By LEE HILLER, Journal Sports
Homecourt helped Captain Shreve, Southwood and Bossier boys basketball teams win LHSAA second-round playoff games Tuesday night but the biggest surprise came at Calvary where the Cavaliers were upset on their home floor.
Marcus Lofton scored 14 points to pace No. 3 Captain Shreve’s win over No. 14 McKinley in a Select Division I defensive battle, 41-37. Shreve’s early 10-2 lead after the first quarter proved the difference as the visitors closed the gap with a 13-8 final quarter advantage. EJ McDonald was Captain Shreve’s only other double-digit scorer with 11 points.
Southwood, the No. 6 seed in Select Division I, earned a 61-56 win over No. 11 Brother Martin, 61-56. The Cowboys got some key defensive stops down the stretch to make up for making just 1-of-8 free throws. Detreveon Lars led Southwood with 21 points and Jeremiah Evans scored 18.
Captain Shreve (28-5) will host Southwood (24-8) on Friday in the quarterfinals, a third meeting between the District 1-5A co-champions.
Bossier downed Opelousas 56-43 in a Non-Select Division II bracket game. Justin Slaid’s 20 points led the way with Kerel Dean contributing 15. The No. 6 Bearkats (23-12) will travel to Monroe Friday to play No. 3 Carroll (26-8), who defeated No. 14 Minden, 64-48.
Calvary, the No. 4 seed in Select Division III, fell to No. 13 Episcopal 63-59 at home despite Bubba Strong’s 28 points. It is the earliest exit from the playoffs for the Cavs since 2019 when a No. 3 Episcopal team eliminated them in the quarterfinals, 63-49. Calvary had played in the championship game of its bracket in the last four playoff appearances.
LHSAA boys playoffs
Tuesday’s scores
Non-Select
Division I
(5) Natchitoches Central 58, (21) West Monroe 48
(8) Ruston 71, (9) H.L. Bourgeois 45
Division II
(6) Bossier 56, (11) Opelousas 43
(3) Carroll 64, (14) Minden 48
Select
Division I
(3) Captain Shreve 41, (14) McKinley 37
(6) Southwood 61, (11) Brother Martin 56
(8) Alexandria 78, (9) Jesuit 58
(4) Pineville 65, (13) St. Paul’s 61
Division III
(13) Episcopal 63, (4) Calvary 59
Friday’s quarterfinals
Non-Select
Division I
(5) Natchitoches Central (27-7) at (4) Denham Springs
(8) Ruston at (1) Zachary, 7 p.m.
Division II
(6) Bossier (23-12) at (3) Carroll (26-8), 7 p.m.
Select
Division I
(6) Southwood (24-8) at (3) Captain Shreve (28-5)
(8) Alexandria at (1) St. Thomas More
(5) Karr at (4) Pineville