-70 in overtime this past Saturday to Paris Junior College. The loss was Navarro’s second of the season and its first conference defeat. Navarro is tied with Paris Junior College and San Jacinto College at the top of the Region XIV standings. Cross said his team will have to play even better to defeat the Bulldogs. “We will have to take our great play as of late and bring it to an even higher lever to knock off Navarro,” Cross said. “It will be an exciting basketball game. I can’t wait for the opportunity to see where our program stacks up against at Top-10 national program.” Lamar State returns to road Wednesday for a 7 p.m. conference game at Kilgore College.

The Lamar State College-Port Arthur men’s basketball team will be looking to extend their win streak to five games Saturday, when they return home to the Carl Parker for a 4 p.m. conference matchup with No. 8-ranked Navarro College. Lamar State is 12-4 overall and 3-3 in Region XIV play, after the Seahawks posted their fourth straight win of 2010, defeating Lee College, 86-80 in overtime, Wednesday night in Baytown. Freshman guard Von Jones had a perfect 8-for-8 night from the free-throw line, including two he made with two seconds left in regulation to force the overtime period. Freshman guard Roman Vaughn hit two free throws to ice the win with six seconds left in OT. Four Seahawks scored in double figures, led by freshman forward Keenan Coleman with 19 points. Jones scored 18 points and had 10 assists. Sophomore guard Kavon Rose had 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Vaughn added 13 points. Freshman forward Gordon Ball also had 10 rebounds. Lamar State head coach Matt Cross said his team was impressive against Lee College. “I am so proud of our team for how they overcame so much adversity on the road in a hostile environment and pulled out a victory against a very talented team. It was an incredible effort,” Cross said. “I am very excited to see how fast our freshman class has developed. Their progress really showed down the stretch in the Lee College game.” The Navarro Runnin’ Bulldogs dropped from No. 2 to No. 8 in this week’s National Junior College Athletic Association poll after losing 72-70 in overtime this past Saturday to Paris Junior College. The loss was Navarro’s second of the season and its first conference defeat. Navarro is tied with Paris Junior College and San Jacinto College at the top of the Region XIV standings. Cross said his team will have to play even better to defeat the Bulldogs. “We will have to take our great play as of late and bring it to an even higher lever to knock off Navarro,” Cross said. “It will be an exciting basketball game. I can’t wait for the opportunity to see where our program stacks up against at Top-10 national program.” Lamar State returns to road Wednesday for a 7 p.m. conference game at Kilgore College.

Lamar State College-Port Arthur 1500 Procter Street (P.O. Box 310), Port Arthur, Texas 77641-0310 A Member of The Texas State University System Bobby Summers, coordinator of public information (409) 984-6342 or (800) 477-5872 ext. 6342 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 9, 2009 Lamar State Seahawks win third straight game The Lamar State College-Port Arthur men’s basketball team will be looking for their fourth straight win Wednesday, when they travel to Baytown for a 7 p.m. game against Region XIV rival Lee College. The Seahawks, 11-4 overall and 2-3 in conference play, captured their third win of 2010 at home Saturday, with an 83-69 non-conference victory over Delgado Community College.  Lamar State head coach Matt Cross is pleased with his team’s performance in the last three games. “This was our best defensive performance of the season,” Cross said. “On offense, our guards finally were able to get in a rhythm and knock down shots like they did to start the season. Dion Waiters, who played his first game Wednesday, gave us a defensive stopper. Kavon Rose has starting coming back to life after a mid-season slump.” Lee (8-8, 2-3) is coming off Saturday’s 84-77 conference loss at Jacksonville College. The Runnin’ Rebels committed 32 turnovers in that game, 22 of which were unforced. However, Cross isn’t taking Wednesday’s game lightly. “Despite their record, I believe Lee is the most dangerous team in our conference,” Cross said. “It always is difficult to win on the road. But I think Wednesday night’s game is winnable for us, and I expect to win.” Lamar State returns to the Carl Parker Center on Saturday for a 4 p.m. conference game against Navarro College, the No. 2 ranked team in the nation. Region XIV North: Season Conference Navarro 14-2 4-1 Paris 13-3 4-1 Trinity Valley 14-2 3-2 Tyler 10-4 3-3 Kilgore   9-6 2-3 Bossier Parish   9-5 1-4 Panola   8-6 1-4 Region XIV South: Season Conference San Jacinto 15-1 4-1 Angelina 10-7 4-2 Blinn 12-4 3-3 Lamar State 11-4 2-3 Lee   8-8 2-3 Jacksonville   7-8 2-3 Lon Morris   9-7 1-4

