Ascension Advocate 12-25-2024

Subdivisioncould be coming to Ascension

BY CHRISTOPHER CARTWRIGHT Staff writer

After three years withoutanew subdivision, the AscensionParish Planning Commission approved apreliminary plan for anew developmentin Dutchtown.

Proposed for land on Faucheaux Road near La. 74 and Interstate10, the preliminary plat lays out 77 singlefamily lots. But witha 3-2 approval,the planning board meeting showed that controversy over developmentsinthe parish is still ongoing.

The last subdivision approved in the parish was in 2021, Planning and ZoningDirector Eric PochesaidThursday. That year,heated battles occurred when the parish council approved several newneighborhoods before aninemonth moratorium took effect,includ-

ing a237-home development.

Although on asmaller scale, Thursday’splat and its accompanying maps still caused tension. Presented by Quality Engineering &SurveyingLLC, the 77-lot neighborhood will extend FaucheauxRoad.According to theplan, it will have twoparks, one at 2.02 acres andanotherat.64 acres.Additionally, thelocation includes the upper branch of Bayou Goudine and aportion of the New River,which led to flooding concernsfrom nearby residents.

Followingdiscussion withparishhiredengineers, the committee approved the pitch for the subdivision with twospecific guidelines.The first maintained thewidening of Faucheaux Road to 20 feet, which is already requiredper parishordinances. The second mandated that if the subdivision were to bebuilt, atwo-way turn lane

would need to be constructed on La. 74 following Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development and parish guidelines.

Neighborsfear flooding, traffic

While the planning commission ultimately approved theproposal, several residentsliving near the proposed site spoke outstrongly against the plan. Catrina Bonomolo saidittook her about 30 minutestotravel around amile from anearby pharmacy to her home.

“Wedonot want any more development in our area thatthe infrastructure cannot support,”she said. “... More traffic in this area is notfeasible.Nor is morebuilding withthe flooding issues in the area where FaucheauxRoad is. Please make educated, informed

ä See SUBDIVISION, page 2G

Happiest Holidays

Between the last-minute Christmas shopping, throwing upSantas all over the house and planningthe big ChristmasDay meal, I’vebeen busy with our Christmas Day issue. Afew thingsmake this time of year hecticand special in my business. For one, in order to produce the four different communitynews sections we publish, we have to plan to make sure we have enough news copy to fill the pages afew days early.Ittakesmore than adozen folks to make this magic happen every week.And each one has an important part in bringinginformation to your doorstep,inbox or computer

Darlene Denstorff AROUND ASCENSION

Those early deadlines mean countless emails reminding everyone to send their stuff so Ican edit and sendtheir copy along for the next phase of production.By

stuff, Imean photos and stories, including lots of pictures from holiday events and festivities. That makes me happy and reminds me whyIlove this time of year Seeingthe happy faces in all those photos from holiday parties breakfastswith Santa, parades, decorated houses and gift giveaways brings me joy.Family is usually at thecenter of many of those festive photos. Kids sitting on Santa’slap for the first time or atraditional walk through abrightly-colored light displaydot our pages this week. But this time of year also meansmissing loved ones who can’tmake it home for the holidays or are no longer withus. Ithink about my mom andyounger sister every

Scoring 1,000 pointsinyour career is amajor milestone forany player,and theAscension Christian Lions’ boys basketball have two players withthose honors.

Senior guard Jack Bready and junior guard Dylan Spansel hit the 1,000-point mark in recent games for theLions.

Bready is averaging 18.7 points per gameand Spansel comes in with a19.2 average. Spansel and Bready are part of aLions’ rotation that also includes junior Trevor Russell(14.3 ppg), senior Ryan Trauernicht (6.3 rebounds per game) and senior Tommy Wilson (4.7 ppg).

Head coach Angelo Montalbano has seen his team get better each year he has been there.

