Jared Butler finds collegiate success

Jared Butler finds collegiate success By Lori Lyons

RESERVE – Jared Butler was hungry.

Like most kids coming home from college for the Thanksgiving holiday, Butler couldn’t wait to get home, get some hugs and get some good food. The latter wasn’t happening, though.

“It smells so good in here,” he said. “My momma won’t let me in the kitchen though.” For Butler, the few days at home in Reserve were well-deserved after a whirlwind few weeks on basketball courts across the country. The 6-foot-3 former Riverside Academy Rebel now is making headlines and racking up honors as a sophomore point guard for the Baylor Bears.

An All-Big 12 honorable mention and All-Freshman Team player last year with 21 starts and appearances in all 34 games, Butler continues to shine this season. The Bears opened 5-1, with wins over Central Arkansas,

Baylor Bears point guard Jared Butler, a River Parishes native, recently earned MVP honors at the Myrtle Beach Invitational Tournament and was the Big 12 Player of the Week.

#outhere, w e g r o w t o u r i s m .

Texas State, Ohio, Villanova and Coastal Carolina, all in large part thanks to Butler.

He scored 22 points in the team’s 87-78 win over Villanova, the last game before the holiday break, 10 of those points coming in the final six minutes of play. It was the fifth of six games in which Butler led the team in scoring and it came shortly after he earned MVP honors at the Myrtle Beach Invitational Tournament and was the Big 12 Player of the Week. Butler scored 19 points against Ohio and 12 against Coastal Carolina. That had him averaging 19.3 points per game heading into December.

“It’s definitely been a blessing to be at Baylor,” said Butler, a business major. “It’s a place that found me and, you know, one of those places that, if you’re there, you’re supposed to be there. The people here are great and basketball is always fun, especially when you’re winning. It’s just been great.”

Butler’s path to Baylor wasn’t exactly straight. As a Riverside senior, Butler faced the tough choice of picking just one college for his future out of the slew of offers he received. A two-time All-State selection at Riverside, he helped the Rebels win three state championships, begin

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Jared Butler was a two-time All-State selection at Riverside Academy, where he helped the Rebels win three state championships, beginning when he was an eighth grader.

ning when he was an eighth grader.

In his senior year, Butler averaged 27.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, 8.4 assists and three steals to earn Player of the Year honors in the New Orleans metro area. He visited Baylor. He committed to Alabama. He decommitted. He signed. He enrolled. Then, in August of 2018 he transferred to Baylor, following a path forged by former Reserve Christian star Demond “Tweety” Carter and Riverside’s Ricardo “Rico” Gathers.

“It’s a very long story, Butler said of his road to Baylor. “Let’s just say it’s divine that I’m at Baylor because Tweety Carter and Rico went there. It’s very divine that God made my steps to go to Baylor.”

He also has become friends with Cara “Moon” Ursin of Destrehan who helped the Baylor women’s team win the national title earlier this year.

“It’s cool to have other people from the same area,” Butler said. But despite how he got there, Butler said he is living his dream. His advice to other would-be-college athletes is to find a school that is the right fit.

“I didn’t know where I was going to end up, but I definitely knew that I wanted to go to a program where I would leave my name and my legacy,” he said. “The biggest thing is try to find the best people you can. Try to find coaches that actually care about you and actually care about you as a person, because there’s going to be time when you’re not playing well, when you’re not playing at all and you’re going to need somebody to care about you. That’s really big. And find a place that fits you. Baylor is a Christian school and that’s real important to me.”

Local Flavor St. John Parish

Bailey’s Andouille 513 W. Airline Hwy., LaPlace 985-652-9090

Bec’s At the Lake 105 Gary Rd., LaPlace 985-224-8172

Belle Terre Country Club 111 Fairway Drive, LaPlace 985-652-5000

Best Wok Chinese Restaurant 530 Belle Terre Blvd., LaPlace 985-652-9989

Buddy B’s 2788 River Road E, Garyville 985-535-3663

Cajun Grill 135 Belle Terre Blvd., LaPlace 985-359-4745

Chili’s Grill & Bar 1820 W. Airline Hwy., LaPlace 985-652-1227

Chinese King 1036 W. Airline Hwy., LaPlace 985-651-7888

Church’s Chicken 1601 W. Airline Hwy, LaPlace 985-652-2089

Chung’s Heavenly Sweets 607 Belle Terre Blvd., LaPlace 985-359-7987 Dragon Garden 140 Belle Terre Blvd., Ste E., LaPlace 985-652-7250

