Louisiana Playoffs: Division III 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. We are going to be moving on to Division III, which is the select side of 2A.
16. Notre Dame vs. 17. Catholic N.I.
This is going to be a matchup between two very similar style schools. Even though Catholic NI is probably going to have the best player on the court in Semaj Flugence, I think Notre Dame is going to have the 2nd 3rd and 4th best players, so I think Notre Dame’s depth is going to give them the advantage
PHLA Pick: Notre Dame
12. Isidore Newman vs. 21. Opelousas Catholic
The bottom line is one of these teams has Riley Demps and the other one does not. Riley is good enough to win any single game by himself, and I don’t think anyone on OC is going to be good enough to slow him down. Look for Isidore Newman as a possible sleeper pick to get to the quarter or even semifinals based off of Demps play alone. If he gets hot, no one can stop him.
PHLA Pick: Isidore Newman
13. St. Charles vs. 20. Calvary Baptist
St. Charles is a good team with some quality wins, but they play in the toughest district in 2A, and their record looks much worse because of it. I still believe that they will have the talent and coaching required to get the win in the first round.
PHLA Pick: St. Charles
14. Christian Life vs. 19. Ouachita Christian
I’m sure this isn’t the way Christian Life was hoping this season would go, after losing Coach Stephen Dale to St.Paul’s in the offseason and bringing in a whole new coaching staff at the beginning of the year. However, I don’t think this team is going to roll over that easy and bow out in the first round.
PHLA Pick: Christian Life
11. Northlake Christian vs. 22. Haynes Academy
Northlake Christian is a pretty talented team that has spent the latter half of the season either beating up on weaker teams or losing to more competitive teams. I think this is going to be a weaker team that Northlake is going to beat up on.
PHLA Pick: Northlake Christian
10. St. Thomas Aquinas vs. 23. Sacred Heart
St. Thomas Aquinas isn’t a great team, but they’ve shown through district play that they are capable of beating some competitive teams in their own division. Also Sacred Heart is the worst team in Division III. I think STA takes it.
PHLA Pick: St. Thomas Aquinas
15. Lee Magnet vs. 18. Pope John Paul II
Lee Magnet is a senior lead team that can also rely on scoring coming from 6’4 sophomore wing Jeremiah Willis. He has the potential to be the best player in this game, so I am going to go with Lee Magnet to get the win.
PHLA Pick: Lee Magnet