“I am excited about our team this season,” the coach said. “Wehave five seniors and three juniors that will play ahuge part in what we do. We have atalented group that made it to the 2nd round last year,they play foreach other and their focus is to get better each day.” Ascension Christian is 7-2 (as of press time) and has victories over parish teams, Prairieville and Dutchtown. Playing atough schedule to prepare fordistrict is what Montalbano knowswill pay off.

“Our district is extremely competitive and adding adistrict tournament makes it even tougher,”

STAFF

PHOTO BY JAVIER GALLEGOS NewRiver,inthe foreground, and Duckroost Bayou, on the left,steadily fill with rainwater in front of HolyRosary Catholic Church and Cemeteryasthe stormpicks up hours before Hurricane Francine makes landfallinAscension Parish on Sept. 11.

PHOTO BY WENDYLOUP

Maria, playedbyJolie Renee Richard, dancesinthe Kingdom of Sweets with butterflies Dec.15during aperformanceof‘The Nutcracker.’ The Tri-Parish Ballet performed twoshows at the Price LeBlanc PACE Centerin Gonzales. äMore onthe event. PAGE 2G

Tri-Parish presents ‘The Nutcracker’atPACECenter

BY WENDYLOUP

The Tri-Parish Ballet took audiences on adazzling journey Dec. 13 and Dec. 15 through asnowy magical forest andthe Kingdom of Sweets during performances of “The Nutcracker” at the Price LeBlanc PACE Center in Gonzales. The event featured more than 80 student dancers from Ascension, Livingston and East Baton Rouge parishes. The dance troupealso collected canned goods for the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank and the First United Methodist Church of Denham Springs’ Community Hands pantry

Maria, playedby 14-year-old Jolie Renee Richard, dances with the nutcracker, performed by Walker High School sophomore Ryder Chance Pettitt-Wise.

SUBDIVISION

Continued from page1G

decisions for the citizensin this parish, and quit putting us in harm’s waywithmore traffic and flooding issues.”

SonjaCastjohn,who lives along Goudine Bayou,said she appreciated growth but agreed withother residents “We’re in the construction business. Ilove to see growth. That’sbusiness;we needthe business,” she said “But Ineed ahome. Aplace that’ssafe and that’sdry.” And she focused her comments specifically on the area’sflood risk.

“Every time there’sa good little bit of rain, that bayou backs up. It has nowhereto go,” she said. “It comes up on my property.Ican’ttell

you the countless times that we’ve come so close from it comingin.”

Drainage,trafficstudy

Pochetold thecommission the proposal was reviewedbyengineers for CSRS, whichishiredbythe Ascension Parish government.

CSRS ProjectManager Shaun Sherrow gave an overview of some findings, pointing to twodetention ponds and agreen space as ways the development would minimize flood risk.

“Those ponds, their roles is to gather the water from the site,” he said. “…Their layout and the detention ponds are their mechanisms just to offset the additional water that comes from hard surfaces.”

He added that Ascension Parish ordinances required

developers to over detain water than theamount currentlyproduced at thesite.

Sherrow also pointed to a traffic study conducted by parish-hired consultants, which confirmed some traffic issues raised by neighbors.

“They very clearly state in here that trafficdoes back up, everyone’sfamiliar with it, going to L. Landry Road eastbound,” he said. “It stacksupinfront of Faucheaux Road.”

The traffic study ultimately recommendedthe development of the two-way turn lane on La. 74, which ledto the requirement passed by the committee.

Email Christopher Cartwright at christopher cartwright@theadvocate. com.

THE ASCENSION ADVOCATE,40444 Cannon Road,Gonzales, LA 70737(225) 388-0215 PUBLISHED EVERYWEDNESDAY Onlineattheadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/communities/ascension/ COMMUNITY SECTION EDITOR

Darlene T. Denstorff ddenstorff@theadvocate.com

OFFICE:(225) 388-0215 CELL:(225) 603-1998

RIVER PARISHES WRITER Christopher Cartwright christopher.cartwright@theadvocate.com (225) 388-0125

MARY DICHARRY CELL:(225) 937-8717 mdicharry@theadvocate.com. DEADLINE: 5p.m.Fridayprior to publication.

