Marsh Madness Previews: Predicting a Winner in Each Class and Division

Over the next two days, the first round of the LHSAA playoffs will be completed. With the exception of a few possible upsets, most of the first round games will be won by the higher seeds. As we get deeper into the playoffs, some darkhorses will emerge. But, in most cases, champions come from within the top 6 or 7 teams. We will take a look at each class and division and attempt to break the path to Lake Charles down for a few teams. We will also try to predict a winner for all 12. Class 5A: The top 2 seeds in 5A are Thibodaux and Ouachita Parish. One could easily imagine seeing these two playing in the finals this year. But, one doesn't have to look very far down the seeding list to find an obvious choice to give the top 2 a run. Defending state champ Walker will be out to defend their title. The Wildcats will be led by phenomenal junior guard Jalen Cook. A potential Walker vs Ouachita matchup in the semifinals would be very intriguing. Both teams have great lead guards and both have post guys that would match up well inside against each other. When looking for a team outside the top 4 in 5A, it's easy to not overlook the likes of Landry-Walker and Bonnabel. It wouldn't surprise me one bit to see Landry-Walker once again playing on Saturday for the 5A state championship. In the end, I like Cook and Walker to bring home another championship. Champion: Walker Division I In division I, the top 4 seeds received byes all the way to the quarterfinals. It would be really easy to just pencil in those 4 for the semifinals and move on. However, I do think we see one slight upset in this one on our way to the semifinals. I like the 5 seed in Catholic-BR to pull off the mild upset over the 4 seed Jesuit. This would set up a matchup of top-seeded Scotlandville and Catholic-BR on the top side of the bracket in the semi's. On the bottom end, I think we get #3 Holy Cross vs #2 St Augustine for a trip to the finals. In the end, I think Scotalndville is once again too much for everyone, and they raise the trophy. They are just too skilled. They will be led by recently crowned number 1 player in the state for the class of 2020, Reece Beekman. Champion: Scotlandville Class 4A It would be easy to just cut this one short and say that class 4A is Bossier's world, with everyone else just having to live in it. The Bearkats have been one of, if not the most consistent teams all season long. They come in with a record of 28-3, after going through a gauntlet of a schedule. They are led by an electric 5'7 senior guard in Jacoby Decker. On most nights, Decker is a must-watch. I do think the Bearkats will have a little scare in the semifinals from rival Woodlawn-Shreveport, but I see them hanging on for the win. Champion: Bossier Division II In division II, the top 15 seeds received a first round bye. A lot like division I, I think there will be a slight upset in the semifinals. I like the 3 seed De La Salle to pull off the upset over Loyola Prep to wind up in the finals taking on University Lab. In the end, I think the cubs of University Lab are back on top in division II. Champion: University Lab Class 3A 3A may be the most intriguing class of them all. The dream matchup everyone is want to see is #1 vs #2, Sophie B Wright vs Peabody. It seems like these two have been on a collision course for each other all season long. I think the only real challenger that could spoil that matchup in the finals is the 4 seed Madison Prep. Rich with tradition and deep with talent, Coach Jeff Jones' squad has all the firepower that it would take to upset the favorite in Sophie B Wright. In the end, this one may be the toughest pick of them all, but I am going to go with Sophie B Wright to become the class 3A state champion. Champion: Sophie B Wright Division III The top 2 seeds in division III are Dunham and Metairie Park Country Day. Both of these two teams have byes into the quarterfinal round. Dunham is loaded with talent, led by senior Jordan Wright. I think there are two teams outside the top 4 that could have a serious chance at wining it all: 5 seeded Holy Savior Menard and 6 seeded Calvary Baptist. It would take an almost-perfect game from either of those two to pull it off, but anything is possible. If Calvary can continue to get big time performances from junior wing D'Marcus Hall, they have a chance to play with anyone. I just feel like after it's all said and done, Jordan Wright and Dunham will just be too much to handle. Winner: Dunham Class 2A A lot like 3A, there have been two teams on a collision course for one another in class 2A all season long. Rayville and Red River will both be looking to give us a rematch of last year's wild semifinal game. Regarded as two of the top teams in the state regardless of classification, these two have had their sights set on each other for a while now. Rayville is the class 2A defending state champion, Red River being the youthful challenger. Red River reminds me a lot of the Rayville team we saw lose to Madison Prep just two years ago in the finals. Red River comes in being led by 2021 star Emareyon McDonald. The sophomore guard is widely regarded as one of, if not, the best shooters in the state. On the other side, Rayville comes in with the three-headed juggernaut of the Wilson boys. It seems just like yesterday these three seniors were just getting their high school careers started. The biggest star of them all, Mylik Wilson will look to lead Rayville to its second straight state title. But, the Louisiana Lafayette signee will need help. That's where 6'5 Jamichael Wilson and 6'5 Jamarkus Wilson both enter the conversation. When Rayville gets going, they have a ceiling that is hard for others to touch. One other team that I believe could make some noise and possibly spoil this matchup from ever happening is Avoylles Public Charter. I do think they can push Red River in the semifinal game, but ultimately I feel like Red River will prevail and head to the finals. Winner: Rayville Division IV Division IV top seed Lafayette Christian had to endure a bit of a change after winning last season's. Head Coach Byron Starks vacated the head coach position to take the same position in the college ranks at LSU-Eunice. The Knights have rebounded and come in with a 27-4 record. If 5 seed St Mary's can get past Opelousas Catholic in the quarterfinals, we will be in for a rematch of last year's championship game. On the opposite end of the bracket, I look for 3 seed Hamilton Christian and 2 seed Central Catholic. Central Catholic had a huge win during the regular season over class 1A defending champion and this year's number 1 seeded White Castle. I look for Lafayette Christian and Central Catholic to meet up in the finals, with Lafayette Christian taking home the hardware. Winner: Lafayette Christian Class 1A Class 1A is the one classification that I think over 7 teams actually have a real shot of winning. The matchups from the second round on will be very intriguing, more so than any other bracket in my opinion. I think the final 4 in 1A will look something like this: 8 Booker T. Washington vs 4 Delhi and 3 Jonesboro Hodge vs 2 North Central. I feel like North Central will be the last one standing. I see them meeting Delhi in the championship game with North Central pulling away late. Winner: North Central Division V The 1 seed for division V is Jehovah Jireh. In my personal opinion, they are capable of playing with and defeating anyone in the state. They have lost 6 games this year, and you can run down the top teams in every classification to see who they lost to. They played one of the toughest schedules in the state and stood up to every test they faced. I feel like it will be a rematch of last year's championship game with Jehovah Jireh taking on Crescent City. I think we see a very similar result from last year, with Jehovah Jireh hoisting the trophy in the end. Winner: Jehovah Jireh Class B A lot like division IV, I think class B will feature a rematch of last year's championship game. I think we will see the 1 seed Zwolle and the 2 seed Simsboro meet up again in the finals. Last year, Simsboro got the best of Zwolle. Earlier in the year, Zwolle beat Simsboro 60-59 at Zwolle. I think Simsboro gets revenge for that one and wins its second consecutive state championship. I just think Simsboro is too deep 1-6 for anyone in class B to knock them off this late in the year. Winner: Simsboro Class C Summerfield will enter the playoffs as the number 1 seed in class C. The rebels are looking to win their 4th consecutive state title. That is a very impressive feat, especially after losing senior leader John Buggs last year. Simpson is more than capable of putting up a good fight, should they meet in the title game. I just think Summerfield and its experience are too much to overcome. Winner: Summerfield