Lady Giants hungry for State Championship

Front (from left to right): Rylee McDowell, Zymariya Gardner, Jolee Stephens, Jacquelyn Brooks, Kaylee Hardie, Abbi Grace Edwards Middle (from left to right): Sydney Williams, Bailey Durham, Rylee Masters, Bayleigh Roszell, Mary Wood, Maddy Bean, Hallie Poole Back (from left to right): Callie Decker, Kiette Cooper, Triniti Williams, Autumn Sharp

Sports, Spring Sports

By Austin Whatley Sports Writer on March 11, 2026

Last season the Lady Giants were two runs away from a state championship. The Lady Giants lost to Doyle 4-3 in the state championship game leaving a bittersweet feeling for the Lady Giants who came so close to their second state championship in school history. That has only fueled the Lady Giants as they come into this season hungry as ever to finish the job and pick up another state championship. Lady Giants head coach Sarah Roark, who is entering her 10th year as head coach, returns a majority of the team after only losing one senior last season. The Lady Giants return their core in seniors Kiette Cooper, Callie Decker, Triniti Williams, and Autumn Sharp. Along with a solid group of juniors the Lady Giants come into this season with one of the most veteran teams in their class and this is why they are one of the favorites to win the state championship.

They are known for playing a difficult schedule and once again they will play some of the top teams from every class this year. This schedule does a great job preparing the Lady Giants for the playoffs each season and is a reason they are always in contention for a state championship. This is the reason the Lady Giants have made it at least to the semifinal round six out of the last eight years and eight times since 2013.

The Lady Giants have started this season on an incredible run as they have won their first 10 games going undefeated. They have defeated teams from the top classifications including St. Amant, Benton twice, and defending state champion North Desoto.

Senior pitcher Kiette Cooper, who signed with McNeese State University in the off-season, has gotten a lot of headlines with her performances, including a perfect game against Benton where she got all 27 batters she faced out and finished with 21 strikeouts. This past weekend at the ASH tournament the Lady Giants defeated Florien, North Desoto, and Benton. Cooper had 40 strikeouts in the tournament. The offense has produced against some great pitching as well as the Lady Giants have scored at least 8 runs in 7 of their 10 wins. Head coach Sarah Roark picked up her 200th career win in their victory over North Desoto.

This week the Lady Giants continue district play as on Thursday they will host Caldwell after defeating Vidalia last week and playing at Buckeye this past Tuesday.

The Lady Giants are the favorite to win the district after winning it two of the past three seasons. But the district will be tough with Buckeye returning as one of the top teams in Division II Select and Caldwell and Marksville as top teams in Division III Non-Select. Currently, Jena is ranked #1 in the latest power point rankings, nearly three points ahead of French Settlement All of Jena should come out to Jena City Park Thursday as the Lady Giants will host the Caldwell Lady Spartans and see for yourself this power Lady Giant team.

If you can’t make it to the game, you can hear all of the action live on 102.7 KJNAFM. If you are not in the listening area, then you can download the MIXLR app and search for KJNAFM or go online at www.mixlr.com/kjnafm.