Louisiana boys basketball playoff overview: Tournament play in all 10 divisions set to tip off
On Friday, opening-round bi-district action in each of the select and non-select brackets in Louisiana high school boys basketball commences.
Louisiana boys high school basketball playoff brackets: 2024 LHSAA Bi-district matchups, game times
Several of the higher seeded squads will not be involved, as those teams drew byes. But those teams will be in action as the second round of the LHSAA playoffs - also known as the regionals - get under way next week.
Here is an overview of each division entering bi-district playoff action:
Division I select
Defending champion
Catholic-Baton Rouge
Top 8 seeds (all received first-round bye)
1. St. Thomas More (26-1)
2. Liberty Magnet (22-3)
3. Captain Shreve (27-5)
4. Pineville (22-4)
5. Edna Karr (23-10)
6. Southwood (23-8)
7. Lafayette (21-4)
8. Alexandria (20-10)
Bi-district games to watch
No. 9 Jesuit (23-6) and No. 24 Holy Cross (15-14) meet in a Catholic League showdown. The Tigers upset Jesuit on the road, 62-46, in the last game of the regular season, going on a 19-0 run after trailing by seven. Freshman Abe Taylor scored 19 points, according to Andrew Valenti of nola.com. The winner travels to No. 8 Alexandria, which closed with a blowout win over Pineville and a loss to No. 19 Archbishop Rummel.
If No. 12 St. Augustine (20-10) gets past No. 21 Tioga (19-15), it would set up another Catholic League contest at No. 5 Edna Karr. The Cougars clinched the District 9-5A title with a 40-36 win at St. Aug, which has lost six of its last eight games but is a dangerous opponent with Cy Merrett, Turner Duncan and company.
No. 10 Scotlandville (20-12) will travel to No. 7 Lafayette in the second round if the Hornets defeat No. 23 Warren Easton (17-13). The Hornets have lost three of their last four, but Jamal Drewery and company can match up with any team. Warren Easton has won eight of its last 10 games, including a win over Edna Karr.
Lafayette has dropped three of its last four. The final game was an overtime loss to Lafayette Christian at the Cajundome which apparently was an exhibition game (wasn't reflected in the power ratings).
Though Scotlandville and Lafayette lost some late regular season games, no opponent will be looking forward to seeing either team walk in the gym.
No. 18 John Curtis Christian (15-9) at No. 15 Catholic-BR (12-13) is interesting. The youthful Patriots have been hot, winning four of their last five games. The Bears have a deceptive record with recent close losses to Liberty Magnet, Archbishop Shaw, University Lab, Madison Prep and George Washington Carver.
No. 11 Brother Martin (20-12) vs. No. 22 Woodlawn-BR (17-16) has the makings of another good one. Eli Pichon and the Crusaders have non-district wins over Archbishop Shaw and Vandebilt Catholic. Brother Martin snapped a five-game losing streak by cooling off John Curtis, 59-52, in the last game of the regular season. Woodlawn also put a five-game skid to bed by downing Scotlandville, 68-55.
Louisiana high school boys basketball Top 25 rankings (2/20/2024)
Division I non-select
Defending champion
Ponchatoula
Top 8 seeds (top four received first-round bye)
1. Zachary (24-5)
2. Ponchatoula (26-4)
3. New Iberia (26-5)
4. Denham Springs (27-6)
5. Natchitoches Central (25-7)
6. Southside (19-12)
7. Slidell (25-8)
8. Ruston (17-9)
Darkhorse - No. 7 Slidell: Sleeper - No. 11 Walker (16-15)
Slidell has won 18 of its last 19 games with only a two-point loss to Ponchatoula. The Tigers host No. 26 Ouachita Parish (15-17).
Bi-district games to watch
Walker, which has won five of its last six games, went undefeated in District 5-5A. The Wildcats were a Top 28 team last year. Walker hosts No. 22 Parkway (15-13), with the winner meeting either No. 6 Southside or No. 27 Sulphur (15-13).
If the favored teams prevail in the early rounds, Southside could face No. 3 New Iberia in the quarterfinals in a rematch of a recent game won by the Sharks, 32-29. It's always interesting when the District 3-5A rivals collide. New Iberia coach Chad Pourciau worked under Southside coach Todd Russ during the latter's tenure at NISH.
No. 9 H.L. Bourgeois (21-10) hosts district rival No. 24 Central Lafourche (18-9) in the first round. The Braves have won 10 of their last 13 games with a loss to Central Lafourche in the regular season finale.
