Basketball fans are always excited to ring in the new year with one of the top basketball tournament in the state as the Sugar Bowl Tournament is back for the 12th Annual National Prep Basketball Classic. This years event is scheduled for January 4th-7th, 2023 at the at the Alario Center in Westwego, LA. This years event will represent 11 of our current top 25 teams in the state as well as 5 programs form out of state! We'll take a look into each bracket breaking down first round matchups giving predictions and players to watch!
The top bracket is the Platinum bracket and it's loaded with 16 teams that bring a lot of hardware to the table. Really impressed with the lineup the Sugar Bowl has put together for us this year and looking forward to watching all of these games as even the consolation brackets will be loaded with good teams and good talent!
Platinum Bracket kicks off on the 2nd day of the tournament (Thursday Jan 5th)
1st Round Matchups
Kenwood (Chicago, IL) vs. Vandebilt Catholic
Thursday 3:30pm - Blue Court
Kenwood (Chicago,IL) comes into the tournament with a record of 12-2 and ranked #12 in Illinois according to Max Preps and Vanderbilt Catholic with a record of 12-2 and ranked #2 Division II-Non Select. Kenwood on paper seems to be a smaller teams similar to Vandebilt Catholic so this should be a good match up as big size seems to be the one the Vandebilt seems to have problems with.
Prediction: Initially when looking into this matchup I thought the favorite would be Kenwood but the more we peel back the layers and the match up I think Vandebilt has a real chance to pull of the upset here. I believe Vandebilt Catholic is one of the more underrated teams in the state and they take advantage of this opportunity behind a huge game from Makayla Charles and they advance to the second round!
Players to Watch:
Kenwood (Chicago, IL)
Danielle Brooks - Class 2026
Natasha Barnes - Class 2023
Vandebilt Catholic
Gabby Campbell - Top 40 ranked guard 2024 class
Makayla Charles - Top 10 ranked G/F 2025 class
Tyrian Johnson - Top 50 ranked guard 2025 class
Makensie Charles - Top 50 ranked forward 2025 class
Sparkman (Alabama) vs. Lafayette
Thursday 3:30pm - Green Court
Sparkman (Alabama) comes into the tournament with a record of 14-5 and ranked #8 in Illinois according to Max Preps and Lafayette with a record of 11-3 and ranked #1 Division I-Select. This should be another great match up between two great teams but also two great players! Sparkman will be lead by Langham who has signed with Samford and Lafayette will be lead by Narcisse who has signed with South Alabama. Two future Division I guards will go head to head in this one!
Prediction: Even in a team game of basketball it's hard to imagine this game won't come down to whoever has the better showing between Narcisse and Langham! I've certainly got this one circled to take a good look at tomorrow as it's rare you get to see two senior Division I signee guards go head to head in a high school game. I'm going with the home team in this one so give me Lafayette in possible the best game of the first round!
Sparkman (Alabama)
Kennedy Langham - Class 2023 - Samford Signee
Lafayette
Chrysta Narcisse - #3 ranked prospect 2023 class - South Alabama Signee
Grace Paul - Top 25 ranked forward 2024 class
Kira Johnson - Top 10 ranked guard 2025 class
Parrish Community (Florida) vs. Warren Easton
Thursday 5:00pm - Green Court
Parish Community (Florida) comes into the tournament with a record of 6-6 and Warren Easton with a record of 13-5 and ranked #5 Division I-Select. In a battle of the best guard play both teams come into the game with guards that can really score it! Parish Community is lead by Mary Portwood and the junior guard is averaging nearly 20ppg while the three headed monster of Easton (Washing, Wills, and Newman) will look to slow her down!
Prediction: Again I'm going with the home team in this one so give me Warren Easton as the three guards they have each can get hot and score 20pts on any given night. The big three will do what they can to slow down Portwood and pull out a win as Warren Easton advances to the second round of the tournament.
Parrish Community (Florida)
Mary Portwood - Class 2024
Warren Easton
Kameryn Washington - Top 25 guard 2023 class
Ta'Jae Wills - Top 30 guard 2023 class
Markeyl Randolph - honorable mention forward 2023 class
Nitivia Woodson - honorable mention forward 2024 class
Jalyn Newman - honorable mention guard 2025 class
John Curtis vs. Bartlett (Tennessee)
Thursday 5:00pm - Blue Court
We had the opportunity to see Bartlett versus Parkway at the (Sandra Meadows) Duncanville tournament last week as Parkway came out on top 50-47. Bartlett was then put into the consolation bracket of the tournament and won all three games there to win that bracket. With that being said Bartlett is well versed in big time games and lead by N.C. State signee Mallory Collier who's the #55 ranked prospect in the nation. John Curtis will have their hands full with Mallory as the 6'3 post is a tough match up for the Lady Patriots. Bartlett also has two lighting quick senior guards in Scott and Sims to help with a balanced attack. This will be a great test for the defending state champs (6 in a row) John Curtis. *For those that have seen Wossman play this season.... Bartlett is very similar style just a little more seasoned being lead by three seniors.
