Lake Charles, LA / Sam Houston High School - The Showdown at the Lake tournament did not disappoint tonight as the first round match ups had plenty of great games and standouts. Take a look at the day one recaps below as well as a look ahead to second round matchups and predictions!
Recap Day 1 Games
Day 2 Predictions at the Bottom of the Page
Game 1 - Lafayette Christian Acadmey versus Washington Marion
Lafayette Christian came out on fire to start the game as they cruised to a 24-11 lead after the first. Washington-Marion is a team that's much improved from years past but while waiting to get a key player back healthy the Lady Chargers couldn't hang with one of the top teams in the state. LCA extended their lead to 21 points at the half as the Lady Knights cruised to the second round. Final LCA wins 65-23.
LCA's Jada Richard '24 scored 17 points despite not playing in the 4th quarter and our player of the game was Junior forward Eve Alexander as she scored 17 points pulling down 14 rebounds secruring a monster double double as well as the win.
LCA will advance to the second round to play Southern Lab Friday at 4:00pm - Sam Houston HS - Main Gym.
Washington Marion will play Hamilton Christian in the consoltation bracket at Friday 4:00pm - Sam Houston HS Aux Gym.
Player of the Game - Eve Alexander 2024
Game 2 - Ruston versus Madison Prep
Both Madison Prep and Ruston look much different than in recent years as Madison Prep graduated several seniors from last years team and Ruston went from one of the largest 5A teams size wise to one of the smallest. Madison Prep had the size advantage on the inside and they helped keep them in the game early as Ruston held a small lead 12-8 after the first.
Ruston was lead by junior guard Jaliah McWain '24 as she finished with 15 points scoring 13 in the first half to help give Ruston a halftime lead of 25-16.
Madison Prep did they best they could to pound the ball inside but struggled to score and Ruston was able to make the game a full court game forcing double digit turnovers to cruise down the stretch. Ruston continued to add to its lead in the second half as the full court pressure was to much with a final score of 48-28.
Ruston advances to the second round to take on Fairview Friday at 5:30pm - Sam Houston HS Main Gym
Madison Prep will play Lafayette in the consoltation bracket Friday at 8:30pm - Sam Houston Aux Gym
Player of the game Jaliyah McWain 2024
Game 3 - St Louis Catholic Vs Rosepine
We heard a lot about Rosepine coming into this game and St Louis Catholic is coming off of back to back state championships so we knew this would be a good matchup! St Louis jumped out to a big lead early out scoring Rosepine in both the first and second quarter as they held a 10 point halftime lead 33-23.
The double digit lead quickly disappeared as St Louis found themselves in foul trouble early in the third quater as Senior Paris Guillory (La Tech Signee) picked up her fourth personal and was forced to come to the bench. Rosepine rallied back behind ETBU commit Addison Fruge as she scored 5 points in the third to cut the St Louis lead to only 3pts heading into the fourth quarter.
St Louis Catholic's seniors Guillory and Link would combine for 13 points in the fourth quarter as St Louis would fight through foul trouble and injuries to pull away with the win advancing to the second round with a final score of 57-44.
St Louis Catholic advances to the second round and will play Friday versus Wossman at 7:00pm - Sam Houston HS - Main Court
Rosepine will look to bounce back in the consolation versus Barbe Friday at 5:30pm - Sam Houston HS - Aux Gym
Player of the game - Paris Guillory / LA Tech Signee
Game 4 - Fairview Vs Lafayette
With Fairview's style of play and Lafayette's guards we knew this would be a great game and it turned out to be the game of the night!
Both teams can in with clear game plans as Fairview wanted to play its fast style of play and Lafayette wanted the basketball in the hands of Narcisse and Johnson to control the tempo. Lafayette seemed to control the tempo early as they jumped out to a 17-14 lead after the first quarter and senior standout Chrysta Narcisse (South Alabama Signee) scored seven points to start the game.
For those of us that have watched a many of Fairview games it was clear to see they were perfectly fine with the back and forth game through out as they belive the conditioning and fast style of play will wear their opponents down and they did just that tonight.
