JOURNAL SPORTS
Airline, Bossier and Evangel all host first-round boys basketball games tonight while four other local teams take to the road as the LHSAA playoffs get going around the state in 10 playoff brackets.
Bossier is the defending champion in Non-Select Division II and is a No. 6 seed hosting No. 27 Ellender. The Bearkats (21-12) have won two state titles in the last five years with state runner-up, semifinalist and quarterfinalist finishes the other three years.
In a reversal of the previous two playoff trips for Airline (19-13) the Vikings are the No. 16 seed in Non-Select Division I. They will entertain No. 17 East St. John (20-12). It is their first home playoff game since 2012 when they were the No. 3 team in Class 5A and last won a playoff game.
Evangel (19-8) is the No. 10 seed in Select Division II and hosts No. 23 E.D. White (18-12). The Eagles have won 8 of their last 10.
District 1-5A has five teams in the playoffs, three ranked in the top 10 in their respective brackets. In addition to Airline in Non-Select Division I, Natchitoches Central is a No. 5 and is home to No. 28 Fontainebleau and No. 22 Parkway will play t No. 11 Walker. District co-champions Captain Shreve (No. 3) and Southwood (No. 6) have byes in the Select Division I bracket.
Huntington is also in the Select Division I bracket but just missed a home date at No. 17 and will play at No. 16 Bonnabel.
Booker T. Washington and Woodlawn join fellow District 1-4A foe Evangel in Select Division II. The Lions at the No. 20 will play No.13 St. Louis Catholic at Sulphur High School. The Knights are seeded 22 and go to No. 11 Northside.
Calvary Baptist (25-8) is another top seed at No. 4 in Select Division III and received a first-round bye. The Cavaliers have been to the finals each the last four years falling just short of their first state title each time.
NON-SELECT
Division I
No. 17 East St. John (20-12) at No. 16 Airline (19-13), 6 p.m.
No. 22 Parkway (17-13) at No.11 Walker (16-15), 6:30 p.m.
Division II
No. 27 Ellender (14-15) at No. 6 Bossier (21-12), 6:30 p.m.
SELECT
Division I
No. 3 Captain Shreve (27-5), bye
No. 6 Southwood (23-8), bye
No. 17 Huntington (18-12) at No. 16 Bonnabel (22-10)
Division II
No. 23 E.D. White (18-12) at No. 10 Evangel (19-8)
No. 20 BTW (15-11) vs. No. 13 St. Louis Catholic (16-9), 6:30 p.m. at Sulphur High School
No. 22 Woodlawn (19-14) at No. 11 Northside (18-14), 6:30 p.m.
Division III
No. 4 Calvary (25-8), bye