Dunkin Donuts 1334 W. Airline Hwy, LaPlace 985-359-9244

Donut Hole 421 W. Airline Hwy, LaPlace 985-651-4001

El Mexicano 1036 W. Airline Hwy # 123, LaPlace 985 652-4250

El Paso 1900 US-51 Ste D, LaPlace 985-618-3313

Fatty’s 186 Museum St., Garyville 985-535-5555

Frenier Landing 113 Dottie Lane, LaPlace 985-224-2178

Frisco Deli 1113 W. Airline Hwy,, LaPlace (985) 651-7745

La Carreta of LaPlace 107 Carrollwood Dr., LaPlace (985) 651-9991

LaPlace Frostop 411 Airline Hwy., LaPlace 985-652-6361

Gator’s Den Old Highway 51 South, Manchac 985-386-7902

Citylicious Donuts Café 113 Belle Terre Blvd., LaPlace 985-224-8335

Connie’s Grill 1462 LA-44, Reserve 985-536-3256

Clay’s Cafe 975 B Cambridge, LaPlace 985-359-6848 Guidry Goody’s 3595 W. Airline Hwy., Reserve 504-606-1185

Huddle House 4325 Hwy. 51, LaPlace 985-651-1800

IHOP 220 Belle Terre Blvd., LaPlace 985-652-4468 The Jambalaya Shoppe 150 Belle Terre Blvd., LaPlace 985-359-5747

Kobe Japanese Steak and Sushi 506 Belle Terre Blvd., LaPlace 985-652-8880/652-8853

Mabile’s Restaurant “Home of the Best Roast Beef in Town!”

• Fresh Po-Boys • Seafood Muffaletta • Finger Sandwiches • Vegetable Trays • Plate Lunches • Italian Muffaletta 985-651-2893 1124 W. Airline Hwy. • LaPlace, LA 70068

Ming’s Akari 1400 W. Airline Hwy, LaPlace 985-359-3335

Momma Jo’s 2917 Hwy 51, Ste A., LaPlace 985-224-2666

McDonalds •4297 U.S. Hwy. 51, LaPlace 985-652-5171 •1608 W. Airline Hwy, LaPlace 985-652-2600 •5387 W. Airline, Hwy, Garyville 985-535-2710

Petra’s 10363 W. Airline Hwy, LaPlace 985-359-8888

Pier 51 Seafood Restaurant & Oyster Bar 3017 U.S. 51, LaPlace 985-651-0300

Pirouge’s Cafe 719 W. 10th St., Reserve 985-479-7800

PJ’s Coffee 1808 W. Airline Hwy., LaPlace 985-764-7573

Popeye’s Fried Chicken 1603 W. Airline Hwy., LaPlace 985-652-3030

Da King of Wingz 1721 W Airline Hwy, LaPlace 225-558-1492 Jacob’s Andouille 505 W. Airline Hwy., LaPlace 985-652-9080 Raising Cane’s 123 West Airline Hwy, LaPlace 985-652-4701 Rotolo’s Pizzera 3503 W. Airline Hwy., Ste. B, Reserve 985-536-3503

Ruby Garden Chinese Restaurant 3101 U.S. 51, LaPlace 985-653-8700

Sam’s Southern Eatery 1173 E. Airline Hwy., LaPlace 985-359-1677

Sicily’s 214 Belle Terre Blvd., LaPlace 985-652-7010

Subway •357 Belle Terre Blvd., LaPlace 985-652-8700 •1616 W. Airline Hwy., LaPlace 985-652-4822 •2701 W. Airline Hwy., LaPlace 985-479-7827 •1900 Hwy. 51, Ste. B, LaPlace 985-652-9699

TNT Seafood 405 Belle Terre Blvd., LaPlace 985-359-6312

Waffle House •4304 Hwy. 51, LaPlace 985-651-6111 •1922 W. Airline Hwy., LaPlace 985-212-7473

Wayne Jacob’s Restaurant 769 W. 5th St., LaPlace 985-652-9990

Zaman Mediterranean Cafe 1502 W. Airline Hwy, LaPlace 985-359-5566

ZoraChristina 2003 W. Airline Hwy, LaPlace 985-359-3673

St. James Parish

Bonnie’s Popeye’s 982 La. Hwy. 3125, Gramercy 225-869-6060 Cajun Kitchen 13322 U.S. 90, Boutte, Ste. Q 985-785-2405

