Louisiana Power Rankings Quick Glance (2A-Class C)
This past Tuesday, the LHSAA released the latest unofficial power rankings. Even though basketball action was slowed this week due to wintry weather in north Louisiana, some teams have made moves up (and down) the rankings. Many teams are jockeying for prime positions to make a deep playoff run in classes 5A-3A. In the lower classifications, teams are finishing their district schedule and awaiting what the playoffs have to offer. Here on Prep Hoops LA, we will take a quick look at the teams to watch for as the season moves closer to playoff time.
Class C – Thirteen of the 25 class C schools come from north Louisiana. Summerfield is the #1 team in class C. They have four loses on the season at the hands of schools such as Jehovah-Jireh (#1 in Division 5), Union Parish (#7 in class 3A), and Simsboro (#1 in class B). Despite those losses, they appear primed to take the class C title. They have won their last four games which include wins over #2 (class B) Zwolle and #2 (class 2A) North Caddo. Simpson and Saline, who have championship histories, sit at numbers two and three, respectively. Saline might be the biggest threat since they lost by six at Summerfield earlier in the season. If a future game is played at a neutral site, the outcome could be different.
Class B – Of the 31 schools that make up class B, fifteen reside in north Louisiana. Simsboro and Zwolle are in a virtual tie for the top ranking with Simsboro leading by .001 of a point. The separation is due to the ten point victory Simsboro had over Zwolle earlier in the season. These two have a non-district game that might effect their ranking. Zwolle will host class 2A Many while Simsboro will play class 4A Neville whom they beat by two in December. It looks like they will be the two teams represening class B in Lake Charles.
Class 1A – Undefeated and top ranked Tensas leads the seventeen team contingent from north Louisiana. They have won their first six district games to go along with beating higher classification projected playoff teams like Franklin Parish, Pineville, and Neville. Tensas is almost three full power ranking points ahead of second place North Central. By all the stats, they look like the odds on favorite to win the state championship. With over half of the class sitting below .500, no contender in the class looks like they will see a competitive game until the quarterfinals. Unless on of the teams like North Central or White Castle beat them in the semifinals or championship game, Tensas might finish the season unblemished.
Class 2A – Rayville has been the class of 2A this season. However, the undefeated Hornets are not the only school representing north Louisiana in the 2A rankings. The first three slots are held by north Louisiana schools (#2 North Caddo and #3 Many) and thirteen of the thirty-two playoff positions are occupied by teams from the north Louisiana districts. Just like class 1A, the top eight seeds might not see a tough game until the quarters. Wild card teams like #10 Independence (2 losses) and #19 Martin Luther King Charter (17 wins) could make a surprise run if they continue to play well. Rayville, however, is still the head of the class. It will be shocking if they do not win the 2A state title in March.