St. Martinville Tournament: Day 1 Preview
Big Games:
Breaux Bridge vs. NISH
This is going to be a good matchup between two well coached squads. For NISH, they usually rely on their athleticism and defensive grit to grind out tough games. That don’t have much size, and that can hurt them, especially against the size and length that Breaux Bridge poses. Both of these teams like to get up and down, but I think that the size for Breaux Bridge is going to be too much of a problem for NISH.
PHLA Pick: Breaux Bridge
Cecilia vs. Westgate
Cecilia has been on a bit of a skid lately, losing 4 of their last five games. Sadly for them, I don’t see their luck changing against Westgate. Westgate was very impressive last week at LCA’s Showcase Classic, and I see them as the team to beat this week at St. Martinville’s Holiday Shootout.
PHLA Pick: Westgate
Hamilton Christian vs. Tioga
I expect this to be the best matchup of the first round, and if these two teams weren’t going up against each other, they could both possibly make it to the championship game. Hamilton Christian is still a very young team, but their young talent is incredibly impressive. For Tioga, they have one of the best backcourt’s in the state, in Dustin Roy and Ty Sanders, both of which are capable of going for 30 on any given night. I’m going to go with the experience that Tioga brings to the table, but I think it will be a tight one down the stretch.
PHLA Pick: Tioga
Other Games:
St. Martinville vs. Avoyelles
PHLA Pick: Avoyelles
Lake Charles College Prep vs. Church Academy
PHLA Pick: Lake Charles College Prep
Jeanerette vs. JS Clark
PHLA Pick: Jeanerette