LHSAA Class 1A Tournament Preview
2016 Allstate Sugar Bowl/LHSAA Boys' Top 28 Basketball Tournament Class 1A// Above you’ll see the link to get to the bracket for the respective class in this article. We’ll take a look at Class 1A as we continue to preview…
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Continue Reading2016 Allstate Sugar Bowl/LHSAA Boys' Top 28 Basketball Tournament Class 1A//
Above you’ll see the link to get to the bracket for the respective class in this article. We’ll take a look at Class 1A as we continue to preview the state playoffs. Last season’s state champion in 1A has moved up to 2A so we’ll see a new champion for sure. Only one champion since Southern Lab won in 2005 is still in Class 1A (White Castle in 2011) meaning there will be a team winning that at the very least is quite some time removed from a title. Southern Lab, Grambling Lab, and White Castle are the only three teams in 1A with a title since I’ve been alive. All roads lead to Lake Charles where the final four for each of the seven classes make up the Top 28. With future changes on the horizon, this may be the last season we see things play out this way in the state of Louisiana.
Class 1A
We’d be very much remiss if we didn’t admit that 1A has been, for the most part, a runaway this season. The top spot has been held onto by a wide margin for the vast majority of the season and the frontrunner is clear. That being said, there are some very familiar teams that have been in the Top 28 numerous times in recent memory. There are also a few teams that with a big win or two could put a stamp in school history.
The obvious frontrunner mentioned above is Lafayette Christian who at 27-2 is one of the best teams in all classes, especially since the return of 2017 6’6 F Galen Alexander who has become a national recruit. He gives them the size they needed to really take advantage of other teams. They are also led by senior twin 6’3 guards Jacob and Kalob Ledoux who are committed to McNeese State. 2018 star guard Greg Williams stands at 6’2 and gives them a distinct size advantage coupled with a few other key players over almost anyone they will see.
Arcadia is the biggest challenger and have not experienced a loss since football players have become comfortable back on the court. At 21-5, they hold a 21 game win streak and have plenty of experience in big games. Senior guards in 6’0 Travious Fielding and 6’2 Danquarian Fields plus 5’9 junior guard Anthony Boston Jr all average over 15 points and have a plethora of experience. The only issue is as the 4 seed, they would see LCA in the semi-finals instead of the title game if it plays out.
The 2 seed, Northwood-Lena, is led by 6’9 senior forward Mike Layssard who is committed to Rhode Island. The big man can play inside or out and is one of the toughest match-ups in the class. The 5 seed Varnado squad is having their best season in quite some time and have some solid depth. They are one of the more high scoring teams in the area.
A potential quarterfinal match-up to get to the Top 28 looms large for 3 seed Southern Lab and 6 seed Grambling Lab. Grambling is led by two juniors in 6’5 F Kaedrick Williams and 6’0 G Tylan Dean. The duo is high scoring and fills the stat sheet up. For Southern Lab, it’s also a wealth of young talent and Southern signee for football and basketball 6’6 F Bladrick Veal as one of the lone seniors. They’ll need their guard play to continue to improve if they want to make a run.
Hamilton Christian as the 8 seed has played one of the toughest schedules in the entire state. Led by to juniors in 6’3 G Camren Hare and 6’0 PG Kenan Fontenot, they will be very battle tested. Their 2nd round match-up could end up being Sicily Island and one of the state’s leading scorers in 2018 6’2 G Devion Dunbar.
Two other players to watch in round one include White Castle 6’4 junior forward Ja’Tyre Carter-White and Ascension Episcopal 5’8 sophomore PG Eli Mouton.