The more things change, the more things stay the same. Why do I say that? The answer is easy. Some of the things in prep basketball that were happening a year ago in Shreveport-Bossier are happening at the beginning of 2024. Candidly speaking, we are only 10 days into January and there is a ton of basketball to be played. Because of that reason, the SBJ Prep Hoops Report is here to look at the old and the new in the Twin Cities hoops world.
Streaking teams
Defending 1-5A boys’ champion Southwood (#6 Select D-I) has gotten off to a 3-0 start in district play. Those three wins improved their district unbeaten streak to 18 games over the past two-plus seasons. The Pokes should reach 19 on Friday in their game with former rival Byrd. The Cowboys’ 1-5A streak will be tested next week as they host Airline on Tuesday and take a visit to “The Swamp” next Friday. They also have a couple of games in Lake Charles during MLK weekend which should make for a busy week.
While the Southwood streak is impressive, three other district streaks are currently going.
The Calvary Baptist boys have won 28 district games in a row over the past four seasons. The Cavaliers will look to keep that streak alive when they face D’Arbonne Woods on January 23.
The Huntington Lady Raiders have won 38 straight in district. Their last loss was to Minden in February of 2019.
Parkway’s Lady Panthers are riding a 41-game win streak in 1-5A play. Their last district defeat was at the hands of the Lady Gators in February of 2020.
The Bossier Invitational instant classic
Long gone are the days of the Bossier Invitational and its intense, tournament-style matchups. Even with that format as a memory, Calvary Baptist and Bossier still managed to put on an instant classic to close out the 83rd edition. In a back-and-forth contest that seemed like a playoff game, Calvary defeated Bossier 66-64 in OT. Henderson State commit Rondae Hill led all scorers with 27 in the win.
A new contender on the horizon
Defending Non-Select Division I girls champion Parkway is ranked 9th in the latest power rankings by the LHSAA. Five spots ahead are the #4 Haughton Lady Bucs. The young Bucs are 21-3 after Tuesday night’s district victory over Southwood and will look to defeat the seasoned vets who are the Parkway Lady Panthers. While Haughton has as good of a chance as any, they will have to do it on the road. The winner of this contest will take sole possession of first place in 1-5A with the second round of district play looming. South Bossier will be jumping when this one tips next Tuesday night (weather permitting).
Rankings, rankings, and more rankings
The Huntington Lady Raiders are top dog in the LHSAA’s Division I Select power rankings. They are followed by Southwood at #9, Northwood at #15, and Captain Shreve at #18. Even with the Lady Gators’ 1-3 district start, they still have enough quality games to move into the upper half of the Select division.
In Select Divisions II and III, BTW and Loyola are trying to hold on or move up in their respective divisions. BTW is 20th in D-II and Loyola will look to hold on to their 23rd ranking. Only 24 teams make it to the Select playoffs. Airline is #21 in D-I Non-Select.
On the boys’ side of things, Division III Select sees the Calvary Cavaliers as the #2 team this week. They will have some work on their hands to hold off University Lab and St. Thomas Aquinas for the top seed in the division while Isidore Newman appeals the LHSAA ruling of recruiting violations which disqualifies them from the playoffs.
Bossier is holding on to #5 in Non-Select D-II. Bossier still has their district slate and non-district games against Wossman and Calvary. So they may move up and get a bye before it is said and done.
Other local boys teams rated in playoff contention: Parkway #10, Airline #21 (Non-Select D-I); BTW #23, Woodlawn #24 Select D-II).
The best boys’ team in the cities
The Captain Shreve Gators, who are the #3-rated team in Select D-I, may be the best team in Shreveport-Bossier. Considering that their three losses have come to the top two teams in Select D-I and the top team in Select D-II, the Gators have plenty to brag about. They have an experienced team and will have plenty to say about how District 1-5A is won.
Contact Preston at preston9360@gmail.com or Twitter handle @peedee1906