LHSAA 2nd Round Predictions: Div. I
9) Archbishop Rummel vs. 8) Holy Cross
This is going to be the third game of the season series between these two teams, and Rummel has come away with the win in each of the last two games, including a game that was just two weeks ago. Rummel really opened up the offense in that game, and went for a season high 74 points. If Rummel’s offense looks like that, I have a totally different outlook on them the rest of the season. However, I think that might have been fools gold. I will give Rummel the slight edge here, but a Holy Cross victory wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest.
PHLA Pick: Rummel
5) Jesuit Def. 12) Evangel
Jesuit was able to keep their season alive with a 10 point victory over Evangel at home. Jesuit was lead by their stellar back court in Elijah Morgan and Will Landrieu, who combined for 36 of their teams 57 points.
13) Archbishop Shaw vs. 4) McKinley
As the 13th seed, Shaw is the worst team in Div. I. They did not win a single game in the historic Catholic league this season, and only won 4 games all season. On the opposite side, McKinley has the 2nd best player in Div. I in Tyrece Radford who almost single handedly dragged McKinley to the state title last season. I’m going to go with McKinley
PHLA Pick: McKinley
11) John Curtis vs. 6) St. Augustine
This is going to be a very interesting matchup between another two teams in the Catholic league out of New Orleans. John Curtis is one of the hottest teams in Div. I and are definitely playing some of their best basketball of the season, winning 5 straight and 6 of their last 7. The same thing can be said for St. Aug who has won their last 8 straight, although against admittedly worse competition. This is going to be a close one, so I’m going to give the edge to the team with the better coach, so I will go with St. Augustine for the better gameplan.
PHLA Pick: St. Augustine
7) Byrd vs. 10) Brother Martin
This is another very interesting matchup. Brother Martin has lost a ton of talent from last year’s squad that reached the championship game, but they should have never gotten that far in the first place. That was simply an example of Brother Martin’s coach out coaching everyone along the way and willing his less talented teams to victory, and I think he might be able to do the same thing again this season. At least in the first round.
PHLA Pick: Brother Martin