Giovanna Montoya,a former professional ballet dancer, dances as the Sugar Plum Fairy. Montoya has been amember of numerous ballet companies including the Carolina Ballet, Orlando Ballet, and the JoffreyConcert Group. Montoya recently danced at the KennedyCenter Millennium Stage with the Moveius Contemporary Ballet.

nuptials@theadvocate.com

More than 80 dance students from Ascension, Livingston and East Baton Rougeparishes participated in twoshows of the holidayballet classic.

Maria and the nutcracker prince, playedbyJolieRenee Richard and RyderChance PettittWise, greet dancers dressed as bakers.

PHOTOSBYWENDYLOUP Maria, playedbyDenham Springs Middle School student Jolie Renee Richard, and her friends dancewith dollsinascene from the Tri-Parish Ballet’s performanceof‘TheNutcracker’ Dec. 15. Elizabeth Littrell, whoisinher ninth year of dance, wasMariainthe Fridayperformance.

AscensionChamber of Commerce welcomes Donnie Miller as presidentand CEO

Community news report

Donnie Milleristhe new president and chief executive officer forthe Ascension Chamber of Commerce.

The chamber’sboard of directors announced the hire after an extensive search process resulting in myriad impressive candidates, anews release said

In the release, Miller is described as avisionary leader positioned to guide Ascension Parish into aprosperous future. “Donnie bringsaninspiring combination

The following people were booked into the AscensionParish Jail on Nov. 7-14:

NOV. 7

MELANCON, KONNER S.: 130 Whitney St.; 31; child desertion, domestic abusebattery-child endangerment

BRODEN, JEMAL D.: 1493Magnolia Height, Vacherie; 55; stalking LEBLANC, LEROYJUNIORS: 1311 Bryant St., Donaldsonville; 36; violations of protectiveorders, stalking, simple robbery,domestic abuse battery

NOV. 8

KELSON JR.,MICHAEL ANTONIO: 219

Daphine St.,Gonzales; 31; failure to appear-bench warrant, fugitiveother Louisiana jurisdiction,noseat belt, violationsofregistration provisions,evidenceofmotor vehicle liability security contained invehicle, drivingonroadway laned for traffic reckless operation, operating while intoxicated-fourth or more

STERLING, MIYAKE LASHAE: 6672 La. 308, BelleRose;22; fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction

BOUTWELL, KYLE QUITMAN: 4720 Thomas Road, Baton Rouge; 39; operating vehicle while license is suspended, theft of amotor vehicle over$25,000

RIVES,ADAM: address unknown; 42; theft $5,000 but less than $25,000

BRIGGS,GERALD: 3131 Charlotte Drive, Baton Rouge; 44; twocounts simple burglary (vehicle), simple burglary,identity theft under $300, simple criminal damage to property $1,000 to $50,000, theft $1,000 but less than $5,000

BOUDREAUX JR., CURTIS LEE: 11248 Emerson Road, Geismar; 46; domestic abuse battery-child endangerment, violations of protective orders, possession of ScheduleII controlled dangerous substance (methamphetamine), possession of heroin, prohibited acts-drugparaphernalia

SNYDER, WILLIAM ROBERT: 18363 Donna St., Prairieville; 53; violations of protectiveorders, resistingan

officer

NOV. 9

of vision, experience,and dedication that aligns perfectlywith the values of AscensionParish,”saidBoard

Chair Dr.Joseph R. Britt. “Weare excited to embark on thisjourney with him and are confident he will lead our Chamber to new heights, fostering economicgrowth and strengthening ourcommunity’sposition on the global stage.”

