Senior Sock Hop on Friday
Krewe of Ascension Mambo rolls, ‘Parading through the Decades’
Reptile & Pet Show March 1-2 Herps Exotic Reptile and Pet Show is March 1-2 at LamarDixon Expo Center Tickets can only be purchased at the door Tickets are $10 for adult 1 day and $15 adult 2 days; $5 kids ages 5-12 1 day; $8 kids ages 5-12 2 days and 4 and under are free.
Donaldsonville’s market
The monthly Donaldsonville’s Farmers Market is from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in Louisiana Square, in the 300 Block of Railroad Avenue.
Bulls, Bands & Barrels coming Tickets are on sale for the March 15 Bulls, Bands & Barrels at Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales. The event will include bull riding, barrel
ä See AROUND, page 3G
Ascension Catholic boys basketball is on 10game winning streak and has an outright district championship heading into the D4 Select playoffs. The Bulldogs (21-8) won their district championship with a 55-41 victory over Ascension Christian in the 8-1A tournament hosted by White Castle last week
“Parading through the Decades” was the theme of the Krewe of Ascension Mambo Mardi Gras parade Saturday through the streets of Gonzales.
The parade included marching units, bands and floats depicting the theme.
Queen Joy Nicholas and King Michael Sharper Jr. rode as royalty
The coaching staff is not surprised by the team’s success after a successful summer season. “Coming off a strong summer, the team had high expectations going into 2024-25,” a team spokesperson said. “We faced some early challenges with health and
ä See LEBOEUF, page 3G
SPECIAL OLYMPICS
Student athletes compete in time trials
Students athletes from around Ascension Parish competed Feb. 19 in the Special Olympic Time Trials at Dutchtown High School with primary, middle and high schools competing. More than 240 athletes took part in events including 10-meter and 25-meter walks, 50-meter and 100-meter run/walk with assistance, tennis ball throw, softball throw, shot put and bean bag drop.
ä See TRIALS, page 4G
STAFF PHOTO BY JAVIER GALLEGOS
Student athlete Alise Gros performs a shot put with a soft ball during the Special Olympic Time Trials at Dutchtown High School on Feb 19.
PHOTOS BY RANDY BERGERON Members of the Donaldsonville High School dance team show their moves in the Krewe of Ascension Mambo parade Saturday in Gonzales
A float rolls in Saturday’s Krewe of Ascension Mambo in Gonzales. ä More photos. PAGE 2G
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A float rider prepares to toss beads.
Float riders toss beads at the crowd.
Members of the Sassy Steps Dance Dazzling Allstars march.
Mrs. Louisiana Shamrick Simoneaux tosses throws in the Krewe of Ascension Mambo parade Saturday in Gonzales.
PHOTOS BY RANDY BERGERON
Donaldsonville High School band’s drum major leads the Sonic Boombox’ in the parade.
Club members ride their Slingshot
Paradegoers scramble to catch bags of Zapp’s chips.
Brooklyn Pea, 5, of Gonzales, blows her horn at the Krewe of Ascension Mambo parade.
Joy Nicholas waves from atop a float Saturday during the Krewe of Ascension Mambo parade in Gonzales.
having a successful football season, our guys all play football, and they needed to get into basketball shape.”
Sitting at 11-8 and consecutive losses for the first time, the Bulldogs would start their current winning streak with outstanding defensive play and sharing the basketball on offense. The names are familiar from the Bulldogs semifinal football run, including all state running back Chad Elzy
“Chad Elzy is a competitive human being, he has some big scoring games this season and averages about 16 per game, but we love his defense, he averages about five steals per game” said a team spokesman.
Point guard junior Trevin Simon is a pass-first guard who runs the Bulldogs offense and traditionally guards the top player from the opposing team. Simon averages about eight assists per game.
Junior Kamryn Schexnayder starts at another guard spot and has some special skills.
“Kam is our second leading scorer (12 points per game), but he has a knack for rebounding for his size, he is very athletic on defense,” the spokesperson said. Rounding out the starting lineup is junior Vaughn Blanchard, with 11 ppg, and senior Jamiris Breaux.
rebounding anchor the defense.
Coaches describe Vaughn as an old-school big man with a back to the basket game, a special skill set. Breaux has been starting since eighth grade and his rim protection and
Top reserves for the Bulldogs are senior Camille LeBoeuf, junior Josh Barber, sophomore Jacob Julien and eighth grader, Jakhari Jenkins.
Entering the playoffs as a 6 seed and a first-round bye was a goal for the Bulldogs. “Winning our
AROUND
Continued from page 1G
racing and live music featuring Sammy Kershaw with Vincent Mason. For tickets, visit tinyurl.com/yu83kp3e.
Trip to Greece planned
The Donaldsonville Area Chamber of
Commerce is planning a trip to Greece 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.
Contact Darlene Denstorff by phone, (225) 388-0215 or (225) 603-1998; or email, ascension@theadvocate.com or ddenstorff@theadvocate.com. Deadline: 5 p.m. Friday
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district, winning twenty games and getting a firstround bye were all goals for our team. Our district is very tough with four top ten teams in both select and nonselect,” a team spokesman said. Teams want to be peaking and playing their best as they head into the playoffs. This Bulldog team has confidence and belief with an eye on the final four in their division.
The school has not won a state championship in boys basketball and a title is a goal for sure. The team expects challenging competition in the next round.
Troy LeBoeuf covers sports for the Ascension Advocate. He can be reached at troyleboeuf @hotmail.com or ascension@theadvocate. com or on Twitter @Troyleboeuf.
Coaches say the boys are sharing the ball, playing tough defense and showing unselfish play — tools they’ll need to capture a state title.
PROVIDED PHOTO BY CHUCK MONTERO
Senior Jamiris Breaux goes up for a goal.
PROVIDED PHOTO
East Ascension High basketball team celebrates a district title.
Student athletes are cheered on during their sprints during the Special Olympic Time Trial.
at Dutchtown High School.
Student athletes sprint with their scorekeepers in the 100 meter sprint.
STAFF PHOTOS BY JAVIER GALLEGOS
Student athlete Kaiden Schilling performs a long jump during the Special Olympic Time Trials at Dutchtown High School on Feb 19.