The Lamar State College-Port Arthur men’s basketball team will be looking for their fourth straight win Wednesday, when they travel to Baytown for a 7 p.m. game against Region XIV rival Lee College. The Seahawks, 11-4 overall and 2-3 in conference play, captured their third win of 2010 at home Saturday, with an 83-69 non-conference victory over Delgado Community College.  Lamar State head coach Matt Cross is pleased with his team’s performance in the last three games. “This was our best defensive performance of the season,” Cross said. “On offense, our guards finally were able to get in a rhythm and knock down shots like they did to start the season. Dion Waiters, who played his first game Wednesday, gave us a defensive stopper. Kavon Rose has starting coming back to life after a mid-season slump.” Lee (8-8, 2-3) is coming off Saturday’s 84-77 conference loss at Jacksonville College. The Runnin’ Rebels committed 32 turnovers in that game, 22 of which were unforced. However, Cross isn’t taking Wednesday’s game lightly. “Despite their record, I believe Lee is the most dangerous team in our conference,” Cross said. “It always is difficult to win on the road. But I think Wednesday night’s game is winnable for us, and I expect to win.” Lamar State returns to the Carl Parker Center on Saturday for a 4 p.m. conference game against Navarro College, the No. 2 ranked team in the nation. [u][b]Region XIV North: Season Conference[/b][/u] Navarro 14-2 4-1 Paris 13-3 4-1 Trinity Valley 14-2 3-2 Tyler 10-4 3-3 Kilgore   9-6 2-3 Bossier Parish   9-5 1-4 Panola   8-6 1-4 [u][b]Region XIV South: Season Conference[/b][/u] San Jacinto 15-1 4-1 Angelina 10-7 4-2 Blinn 12-4 3-3 Lamar State 11-4 2-3 Lee   8-8 2-3 Jacksonville   7-8 2-3 Lon Morris   9-7 1-4

The Lamar State College-Port Arthur men’s basketball team captured their third straight win Saturday at home with an 83-69 non-conference victory over the Baton Rouge Community College Bears. The win, second of the year against Baton Rouge, moves the Seahawks’ record to 11-4 overall. Four Seahawks scored in double figures, led by freshman guard Keenan Coleman with 20 points, followed by freshman guards Von Jones and Kavon Rose, both with 18. Freshman guard Roman Vaughn added 10 points, and freshman forward Dion Waiters had nine. Arsenio Francis led the Bears with 20 points. Josh Washington, who played for Lamar State during the 2008-09 season, hit for 18 points. Lamar State returns to Region XIV action Wednesday at 7 p.m. Wednesday in Baytown against Lee College.

The Lamar State College-Port Arthur men’s basketball team captured their third straight win Saturday at home with an 83-69 non-conference victory over the Baton Rouge Community College Bears. The win, second of the year against Baton Rouge, moves the Seahawks’ record to 11-4 overall. Four Seahawks scored in double figures, led by freshman guard Keenan Coleman with 20 points, followed by freshman guards Von Jones and Kavon Rose, both with 18. Freshman guard Roman Vaughn added 10 points, and freshman forward Dion Waiters had nine. Arsenio Francis led the Bears with 20 points. Josh Washington, who played for Lamar State during the 2008-09 season, hit for 18 points. Lamar State returns to Region XIV action Wednesday at 7 p.m. Wednesday in Baytown against Lee College.

The Lamar State College-Port Arthur men’s basketball team will be looking for their third straight win Saturday, when the Baton Rouge Community College Bears come to town for a 1 p.m. non-conference game in the Carl Parker Center. Baton Rouge (8-4 overall) competes in the D-I Mississippi-Louisiana Conference of Region XXIII. The Seahawks (9-4 overall and 2-3 in Region XIV play) beat the Bears in Baton Rouge, 74-62, in mid-November. Lamar State head coach Matt Cross is very familiar with Baton Rouge head coach Todd Foster. Cross began his coaching career as an assistant for Foster at Christian Life Academy in Baton Rouge. “Todd Foster is a great coach. His team gave us a tough game earlier in the season, and we certainly must be ready to play Saturday if we hope to gain another victory over them,” Cross said. Baton Rouge provides a number of match-up problems that are difficult to overcome, Cross said. “However, playing at home and having sophomore guard Kavon Rose available are two major pluses for Saturday,”Cross said. Rose missed the first Baton Rouge game with an ankle injury. This has been a busy week for Lamar State, beginning Monday with a 79-69 home victory over Delgado Community College. The Seahawks returned to Region XIV competition Wednesday, defeating Jacksonville College, 83-73. Lamar State head coach Matt Cross opened the week by dismissing leading scorer Leviante Davis from the team for disciplinary reasons. “I did not like the direction our team was heading as we broke for the holiday. I knew we had to make some changes to be able to contend in our conference and be really good for the post-season tournament in March,” Cross said. “We made some changes in personnel, and we changed our defensive and offensive philosophies. The guys have responded well to the adjustments.” Lamar State also added a player to the roster Wednesday, when freshman forward Dion Waiters got his first chance to suit up with the Seahawks. Waiters attended the college during the fall and took the necessary classes to become eligible to play in the spring semester. Cross told his team that they would have to step up to make up for Davis’ 18.5 points per game. Six Seahawks answered that call Wednesday against Jacksonville. Kavon Rose and Von Jones led all scorers with 18 points. Roman Vaughn had 12 points; Ahyaro Phillips and Dion Waiters each added 11, while Keenan Coleman contributed 10 points. “The Jacksonville win came at a time when we really needed a conference victory,” Cross said. “Every Region XIV win is precious because we compete in the toughest junior college conference in the nation, which speaks volumes for Lamar State, both regionally and nationally.”