Millerpreviously served as chief program officerfor theBaton Rouge Alliance for Students, where “he championed initiativesthat

KENNARD,JEALYN: 28411 Longfellow Lane, Albany;21; false imprisonment

GUTIERRO,JOSE LEONEL: 12415 Dutchtown Lane, Geismar; 34; fugitive-other Louisianajurisdiction, driver mustbelicensed, evidence of motor vehicle liability security contained invehicle, limitationson backing, hit-and-rundriving, operating avehiclewhile intoxicated-first

GAUTREAU, MATTHEWE.: 16313 Ole Homestead Lane, Prairieville; 41; careless operation, operating a vehicle while intoxicated-second LENNIX, JUAN: 3376 Veterans Memorial Highway, Mableton, Georgia; 60; prohibited acts-drugparaphernalia, bicycles-front lamps/rear lamps/ side and rear reflectors, flight from an officer, possession of Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (methamphetamine)

NOV. 10

JOSEPH,SIDNEY: 118 Green Gable Road, Donaldsonville; 65; failureto appear-bench warrant

NOV. 11

JOHNSON, SHAYLEE: 1251 N. Ardenwood Drive, No. 22, Baton Rouge; 25; prohibited acts-drugparaphernalia, possession of heroin

TRENCH JR., RENILDAJO: 294 West 1st St., Edgard; 31; possession of alcoholic beverages in motor vehicles, driving on roadway laned for traffic, operating avehicle while intoxicated-first

GLOVER, DENZELDWAYNE: 37313 La. 74 No. 139, Geismar; 26; failureto appear-bench warrant

ST.AMANT,PAULJEFFERY: 225 E. Jeff St., Gonzales; 45; twocounts failureto appear-bench warrant, twocounts fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction VEGA, ANTHONYJAMES: 12946 Tannehill Lane, Walker; 40; parole

expanded opportunities for youth and strengthened educational systems.”

His previous work with the Baton RougeAreaChamber showcasedhis ability to driveregional economic growth by fostering collaboration, innovation and sustainability,the release said.

Miller is an LSU graduate with abachelor’s degree in communications, amaster’sdegree in leadershipand management anda MasterofBusiness Administration from Nova

Southeastern University He is married to Jessica andtheyhavetwo children, Cole, 6, and Mae, 3. Chair-elect Edith Walker also shared her enthusiasm for Miller’sappointment, stating, “Donnie’sproven track record of leadership and community impact is exactly what the chamber needs as we look to the future,” Walkersaid. “His ability to bring people together and implementbold, forward-thinking strategies will position Ascension Parishasa hub of innovation and opportunity for generations to come.”

violation, fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction, twocounts theft less than $1,000

DAVIDGE, BLAKE: 36038 Mount Olive Road, Darrow;20; resisting an officer, disturbing the peace/violent and tumultuous manner/disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace/ drunkenness

RHODES II, RODNEY PAUL: 5974La. 308, Belle Rose; 31;Distribution/ possession with intent to distribute Schedule II controlled dangerous substance

RICHARD JR., CHARLES: 115 Pugh St., Paincourtville; 33; parole violation, violations of registration provisions ,drivermustbelicensed, distribution/possessionwith intent to distribute Schedule II controlled dangeroussubstance

GASPARD,CHRISTY LEIGH: 40492

Adele St., Gonzales; 44; failuretoappear-bench warrant, 60; possession of marijuana less than 14 grams, illegal carry of weapons-crime or controlled dangerous substance, distribution/possession with intent to distribute Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (cocaine)

NOV. 12

AULTMAN, ALFRED DARREL: 417 W. Minor St., Gonzales; 60; possession of marijuana less than 14 grams, illegal carry of weapons-crime or controlled dangerous substance, distribution/possession with intest to distribute Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (cocaine)

DARBY, THESSALONICARAEZINE: 1215 Point Andrew Drive77, Gonzales; 29; headlamps on motor vehicles-motorcycles and motordriven cycles, failuretoappearbench warrant

LUNKIN, RYAN O.: 615 Claiborne St. Donaldsonville; 48; failuretoappearbench warrant, simple assault

