District 1-5A Breakdown & Playoff Predictions
For the better part of the season, district 1-5A looked as if they might be a one bid district in the non-select playoffs. However, in the last three weeks, it looks as if the district may indeed place three teams…
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Continue ReadingFor the better part of the season, district 1-5A looked as if they might be a one bid district in the non-select playoffs. However, in the last three weeks, it looks as if the district may indeed place three teams in the playoffs. When C.E. Byrd and Evangel are added on the select side, district 1-5A might have five playoff teams. We will breakdown the potential playoff teams and what it will take for them to be successful during the second season.
Airline Vikings (18-11)
During the last released rankings from the LHSAA, the Vikings were listed at #32. So, with two games to go, they have a lot of work to do to secure a playoff birth. While they should easily defeat Haughton on Tuesday, Friday’s contest against Southwood might be what determines their playoff fate. The Vikes beat Southwood by one at Airline two weeks ago and have won the last four district head-to-heads. Needless to say, they have more than a puncher’s chance of coming out with the victory. With the game being at Southwood, they will need to play one of their best games of the season to be victorious.
Players to watch: Airline should rely on two seniors to help them secure their playoff birth. TJ Robinson (5’9″, 2019) needs to control tempo throughout the next two contest. During the Southwood contest, he will need to score 16 to 20. Fellow senior De’Quan Randle (6’4″, 2019) also needs to be the best guard/wing on the floor offensively and defensively. If he can accomplish that, Airline should secure a spot.
Prediction: Airline will garner the 31st or 32nd spot. They may win a game against a Thibodaux team without Shawn Royal. That is a big ask though. I do not see them moving past the first round.
Captain Shreve Gators (17-12)
During the last three weeks Captain Shreve has catapulted from being out of the playoff discussion to firmly in it. Chris Bush has his team playing with passion and purpose as they try to claim one of the coveted 32 spots. While they finish their season with Parkway, they face Southwood for the outright district lead on Tuesday. The visit to Southwood did not go well as the Gators lost by 33 points. This time Shreve is hosting and the game should have a different outcome.
Players to watch: The Shreve junior-senior combo of Kendal Coleman (6’5″, 2020) and Marvin Young (6’3″, 2019) must have big games on offense and defense. Coleman has to control the paint along with the backboards on each end. His presence has to be felt. Young actually needs to force the action in the frontcourt. He might have to score in the high teens to open up things for Coleman and the Gator shooters. While Southwood is the tougher game of the two, Parkway will be ready. These two players need to have their A-game going.
Prediction: If Shreve goes 2-0, they may raise past #30. 1-1 will get them in the playoffs, however. Position thirty looks like a meeting with Walker at home however. If that happens, Shreve will be one and done.
Southwood Cowboys (23-9)
Coach Eddie Hamilton has the #16 ranked team in 5A going into the last week of the season. That position might change due to factors in and out of their control. One way be the final calculations of their out-of-state play. The other is that their two most difficult district games are the last two of the season. The Cowboys have to play Captain Shreve and Airline during the final week in playoff, do or die situations for both opponents. Needless to say the Cowboys are trying to secure a home first round game themselves. Two tough opponents can get a team playoff ready. It can also tire them out. Going 2-0 this week will have them very prepared needless to say.
Players to watch: While Rod Stinson (6’3″, 2019) has been a barometer for the Cowboys (when he scores they win), the players to watch are seniors SD Ellis (6’3″, 2019) and Bobby Baker (5’5″, 2019). Baker sets the defensive intensity for the team. His ability to set the tempo in the fullcourt and halfcourt will determine the pace of the game in these last two contest. Ellis has to score. Airline bottled him up for a half before he exploded in the second. His diverse scoring ability is the key to the Cowboys success.
Prediction: Even if Southwood goes 1-1 this week, they should receive a home game first round. 2-0 will make that a definite. This team has the firepower to win a state championship. Their longevity in the playoffs depends on their seeding. I do see a trip to Lake Charles for this team because 5A is so wide open.
C. E. Byrd Yellowjackets (11-13)
The Byrd Yellowjackets have known all year that they are going to be playoff bound. The question is where they would be seeded in the Division I playoffs. They began last week as the 6th seed and progressed to lose by double digits to Shreve and Southwood. Now they need to win this week to probably get that seeding back. With only twelve teams participating due to the playoff ban for McKinley, their seeding truly will matter when they find out their opponent during the weekend.
Player to watch: Kevin Lemons is the true barometer for the Yellowjackets. He has a high basketball IQ and has the ability to get his own shot. Lemons is also a lefty so he is a hard guard for most players. If he plays well, Byrd’s offense tends to run better. They will need him to play at his best on the offensive end without taking a dip on defense.
Prediction: This Byrd team should win a home playoff game if they get one. I do not see them going past the the quarterfinals however.
Evangel Christian Academy Eagles (3-16)
The Eagles are the lowest rate team in Division I. Consequently, they do have two district wins. So, depending on the matchup, they might be able to steal a win. Even if they defeat Byrd in their last game of the season, they can not improve above the 13th seed. If the year ended today, they would have to travel to New Orleans and face Jesuit. Hopefully that game will be a merciful end to the Eagles season.
Prediction: The Eagles will be one and done in the 2019 playoffs. The higher seeds are just to strong for them to pull and upset.
District 1-5A has definitely seen better days. Last year every team was rated #16 or below and it almost looks like that will happen this year. The Cowboys made a quarterfinals appearance and can make another one. It is playoff basketball, however. So it all depends on how the ball bounces.