Prediction: The saying is guards win games and that tends to be the deciding factor in big time games like this one. Personally I believe the match up of guard play will be pretty similar but the inside presence will heavily favor Bartlett. John Curtis will have to make this an up and down game and get Collier involved defending the pick and roll when in the half court setting they can pull off the win! But, I think the balanced attack of Bartlett will be too much for John Curtis as Bartlett pulls away late down the stretch.
John Curtis
Heaven Jordan - Top 5 ranked prospect 2024 class
Imani Daniel - Top 20 ranked prospect 2025 class
Chikae Desdunes - #1 ranked prospect 2026 class
Bartlett (Tennessee)
Mallory Collier - #55 Ranked player in the country according to ESPN - NC State Signee
Nevaeh Scott - 2023 guard
Raven Sims - 2023 guard
McGill (Toolen, AL) vs. Ellender
Thursday 6:30pm - Blue Court
McGill (Toolen,AL) comes into the tournament with a record of 15-3 and ranked #18 in Alabama according to Max Preps and Ellender with a record of 8-11 and ranked #14 Division II-Non Select. McGill has been a dominate team in Alabama for years now in both 6A and 7A so they will be a challenge for defending 4A state champion Ellender.
Prediction: Ellender has struggled in the big games this season as they have not dodged the tough schedule but have not seemed to come out on top in the bigger match ups yet. I think they struggle again Thursday night as McGill edges them out down the stretch. McGill advances to the second round!
McGill (Toolen, AL)
Lindsey Cox - Class 2023
Anna Reed McNeece - Class 2023
Ellender
Jamia "Mini" Singleton - #16 ranked player 2023 class - One of the top unsigned point guards in the state.
Laikyn Spry - Top 40 ranked G/F 2023 class
Sage Singleton - honorable mention 2023 class
Huntington vs. Ponchatoula
Thursday 8:00pm - Blue Court
Two programs that seem to consistently find themselves in Hammond each year fighting for a state championship as of late! This game will live up to the hype as both teams come in ranked in the top 10 in their respective divisions. Both programs are lead by highly respected coaches and will have their teams ready for one of the biggest tournaments in the state. Huntington has been lead by freshmen sensation Kyndal Graham as she continues to take her game to new heights not only scoring but making her teammates around her better. Ponchatoula on the other hand will be lead by senior forward Libby Thompson who has made her case to be considered one of the best shooters in the state!
Prediction: Honestly I believe both these teams have yet to play their best stretch of basketball and I think both teams are continuing to improve. Huntington is lead by two younger guards that keep improving as the season goes on battling through the tough part of their schedule you can imagine they and the team will only be better for it come playoff time. Ponchatoula has had to fight the injury bug and its best basketball is still ahead of themselves as they have had to role players step into the starting line up and each of those young ladies have stepped up to the challenge... The Lady Wave will be really clicking come playoff time! As for this game which could go either way but I'm going to lean towards Huntington as the backcourt of Graham and Bell lead the Lady Raiders to a win.
Huntington
Kyndal Graham - Top 5 ranked player 2026 class
Jamar'i Bell - Top 25 ranked guard 2025 class
Asia Jones-Reed - Top 50 ranked G/F 2023 class
Za'nyah Lefear - Honorable mention guard 2024 class
Ponchatoula
Libby Thompson - Top 25 ranked forward 2023 class (Loyola New Orleans Signee)
Taylor Jackson - Top 35 ranked forward 2023 class
Alyssa Hillard - Top 30 ranked G/F 2025 class
St. Thomas Aquinas vs. LaGrange
Thursday 6:30pm - Green Court
St. Thomas Aquinas steps into the open spot as Walker has dropped out due to unforeseen circumstances. STA is a great addition to the tournament as they come in with a 16-4 record and currently ranked #2 in Division II-Select. They will take on LaGrange who has a record of 11-6 and ranked #8 in Division II-Non Select. When you think of tough and physical teams both STA and LaGrange are teams that come to mind as these teams will surely leave it all on the floor Thursday night!
