Wow we finally made it here after not knowing we would even have a season we at at the last weekend of the season. Only 12 games left of girls basketball to determine who the best of the best are! Big shoutout goes out to LHSAA and pulling this off for our girls this season as over half the state started late and several are still not playing high school basketball even now. I know myself personally really needed this season to help myself and my team get through this global pandemic both physically but more importantly mentally. I'm sure they have taken a lot of heat over the past 12 months but my hat goes off the all the administration involved in pulling off the year of sports for all of our student athletes we really needed this more than ever! So with that being said it's championship weekend so lets get to some predictions, keys and players to watch out for.... we have several familiar teams and familiar faces as many of the teams are back in the hunt from last year!
Class 5A State Championship Game
Date: March 6th, 2021
Time: 7:30 pm
Location: University Center (Southeastern) - Hammond, LA
Key Players to Watch:
Benton
2021 Jada Anderson - ULM Signee / Ranked #16
2022 Riley Grace Standford - Ranked #16
2022 Jada Stewart - Honorable Mention
2022 Ella Kate Malley - Honorable Mention
Captain Shreve
2021 Addison Martin - Abilene Signee / Ranked #4
2021 Kiayra Ellis - Arkansas State Signee / Ranked #15
2021 Jordan Mclemore - Captain Shreve Signee / Ranked #24
Prediction: Captain Shreve wins in a close one.
It's clear district 1-5A is the toughest district as here we are another year the class 5A state champion will come from this district. These teams have already matched up once with Benton winning a back and forth game 39-37 and the second round of district being cancelled due to Covid. I can't start now by picking the underdog and jinxing them but I'll just be a fan of this game as these two great programs compete on the main stage as the last game of the year and they surely will not disappoint!
Class 4A State Championship Game
Date: March 5th, 2021
Time: 5:00 pm
Location: University Center (Southeastern) - Hammond, LA
Key Players to Watch:
LaGrange
2021 Jeriah Warren - Florida Signee / Ranked #1
2021 Aasia Sam - ULM Signee / Ranked #5
2021 Deja Tanks - LSUE Signee / Ranked #39
Huntington
2021 Taylor Bell - Southeastern Commit / Ranked #17
2022 Chasity Taylor - Honorable Mention
2023 - Samantha Taylor - Honorable Mention
Prediction: Lagrange
The defending state champs are back in the championship game this year after winning its programs first ever state championship just one year ago. If any team has a shot at knocking off the champs it'll be Huntington as they have the ability to turn teams over and create easy points has been a recipe for success. Sprinkle in some Taylor Bell and her ability to play every position on the court and it could put LaGrange on upset alert! The Gators are a seasoned teams with two guards in Warren and Sam headed to the next level so I wouldn't be surprised if the pressure has little affect on them. This is the match up we all figured would happen from the start of the season and may the best team win!
Class 3A State Championship Game
Date: March 6th, 2021
Time: 5:00 pm
Location: University Center (Southeastern) - Hammond, LA
Key Players to Watch:
Madison Prep
2022 Allasia Washington - Ranked #11
2022 Tijana Abbott - Ranked #9
2022 Kaylen Jack - Ranked #27
Northwest
2021 Katlyn Manuel - Austin Peay Signee / Ranked #8
2021 Mary Leday - Centenary Signee / Ranked #41
Prediction: Madison Prep
It seems like every year for the past 4 years these two teams are competing for a state championship and they have finally met in the championship game! Both these teams will bring a lot of length and some good guard play. Look for this to be a defensive battle as points will be hard to come by in the lane! I see Madison Prep pulling away late and outlasting a very good Northwest team!
Class 2A State Championship Game
Date: March 5th, 2021
Time: 7:30 pm
Location: University Center (Southeastern) - Hammond, LA
Key Players to Watch:
Doyle
2021 Presleigh Scott - Southeastern Signee / Ranked #19
2021 Elise Jones - Southeastern Signee (softball) / Honorable Mention
Lake Arthur
2021 Deonna Brister - Nicholls Signee / Ranked #10
2022 Kali Hornsby - Honorable Mention
2024 Vivian Sketoe - Ranked #17
Prediction: Lake Arthur
A rematch of last years semifinal matchup.....If you like FAST paced basketball this is the game for you! 2A is the classification where basketball starts to change and really picks up the pace of the game. These two teams are two of the fastest in the state and you'll see that in the game as it'll be a high scoring one! Both teams are lead by division 1 signees in Brister for Lake Arthur and Scott for Doyle who average 20+ points per game. You WILL NOT want to miss this one as there could be 20 lead changes in this back and forth game!
