Nicholls grad signs with New York Jets

Former Nicholls State lineman Jacob Bender signed a contract with the New York Jets last week.

The sixth round draft pick became the first of the Jets’ four picks to sign.

Bender (6-foot-6, 315 pounds) was a two-time All-Southland Conference first-team selection and a key component in the Colonels run at their first Southland Conference championship in 2005.

He started in 31 games through four seasons for Nicholls State.

ST wins Swampland

South Terrebonne swept the Lutcher-based Imperial Sugars baseball team in a doubleheader to win the 2007 Swampland League best-of-three championship series last Monday.

In doing so, the Gators earned redemption for their title-series loss to the CapitalOne Cardinals in 2006.

South Terrebonne (12-1) won the first game against the Bulldogs, 5-3, and then stormed to a convincing 13-4 victory in the second to clinch Swampland supremacy.

Hornets clinic

The New Orleans Hornets will conduct a free youth basketball clinic at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux on Tuesday, July 24.

The camp is open to players ages 7 to 14.

The first session (open to children ages 7 to 10) will run from 9 a.m. to noon, and the second session (open to children ages 11 to 14) will run between 1 to 4 p.m.

Space is limited to 250 players per session.

For more information call 504-812-3448 or visit www.hornets.com.

Hurricanes tryouts

The 2008 Houma Hurricanes 9-and-under travel baseball team will hold tryouts on Saturday, July 28, in Houma, La.

Players must not reach their 10th birthday before May 1, 2008 to be eligible.

For more information, call Ben Ledet at 985-860-1286 or 985-857-8972.