85th Bossier Invitational Day 1 Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bossier Bearkats are hosting the 85th edition of the Bossier Invitational. This year, the tournament will return to the traditional, tournament format. With teams from Texas, northeast, and northwest Louisiana, the sixteen team field is a diverse one. In this Prep Hoops Louisiana preview, we will take a look at Day 1 of the tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game 1 - Loyola vs Ouachita</strong> <strong>(10 AM)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Flyers will have a tall task playing the #4 Ouachita Lions. While Loyola has a tough scoring guard in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1709794' first='Cage' last='Van Norman']</strong>, the Lions can switch the guards who defend him. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2330259' first='Roosevelt' last='Dean']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2466393' first='Zion' last='Hunter']</strong> are a good 1-2 punch and now they have the offense of freshmen <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2532089' first='Darren' last='Ford']</strong>. Van Norman will have to have an extraordinary day and get help from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2307998' first='Easton' last='Baker']</strong> in the paint. Ouachita has too much firepower in this one though. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game 2 - Mansfield vs Neville (11:30 AM)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wolverines have a talented group of guards and wings who play hard. They will be meeting a Tiger group who play in that always tough NELA, Monroe area. So Neville will come in battle tested. Wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1679470' first='Jeremy' last='Smith']</strong> is a budding prep name to know around the state. He and the Tiger guard play keep them in games. Mansfield will need seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2302359' first='Bryson' last='Ebarb']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2302363' first='Sharmal' last='Booker']</strong> to play at a high level to win a tough opener. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game 3 - Northwood vs Evangel (1 PM)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the gridiron, this has been a big rivalry. On the hardwood, not so much. It has been a struggle for the Eagles in this early season with a lot of tough losses. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1347260' first='Chris' last='Shiflett']</strong> has had to score a ton while playing less point guard. The Falcons have struggled to score but they defend, defend, defend. If they can get a big game from wing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2354651' first='Ralph' last='Anyanechi']</strong>, they might give the Eagles another tough loss. Should be a close one. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game 4 - Good Vision vs Airline (2:30 PM)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Airline has their football players back and they are coming off of a Doc Edwards victory over Bossier. So they will take that moment into a game with a kind of unknown opponent. Airline has had an infusion of offense by senior newcomer <strong>Mike Wilson</strong> which has helped. He and the addition of talent from the football team are needed. They dug themselves a huge hole in Division I non-select and they need wins. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game 5 - West Monroe vs Captain Shreve (4 PM)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The early season for both teams has been a struggle due to both programs having to adjust to new coaches. However, the more they play, the more they find success on the court. The first round match up is probably going to come down to point guard play. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1561807' first='Marcus' last='Lofton']</strong> (Shreve) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1601906' first='Jayden' last='Jackson']</strong> are two of the best point guards in north Louisiana. The decisions they make will help their team win this one. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game 6 - Huntington vs BTW Shreveport (5:30 PM)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Should be the best contest of the day. Two of the most talented teams in NWLA. The Raiders are #10 in Division I select while the Lions are #16 in Division II select.<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2629329' first='Rodrieon' last='Dillard']</strong> (Lions) and<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1686289' first='Peyton' last='Parker'] </strong>(Raiders) are highly talented and should be the focal points for each team. The supporting casts for each team will play big parts. Who defends the best should win this one. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game 7 - Benton vs Bossier (7 PM)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bearkats are the host team and will face a long time Bossier Parish rival in this one. Bossier is ranked #15 in Division I Non-select and is coming off a brutally scheduled pre-season. Senior and Xavier (NO) signee <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1393932' first='Kerel' last='Dean-Woods']</strong> should lead the home team to a win in this one. However, I believe Benton will put up a fight. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game 8 - Calvary Baptist vs Parkway (8:30 PM)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cavs have 2027 #1 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2316989' first='Tyrone' last='Jamison'] </strong>and a wealth of young talent. They just took a runner-up to St. Thomas More last weekend in the Sunkist Invitational in Lafayette. Calvary has played this tournament recently and will look to bring home the tournament title. Parkway is #18 in Division I Non-Select and has a good back court of their own. Calvary should win but Parkway will give them a very good late night battle. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This should be a good day of hoops. I look forward to seeing the match ups for the weekend. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->