Sandwich World Hwy. 3125, Gramercy 225-869-6060 Catahoulas 12713 Hwy 90, Luling 985-308-0013

2827 Hwy 20, Vacherie 225-624-0402

Café Perique 234 East Main St., Gramercy 225-869-1774

China King 849 N. Pine St., Gramercy 225-869-2000

Chuck Lee’s Chinese Kitchen 10560 Hwy. 70 W., St. James 225-473-3050

Creole House Cafe 3409 Hwy 3125, Paulina 225-859-3333

DJ’s Grille 21060 La. Hwy. 20, Vacherie 225-265-7600

Golden Grove Restaurant 935 La. Hwy. 641, Gramercy 225-869-1212

Grand Point Truck Stop Casino 3415 La. Hwy. 3125, Paulina 225-869-6960

Jenny’s Overstuffed Poboy & Chicken Shop 114 N. Airline Hwy., Gramercy 225-869-0899

Nobile’s Restaurant & Bar 2082 W. Main St., Lutcher 225-869-8900 Nobile’s Restaurant & Bar 2082 W. Main St., Lutcher 225-869-8900 Open Lunch: Mon- Fri 11 am - 2 pm Serving Authentic River Road Cuisine In An Historic Place

Dinner: Thurs-Sat 5 pm - 9 pm

CLOSED Sundays 2082 W. Main • Lutcher, LA

225-869-8900

Oak Alley Restaurant 3645 La. Hwy. 18, Vacherie 225-265-2151

Pizza Hut 1665 La. Hwy. 3125, Gramercy 225-869-6151 Spectacular Tubers 1665 Hwy. 3125, Gramercy 225-869-5600

Chow’s Garden 1955 Ormond Boulevard Ste, I, Destrehan 985-725-2488

Daddy’s Fried Chicken 15683 River Road, Hahnville 985-783-6743

Subway 10850 Hwy. 3125, Gramercy 225-869-6100

Taylor’s Express Truck Stop 964 La. Hwy. 3125, Gramercy 225-869-1734

Tod’s Catering 2180 S. Albert St., Lutcher 225-869-7000

St. Charles Parish

Ace’s Soul Food Diner & Lounge 15805 River Road, Hahnville 985-783-6743

Anita’s Smokin’ Steak Burgers 13145 U.S. 90 Ste. B, Boutte 985-785-2220

Avocados Mexican Grill 12715 Hwy 90, Ste 140. Luling 985-785-7694

Bamboo Garden 13491 U.S. 90, Ste. 6, Boutte 985-785-9929

Bei Jing 12895 U.S. 90, Ste. D, Boutte 985-331-8885 DiCarlo’s Food and Spirits 10 Villere Dr., Destrehan 985-764-6868

Donut Land 13592 River Rd, Ste 6, Destrehan 985-307-1000

Dot’s Diner 12179 U.S. Hwy. 90, Luling 985-785-6836

El Paso Mexican Grill 12895 U.S. Hwy. 90, Ste. A Luling 985-331-1984

Fatty Shack 13527 River Road, Ste. A Luling 985-308-0983

Frostop 3001 Ormond Blvd., Ste. H Destrehan 985-725-1116

Fujiyama Japanese 12715 Hwy 90, Ste 150, Luling 985-785-8168

Grumpy’s 14984 U.S. 90, Paradis 985-785-2083

Happy Gardens II 15264 U.S. 90, Paradis 985-785-3888

Honeydoux Cafe & Bakery 13100 River Rd, Ste 130, Destrehan 985-305-0050 Hong Kong 3001 Ormond Blvd., Ste. D, Destrehan 985-725-9099 Howling Pepper 109 St. Rose Avenue, St. Rose 504-466-1944

IHOP 14099 Hwy. 90, Boutte 985-308-0013

J’aime Le Cafe 12715 Hwy 90, Ste 100, Luling 985-308-0394

Jae Flem Catering 2243 Paul Maillard Road, Boutte 985-331-5263

KrisAl’s Cafe 10326 Airline Dr. Ste B, St. Rose 504-468-2005

Le Poulet Fou 13299 Highway 90, Boutte 985-308-0288

Little Tokyo 13371 U.S. 90, Ste. A, Boutte 985-331-0887

Lovecchio’s Deli 29 Apple St., Norco 985-725-5683

Mariano’s Italian Eatery 12371 Highway 90, Ste. A Luling 985-785-7777

McDonalds 3009 Ormond Blvd., Destrehan 985-725-1021

Mr. Ronnie’s Famous Hot Donuts 13505 Hwy 90, Ste A, Boutte 985-308-0146

Ormond Plantation Restaurant 13786 River Road, Destrehan 985-764-8544

Oyster’s Pearl Grill & Cafe 1057 Paul Maillard Road, Luling 985-785-6242

Pizza Hut 12439 Hwy. 90, Luling 985-331-8380

P.J.’s Coffee of New Orleans 150 Ormond Center Court, Ste. T, Destrehan 985-764-7573