Lafayette's guards Kiara Johnson '24 and Chrysta Narcisse played exceptional as they combined for 39 points and they even extended the lead to double digits in the fourt quarter. The key was Lafayette only scored six points in the fourth quarter as Fairview came storming back and gave themselves a chance with just under 10 seconds left in the game I'll let you take a look at the video below to see the outcome!
Fairview won at the buzzer with a 3pt shot by Bella Smith 60-58.
Fairview moves onto the 2nd round and will play Friday at 5:30pm versus Ruston at Sam Houston HS - Main Gym.
Lafayette will be one of the favorites to win the consolation bracket as they will take on Madison Prep Friday at 8:30pm Sam Houston HS - Aux Gym.
Player of the Game - Bella Smith
Game 5 - Hamilton Christian Vs Southern Lab
Hamilton Christian is the host team and they have looked improved from last year but not quite ready for defending state champions Southern Lab. The Lady Kittins came out on fire as they held a 23-8 lead after the first quarter. Hamilton Christian's junior guard McKenzie Deville scored six points in the first quarter before getting banged up and sat the rest of the game out of precaution.
With out Deville Hamilton was no match for Southern Lab as they cruised to a 72-20 win behind sophomore sensation Shaila Foreman's 28 points in three quaters.
Southern Lab advances to the second round and will play Lafayette Christian Academy at 4:00pm Friday - Sam Houston HS Main Gym.
Hamilton Christian will look to rebound in the consolation bracket as they take on Washington Marion Friday at 4:00pm - Sam Houston HS Aux Gym.
Player of the game 2025 Shaila Foreman
Game 6 - John Curtis Vs LaGrange
This was an exciting game to look forward as we got guys on John Curtis for the first time this year and LaGrange came ready to play pushing this new look Curtis team to the limit.
Like many of the earlier games the team that got off to the beat start found themselves on top at the end of the game and that was the case here as John Curtis jumped out to an early lead after the first 15-11. Two familiar faces lead John Curtis as Desdunes and Jordan were consistent on both ends of the court and combined for 17 points in the first half to help Curtis get into the locker room with a 30-23 lead.
Coach Holmes and the LaGrange Gators didn't go down easy as competed until the final buzzer keeping the game to single digits until late in the 4th when they just getting get enough shots to fall. LeBlanc finished with an 18 point 14 rebound doubke doubek but it wasn't enough as John Curtis came out on top 67-52.
John Curtis' Desdunes finished with 23 points and Daniels finished with 22 points.
John Curtis will head home as they exit from the tournament giving Parkway a bye next round.
LaGrange will move to the consolation bracket and take on Jennings Friday at 7:00pm - Sam Houston Aux Gym.
Player of the Game - Heaven Jordan
Game 7 - Parkway vs Jennings
It's not very often the number 1/2 player in the country comes to Lake Charles but that's just what is happening this week as Parkway and Mikayla Williams (LSU Signee) are in town for the Showdown at the Lake! Tonight they took on Jennings and the Bulldogs were outmatched as Parkway jumped out to a huge 38-5 halftime lead proving why they are our top ranked team in the state. Parkway would ease there way to a 55-20 victory and advance to the second round.
Mikayla Williams finished with 17 points despite not playing the 4th quarter.
Parkway advances to the second round where they will actually get a bye as John Curtis will head home. Parkway's next game will be Saturday at 10:30am in the semifinals.
Jennings will play in the consolation bracket Friday at 7:00pm versus LaGrange - Sam Houston HS - Aux Gym.
Player of the Game - McKenna Miles
Game 8 - Barbe Vs Wossman
This game was the most anticipated match up as we have both these teams currently in the top five of our rankings regardless of classification and it was just that... A battle of two of the top teams in the state regardless of classification!
Wossman has been very impressive to start the season and they continued to impress even more tonight as they dominated this game from the jump ball until the final buzzer leading the entire game. Wossman was consistent throughout and lead at halftime 36-26 behind guards Da'Naya Ross and Anyra Wilson as they combined for 25 of the teams 36 points.