Prediction: STA steps into one of the toughest tournaments in the state and jumping into the top bracket will be no easy task! Drawing a similar opponent in LaGrange might be the best draw for them in round one but the crystal ball is showing the Lady Gators of LaGrange. Defense travels as LaGrange physical play and toughness gives them an opportunity to pull off a huge powerpoint win and they get enough stops in the 4th quarter to win a close one!
St. Thomas Aquinas
Sophie Geisler - Top 40 ranked guard 2023 class
LaGrange
Ala'jsa Walker - Top 30 ranked prospect 2023 class
Southern Lab vs. Lafayette Christian
Thursday 8:00pm - Green Court
Southern Lab and Lafayette Christian match up for the second time this season and will match up for a third time on January 10th at LCA. The first round went to LCA as they cruised to a 58-38 win in the Hamilton Christian tournament earlier this season. Both teams have improved as this game was over a month ago and I'm sure Southern Lab is ready for another opportunity at LCA who we have ranked as the #1 team in the state regardless of classification! If nothing else you'll want to catch this game to see the head to head match up of Jada Richard the #1 player in 2024 class versus Sheila Forman the #2 player in the 2025 class. This game is loaded with future college prospects and only one senior between the two teams!
Prediction: It's hard to beat a team twice in a season much less three times! When you're the top team in the state everyone gives you their best punch so the challenge for Coach Rodges is can he continue to motivate his team to play at the level needed to win these top 25 games! Southern Lab has improved and is playing well as of late so I think they will close the gap but LCA will make enough plays needed in the second half to advance to the second round!
Southern Lab
Shaila Forman - #2 Ranked prospect 2025 class
Madison Alcerro - Top 30 ranked forward 2025 class
Asia Patin - Top 10 ranked guard 2026 class
Lafayette Christian
Jada Richard - Top ranked player 2024 class - (High Major prospect)
Dacia Jones - Top 10 ranked guard 2023 class
Eve Alexander - Top 10 ranked guard 2024 class
Indera Hebert - Top 30 ranked guard 2024 class
Taylen Taylor - Honorable Mention point guard 2025
Kaliyah Samuels - Top 5 guard/forward 2025
Gold Bracket kicks off on the 1st day of the tournament (Wednesday Jan 4th)
Edna Karr vs. St. Mary's
Wednesday 5:00pm - Main Court
Edna Karr and St. Mary's come into this season with two younger teams still trying to figure things out on the season! A great opportunity for both programs to compete in the Gold Bracket of the Sugar Bowl tournament allows you to give your team playoff style games and that's just what we'll have here. I'm excited to see how both programs have improved from the start of the season having not seen them since early on in the year.
Prediction: The winner of this first round match up will be able to build off this game as it will be similar to a 1st round playoff game! Having not seen either team in a few months I'm not sure who has improved more but I'll go with Edna Karr as the experience they have in this tournament from years past gives them the edge.
Edna Karr
Jordyn Rogers - Top 50 ranked guard 2025 class
St. Mary's
Skylah Polk - Top 40 ranked guard 2026 class
Ben Franklin vs. Northshore
Wednesday 5:00pm - Green Court
Ben Franklin comes into the matchup with a 15-4 record ranked #7 Division I-Select and Northsore's record of 7-9 and ranked #20 Division I-Non Select but don't let the records fool you this will be a great game! Northshore has challenged themselves with a difficult schedule to prepare themselves for tournaments like this one. Ben Franklin made the run to the top 28 last year and one of the best seasons in programs history! They are picking up right where they left off last season as they look to make another deep playoff run this year!
Prediction: With revenge on the minds of Ben Franklin this would be a big win for them as this is a rematch of a game on December 20th when Northshore came out on top with a 55-48 win. It's hard to beat an opponent twice in one season much less twice in six games but Northshore is the slightly better team here and Northshore puts together another good performance to outlast Ben Franklin.
Ben Franklin
Petra Trumback - Honorable Mention G/F 2023 class
Northshore
Cherie Spencer - #6 ranked prospect 2025 class
Dominican vs. Liberty
Wednesday 5:00pm - Purple Court
Dominican comes into the tournament with a 12-5 record and ranked #12 in Division I-Select and Liberty comes in with a record of 7-5 ranked #9 in the same division. While Dominican has more wins Liberty has put together a stronger schedule giving them a higher ranking halfway through the season. The winner of this game will likely be awarded the higher power point rating giving them a huge advantage before the start of district play and playoffs right around the corner! In a battle of two different styles of play as Liberty plays more aggressive zone/trapping and Dominican will be more half-court it'll be a great game to see which team will be more effective.
