Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back!!! Season 3, Vol. 1 of the Shreveport-Bossier Journal Prep Hoops Report is in your e-mail. Needless to say I have missed you and I hope you have missed the report. I hope to keep you entertained and informed as we talk hoops in the Twin Cities.
Let’s catch you up!!
During the holidays, we had the annual Doc Edwards Tournament in Bossier City hosted primarily by Airline High. Over the three-day tournament, girls and boys from the north part of Louisiana competed for the annual tournament title. The Airline girls were the victors from the girls bracket. On the boys side, Huntington played Division I Non-Select semifinalist Ruston in the final. Behind an MVP performance by Ahmad Hudson, Ruston rolled to the championship victory.
The following week, Bossier hosted the 85th Annual Bossier Invitational, with 16 teams in the traditional tournament style that Bossier carried for years. In a repeat of last year’s event, Bossier played Calvary Baptist in the final. While the previous year was an instant classic, this one, not so much. The Cavaliers rode a winning average of 31.3 points to the title victory and improved their record to 15-2 (at that time).
Best team in the area (boys)
The Cavaliers took the momentum from the Bossier Invitational and traveled to Ruston to play a highly-touted Bearcat team. This battle of top teams was billed as one of those games of the year. After both teams battled for four quarters, the Cavalier came out the victors 65-50. This win bumped their record to 16-2. Calvary Baptist is really four points away from being undefeated. Their two losses are by that total.
It also helps to have one of the best backcourts in the state. Tyrone (TJ) Jamison is the top-rated player in the Louisiana 2027 class by Prep Hoops. He is also listed as the top-rated point guard in the Class of 2027 by ESPN. Jamison and backcourt mate Jaiden Hall have placed fear into defenses. Mix in wing Robert Wright, guard Bubba Strong, and post Justin Houston, and Calvary Baptist is very formidable. They are the top-ranked team in Division III Select and look like the favorites to win that title right now.
New look, same dominance
District 1-5A had a slight facelift this season with Southwood dropping to 1-4A and Huntington and Evangel moving up. Even though those two teams were added, this league has shown that it is still the cream of the crop in girls basketball. This district has four of the top nine teams in Division I Non-Select and two teams in the top six of Division I Select. Add Benton who is listed at No. 17 in Division I Non-Select and seven of the nine teams are in playoff contention.
Haughton has had the best season so far with just two losses. Two-time defending state Division I Non-Select champion Parkway has lost to just as many teams out-of-state as in-state. Captain Shreve has only lost to teams in playoff contention. Yes, 1-5A is just as impressive as it has ever been.
Murky waters for the Lady Raiders
Since Coach Brian Shyne has been at Huntington, they have always played a tough schedule. Presently, they sit at 8-7 and are No. 6 in DI Select rankings. However, due to a disputed incident in Arcadia with Shyne and a referee, they will be without their leader for 45 days. That will take the Lady Raiders’ head coach out of games with Woodlawn-Baton Rouge, Wossman, and possibly a district match-up with Parkway. That is a very important stretch of games that can determine not only the district winner, but placement in the Select playoffs. Hopefully the information he turned into the LHSAA will shorten his initial suspension. Only time will tell.
No hoops in the Twin Cities this Friday due to school closings in Caddo and Bossier. Looks like we might pick up Saturday morning with the JV tournament at Calvary. If not, we will be ready for freshman/JV or any make up games there will be in the Twin Cities. We will try to catch it all right here in the SBJ Prep Hoops Report.
Contact Preston at preston9360@gmail.com or via X: @peedee1906