Louisiana Playoffs: 4A First Round Preview
The time is finally here! Playoff time, baby! (even if this is the weakest classes and divisions in state history, with the select/non-select split coming into effect this year.) This might be the last year that the LHSAA features all…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe time is finally here! Playoff time, baby! (even if this is the weakest classes and divisions in state history, with the select/non-select split coming into effect this year.) This might be the last year that the LHSAA features all of the top teams in the state, with rumors of the biggest select and non-select schools leaving the LHSAA and creating their own athletic association. But we can put all of that out of our minds for the next three weeks as the best teams in each class and division duke it out until there is only one team remaining to be crowned the state champion. We here at Prep Hoops LA are going to be breaking down every single playoff game and making predictions for each. This is going to be our predictions for 4A.
1. Washington Marion vs. 32. Leesville
This game has already been played, with Washington Marion coming out on top, 79-55. Washington Marion has started their playoffs with domination, and they are hoping their seaon ends with a win.
PHLA Pick: Washington Marion
16. Edna Karr vs. 17. St. Martinville
These are two very proud teams with rich history in the Louisiana basketball history. These teams played earlier in the year, with Karr winning by 6 in the tournament hosted by St. Martinville. Coach Mitchell at St. Martinville does a really good job preparing his teams, especially when going against a team that has already beaten them. I see St. Martinville picking up the win on the road.
PHLA Pick: St. Martinville
9. Opelousas vs. 24. Assumption
Opelousas started the season off hot, and despite cooling down since then, continued to rack up impressive wins during a grueling district slate. I don’t see Assumption coming up with the talent in order to get the upset.
PHLA Pick: Opelousas
8. Tioga vs. 25. Beau Chene
This is another game that was played a day early, with Tioga winning by a score of 78-62. I was really expecting better things from Beau Chene after they got off to such a great start, winning their first nine games of the season. However, they seemed to fall apart come district time, losing six of their last seven.
PHLA Pick: Tioga
5. Fair Park vs. 28. Neville
Fair Park was a team that I was high on in the preseason, returning many of the key players from last years deep run to the quarterfinals. I was a little worried that I’d be wrong after they stumbled out the gate going only 3-2. They are 23-6 since. Consider all fears squashed. (Unless Neville can somehow manage to get this game played on a football field.)
PHLA Pick: Fair Park
12. Deridder vs 21. Salmen
For nearly any other team than Deridder, I would be worried that this could be a trap game, with 6’9 Mike Young for Salmen capable of affecting the game too much on the defensive side. But with the draw of Deridder, they can throw their own big man out in Randy Gladney, and he should be able to at the very least make it a draw. The rest of the players for Deridder should make up the rest.
PHLA Pick: Deridder
13. Abbeville vs. 20. Huntington
This is going to be Abbeville’s last season competing in 4A for the forseeable future, as they are going to be dropping back down to 3A next year. I think they have at least one more 4A playoff win in them thought before they go out.
PHLA Pick: Abbeville
4. Woodlawn-Shreve vs. 29. Breaux Bridge
This is not the way that Breaux Bridge was expecting the season to go, with their best player tearing his ACL before the season even began. They would have a hard enough time making up for their lack of talent against Woodlawn without the 3+ hour bus ride to get there. This has been the year from hell for Breaux Bridge.
PHLA Pick: Woodlawn-Shreve
3. Westgate vs. 30. Warren-Easton
Another on of the games that has already been played, with Westgate winning, but by a smaller margin than I’m sure many were expecting, taking it 74-67. There are now two ways this playoff run could go for Westgate. Either this is a sign of things to come, and they get bounced out earlier than expected, or this gives them a chance that not many get in the playoffs and refocus, leading to a deep run. We shall see.
PHLA Pick: Westgate
14. McDonough 35 vs. 19. Morgan City
And here it is! The first official upset of the season! This has been the first time this playoffs that the lower ranked team has beaten a higher ranked team on the basketball court, and not just forfeited the game. And I must admit, I did not see this coming. Morgan City has been playing well as of late, but 35 had been rolling through competition up to this point. Marsh Madness has begun!
PHLA Pick: Morgan City
10. LaGrange vs. 22. Franklinton
LaGrange is a team that I had high expectations of coming into the season because of the size and talent that they have on the front line. J’son Brooks is a top 20 talent in the state, and has multiple D1 offers, and they are able to pair him with a 6’6 big man in the paint. Now that its tournament time, all of those disappointing losses are behind them, and they can start back up 0-0. I wouldn’t be surprised by a deep run by LaGrange
PHLA Pick: LaGrange
6. Plaquemine vs. 27. Cecilia
Plaquemine is a team coming off a trip to the Top 28, and as a result has played a very tough schedule. They have come up on top more often than not this season, and I expect this game to be more of the same.
PHLA Pick: Plaquemine
7. A.J. Ellender vs. 26. Bastrop
Another game played ahead of time, with Ellender coming up with a big win 95-64. This could be a sign of things to come for an Ellender team that has always had the talent, yet has had too many inexplicable losses.
PHLA Pick: Ellender
10. Carencro vs. 23. Rayne
Many of the best players from both of these teams play for the same AAU team, but something tells me that when they are on the court there won’t be too much love. Talent for talent, Carencro is going to have a lot more, and if they play an up and down game, Carencro should come away with the win.
PHLA Pick: Carencro
15. Northside vs. 18. Crowley
Northside is always going to be a tough enviroment to get a win in, especially during playoff time, but I think that Crowley has a chance here. Come playoff time, size travels better than anything else, and 6’8 Chris Osten for Crowley has a chance to completely dominate this game.
PHLA Pick: Crowley
2. Bossier vs. 32. West Ouachita
Bossier is the defending state champion, and won’t be going out so quickly in the first round. This is my lock in 4A.
PHLA Pick: Bossier