Division II select
Defending champion
George Washington Carver
Top 8 seeds (all received first-round bye)
1. Madison Prep (23-2)
2. Peabody Magnet (24-5)
3. George Washington Carver (21-6)
4. Archbishop Shaw (23-2)
5. Vandebilt Catholic (25-4)
6. Lafayette Christian (24-5)
7. L.B. Landry (21-10)
8. Archbishop Hannan (15-7)
Upset Alert - No. 24 Teurlings Catholic (14-18) at No. 9 Buckeye (27-4)
The Rebels, who are coming off a close loss to St. Thomas More at the Cajundome, have played a tougher schedule than Buckeye, which has lost four of its last six games. Bradford Cain and Travis Gallien are players to watch for the Rebels.
Sleepers - No. 11 Northside (18-14), No. 10 Evangel Christian (19-8)
The Vikings, who host No. 22 Woodlawn-Shreveport (19-14), have won seven of their last eight and 10 of their last 13 games with a loss to Iowa and two to St. Thomas More. Bri'trevian Lee is a senior leader for coach Jason Herbstler.
With a win, the Vikings would travel to district rival No. 6 Lafayette Christian. Northside beat the Knights, 54-50, on the road earlier this month.
Evangel Christian, which hosts No. 23 E.D. White (18-12), has won 10 of its last 12 games. Coach Eric Shepherd Jr. has several weapons, including Braylen Clark, CJ Shiflett and Tyronn Grider.
The ECA/E.D. White winner travels to No. 7 L.B. Landry and high-scoring guard Daryl Adams III. The Buccaneers won nine of 10 games before dropping two of their final three to Edna Karr and Archbishop Shaw.
Game we want to see
No. 4 Archbishop Shaw vs. No. 5 Vandebilt Catholic
Division II non-select
Defending champion - Carroll
Top 8 seeds (top four received first-round bye)
1. Iowa (26-4)
2. Wossman (30-4)
3. Carroll (25-8)
4. Brusly (26-1)
5. Northwest (23-5)
6. Bossier (21-12)
7. Beau Chene (21-11)
8. Franklin Parish (22-11)
Darkhorse - Beau Chene
The Gators, who have won nine of their last 10 games, avenged the one loss by defeating Opelousas twice in two days.
Beau Chene has a big, physical team with Dontrell Pitre (6-5, 195), Cam'Ron Pierre (6-3, 225) and Zion Williams (6-4, 220) joined by sharpshooting guards Javontre Charles and CJ Charlot and defensive specialist Davonte Charlot-Goins.
Beau Chene hosts district rival No. 26 Livonia (15-15), which has lost five of its last six games.
Bi-district game to watch
No. 12 Crowley (19-8) entertains No. 21 St. Martinville (14-19) in a matchup of District 5-3A teams. Each won on its home floor in league play. The Tigers defeated Crowley in the second round at home as senior guard Delian Mallery scored a career-high 24 points.
Game we want to see
No. 4 Brusly vs. No. 5 Northwest in the quarterfinals. It would be a rematch of a regular-season game won by Brusly at home.
Northwest has wins over New Iberia and Southside. The Raiders have two powerful forwards in Davon Thibodeaux and Mackenzie Ardoin, coupled with athletic guards Markez Davis, Reginald Lavergne Jr., Kaleb Collins and Cortlon Young. Coach Mark Cassimere has the program set up for the future as Davis is a freshman and Lavergne and Young are sophomores.
Division III select
Defending champion
Isidore Newman
Top 8 seeds (all received first-round bye)
1. Isidore Newman (16-3)
2. Dunham (25-7)
3. University Lab (21-7)
4. Calvary Baptist (22-6)
5. St. Thomas Aquinas (18-10)
6. Catholic-New Iberia (25-7)
7. St. Charles (23-5)
8. Sophie B. Wright (23-8)
Darkhorses - No. 6 Catholic-New Iberia/No. 5 St. Thomas Aquinas
The Panthers have bigs in 6-9 Joab Trosclair and 6-6 Jacob Minvielle. Chris Green (6-1, 195) and Tyler Templeton (6-1, 190) are physical forwards who effectively grapple for rebounds. Guards Jaiden Mitchell and Tristan Lewis shoot a high percentage from the perimeter.
The Panthers host the winner of No. 11 Capitol (18-11)/No. 22 Glenmora (14-16), while St. Thomas Aquinas awaits the winner of No. 12 Helix Mentorship Academy (19-12)/No. 21 Glen Oaks (12-19).
With Kohen Rowbatham and Kendrell Perry, STA can give anybody a problem. The Falcons defeated Liberty towards the end of the regular season.
Game we want to see
No. 4 Calvary Baptist vs. No. 5 St. Thomas Aquinas.
