Five non-select second-round LHSAA playoff matchups to watch
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The LHSAA boys basketball playoffs continue this week with 80 second-round matchups around the state. Here were five games from the “non-select” school brackets that caught our attention, due in no small part to the notable talent on the rosters.…
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Continue ReadingThe LHSAA boys basketball playoffs continue this week with 80 second-round matchups around the state.
Here were five games from the “non-select” school brackets that caught our attention, due in no small part to the notable talent on the rosters.
No. 10 Patterson at No. 7 Richwood — Division-III Non-Select
A matchup of a 2023 semifinalist making the long trip north to visit a 2023 quarterfinalist and perennial contender. Senior big man Demond Davis Demond Davis 6'4" | PF Patterson | 2024 State LA , senior guard Khylin Brooks Khylin Brooks 6'1" | SG Patterson | 2024 State LA and junior guard Carlos Brooks Carlos Brooks 5'11" | PG Patterson | 2025 State LA Jr. are among the key returning pieces for a Lumberjacks group that made its deepest playoff run last year since 2016 and pushed eventual champion Port Allen to triple-overtime in the semis, but still haven’t shook the program’s postseason road woes. Like Patterson with Davis, the Rams are led by a talented, physical football prospect inside in Xzander Washington Xzander Washington 6'5" | SF Richwood | 2024 State LA , with the junior guard duo of Austin Love Austin Love 5'11" | SG Richwood | 2025 State LA and Markari Newton Markari Newton 5'11" | PG Richwood | 2025 State LA among other top players to watch.
No. 11 Walker at No. 6 Southside — Division-I Non-Select
Another 2023 semifinalist who saw that playoff run end in overtime at the state tournament hits the road in another top matchup to watch as the perennial contender Wildcats visit the Sharks in Youngsville. Senior guard Clifford “K.J.” Smith-Johnson, junior wing Troy Sylve and junior forward Carleiyon Joseph lead a still-dangerous Walker team with a much different looking roster that weathered some ups and downs after last year’s graduations, but has come on strong with five straight wins. Guards Noah Brookter, Jayce Bolivar and Quentin Carey Quentin Carey 5'10" | PG Southside | 2024 LA are among the senior leaders for Southside, with juniors Jaydon Bolivar and Jaydon Norbert Jaydon Norbert 6'0" | PG Southside | 2025 State LA among other top names to know.
No. 14 White Castle at No. 3 Oakdale — Division-IV Non-Select
Perennial contender White Castle, another 2023 semifinalist, makes a road trip to 2023 quarterfinalist Oakdale. Senior guard Javen Deloch Javen Deloch 6'1" | CG White Castle | 2024 State LA and junior guard Shadrack Allen lead an always-dangerous Bulldogs program, with junior Damorion Burks providing a big body inside that can create matchup problems. Multisport seniors Deekota Johnson, Elijah Anderson and Charles Shird III are among the familiar faces and names that have helped lead the Warriors to some of their greatest success in years in both basketball and football and look to push even further this postseason and potentially even follow their girls’ historic blueprint from a year ago.
No. 15 Live Oak at No. 2 Ponchatoula — Division-I Non-Select
The No. 2-seeded Green Wave, reigning champions in Division I, should be considered heavy favorites to at least return to the state tournament next week and appear more than capable of potentially competing an impressive repeat at the highest level. Seniors Allen Graves Allen Graves 6'9" | PF Ponchatoula | 2024 State LA , Jeremiah Lewis Jeremiah Lewis 6'3" | SG Ponchatoula | 2024 State LA and Taj Jackson Taj Jackson 6'2" | CG Ponchatoula | 2024 State LA and juniors Cory Jackson Cory Jackson 6'1" | SG Ponchatoula | 2025 State LA Jr. and C.J. Braziel are among the top players to watch. But the Eagles visit from a relatively short drive across the parish line to pose an interesting second-round challenge from a talented, young program on the rise. Live Oak routed a solid Hahnville on Friday with senior Clayten Ray Clayten Ray 6'3" | SG Live Oak | 2024 State LA and sophomore Hayden Ray helping lead the way. Traven Barnes joins the elder Ray among notable seniors, while fellow sophomores Cameron Ivy Cameron Ivy 5'11" | SG Live Oak | 2026 State LA , M.J. Washington and Cayden Jones and freshman Jordan Magee Jordan Magee 5'9" | CG Live Oak | 2027 State LA join the younger Ray among the underclassman talent.
No. 20 Terrebonne at No. 4 Denham Springs — Division-I Non-Select
For the second straight round, Terrebonne will visit a higher-seeded District 5-5A host. The Tigers topped No. 13 St. Amant on Friday, 59-50, behind 19 points from junior wing Rhanige Smith, 15 from LSU-signed football star Kylan Billiot Kylan Billiot 6'3" | CG Terrebonne | 2024 State LA and junior multisport athlete Kayden Jones. Denham Springs tips off its playoff action after a first-round bye and will look for its first postseason win since 2018. The Yellow Jackets won 23 of 25 games at one point this season with a talented core that includes seniors Maison Vorise and Brock Smith, junior J.K. O’Conner and sophomores Da’Jean Golmond and Da’Sean Golmond and freshman Jeremy Williams Jeremy Williams WG LA .