Popeye’s Fried Chicken •116 Longivew Drive, Destrehan 985-764-1231 •13210 U.S. 90, Boutte 985-785-1377

Seafood Pot 14386 River Rd., Destrehan 985-725-0053

Southern Latte Cafe 50 Wade St., Ste. 1, Luling 985-308-1472

Sports Pub & Grill 3001 Ormond Blvd., #B Destrehan 985-331-0099

St. Rose Driving Range & Sports Bar 10362 Airline Dr., St. Rose 504-466-0411

St. Rose Tavern 14466 River Road, Destrehan 504-469-8864 /985-725-3133

•13001 U.S. 90, Boutte 985-331-1786 •12715 U.S. 90, Ste. 120, Luling 985-785-3999 •12609 Airline Drive, Destrehan 985-725-1108 •1955 Ormond Blvd., Destrehan 985-725-9444 •15632 River Rd., Norco 504-469-8864

Sushi Cafe 13899 River Road, Ste. A, Luling 985-308-1003

Sub Express 26 Apple St., Norco 985-764-9922

Subway •613 Paul Maillard Road, Ste. 200, Luling 985-331-2257 •14130 U.S. 90, Boutte 985-785-9818 (in Wal-Mart)

Take Away Donuts 13441 Hwy. 90, Boutte 985-785-6499

Taste of Tokyo 1972 Ormond Blvd., Ste. E-2, Destrehan 985-764-1818

Truck Farm Tavern 11760 River Rd, St. Rose 504-699-0099

Uchi Sushi and Hibachi 3001 Ormond Blvd., Destrehan 785-307-1080

Victoria’s Restaurant 13441 Hwy. 90, Boutte 985-785-6499

Voodoo Grill 100 James Drive East, St. Rose 504-464-1880

Waffle House •14173 U.S. 90, Boutte 985-758-6499 •10384 E. Airline Hwy., St. Rose 504-467-1522

Deanna Anders Martin celebrates with her grandson, Briggs, on her wedding day at Cypress Lakes Country Club in Destrehan.

The Riverside Academy Band shows off holiday spirit.

One-year-old Eleanor Frederick watches over baby brother Sebastien.

Cain Dufrene, Chief of Operations for the St. John Office of Fire Services, speaks during the groundbreaking of the West Bank Public Safety Complex.

Sadie Harper sings the National Anthem for the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office.

the West Bank Public Safety Complex. New Orleans Saints owner Gayle Benson visits St. Charles Catholic High School for the debut of the new stadium.

Javon Butler speaks at Choice International Ministries in LaPlace during a service honoring St. John the Baptist Parish leaders.

Kailee Ocmond, Lilly Frey and Cierra Lackert get ready for homecoming.

Blues Madness Band performs at the 46th annual Andouille Festival.

Miss Andouille Queen Heather Roussel gets a kiss from her parents.

Jenna Necaise and Mandi Lee Sweeney open the 2019 Andouille Pageant.

Winners of the St. John Industrial Group Art Contest were Zachary Henry, Katherine Cox, Daruis Antoine Davis Jr., Jorge “JD” Gomez, Emme LeBlanc, Byron Pilgreen, Anthony Bruno, Veronica Matherne, Taylor Duhe, Kimberly Deras, Tristen Saijas, Lay’la Alshishani, Alaya Howard, Ariel Davis, Mackenzie Ory, Marcus Knight and Theron Gross.

Tori Lynn’s School of Dance marches in a parade.

Seniors from local Council on Aging centers visit Da King of Wingz in LaPlace for a free holiday meal.

Senator Ed Price is happy to announce safety improvements for motorists on the West Bank.

Santa visits children attending WeeCare at First Baptist Church in LaPlace.

The Little League World Champions from River Ridge ride in the Norco Christmas Parade. Two of the team members, Marshall Louque and Reece Roussel, reside in the River Parishes.

Judge Madeline Jasmine speaks about the accident that claimed the life of her niece during the ribbon cutting of a new traffic signal at the intersection of 3127 and 3213.