Class 1A State Championship Game
Date: March 4th, 2021
Time: 5:00 pm
Location: University Center (Southeastern) - Hammond, LA
Key Players to Watch:
East Iberville
2021 Dedreka Wilson - Centenary Signee / Honorable Mention
2022 Taylor Gordon - Honorable Mention
Northwood-Lena
2021 Ayleyah Winn - Ranked #31
2023 Elondra Williams
2024 Rihanna Battles - Honorable Mention
Prediction: East Iberbille
This game could honestly go either way as both teams have really been playing well as of late! The combination of guard play and inside presence has me leaning towards the Tigers but Northwood-Lena has a young lady by the name of Ayleyah Winn who may have other plans!
Class B State Championship Game
Date: March 4th, 2021
Time: 7:30 pm
Location: University Center (Southeastern) - Hammond, LA
Key Players to Watch:
Hathaway
2022 Chloey Guidry - Honorable Mention
Fairview
2021 Rylee Jinks - Honorable Mention
2022 Rylee Cloud
Prediction: Fairview
The exciting part of this matchup is Coach vs. Former Player. Hathaway's Head Coach Courtnee Young takes on her former coach, Kyle Jinks for the second year in a row, in this state championship match up. Fairview's team, led by Coach Jinks' daughter, will continue their dynasty. Hathaway has made great strides to get to this point, but I believe that Fairview's program is too seasoned. Hathaway is still young and may need one more year, so look for them to be a factor next year and for years to come.
Class C State Championship Game
Date: March 5th, 2021
Time: 12:00 pm
Location: University Center (Southeastern) - Hammond, LA
Key Players to Watch:
Reeves
2021 Claire Dunnehoo
2023 Maddi Ford
Hicks
2021 Chloe Wilbanks - ULM Commit / Ranked #25
2022 Lauren Quinn - Ranked #7
Prediction: Hicks
Hicks' has a third straight state championship in their sights and Reeves is the only thing standing in their way. Reeves has played well this postseason but I'm not sure they are ready for this next step just yet. Hicks seems to be on a mission and it looks like Wilbanks and Quinn will bing home a 3rd title.
Division I State Championship Game
Date: March 6th, 2021
Time: 2:30 pm
Location: University Center (Southeastern) - Hammond, LA
Key Players to Watch:
Mt. Carmel
2021 Taylor Wilkins - McNeese Signee / Ranked #18
2021 Miranda Strassel - Ranked #43
John Curtis
2024 Terren Coffil - Ranked #1
2021 Jordan Barfield - Ranked #42
2021 Alexis Lavarine - Ranked #45
2024 Heaven Jordan - Ranked #7
Prediction: Mount Carmel
They say it's hard to beat a team three times in one year and with these district rivals facing off for a third time this year both of those previous matchups were won by John Curtis. Another heavy weight fight as both teams deserve to win this championship but there can only be one! John Curtis looks for its 5th straight title and MCA looks to send this group of senior out right this game surely won't disappoint make sure you tune in.
Division II State Championship Game
Date: March 5th, 2021
Time: 2:30 pm
Location: University Center (Southeastern) - Hammond, LA
Key Players to Watch:
St. Louis
2022 Myca Trail - Ranked #3
2023 Paris Guillory - Ranked #2
Liberty Magnet
2021 Haley Franklin - Ranked #29
2022 Ceara Myers - Ranked #19
2024 Whitney Hard - Ranked #12
Prediction: Liberty
With a rematch of the last two championships, I am sure St. Louis has revenge and upset on their minds, but Liberty Magnet still has enough fire power to come away with its 3rd straight title! Look for Liberty's size inside to be the difference in the game on both ends of the floor. If St. Louis can handle the pressure and create some turnovers of their own making this an up and down game they can eliminate Liberty's size scoring easy buckets. The third time they square off could be the best game yet!
Division III State Championship Game
Date: March 6th, 2021
Time: 12:00pm
Location: University Center (Southeastern) - Hammond, LA
Key Players to Watch:
LCA
2021 Zoe Wiltz - Ranked #26
2021 Monique Patterson - Baton Rouge CC Signee / Ranked #28
2024 Jada Richard - Ranked #2
STA
2021 Jade Brumfield - Southeastern Signee / Ranked #22
2021 Halle Bouffard
Prediction: Lafayette Christian Academy
Another rematch of last years state championship which saw STA come away with a win I think LCA happens to be the favorite this year. Jade Brumfield of STA will be able to keep it close but LCA has to much depth and freshman guard Jada Richard is playing really at an elite level!
Division IV State Championship Game
Date: March 4th, 2021
Time: 2:30 pm
Location: University Center (Southeastern) - Hammond, LA
Key Players to Watch:
Ouachita Christian
2021 Conleigh Laseter
2022 Avery Hopkins
2022 Jayden Ellerman
Highland Baptist
2021 Marin Barras
2022 Bri Sensley
2024 M'Kiyiah Olivier - Ranked #20
Prediction: Ouachita Christian
Division V State Championship Game
Date: March 4th, 2021
Time: 12:00 pm
Location: University Center (Southeastern) - Hammond, LA
Key Players to Watch:
Univ Academy
2021 Jordan Semones
Family Community
2023 Lainee McCain
Prediction: University Academy
