LHSAA Division l (Non-Select) Bracket Breakdown

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The brackets have been released, and the first-round match ups are set. Here are some way to early Prep Hoops team match ups, comparisons and player identifications. Who are the players to watch? Who are the names to know? Who is on upset alert? Who did we miss?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Feel Free to send real time updates, player statistics and highlights to my socials.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>IG: @donald.tatum73</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>X: @cpt_tatum</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Zachary Broncos</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Zachary Broncos have been largely considered the best team in the state, knocking off some of the top competition as well as competing against some top talent out of state. They earned a first-round bye. [player_tooltip player_id='2132747' first='Ian' last='Edmond'], [player_tooltip player_id='2132743' first='Ethan' last='Kimmie'], [player_tooltip player_id='1543667' first='Cambren' last='Price'], [player_tooltip player_id='1543653' first='Aidan' last='Givens'], Kristion Brooks, [player_tooltip player_id='2132738' first='Demarius' last='Collins'], and Mason Neumann are the main players for this program, and they have been dominant all season. Their first-round bye sets them up for fresh legs in the second round.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Covington (16) vs. Airline (17)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a tough first-round matchup, Covington and Airline both come into the competition with a chance to win. [player_tooltip player_id='1679403' first='Kevin' last='White'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2318065' first='Eli' last='Washington'] are top players in the 2026 and 2027 classes, but the role players, Jusdan Gladney and [player_tooltip player_id='2871655' first='Rylon' last='Bailey'], have been big for the group this season. An early-season win over Hannan is a glimpse into their potential, but injuries and inconsistency have caused them to suffer some tough losses. Covington is an enigma in this matchup, but with their undefeated District record, they will surely come ready to play with momentum. This will be a great matchup of star power and consistent play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Northshore (9) vs. Salmen (24)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Northshore leaned into their season by locking in and playing one of the toughest schedules in the state. They have challenged themselves at every stage of team development this season, and even in some tough losses, they learned lessons and kept pushing forward. Led by seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2919651' first='Tyrie' last='Spencer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1639715' first='Michael' last='Ducre'], and with big plays from stock riser Keith Collins Jr., along with a strong interior presence from freshman phenom Braylon Kinsey and sharp-shooter Andre Bright, this team is battle-tested and could be the sleeper of the Division I Bracket. Salmen is led by BJ Matthews, Jayvarri Williams, and Marley McKnight on the offensive side of the ball, while junior center Joshua Carroll holds down the defensive side of the ball and controls the boards. Northshore won their previous matchup in early January, but anything can happen in March Madness.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Westgate (5) vs. Terrebonne (28)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Westgate has some tough victories this season along with a consistently tough schedule, while Terrebonne has struggled a bit to find consistency on the winning side of things. Westgate is favored in this matchup, but Terrebonne has some young talent that could provide some serious resistance: sophomore A'khiree Parker, Chris Delestre Jr., and Terrance Diggs. Keep an eye on this tough matchup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Neville (12) vs. Southside</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Neville is one of the more complete teams in the state with a mixture of skill sets. [player_tooltip player_id='1679471' first='Allen' last='Fisher'] has carved out an impressive season as PG. [player_tooltip player_id='1679470' first='Jeremy' last='Smith'] continues to be impressive. [player_tooltip player_id='2132840' first='Parker' last='Robinson'] remains an elite shooter. [player_tooltip player_id='2471569' first='Konner' last='Mason'] is an emerging big man talent in the state along with Franco Santiago, and stock riser Jayden Austin brings electricity to every single possession in the game. Southside will have their hands full with this group, but with all of their talent, they have a shot to pull off the upset. This will be a great matchup of different playing styles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Denham Springs</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Denham Springs has earned a bye in the first round, but this tough group of players features some notable names on the PrepHoops scene, including Dasean Golmond, [player_tooltip player_id='2853095' first='Dajean' last='Golmond'], [player_tooltip player_id='2194365' first='Jeremy' last='Williams Jr.'], [player_tooltip player_id='1543656' first='Devin' last='Houston'], and big man [player_tooltip player_id='2473705' first='Hayden' last='Ray']. This group upset Ruston last season and has the tools and mentality to make it back to the Top 28.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Natchitoches Central</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Natchitoches Central has earned a first-round bye, and they are poised to make another deep run. Known for their tough playing style, they have some standout talent with experience winning and the pedigree to make it happen. Another tough team that hangs their hat on both sides of the ball and just outplays teams that lack overall grit and resilience. [player_tooltip player_id='2551874' first='Harold' last='Remo'], who recently picked up a couple of offers and is looking impressive this season, is a key component along with [player_tooltip player_id='2414908' first='Ja'Dell' last='Demery'], who is one of the most productive post players in the state. This will be a team to watch and one to fear.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Slidell (10) vs. Parkway (23)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Slidell is favored in this matchup, but this matchup for Parkway could give them a chance to advance to the second round. Parkway has played a tough schedule and has some notable prospects that could turn this into a dogfight. Players to watch for Parkway include Antonio Gladney, [player_tooltip player_id='3274277' first='Kaleb' last='Williams'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1543668' first='Caleb' last='Evans'], and Tristan Sedberry as a stock riser in the 2027 class. [player_tooltip player_id='2477834' first='Desmond' last='Wright'] has been able to give Parkway meaningful minutes recently, and this combination of players could cause a first-round upset.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Central B.R. (6) vs. West Ouachita (27)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Central BR is a team to watch during this playoff run because they have one of the best guards in the 2026 class. [player_tooltip player_id='2894296' first='Jace' last='Conrad'] has continued to put up big numbers this season while leading Central to the #6 seed. [player_tooltip player_id='2532471' first='Jalen' last='Thomas'] has also shown impressive growth this season, and these guys could lead Central back to another Top 28 appearance. Do not be surprised if they dominate this first-round game to clear their path for the next round.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stay tuned for the Division l Select Break Down coming up next. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->