North Oaks Sports Medicine Announces Winter Student-Athletes of the Season

North Oaks Sports Medicine certified athletic trainers have joined North Oaks Physician Group orthopedic surgeons to select Abigail McNeal, Joshua Doussan, Jaila Golden and Brayden Davis as the 2016-2017 Winter “Student-Athletes of the Season” in Tangipahoa and Livingston parishes.

Female and male students were chosen from both parishes, representing the months of November 2016 through January 2017.

St. Thomas Aquinas Regional Catholic High School’s Abigail McNeal, 17, plays midfield on the pitch for the Lady Falcon’s soccer team. As team captain, she has made two goals this season.

“She is always at practice and really helps encourage her teammates,” Coach Courtney Palisi shares of the senior honors student, who currently holds a 3.8 GPA.

She is the daughter of Kristi Galofaro and Chuck McNeal and has played soccer for seven years.

Joshua Doussan, 18, is a Ponchatoula High School senior with a 3.89 GPA. Doussan is a guard and team captain for the Green Waves’ boys basketball team. He averages 22 points and six rebounds per game.

“Josh is our team’s community service leader,” comments Coach Tom Taylor “With a great attitude and exemplary grades of his own, his teammates count on him as a mentor and tutor.”

Doussan also belongs to Key Club. He is the son of Winston and Brandi Doussan.

Jaila Golden, 17, is a junior at Springfield High School with a 4.2 GPA. She is in her third year of playing basketball with the Lady Bulldogs in the position of guard. She also plays volleyball and runs track and was selected as the Livingston Parish Small School Track Most Valuable Player in 2016.

“Jaila is a leader on the court and beyond,” remarks Head Basketball Coach Lew Inmon. “She is a member of Student Council and is active in several church and community organizations. She also volunteers at the Louisiana Children’s Discovery Center and with senior citizens.”

Golden is a Florida Parishes Missionary Baptist Association debutante and is active in its drama club, as well as youth and adult choirs. She also belongs to the Bethlehem Baptist Church Drama Club and choir. In addition to serving on the Student Council at school, she is a member of Beta Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Spanish Club and the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America Association. She also was one of 100 students across the nation selected to the Disney Dreamers Academy of 2017.

She is the daughter of Carl and Jonquelle Golding.

Brayden Davis, 15, is a freshman starter as guard on the Albany High School boys basketball team. He is the son of Scotty and Kellie Davis.

He maintains a 3.43 GPA and is a volunteer coach with the Albany Youth Association Biddy Basketball League.

“Brayden is known for his hustle and consistency,” shares Head Basketball Coach Chris Carter. “He is a great asset to our team when it comes to scoring and rebounding.”

Davis also belongs to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the youth group at his church, New Beginnings Outreach in Holden.

Principals, coaches and athletic directors from high schools in Tangipahoa and Livingston parishes nominate student-athletes. Candidates must: have a 3.0 GPA or higher, excel in athletic competition, participate in school and community organizations and have earned the respect of coaches, teammates, officials, teachers and their peers. In May, the North Oaks Sports Medicine team will choose a “Student-Athlete of the Year” from all season honorees.

Nomination forms are available online here or can be requested by calling North Oaks Sports Medicine at (985) 230-5248.