The Road to Marsh Madness: Class 5A Edition Part I
On President’s Day, the LHSAA released the final power rankings of the season and all 12 playoff brackets. Last year being new to the scene, I did not take a stab at predicting playoff rounds. This year is different. I…
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Continue ReadingOn President’s Day, the LHSAA released the final power rankings of the season and all 12 playoff brackets. Last year being new to the scene, I did not take a stab at predicting playoff rounds. This year is different. I will look at the round of 32 in class 5A and see if I can give some insite into what we might see in the second round.
#32 Terrebonne vs #1 Thibodaux
The Tigers of Terrebonne travel to the Tigers of Thibodaux for this first round matchup. Thibodaux is led by the backcourt of Marvin Robertson, Jr. (6’2″, 2019) and Kobi Johnson (5’9″, 2019) while Terrebonne follows the lead of Taihgan Poindexter (6’2″, 2019). Thibodaux comes into the playoffs with the best record in class 5A. With the leadership of Robertson and Johnson, they will more than likely show why they have the best record. Terrebonne lost to Thibodaux earlier this season by thirteen and I do not see much changing in this contest. Poindexter has to have an otherworldly performance and I do not see that happening.
Prediction: Thibodaux
#17 Hahnville vs #16 Lafayette
Hahnville will travel up I-10 to face the Lions of Lafayette in the 16-17 matchup of the first round. While this is an even contest on paper, Lafayette has the clear advantage hosting the game in their home gym. Hahnville should feel confident in this game knowing that they have played well against good teams like Country Day and Thibodaux. In a game that can go either way, the game will probably hinge on the play of each team’s young bigs. Hahnville sophomore Kaden Pierre (6’3″, 2021) is a paint bruiser who score in the paint. Corey Dunning (6’4, 2020) is a stud in the making. He can make the three ball and rebound. If he is not blocked out, someone better watch their head. The player who gets the most help out of these two will bring home the victory.
Prediction: Lafayette
#24 Broadmoor vs #9 Natchitoches Central
The Natchitoches Central Chiefs are making yet another class 5A playoff appearance. This time they are hosting the Broadmoor Buccaneers out of district 5-5A. Each team has been battle tested playing in two of the tougher districts in the class. While the Chiefs won their final two district games, the Bucs dropped four in a row to close the season. From the looks of the tape I have seen, this should be an up and down contest. In an up-tempo game, guard play will be essential. There are none better in the open court than Calvin “CJ” Carpenter (6’3″, 2019). He is a nightmare to guard in the open floor. Broadmoor will counter with ballhawk Zacorey Lewis (6’0″, 2019) and wideout/wing Najee Jones (6’4″, 2019). The Chiefs aggressive defense, which causes a ton of turnovers, should be the difference in the outcome of this game.
Prediction: Natchitoches Central
#25 Zachary vs #8 Southwood
The 8th-rated Cowboys enter the playoffs having won their first outright district title in 16 years as well as 13 of their last 14. They will be playing the Zachary Broncos who are a young, gritty team out of district 4-5A. Zachary has two highflyers in all-world receiver Chris Hilton (6’3″, 2021) and Darian Ward (6’3″, 2020) who seem to be walking highlight reels. The Cowboys have an uber-talented, leaper in Christian Caldwell (6’6″, 2020) themselves along with a plethora of long, athletic wings who can guard multiple positions. This game will probably come down to senior leadership and scoring which the Cowboys have a ton of. SD Ellis (6’3″, 2019) and Rod Stinson (6’3″, 2019) are the best scoring tandem in the class and can explode at any time. If the Cowboys control the boards, they can definitely score enough to win this one.
Prediction: Southwood
#28 Alexandria vs #5 Ponchatoula
Another 2-5A team, the ASH Trojans will travel south to face the Green Wave of Ponchatoula during the class 5A first round. Ponchatoula has a distinct size advantage with 6’8″ twin towers TJ Finley (6’8″, 2020) and Peyton Anderson (6’8″, 2019). Both players can be a terror on the offensive and defensive boards and probably will use their height to have a clear advantage over the smaller Trojans. If ASH has any chance to win, they need to hope that junior guard Dez McQuain (6’0″, 2020) plays and plays well after missing the season finale against Natchitoches Central. Point guard Connor Osborne (6’0″, 2019) for the Green Wave can hound guards defensively if need be. I do not see this one being close.
Prediction: Ponchatoula
#21 Destrehan vs #12 LaGrange
LaGrange will take on the Wildcats of Destrehan in their round of 32 matchup. The Gators have plenty of firepower on offense and the big man in the middle, Darrell Washington (6’6″, 2020), is the one leading the show. Watching film, it appears that every time he gets a rebound or a block, the outlet goes to seniors Malachi Fairley (6’1″) or Allen Johnson (5’11”). This team turns defense into offense quickly and it appears that most teams are not prepared to keep up. This Gator team has also won 13 of 14 so their confidence is at a season high. Destrehan, who has won its four games, will need to be stellar on the defense to keep this one close. If they can do that, they might be able to walk out of Lake Charles with the W.
Prediction: LaGrange
#20 West Jefferson vs #13 St. Amant
The Gators of St. Amant will host the Bucs of West Jefferson in the first round. St. Amant will have the job of stopping senior wing Tony White (6’4″). White scores, rebounds, and plays point so it will take a stout, team effort to prevent him from making his mark on the game. Gator guard sophomore Gavin Harris (6’2″) can make offensive plays as well so the Buccaneers will have to account for his ability to do such. This game will probably come down to paint dominance and that is where St. Amant should excel. 6’5 juniors Destin Barker and Tyrone Johnson should rebound the ball to effectively for West Jeff. Gators should prevail in a close one.
Prediction: St. Amant
#29 Hammond vs #4 Bonnabel
The Tornadoes of Hammond will face the Bonnabel in a south Louisiana, first round contest. Guard play is going to be at its optimuum with the players on the court in this one. Bonnabel has D1 recruit Rodney Munson (6’2″, 2019) and senior flamethrower Donte Mitchell (5’11”) who are excellent in the open floor when it comes to making the proper play. The Hammond duo of Zytravien Knox (6’5″, 2021) and Albert Williams (6’0″, 2020) are not bad either in that aspect. Hammond will have to keep the Bruins from having big runs like during the contest. If they an accomplish that feat, they may have a chance of pulling the upset. Personally, I see too much firepower on the Bruins team. It will be close early. However, the Bruins will pull away late.
Prediction: Bonnabel
The top half of the bracket is a tough one and has plenty of good teams. It is also one that will probably not see many upsets. I will continue to make my predictions by looking at the bottom half of the class 5A bracket and several other brackets until Friday.