Louisiana Playoffs: 2A First Round Predictions
The time is finally here! Playoff time, baby! (even if this is the weakest classes and divisions in state history, with the select/non-select split coming into effect this year.) This might be the last year that the LHSAA features all…
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Continue ReadingThe time is finally here! Playoff time, baby! (even if this is the weakest classes and divisions in state history, with the select/non-select split coming into effect this year.) This might be the last year that the LHSAA features all of the top teams in the state, with rumors of the biggest select and non-select schools leaving the LHSAA and creating their own athletic association. But we can put all of that out of our minds for the next three weeks as the best teams in each class and division duke it out until there is only one team remaining to be crowned the state champion. We here at Prep Hoops LA are going to be breaking down every single playoff game and making predictions for each. We are going to be moving on to 2A now
1. Madison Prep vs. 32. Rosepine
Even though Rosepine is a proud school with a rich history and a coach in Daniel Fletcher that has 1,000 career wins, one of these teams is Madison Prep, and the other team isn’t. I’m going with Madison Prep
PHLA Pick: Madison Prep
16. Sterlington vs. 17. Doyle
Sterlington is lead by a very talented and experienced senior guard in Jaylon Naron, and I don’t see him letting his team go down in the first round at home.
PHLA Pick: Sterlington
9. Welsh vs. 24. Lakeside
Welsh is coming into the game winning 11 of their last 13. On the opposite side of the spectrum, Lakeside has lost 9 of their last 11. I don’t see those odds turning around this week.
PHLA Pick: Welsh
8. Mamou vs. 25. Jeanerette
Mamou’s front court is huge! With 6’8 center Russell Edwards protecting the paint and 6’6 swingman LilPaul Williams knocking down shots from the outside, this is a very talented team. The only way to beat Mamou is to out coach them, and I just don’t see Jeanerette doing that.
PHLA Pick: Mamou
5. Rapides vs. 28. Bunkie
Rapides is a very small team, with not a single person on their team over 6 foot. However the talent that they have at guard hard to beat in the entire state, and that is why they earned the number five seed. Eventually that size deficeit is going to hurt them, but I don’t think it’ll be this round.
PHLA Pick: Rapides
12. Lakeview vs. 21. Springfield
This might not be the same Lakeview team as last year, with Adrio Bailey graduating and now playing for Arkansas, but they have been very competitive in every game they’ve played. They have played a very tough schedule, and could easily be a 20 win team if they elected to play smaller school teams instead of challenging themselves with bigger schools. Lakeview could be the best 12 seed in the playoffs currently.
PHLA Pick: Lakeview
13. West St. Mary vs. 20. West Feliciana
I think this is going to be as competitive a game as you are going to find in the opening round, regardless of class. Both of these teams have guards and shooters to win you games. This game is just going to come down which team gets hot down the stretch. I think that West Feliciana is going to have a better penetrator at poing guard, so I give them the edge.
PHLA Pick: West Feliciana
4. Many vs. 29. General Trass
Many is riding an 11 game winning streak and a district championship to show for it. On the other end, General Trass has only won 3 games all year. I don’t see an upset in the future for them.
PHLA Pick: General Trass
3. Ferriday vs. 30. Capitol
Ferriday is a 20 win team, and even when they are playing a tougher level of competition, Dantriez Scott is usually the best player in the court. This game should be no different and Ferriday should take it easily.
PHLA Pick: Ferriday
14. Red River vs. 19. Mentorship Academy
Red River might not have many pure basketball players, what what they do have is athletes, and a system that allows that athleticism to shine through. Mentorship has skill and size, with a front line at 6’6 and 6’5. It will be an interesting matchup, but I don’t think that Red River is going to be scared by their size, and will continue to be aggressive.
PHLA Pick: Red River
11. Kinder vs. 22. Pickering
In my opinion, neither of these teams are very good, and Kinder has outranked their record. I don’t see either of these teams advancing past the first round. However, I will give the edge to Kinder playing at home.
PHLA Pick: Kinder
6. North Caddo vs. 27. Oakdale
It turns out that whenever you lose a consensus lottery pick in the NBA Draft, like North Caddo did with Robert Williams, you aren’t as good the next year. It’s really impressive that North Caddo hasn’t fallen off more than they did, in large part thanks 6’6 Christavious Thomas. I don’t think Oakdale will have anyone capable of matching up with him, making North Caddo my pick.
PHLA Pick: North Caddo
7. Sophie B. Wright vs. 26. Vinton
Sohie B. Wright is a young team that is just loaded with potential. With 3 starters above 6’4, headlined by super sophomore Charlie Russell, they will be a tough matchup for anyone, especially an undersized Vinton team. I think that their lack of experiece will hurt them at some point, but not in the first round.
PHLA Pick: Sophie B. Wright
10. Lake Arthur vs. 23. Cohen College Prep
The way I see it, there is a big difference between the top 10 teams and the rest of the field in 2A. I think Lake Arthur is the last of the teams that can really contend with anyone other than Rayville and Madison Prep.
PHLA Pick: Lake Arthur
15.Jonesboro-Hodge vs. 18. Mangham
I think the key to this game is going to come down to the big men in the middle for Jonesboro, in 6’5 Tyler Napper and 6’4 LaTrayvious Harris. I don’t think that Mangham is going to have the size to compete with the bigs, especially on the road.
PHLA Pick: Jonesboro-Hodge
2. Rayville vs. 31. Loreauville
Rayville is the odds on favorite to give Madison Prep their toughest title game. However they have to get to the title game first. I don’t see them slipping up this early, and I think they will get the win.
PHLA Pick: Rayville