The Louisiana Sports Writers Association has unveiled its 2026 Class 2A All‑State baseball and softball squads, a roster that reflects the rising competitiveness of high school athletics across the Bayou State. The announcement, made this week, highlights a concentration of talent from northeast Louisiana, where several standout athletes earned top honors.
Celebrating Excellence on the Diamond
Among the softball awardees, Jena’s Kiette Cooper was selected as the Most Outstanding Player, capping a season in which she posted a 1.08 earned‑run average, struck out 332 batters in 175 ⅓ innings and compiled a .344 batting average with five home runs and 30 runs batted in. A senior headed to McNeese State, Cooper’s dual‑threat performance has drawn praise from coaches and analysts alike.
Coach Jeff Tannehill of Sterlington added another accolade by being named Coach of the Year. In his third such recognition, Tannehill guided the Sterlington Lady Panthers to a Division III non‑select championship and secured two LHSAA titles in three seasons, underscoring his sustained impact on the program.
The All‑State selections also recognized a host of teammates and peers. Jaleeyah Alford, Sullivan Cannon and Ansley Johnson from Sterlington joined Cooper on the softball list, while Callie Decker of Jena earned a spot on the same team. In baseball, Landon Johnston, Miller Sheets, Devyn Downs, and Gump Dunn received All‑State honors, and Carson Willis, Collin Jensen, Jonas Jenkins, Noah Pearson, Riley Sinclair and Tre Burch were listed as honorable mentions. Additional softball honorable mentions included Calli Grace Baum, Rayleigh Thompson, Triniti Williams, Mary Wood and Austin Carter.
Beyond individual accolades, the recognitions reflect a broader narrative of growth for programs in Caldwell Parish and surrounding communities. As the athletes look ahead to college and beyond, the spotlight from the Louisiana Sports Writers Association serves as a testament to the region’s deep talent pool and the coaches who nurture it.