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LEROY – Forty years. It really does sound like a long time, and it is. That’s how long it’s been since the North Vermilion Lady Patriot Basketball Team last made it to Marsh Madness.
Forty years ago, none of the current Lady Patriots were even born. Only a few of their parents were around back then. Head coach Jack LeBlanc was just two years old, and assistant coach Mya Touchet hadn’t been born yet. NV principal Casey Meador was also only two.
In other words, it’s been a long time since the Lady Patriots made it to the Final Four. This marks only the fourth time they’ve reached this stage, with previous appearances in 1984, 1985, and 1986.
The 2025-2026 Lady Patriots made history, beating South Beauregard, 51-45, in a thrilling game in front of a packed NV gym.
The LHSAA announced that No. 3 North Vermilion will face No. 2 LaGrange on Wednesday at 8 p.m. in Hammond at the University Center Gym. The earlier game at 6:15 p.m. will feature No. 1 Sterlington against No. 4 Wossman.
The winners of these two games will meet on Saturday in the Division II Non-Select Finals. The exact game time has not been announced yet.
North Vermilion senior Kenzie Marceaux delivered one of her best performances of the season, which is impressive since she didn’t think she would even play, much less start. She had been fighting the flu both the day before and on game day. Still, she played all four quarters and finished with 14 points, making 4 out of 7 free throws.
“I am so overwhelmed and excited to be going to Hammond,” said Marceaux. “We set the goal of reaching Hammond last year; unfortunately, we did not get there. Entering this year, we knew we had a good chance. Our team stayed focused.”
That focus is what helped the Lady Patriots secure the win.
At the start of the fourth quarter, NV trailed, 36-35. That was the last time they were behind. Marceaux made a tough shot under the basket, and then sophomore point guard Rhyan Dubois drove to the hoop, drew a foul, and sank two clutch free throws to give her team the lead for good (39-37).
Dubois hit four out of six free throws, and Kenzie made three out of five in the fourth quarter to help keep the Lady Pats ahead.
NV guard Reagan Semien drove to the basket for a layup, putting the Lady Patriots up 43-39 with four minutes left.
Early in the fourth quarter, NV made three of its first four shots, while the SB Knights missed all nine of theirs.
The Knights made another push and closed the gap to just one point, 46-45, with 1:20 left to play.
In the final minute, the Lady Patriots made four out of six free throws, while the Knights couldn’t score from the free-throw line or the field.
Semien sealed the win by sinking two free throws with 27 seconds left. She finished the game with 11 points.
In the fourth quarter, the Lady Patriots made 10 of 15 free throws.
Dubois ended the game with five points, all coming from the free throw line.
“This is amazing, “ said Dubois. “I am super proud of our team. We have been working hard to get there.”
North Vermilion head coach Jack LeBlanc will make his first trip to Hammond as a coach.
“Forty years. It is a long time coming,” said LeBlanc. “I would say it is an even longer time coming when you do things the right way. We have 13 girls who all played together in junior high. They stuck together. We have 7 girls with a 4.0 grade-point average. The six others have no Cs. They are phenomenal kids.”

Update: Officials with the city of Abbeville announced Friday afternoon that the citywide water boil advisory has been lifted. The advisory had been issued on Thursday.

The City of Abbeville Water System has issued a citywide precautionary boil advisory effective immediately for all customers within the City of Abbeville water district.
During a routine inspection of the St. Teresa water tower, a minor repair was identified. The tower has been isolated, and repairs are currently underway. Out of an abundance of caution, the City is issuing this advisory until the repair is complete and the system can be retested.
Residents and businesses are advised to boil water prior to consumption. Water should be brought to a rolling boil for one (1) full minute before using it for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or food preparation. The one-minute boil time begins after the water reaches a rolling boil. Allow water to cool before use.
The advisory will remain in effect until rescinded. The City will lift the advisory once water samples meet all Louisiana Department of Health requirements.
City crews are actively addressing the situation and will provide updates as they become available. For additional information, residents may contact Abbeville City Hall

October 3, 1951 - February 11, 2026

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, February 16, 2026 in St. Alphonsus Catholic Church - Maurice for Raymond Warren Perry, Jr., 74, who passed away on February 11, 2026.
Fr. Paul Bienvenu, Pastor of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church - Maurice and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church - Leroy, will be Celebrant of the Mass and will conduct the funeral services.
Burial will take place in St. Alphonsus Catholic Cemetery.
Mr. Raymond, a resident of Rayne, was the son of the late Raymond Warren Perry, Sr. and the former Mary Patricia Styx.
He is survived by his son, Trey Sinclair Perry (Emily Ruth); grandsons, Titus and Timothy Perry; siblings, David Perry (Liz), Peter Perry, Gregory Perry, Melanie P. Donavan (Dallas), Mark Perry (Dorothy), Ernest Perry, Phillip Perry (Becky), Stephan Perry, Nathan Perry, and Julie Perry.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Marlene Theresa Harrington Perry; parents, Raymond and Mary Perry; and sister-in-law, Gladys McLish Perry.
Though a longtime resident of the area, Mr. Raymond was born in Abbeville. He graduated from Abbeville High School and attended South Eastern Louisiana University on a Cross Country Scholarship. After graduating from South Eastern he briefly taught and coached before going to work for TEXACO Inc. where he worked for 25 years. He continued his career in the oil and gas industry for several more years with Stokes and Spiehler before finally retiring. Though his career took him all over the world, his love of adventure was most evident in an enduring love of riding Harley Davidson motorcycles. Raymond traveled all across America on the back of a Harley with friends and family alike, creating wonderful memories across the United States. In recent years he loved to take care of his land and relax with his dogs enjoying retirement after many years of hard work.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Delhomme Funeral Home - Maurice on Monday, February 16, 2026 beginning at 9:00 AM. A Rosary will be prayed at 10 a.m. on Monday morning in the funeral home. Visiting hours will continue, following the Rosary, until 11 a.m..
Pallbearers will be his brothers, David Perry, Peter Perry, Mark Perry, Ernest Perry, Phillip Perry, Stephan Perry, and Nathan Perry.
Personal condolences may be sent to the family of Raymond W. Perry, Jr. at: www.delhommefuneralhome.com
Raymond W. Perry, Jr. and his family were cared for and entrusted final arrangements to Delhomme Funeral Home, 200 Chief H. Fred Road, Maurice, LA.

On Friday, after 7 a.m., the driver of a Chevy truck went off the road on U.S. 167 as it was entering Abbeville. The truck went through two ditches, crossed Palm Hospital Road, and finally stopped after hitting the “Welcome to Abbeville” sign.
The sign, which has been around for 15 years, is made of foam. But it was the cement base of the sign that actually stopped the truck.
The driver was taken to a local hospital, and their name or medical condition wasn’t available on Friday.