JACKSON, GLENDON CARL: 295 W. Eighth St., Donaldsonville; 46; fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction, general speed law

NIGRO,JESSE: 6522 Audubon Blvd.,

Sorrento; 30; pornographyinvolving juveniles

RILEY JR., KEVIN PAUL: 417 E. Roosevelt St., Gonzales; 23; domestic abuse battery-child endangerment

BOUGERE, JAVEION JEROME: 15504 Jessie Johnson Road, Prairieville; 37; domestic abuse battery

MILLS JR., DERRICK CHRISTOPHER: 40291 La. 42, Prairieville; 18; aggravated assault, simple battery

STEWART, DWAYNE MICHEAL: 1240 S. Galvez St., New Orleans; 34; resisting an officer

WILLIAMS,DANIEL CHRISTOPHER: 920 St. Patrick St., Donaldsonville; 30; driver must be licensed, use of multiple beam road lighting equipment, resisting an officer

GILL, GARY: 14383 L. Keller Road, No. 12, St Amant; 63; vehicle turning left at intersection, hit-and-run driving, operating while intoxicated-first

NOV. 13

FISHER, SPARKLE EMELIA: 419 S. Daphne Drive, Gonzales; 39; theft less than $1,000, fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction, failuretoappearbench warrant, resisting an officer

MILLIEN, JEREMIAH JULIEN: 35513

Mount Calvary Church Lane, Donaldsonville; 44; parole violation, possession of firearm by person convicted of certain felonies, illegal carry of weapons-crime or controlled dangerous substance, prohibited acts-drug paraphernalia, distribution/possession with intent to distribute Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (hydrocodone), sale/distribution/or possession of legend drug without prescription, possession of Schedule III controlled dangerous substance (suboxone), twocounts distribution/possession with intent to distribute Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (oxycodone), distribution/possession with intent to distribute Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (cocaine), twocounts distribution/possession with intent to distribute Schedule II controlled dangerous substance, distribution/

possession with the intent to distribute marijuana or synthetic cannabinoids, distribution/possession with intent to distribute Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (methamphetamine)

MANOR, LEROYJOSEPH: 205 Anthony Drive, Donaldsonville; 39; sale/ distribution/or possession of legend drug without prescription, distribution/possession with the intent to distribute Schedule IV controlled dangerous substance (alprazolam), possession of Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (oxycodone), distribution/possession with intent to distribute Schedule II controlled dangerous substance, fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction

BILLINGSLEY,HUDSON J,: 12115

Billingsley Road, St Amant; 31; failuretoappear-bench warrant, fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction, false imprisonment, domestic abuse battery-strangulation

VICKNAIR JR., MICHAEL: 1868 Faustine Court, Lutcher; 32; twocounts fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction, failuretoappear-bench warrant

BORNE, CORYANTHONY: 12105 Chester Braud Road, St. Amant; 38; probation violation

MORIN, BRANDON JOSEPH: 14360 La. 44, Gonzales; 25; fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction

REED,CHASTAN.: 12419 Deck Blvd., Geismar; 33; domestic abuse battery HOLCOMBE JR., DAVID LAMAR: 12386 Cleo Road, Gonzales; 32; failureto appear-bench warrant, fugitive-other Louisiana jurisdiction, domestic abuse battery

NOV. 14

LEBLANC, SHANE: 3110 Lamas St., Erath; 37; failuretoappear-bench warrant, theft less than $1,000 LATIL, BRANNON BLAKE: 23000 Walker South Road, Denham Springs; 42; failuretoappear-bench warrant

