Louisiana Playoffs: Division III Preview
And just like that, the first round has come and went! That means that we are heading down the final stretch of the season here in Louisiana, and within the next two weeks, we will be crowning 12 brand new state…
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Continue ReadingAnd just like that, the first round has come and went! That means that we are heading down the final stretch of the season here in Louisiana, and within the next two weeks, we will be crowning 12 brand new state champions. If you read the first round previews, you will have seen that we have hit more than 80% of our predictions. Now I’m not a betting man, but I like those odds. We are going to be continuing those previews and predictions here, moving on to Division III, which is the select school side of 2A
- Dunham vs. 16 Notre Dame
Notre Dame was just barely able to squeak by Catholic NI 56-54 in order to get into the second round. However, Dunham is a totally different beast, and Notre Dame isn’t going to have the athletes require to keep up. Consider this one a lock.
PLHA Pick: Dunham
- Runnels vs. 9. Thomas Jefferson
This game is easy to make a lock for as well, but that’s because it was played on the 25th. With both teams getting a first round bye, they just treated this game like it was played in the first round, with Runnels getting an 11 point win, 62-51.
PHLA Pick: Runnels
- Episcopal vs. 12 Isidore Newman
This is another game that was played ahead of time, but if it hadn’t I would have made the wrong prediction. Heading into this game I liked the upset for Newman, but Episcopal was able to keep Riley Demps in check, and come away with a 21 point win, 63-42.
PHLA Pick: Episcopal
- Archbishop Hannan vs. 13. St Charles
These two teams played earlier this year, with Hannan getting an 11 point win, and I don’t see things changing here. I don’t think St. Charles is going to have the size to keep up with 6’5 Brooks Murrell or the speed to keep up with Super Sophomore Norris Williams
PHLA Pick: Archbishop Hannan
- Riverside Academy vs. 14. Christian Life
This is another game that was played early, with unsurprising results. Riverside was able to bomb threes all game long and came away with the win 97-39.
PHLA Pick: Riverside
- David Thibodaux vs. 11. Northlake Christian
I was very high on David Thibodaux heading into to the season, and after getting off to a rough start appear to have righted the ship. The Bulldogs are 15-3 since Christmas, and swept through their district by an average of over 32 PPG. These two teams have already played once this season, with David Thibodaux winning by 25. I don’t expect a different result here.
PHLA Pick: David Thibodaux
- Holy Savior Menard vs. 10. St. Thomas Aquinas
In Division III, there is a huge drop off as far as talent goes between the top six teams. In my opinion, any of those 6 can get hot and win in. There isn’t enough heat in the summers of Louisiana to get the rest of the teams to a state championship. Holy Savior Menard was able to win this one, but I think that is of very little consequence.
PHLA Pick: Holy Savior Menard
- Country Day vs. 15. Lee Magnet
As of right now, Country Day is the favorite in Division III, with the right combination of size, speed, experience, and next level talent. Those four in combination can be quite deadly. I don’t see Lee Magnet getting the upset.
PHLA Pick: Country Day