Showdown in the Lake First Round Predictions
Top Half:
Scotlandville vs. LCCP
I like some of the young talent that LCCP brings to the table, especially 2020 G Caleb Robinson, but I just don’t think they have the firepower to keep up with all the talent Scotlandville has. And that’s no slight to LCCP. Not many teams do.
Prediction: Scotlandville
Wossman vs. Dunham
Wossman is a really solid team so far this year. They are undefeated, and one of the top 5 teams in 3A. However, I think that Dunham, after winning a state title last year, has a chance to be even better this year.
Prediction: Dunham
Hamilton Christian vs. Richwood
If you are in this tournament, you are at least pretty talented. However, Hamilton Christian knows exactly what they are doing, and they have yet to lose in the first round of their own tournament. I don’t expect that to change this season.
Prediction: Hamilton Christian
Bossier vs. North Central
I will be honest, I really like the program that North Central is building, and I think that they are going to be really successful for years to come. However, their talent is too young to be competing against one of the best, if not the best team in the state.
Prediction: Bossier
Bottom Half:
Walker vs. Red River
This is going to be the most interesting matchup in the first round, in my opinion. This is a matchup between the best point guard in the state for 2020 (Jalen Cook) against the best point guard in the state for 2021 (Emareyon McDonald). I think that both of these teams are capable of rising to the occasion, so I would be pretty surprised if this isn’t a close game down to the wire. I think that it is going to come down to who’s second best player on each team plays better, and I think I give the slight edge to Brian Thomas of Walker
Prediction: Walker
Washington-Marion vs. Woodlawn Shreve
This is a matchup of teams heading in opposite directions as programs. For Washington Marion, they are already 0-2, and I expect this is going to be one of the worst seasons for them in quite some time. On the other side, Woodlawn Shreve is coming off a loss in the state title game, and looks poised to make it back there again. I’ll take Woodlawn in a blowout win.
Prediction: Woodlawn
Peabody vs. Carroll
Carroll is a really interesting team, with a ton of size and length at the 3-5 spots. They have a pair of 2021 twin towers that have a chance to be pretty good for their high school career. However, the big difference in this game is going to be the guards, and Peabody simply has the better guards.
Prediction: Peabody
Landry Walker vs. Rayville
I expect this to be one of the better games of the first round, if not the best game. It is tough to make the case that Rayville isn’t the best team in the state, but Landry-Walker isn’t going to be too far behind. Both of these teams love to play up and down, so I think this is going to be a super fun game to watch as a spectator. However, I think that the talent for Rayville is simply going to be too much for Landry-Walker to handle.
Prediction: Rayville