Tatiana Alaniz, A1 Nola Notary

Tishia Boldene, Squeezy FreshLLC

Ana Borden, AMB2 Architecture, LLC

Lori Butler, AHappyYou Counseling Services

KarlaCoreil &Jennifer Loftin, ChapeauxLLC

CharlesDaniel, GeauxRide

David Decuir, iCAN TechnologiesInc

ThrissaEvery, EveryWay Insurance AgencyLLC

Jonathan Floyd, BoxOfCareGiftCompany

OctaviaFortier Nola E-Comm LLC

Latasha Glass Phoenix Prodigy Consulting Firm LLC

GregoryGuarisco, GuariscoMarketing,LLC

Alycia Johnson, SweetKraving Donuts

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Terence King, TheTAK Group

Paul Laugand, It’s Playtime NOLA

Kyle Nugent, ACut AboveLawn &Landscaping LLC

RockyOrtego, RedBison Services, LLC

Sebastian Ortiz, Building BrewersConstruction

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Ynohtna Tureaud, Anointed Hands Trichology Centerfor Hair Loss,LLC

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TLouisiana Accelerator Program

wenty-fivelocal entrepreneursinLouisiana across13parishes aretaking their businesses to thenextlevel.Ifyou arealocal business owner with afierce drivetogrowand an entrepreneurial dream, then youcan also apply forthe ShellLiveWireLouisiana AcceleratorProgram.

“When Istarted A1 Nola Notary,itwas clearthatabetterhandle on thefinancial aspects of running abusiness wasneeded.That’swhy Ijoined theShell LiveWire program. Since then, A1 Nola Notary hasseen abusiness evolution. Thecompany hasgrown andI’vegained valuable insights and skills to effectively manage and scale operations,” sharedTatiana Alaniz,co-owner of A1 Nola Notary

Applicants areacceptedfromAscension, Assumption, East BatonRouge,WestBaton Rouge,Iberville,Jefferson,Lafourche, Livingston, St.Charles, St.James, St.John the Baptist, St.Mary, andTerrebonne Parishes. Businesses do nothavetobeinthe oil andgas industrytoapply

Applications forthe 2025Shell LiveWire Louisiana Accelerator Programare being acceptedthroughJanuary 31, 2025.Application formscan be found on: www.shell.us/livewire.

time Istart taking the Christmas decorations down from the attic. Ornaments crafted decades ago remind meofChristmases past,some happy andsomesad Hopefully,wewill all makenew memories this year with loved ones, manythat we’ll share with our readers. Here’swishing everyone ahappyholidayseason.

CommunityChristmas dinner set

Volunteers and donationsare needed for the AscensionCommunityChristmas Dinner from 11 a.m. to 1p.m. Christmas Day at Country Kitchen, 615 E. Ascension St., Gonzales. Afree meal will be served to those in need.

The luncheon, in its 10thyear,isrequesting residents to drop offprepared dishes to be served during theChristmas meal. Volunteers are needed to serve, clean and deliver meals tothose who cannot make it to the restaurant. To volunteer,register at https://tinyurl. com/5xhcutua.

AscensionAdvocate sets earlydeadlines

The Ascension Advocatewill have early deadlines for its New Year’sDay issues. All copy should be submittedby 9a.m. Dec. 26 for the Jan.1 issue. We couldn’tdoour jobs without the support of our loyal readers, andweappreciate your continued support. We’re looking forward to our20thyear of production in 2025.It’sbeen agreat ride.

City Hall closures

Gonzales City Hallwillbe closed Dec. 25 forChristmas and Jan. 1for New Year’sDay Trip to Greece planned

The DonaldsonvilleAreaChamber of Commerce is planning atriptoGreece, June 1-9. The nine-day trip includes stops in Athens, Santorini, Pelponnese, Poros, Hydra and Aegina. The cost is$3,799. For information, call (225) 473-4814. Reducedpet adoption fees

Cara’sHouse is offering areduced adoption fee on all dogs thathavebeen spayedorneutered. Visit theshelter from 5p.m. to 8p.m. Thursdaysand pay $30 to adopt adog.