Prediction: In these games at the Alario Center one thing that's important to remember is which court the game is being played on as the Green/Gold/Purple Courts are much smaller than the other courts! The smaller courts tend to favor the teams that run more full court and zone traps not given the offense as much space to attack the defense. With that being said this game will be impacted as it's on the Purple Court and that will favor Liberty! Liberty forces enough turnovers to get some easy points as they get a big win over Dominican in the first round.
Dominican
Sophia Martin - Top 40 ranked G/F 2023 class
Bailey Johnson - Top 50 ranked guard 2023 class (Millsaps College Signee)
Liberty
Whitney Hart - Top 5 ranked forward 2024 class
Markiyah Jefferson - Honorable mention guard 2024 class
Mt. Carmel vs. Newman
Wednesday 6:30pm - Main Court
Mt. Carmel comes into the tournament with a record of 11-6 ranked #15 in Division I-Select and Newman comes in with a record of 9-2 ranked #1 in Division III-Select. Looking at both teams rankings in their respective divisions you would think Newman has the huge advantage here but that won't be the case come the game tonight. Each of their respective divisions are both stronger/weaker than the other and this will actually be a great matchup tonight!
Prediction: Newman has the advantage inside there is no question about that as the combination of Yunusah and Bean will be a lot for Fowler and MCA to handle but MCA will have the advantage on the perimeter. This game will be played on the Main Court and again like before the location of these games matters a lot as MCA will have to rely on making several outside shots to pull out this win! The Alario Center Main Court is not one that favors 3pt shooting. MCA need to force Newman into turnovers in an effort to create easy points but I think the combination of rebounding and limiting turnovers Newman advances to the second round!
Mt. Carmel
Jessica Runnels - Honorable mention 2023 guard - One of top unsigned shooters
Lauren Fowler - Honorable mention 2025 forward
Newman
Anaya Yunusah - Top 40 ranked player 2024 class
Sanaa Bean - Top 10 ranked player 2025 class
Amite vs. West Jefferson
Wednesday 6:30pm - Green Court
Amite comes into the tournament with a record of 11-3 and ranked #1 in Division III-Non Select and West Jefferson with a record of 9-8 and ranked #26 Division I-Non Select. This will be a match up of great guard play on both teams!
Prediction: When both teams have good guard play it tends to be a great match up and that's the case in this one! While I think Amite is the deeper team I believe this will give them the edge as they pull away down the stretch to advance to the 2nd round!
Amite
Hailey Brumfield - #7 Ranked prospect 2024 class
Miracle Irving - Top 40 ranked guard 2024 class
West Jefferson
Kyra Bradley - Top 15 ranked player 2023 class - (One of top unsigned point guards in the state)
Northwest vs. Cabrini
Wednesday 6:30pm - Purple Court
Northwest comes into the tournament with a record of 7-9 and ranked #15 in Division II-Non Select and Cabrini with a record of 2-8 and ranked #25 Division II- Select. Northwest is a long athletic team as they will deflect a lot of passes on defense and look to run the floor in transition. Cabrini excels in the half court setting as they will try to slow things down and execute in a half court setting!
Prediction: Northwest will be at an advantage on the smaller Purple court as the length and size will give Cabrini some trouble. Northwest comes out with the win and advances to the second round.
Northwest
Courtlynn Rideau - Honorable Mention forward 2024 class
Mashayla Lazard - Honorable Mention guard 2024 class
Cabrini
Jada Spencer - Honorable Mention guard 2023 class
Parris Chartain - Honorable Mention guard 2024 class
St. Thomas More - 1st Round Bye
STM comes into the tournament with a 13-2 record and ranked #3 in Division I-Select. STM is a very balanced and deep team as they have both inside and outside presence on the court as well as a combination of upperclassmen and underclassmen. They will be one of the favorite to win the Gold Bracket and have rightfully been given a 1st round bye.
St. Thomas More
AC Froelich - Top 30 ranked forward 2023 class (LSU Volleyball)
Brynnan Boyd - Top 30 ranked guard 2025 class
Blaire McCauley - Honorable Mention guard 2025 class
Zachary - 1st Round Bye
Zachary comes into the tournament with a 17-2 record and ranked #4 in Division I-Non Select. Zachary has been playing some good basketball despite losing its last game versus Hathaway. They have been given a 1st round bye and will look to continue the hot streak in competing as one of the top teams in the Gold Bracket.
Zachary
Alissa O'Dell - Top 20 Ranked forward 2023 class (Loyola New Orleans Signee)
Tiarra McPipe - Top 25 Ranked guard 2025 class
Ava Raymond - Top 25 ranked guard 2026 class