Carencro High School Boys Basketball

For Keith “Poppa” Arsement, Carencro High School provided the foundation for a lifetime of leadership, service, and community involvement. Through athletics, academics, and the relationships he built as a Bear, Keith developed values that have remained with him throughout his life and career.

As a student, Keith was actively involved in football, baseball, basketball, and track. He earned four varsity letters, was a member of Key Club and Beta Club, and was the first quarterback to play in Carencro High School’s new campus in 1971.

He credits Ms. Mamer as one of the most influential educators in his Carencro journey. Through her business classes, she taught lessons that helped shape his understanding of leadership and success while preparing him for life beyond high school.

Today, Keith is a local business owner who continues to serve and invest in the community he proudly calls home.

His favorite memory from Carencro was the Homecoming prank of 1973 when members of the senior class placed school benches on the roof in the shape of “73.” To keep everyone guessing, students sent weekly riddles to the office with clues about the benches’ location.

His advice to current students:

“Be proud to be from Carencro and strive to be a mentor to those classmates who follow you.”

When asked to finish the sentence “Carencro built me by…” Keith answered:

“Teaching me that a small town can become family. I was raised by a community of people who believed in showing up, giving back, and taking care of one another. Those values are what make Carencro so special, and they are what will keep it the hometown we all know and love.”

One Standard. One Culture. One Carencro.

For Richey Menard, Carencro High School was where the habits and discipline that would shape his future first took root.

As a student, Richey competed in basketball and baseball, learning the value of teamwork, preparation, and perseverance both on and off the field.

He credits Coach Kovatch as a teacher and mentor who made a lasting impact on his life and helped instill the work ethic and accountability that have guided him throughout his career.

One of his favorite memories as a Bear was defeating Catholic High of Baton Rouge on the road during the first round of the 2008 basketball playoffs—a moment that showcased the determination and pride of the Carencro community.

Today, Richey serves as an F-15E Weapon Systems Officer in the United States Air Force, carrying the lessons he learned in Carencro to one of the most demanding professions in the world.

His advice to current students:

“Prepare hard, stay humble, take responsibility, and don’t quit when things get difficult. Most success comes from doing ordinary things consistently well for a very long time.”

When asked to finish the sentence “Carencro built me by…” Richey answered:

“Building a foundation of habits that has allowed me to succeed in my career in the United States Air Force.”

ONE STANDARD ONE CULTURE ONE CARENCRO

Some people remember the wins. Others remember the trophies. For Patrick Richard, the most valuable thing he gained from Carencro was the people.

As a student-athlete, Patrick learned quickly that the lessons that mattered most weren’t always taught during class or practice. Coach Christopher Kovatch challenged him to be better than he thought he could be, pushing him to grow both on and off the basketball court. Mr. Patrick James and Ms. Linda Gibson saw something in him beyond athletics, holding him accountable and reminding him that his value extended far beyond the scoreboard.

One memory stands above the rest: helping lead Carencro’s basketball program to its first-ever playoff victory during his senior year. It was a historic moment, but more importantly, it was the result of years of hard work, sacrifice, and belief from teammates, coaches, and a community that always expected their best.

Today, Patrick’s message to current students comes straight from the heart: dream big. Never place limits on what you can accomplish. Keep God first, keep family close, and trust that with dedication and faith, anything is possible.

When asked to finish the sentence, “Carencro built me by…” Patrick didn’t talk about points scored or games won. Instead, he reflected on the memories that shaped him—both in the classroom and on the court. Memories that continue to inspire him and that he will carry with him for the rest of his life.

Because sometimes the greatest thing a school gives you isn’t an education or an athletic achievement—it’s a foundation, a family, and a lifetime of memories.

ONE STANDARD. ONE CULTURE. ONE CARENCRO.

Joe Charles was on the coaching staff at N.C. State & now is at LSU, Nicholas Carmouche is on the coaching staff at Cleveland State and all of these guys ⬇️⬇️ all earned college basketball scholarships out of , but Patrick Richard II has had a storybook career. Richard finished his 14th year as a pro and earned a 6th national championship on Wednesday.
Social media and AI can give you glam, we can give you results!
Brandon Martin - Nicholls State
Marcus Gardiner - Northland College MN
Derrick Woods - Angelina/Ouachita Baptist
La’Ryan Gary - UL
Patrick Richard - McNeese
Joseph W. Charles - Western Colorado
Colin St. Julien - Northland College MN
Derrick Derouen - Brookhaven
Juwan George - Cincinnati Christian
Jacob Siner - Northwestern State
D’andre Dudley - Brookhaven
Travis Zeno - Fort Scott
Mark Edmond - Dyersburg State
Nicholas Carmouche - Dillard
Braylon Chaisson - Lamar
Jeremiah August - Dillard
Lou Despanie - Howard College
Julian Landor - Columbia International University
Byron Fobbs - Coastal Bend
Joseph Charles - UL
Christopher Turner - Mitchell College
Daunte Lewis - Centenary College

Incoming Freshmen Tryouts Sunday, May 17 @1:00PM

14 years ago today, Carencro's Patrick Richard II was named to the AP Division-1 NCAA All-American basketball team.