Division III non-select
Defending champion
Port Allen
Top 8 seeds (top four received first-round bye)
1. French Settlement (29-3)
2. Rayville (21-9)
3. Winnfield (18-8)
4. Vinton (18-4)
5. Madison Parish (21-7)
6. Marksville (17-16)
7. Richwood (18-13)
8. Donaldsonville (16-10)
Four-time defending state champion Port Allen (7-17) is on the road as a No. 21 seed at No. 12 Westlake (17-10).
Deceptive Record - No. 16 Ville Platte (14-15)
The Bulldogs, who host No. 17 Sterlington (17-13), lost seven straight games at one point. Ville Platte bounced back to win seven straight before losing in the District 4-3A championship game at Northwest.
Darkhorse - Loreauville
No. 11 Loreauville (17-10), which hosts No. 22 Pine (18-15), is seeded highest in school history. The Tigers of coach Darrell Ceasar led Franklin by 10 points in the second half before dropping a close one.
Division IV select
Defending champion
Northwood-Lena
Top 8 seeds (all received first-round bye)
1. Crescent City (21-5)
2. St. Martin's Episcopal (22-6)
3. Southern Lab (23-10)
4. St. Mary's (24-6)
5. Lincoln Prep (17-8)
6. Hamilton Christian (14-9)
7. Central Catholic (17-8)
8. St. Frederick (14-11)
Game we want to see
No. 4 St. Mary's vs. No. 5 Lincoln Prep.
The Tigers have won 17 of their last 18, highlighted by wins over Alexandria and Northside. Lincoln Prep, the 2023 runner-up, had a 14-game winning streak halted by Dunham in the regular-season finale.
Bi-district game to watch
Defending champion No. 23 Northwood-Lena (14-16) travels to No. 10 Westminster Christian-Opelousas (13-13). First-year coach Craig Green has the Crusaders hosting a playoff game for the first time since 2018. Bryce Guillory is a senior standout for WCA.
Division IV non-select
Defending champion
North Central
Top 8 seeds (top four received first-round bye)
1. Lakeview (24-6)
2. Ringgold (25-9)
3. Oakdale (15-6)
4. Pickering (22-9)
5. North Central (17-13)
6. Franklin (19-7)
7. Delhi (19-7)
8. Welsh (16-12)
Game we want to see
No. 5 North Central vs. No. 1 Lakeview in the semifinals. Even as defending state champs, the Hurricanes have something to prove, a player who can take over a game in Mckennis Savoie, and a great coach in Basil Brown.
Bi-district games to watch
No. 6 Franklin is at home to take on No. 27 Jonesboro-Hodge. Franklin returned a good bit from the 2023 runner-up team, including guards Jay'Shaun Johnson and Jkylon Ceasar. White Castle (15-16), which lost to Franklin in the semifinals as a No. 2 seed, is the No. 14 seed and will host No. 19 Merryville (15-14).
Division V select
Defending champion
Avoyelles Public Charter
Top 8 seeds (top two received first-round bye)
1. Avoyelles Public Charter (23-11)
2. J.S. Clark (21-8)
3. Episcopal School of Acadiana (23-9)
4. Rapides (21-11)
5. Plainview (18-12)
6. Claiborne Christian (17-14)
7. Family Christian (9-19)
8. Northside Christian (10-22)
Tournament notes
Avoyelles Public Charter returned Jalen Brown and Armonuii Benjamin from last season's 35-1 team which won state. The Vikings beefed up their schedule, which included games against Madison Prep, Lafayette Christian, Dunham, Lakeview, Rayviille, Opelousas, Northside, David Thibodaux, Alexandria and McKinley.
J.S. Clark handed Lacassine two of its three losses. The Bulldogs also swept another District 6-B rival, Episcopal School of Acadiana, which has one of its more talented squads with Jacob Vilar, Miles Eble, Semar Flugence.and Javion George.
Division V non-select
Defending champion
Zwolle
Top 8 seeds (top four received first-round bye)
1. Zwolle (25-3)
2. Anacoco (32-7)
3. Lacassine (34-3)
4. Negreet (28-3)
5. Doyline (23-3)
6. Gibsland-Coleman (13-9)
7. Quitman (21-9)
8. Singer (23-10)
Game we want to see
No. 4 Negreet vs. No. 5 Doyline. Negreet split four games with Zwolle and two with Anacoco. Doyline has won 13 of 14. The two programs met in the 2023 opening round, with No. 6 Doyline eliminating the No. 27 Indians, 66-50.
Anacoco, which finished as 2023 runner-up to Zwolle, defeated the Hawks during the regular season.
Photo of Liberty Magnet's Malek Robinson (with ball) and Scotlandville's Jamal Drewery by John Oubre, The Advocate
-- Mike Coppage | @SBLiveLA
