Bogalusa recently participated in team camps at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette as part of a summer program that included league play at Picayune Memorial.

“We feel real good about going into the season right where we are,” Bogalusa coach Ken Martin said. “We have had some kids that really have improved and we are counting on them heavily. All these guys play football so that will set us back a bit. That is why it is so important to have a productive summer.”

Bogalusa was 4-2 competing against Franklinton, Picayune, Poplarville, Pearl River Central, West Harrison and Ocean Springs in the summer league. The Lumberjacks went 5-0 at Southeastern and 2-3 in Lafayette at the team camps that host 36 teams throughout the state.

“It was tough for us being outsiders in Mississippi but we represented Louisiana well and were one of the most dominant teams there,” Martin said. “We got more out of the camps. In order to compete today, you have to participate in a summer program of some kind.”

The Lumberjacks won the District 9-3A title last season and return MVP Brian Williams.

“He is lanky and long, steadily growing and a tremendous outside shooter,” Martin said.

Josh Robertson, an all-district performer also returns with Steve Moses, Cordero Brown and Chris Rivera. 

“We are excited about (Robertson’s) potential,” Martin said. “(Moses) is a defensive play maker and our captain, (Brown) has developed and steadily improved and (Rivera) can shoot the ball exceptionally well.”

Martin said Trevonne Mingo and Rodney Crumedy have shown the most improvement.

“Both had tremendous camps,” Martin said.

The Lumberjacks will continue to lift weights four times a week through the summer in the city’s recreation program under Bogalusa coaches Adrian Frazier and Landon Tims.