1 of 12

Delicia Ceasor’s sister, Alliyah Ceasor, left, listens to a speaker as her sister’s basketball jersey hangs in the front of the room during a candlelight vigil Thursday at Block High School in Jonesville. Delicia Ceasor died in a single-vehicle car accident on March 22 near Jonesville. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

The parents of Delicia Ceasor, an 18-year-old Block High School student who died on March 22, hug one another during a candlelight vigil moment of silence Thursday at the school. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

Senior photos of 18-year-old Delicia Ceasor, who died on March 22 in a single-vehicle car accident, sit on a table during a vigil for the Block High School student Thursday. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

The softball and basketball jerseys of Delicia Ceasor, a Block High School senior, are shown before a candlelight vigil Thursday at the school. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

Many in the auditorium hold electronic candles in remembrance of the athlete. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

Block High School's Daveon Myles hugs Delicia Ceasor's sister, Alliyah Ceasor during a vigil at the school Thursday. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

Block High School basketball player Yaketra Woods holds an orange while she speaks about her teammate Delicia Ceasor who died in a single-vehicle car accident on March 22. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

Members of the Block High School basketball team, including coach Veronica Savage, with microphone, tell stories about teammate Delicia Ceasor during a vigil Thursday at the school. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

Block High School senior basketball plater Dorian Davis hides his face in his hands Thursday during a candlelight vigil for classmate Delicia Ceasor who died on March 22. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

Block High School basketball coach Veronica Savage holds her hand up during a vigil for her player Delicia Ceasor who died in a single-vehicle car accident on March 22. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

(Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

Block High School softball teammate Shir’Cold Bowman sheds a few tears at the podium. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

In the midst of darkness, lightning struck again.

As the lights dimmed in the Block High School auditorium Thursday afternoon in remembrance of 18-year-old Delicia Ceasor, hundreds of electronic candles carried her presence — one of a feisty, determined young athlete that had the electric spark of a lightning bolt.

“What can I say that you don’t already know?” Block basketball coach Veronica Savage said to the group of mourning classmates, faculty members and family. “She was a leader and an amazing athlete.”

Ceasor, a senior member of both the Lady Bears’ basketball and softball teams, was killed a week prior on March 22 in a single-vehicle car accident that occurred in Catahoula Parish on Louisiana 3165 near Louisiana 124. She was pronounced dead at the scene, while the two other young adults in the crash survived with non-life threating injuries.

On Thursday’s agenda were statements from Block’s Elton Mayes Jr., representing the senior class, softball member Shir’Cold Bowman and basketball teammate Yaketra Woods, along with Savage.

In the front row of chairs sat Delicia’s sister, Alliyah Ceasor, watching and listening. The duo was known commonly as “Lighting and Thunder.” As the junior barely moved, Alliyah seemed to gently take in everything said of Delicia — the booming thunder to her sister’s bright strike.

As Bowman reminisced about Delicia’s accomplishments, shedding a few tears in between breaths; she recalled the competitive nature of her dear friend.

“While it’s always hard to lose someone,” Bowman said, “it’s comforting to know they are in a better place. But, we can all agree that losing just wasn’t for Delicia … Most of all, we lost a teammate.

“If you remember her in any way, remember her with a smile. She was truly our angel in the outfield.”

Woods brought a prop to the podium in her time to remember Delicia.

“I remember one time coach brought a big bag of oranges to practice, and (Delicia) took off running with them,” Woods said, while holding the small fruit. “She wouldn’t let anybody have any. She loved them, and would compete with you to eat them.”

Block Principal Jeffrey Odom backed the sentiment of Delicia’s strong desire to win.

“She was a great shortstop, but when she would be pulled to the outfield she didn’t care,” he said. “Delicia just wanted to win. Each position was just as important to her as the next.”

Odom notified the auditorium of a contact he made with the LHSAA in order to have a moment to remember Delicia at this year’s state softball tournament.

“Which she would have loved,” Odom added.

Odom also urged Delicia’s family to reach out for anything they might need in their time of need.

“We love her,” he said. “Not loved her — we love her.”

The night prior to Delicia’s memorial, a cluster of storms passed over the state of Louisiana — bringing plenty of lightning strikes — though the skies cleared just in time for her loved ones to gather in the school’s courtyard and release 24 baby blue balloons.

On the basketball team, Delicia’s jersey number read No. 3. For softball, she had always been No. 21.

The coincidence that her daughter’s last day of life was the 21st day of the year’s third month is a sign, her mother Sharonda Catrell said.

“It’s amazing,” she said. “It really is.”

And as the balloons floated off into the equally blue sky, Delicia gave those watching the strength to remember — remember the lightning.

More Sports

ACCS AD Freeman resigns; Foster named head boys and girls basketball coach

Royale Shelvy leads Jefferson County to comeback win over Wesson and region title

Lamar School rallies late to beat ACCS in first round of playoffs

Ellis’ 4 TD passes not enough as Ferriday falls to Ouachita Christian