The Lamar State College-Port Arthur men’s basketball team will be looking for their third straight win Saturday, when the Baton Rouge Community College Bears come to town for a 1 p.m. non-conference game in the Carl Parker Center. Baton Rouge (8-4 overall) competes in the D-I Mississippi-Louisiana Conference of Region XXIII. The Seahawks (9-4 overall and 2-3 in Region XIV play) beat the Bears in Baton Rouge, 74-62, in mid-November. Lamar State head coach Matt Cross is very familiar with Baton Rouge head coach Todd Foster. Cross began his coaching career as an assistant for Foster at Christian Life Academy in Baton Rouge. “Todd Foster is a great coach. His team gave us a tough game earlier in the season, and we certainly must be ready to play Saturday if we hope to gain another victory over them,” Cross said. Baton Rouge provides a number of match-up problems that are difficult to overcome, Cross said. “However, playing at home and having sophomore guard Kavon Rose available are two major pluses for Saturday,”Cross said. Rose missed the first Baton Rouge game with an ankle injury. This has been a busy week for Lamar State, beginning Monday with a 79-69 home victory over Delgado Community College. The Seahawks returned to Region XIV competition Wednesday, defeating Jacksonville College, 83-73. Lamar State head coach Matt Cross opened the week by dismissing leading scorer Leviante Davis from the team for disciplinary reasons. “I did not like the direction our team was heading as we broke for the holiday. I knew we had to make some changes to be able to contend in our conference and be really good for the post-season tournament in March,” Cross said. “We made some changes in personnel, and we changed our defensive and offensive philosophies. The guys have responded well to the adjustments.” Lamar State also added a player to the roster Wednesday, when freshman forward Dion Waiters got his first chance to suit up with the Seahawks. Waiters attended the college during the fall and took the necessary classes to become eligible to play in the spring semester. Cross told his team that they would have to step up to make up for Davis’ 18.5 points per game. Six Seahawks answered that call Wednesday against Jacksonville. Kavon Rose and Von Jones led all scorers with 18 points. Roman Vaughn had 12 points; Ahyaro Phillips and Dion Waiters each added 11, while Keenan Coleman contributed 10 points. “The Jacksonville win came at a time when we really needed a conference victory,” Cross said. “Every Region XIV win is precious because we compete in the toughest junior college conference in the nation, which speaks volumes for Lamar State, both regionally and nationally.”

Walters was an 1st team all-district player during his high school years. Now, he's learning to be more of a role player. LSC-PA head coach Matt Cross doesn't start the same five players each game, and Walters was in the starting lineup three times during the first 12 games. Walters is averaging 15.6 minutes per game and 4.3 points per game. He was sick with pneumonia over the holiday break and missed the last two games. Whether Walters starts or comes off the bench, he provides tough defense and accurate shooting at critical times. He currently is fifth in Region XIV for 3-point shooting average (41.7 percent). Cross likes Walters' work ethic and attitude. Here's what the coach said when the team took their holiday break: “Nick played an integral role in the success of our team so far this year. He has outstanding character and brings a great attitude to the gym every day,” Cross said. “Nick has a tremendous passion for the game of basketball and a desire to get better by demonstrating a day-to-day work ethic that is second to none.” Walters often is the first player in the gym and the last to leave, Cross said. “That’s the kind of determined attitude that is an example for other players,” Cross said. “Coach Williams and his staff at Silsbee did a terrific job of preparing Nick for playing at the next level.”

The Lamar State College-Port Arthur men’s basketball team returned to Region XIV competition Wednesday night in the Carl Parker Center with an 83-73 victory over the Jacksonville College Jaguars. This is the second win of 2010 for Lamar State, which opened the season with eight wins, then lost four straight going into the December holiday break. Six Seahawks scored in double figures, led by sophomore forward Kavon Rose with 18 points. Starting guard Von Jones hit for 16 points, Roman Vaughn had 12, while Ahyaro Phillips and Dion Waiters each added 11 and Keenan Coleman contributed 10 points. Daniel Skinner led Jacksonville with 18 points. The win moves Lamar State’s record to 10-4 overall and 2-3 mark in conference action. The Seahawks will be home again Saturday for a non-conference game against Baton Rouge Community College. The starting time for that game has been changed from 7 p.m. to 1 p.m.