Marsh Madness is upon us. That’s right! That special time of the year when state champions are crowned runs over the next two weeks. The top girls’ teams have begun their final trek to see who will be state champs in Hammond, while the boys will do the same next week in Lake Charles. However, there is a little bit more business that must be finished.
For the teams of Shreveport-Bossier (and across the state), winning the next two or three games is the most important thing right now. As usual, you know we have our take on things. And in this 9th installment of the SBJ Prep Hoops report, we will review just that.
Black Friday
When people hear the term “Black Friday,” it is usually associated with the day after Thanksgiving shopping “holiday.” In this particular case; however, Black Friday was the day six of the 10 boys teams in the twin cities bowed out of the playoffs. Evangel and Huntington were stunned at home by E.D. White and Bonnabel. Airline lost an overtime thriller with East St. John and BTW, Woodlawn, and Parkway all lost on the road. The only win on the night was by Division II Non-select No. 5 Bossier as they dispatched AJ Ellender.
Calvary Baptist stunned
When I looked at the Cavaliers’ matchup with No. 15 Episcopal, I knew that coach Vic Morris and his troops would have a battle on their hands in their Division III Select matchup. Little did I know that they would be upset. However, that is what happened Tuesday night as the Knights gave Calvary their earliest exit under coach Morris with a 63-59 upset win. Episcopal used an 8-0 run midway through the third to grab a lead it would never relinquish. The hot shooting of Ronald “Bubba” Strong (28 on the night) kept the Cavs in it as they were down three late. However, they could never come up with the tying bucket.
Shreve survives
“We got destroyed on the boards. We had two players with four fouls and one fouled out. We missed ten free throws. We were sloppy on offense and defense was optional.” Those were the words of Captain Shreve coach Corey Deans as he spoke about the Gators’ 41-37 victory over McKinley on Tuesday. Marcus Lofton led the Gators with 14 points and the Gators did hold McKinley to 9 points per quarter. They have to be better on Friday because it was one of their worst performances of the season. This time of year though, survive and advance is the name of the game.
Same ole stuff, dog, just a different day …
The Southwood Cowboys seem to be stuck in a time loop. For the second year in a row, a highly-rated guard from New Orleans comes to town and almost shoots them out of the playoffs. Last year it was Autrail Manning (John Curtis). This year, Eli Pichon and Brother Martin came to “The Ranch” and almost sent the Pokes packing.
Pichon hit 3-point shots at the end of each quarter in a game-high 23 points. However, Tre Lars and Jeremiah Evans combined for 39 to give the Cowboys the 61-56 win. Their reward? A Shreveport team for the second straight year in the quarters. While they lost to Huntington in their third matchup last season, they hope to fair better this year as they face Captain Shreve yet again. Get your popcorn ready for the 7 p.m. tip on Friday.
Nothing bigger than the B
Defending state champion Bossier defeated Opelousas 56-43 to advance to the quarters behind newcomer Justin Slaid’s 20 points. Their reward? Another meeting with last year’s state runner-up, Carroll. This will be the fourth consecutive season the Bearkats have faced the Bulldogs in the playoffs. The last time Carroll hosted the game, the Bulldogs won a quarterfinal OT thriller to bounce Bossier. Bossier will need its best effort of the season to leave the south side of Monroe with a victory. With Marsh Madness on the line, anything can happen.
Marsh Madness Hammond style
The Huntington Lady Raiders will kick off play against Woodlawn-BR today with a trip to the Division I Select title game on the line. This may be the Raiders’ toughest test to date. Tip time for this one is 1 o’clock. Parkway will have a daunting task as defending Division I Non-Select champions against top- rated Walker. The Lady Panthers probably are just as athletic as Walker. They have that championship experience and that may make a difference in a close game. Well, by dinnertime Thursday night, we will know if Shreveport-Bossier has representation in the title games for Division I Select and/or Non-Select.
Possible All-State players
All-state locks (Jeremiah Evans, Rondae Hill, Carley Hamilton, Chloe Larry, Kyndal Graham, Jyrin Sowell).
All-state likelies (Colossians Mason-Jones, Javon Johnson, Dakota Howard).
We will talk state titles, district title, all-district teams, and much more from Lake Charles next week on the Shreveport-Bossier Prep Hoops report.
Contact Preston at preston9360@gmail.com or Twitter handle @peedee1906