Contact Darlene Denstorff by phone, (225) 388-0215 or (225) 603-1998; or email,ascension@theadvocate.com or ddenstorff@theadvocate.com. Deadline: 5p.m. Friday

Community news report

Cara’sHouse animal shelter’s efforts to rescuestray and unwanted pets got aboost recently thanks to a$15,000 donation from Air Products’ employees in Ascension Parish.

The donation came after a day of volunteering at Cara’s House, in Sorrento.

The$15,000 comesfromthe AirProducts Foundation, which supports community organizationsand causes in theareas where Air Products’ employeeslive and work. Air Products employees local to Ascension parish also volunteered, performing maintenance and cleaning tasks to assist the shelter’sstaff, anewsrelease said.

Cara’sHouse is the open intake

shelter for Ascension Parish, which strives to provide the best care for theanimalsinits shelter while they wait for their forever homes.

“Cara’sHouse plays avaluable role in caring for animals in our communities, keeping them safe and healthy while they await adoption into their forever homes,” said Danna LeBlanc, commercial executive director of Air Products’ Louisiana Clean Energy Complex, which is being built in Ascension parish. “Weare excited to play asmall role in the caring work they do each day.”

“Wegreatly appreciate the volunteer time and financial support from Air Products. Theirgenerositywillhelpus continue to care for these wonderful animals while we work to find themforever homes,” said Reagan Law Daniel, president of the Cara’sHouse board.

mark Spansel’s1,000th point scored.

LEBOEUF

Continuedfrom page 1G

my team to play in achallenging district with these great programs.”

When asked about Bready and Spansel and their scoring milestones, Montalbano had positive thoughts on his leaders.

“Jack and Dylan are excellent basketball players who have been committed to their school and this program,” he said.

“They have scored effectively,yet they play within our system in an unselfish manner.They have trained in the offseason playing on competitive summer teams and with our team to help prepare for the season. Iamexcited about how they get their teammates involved and look forward to seeing their development continue.”

Spansel plays plenty of basketball including with his AAU team, the Gladiators, and coach Chris Edwards. Spansel also puts in individual work with coach Jim McCart. The offseason work has paid

off for the junior

“The training has allowed me to improve my game, especially my jump shot, my comfort level continues to improve. Iwant to help this team win districtand make it to the state tournament. This team has played together forfour years, and we have great chemistry.Scoring 1000 points is special and Iwant to thank everyone, including coach Montalbano and his staff,” Spansel said.

Bready is asenior who has workedhard to get to this point and isn’ttaking anything for granted

“Scoring 1,000 points is amilestone, awesome feeling.Ihave workedhard to get to this point playing for the Redstorm in the summer,” Bready said. “This has helped me work on my individual skills and get ready for the season. Our goal is win 20 plus games and make it to the state tournament. Our team is special, the bond and chemistry is unmatched. Iwant to thank all my coaches, including coach Montalbano and hisstaff.”

The success that the Lions have had hasn’thappened overnight and Montalba-

no knows they must continue to improve

“One of biggest challenges will be consistency,” Montalbano said. “Last year we saw flashesofgood basketball, our goal is to playata consistent levelalways. We must bring the energy and effort each night, we have some early momentum, but ourschedule is challenging.”

The starting five is complimentedwith key guys off the benchincluding senior Elijah Poceh, juniorGage Mixon and senior JP Couvillion. Russell is the third leading scorer and plays really good defense. With early seasontournaments going on, the Lions are gearing up for early 2025 anddistrict play, thenthe playoffs. One thing is clear to coach Montalbano, he preaches it to his teamevery day.

“As ateam, we want to take the season onegame at atime,the focus is to get better each day,”Montalbano said.

Troy LeBoeufcovers sports for the Ascension Advocate. He can be reached at troyleboeuf@hotmail.com or ascension@theadvocate.com or on Twitter @Troyleboeuf.

Ascension Christian senior Jack Breadywith basketball head coach Angelo Montalbano celebrate Bready’srecent 1,000th point. PROVIDED PHOTOS

Ascension Christian junior Dylan Spansel and head basketball coach Angelo Montalbano