Barbe didn't go away as they were led by senior ULM signee Mikayla Manley as she finished with 19 points. The Lady Bucs are known for their outside shooting but could only get two threes to fall in the second half as they were outscored 29-15 in the second half.
Coach Robinson had Wossman firing on all cylnders tonight as it didn't matter what Barbe through at them they had an answer. Wossman has been challenging themselves with one of the toughest schedules in the state and that proved tonight as they were ready for the top 5 matchup and made a statement in a dominating 65-41 win.
Wossman advances to the second round and will take on St. Louis Catholic Friday night at 7:00pm Sam Houston HS Main Gym.
Barbe will be a favorite in the consolation bracket as they take on a tough Rosepine team Friday night at 5:30pm Sam Houston HS Aux Gym.
Player of the Game - Da'Naya Ross
Day 2 Predictions / Winners Bracket
Game 1 - Lafayette Christian Academy versus Southern Lab
Both teams are defending state champions and will be competing again for a state championship in their respective divisions. LCA will be lead by Jada Richard who is the top prospect in the 2024 class and finished with 18 points round one despite not playing the fourth quarter. Southern Lab will be lead by Shaila Foreman who is the 2nd ranked 2025 in the state and finished with 28 points in round one and also didn't play in the fourth quarter.
Foreman will look to keep up with Richard and keep things close but I think the difference in this game will be on the inside as LCA's Alexander and Samuels will be to much down low for Southern Lab. The Lady Knights will dominate the boards and this will help them advance to the semifinals where they will take on the winner of Wossman and St. Louis Catholic Saturday morning!
Game 2 - Ruston versus Fairview
Ruston from years past with the size would be a much tougher matchup for Fairview but the new look Ruston plays a similar style as Fairview and that doesn't bode well for them. Ruston's McWain is a very talented guard but Fairview does an excellent job of wearing down the other teams lead guards therefore someone else will have to step up and help along the way.
Fairview is one of the top teams in the state despite being one of that smallest schools in the state and they continue to win advancing to the semifinals of the Showdown on the Lake for a MAJOR matchup against the number one team in the state Parkway on Saturday 10:30am at Hamilton Christian.
Game 3 - St. Louis Catholic versus Wossman
Another matchup with both teams being defending state champions it's easy to get excited about this game. While St. Louis will have to figure out things fighting through injuries they draw a tough task of the uber talented Wossman Wildcats.
This game could be close early in somewhat of a trap game for Wossman coming off the big win over Barbe earlier in the tournament but St. Louis will be outmatched on Friday and Wossman continues to impress as they advance to the semifinals of the Showdown on the Lake to take on the winner of LCA and Southern Lab Saturday.
Game 4 - Parkway receives a bye as John Curtis has pulled out of the tournament and will player the winner of Fairview and Ruston. If Fairview wins like I believe they will this would be a bad matchup for Parkway who is not a very deep team. Fairviews style forces you to get up and down and play a lot of possessions causing you to go deep into your bench or you run out of gas in the 4th quarter.
Day 2 Predictions / Consolation Bracket
Game 1 - Washington Marion versus Hamilton Christian
Washington Marion and Hamilton Christian are both battling injuries to their top players so they will rely on the supporting cast to pull out a win Friday night. Washington Marion has been playing solid to start the season and I think they are a little more experienced to this part of the season which will give them the edge on Friday night.
Washing Marion advances to the semifinals in the consolation bracket and will take on the winner of Rosepine and Barbe.
Game 2 - Rosepine versus Barbe
Rosepine and Barbe both had tough matchups in the first round action which again leads up to the best matchup in the consolation bracket here. Both teams are well coached and this game could be be closer than some would think as both squads look to rebound whichever team jumps out to a lead will have a huge advantage!
Barbe Lady Bucs will rely on senior guard and ULM signee Mikayla Manley to lead this squad to a victory and get them back on track as one of the top teams in the state. Barbe bounces back with a big win over Rosepine to advance to the semifinals in the consolation bracket taking on Washington Marion or Hamilton Christian.
Game 3 - Madison Prep versus Lafayette
Lafayette and Madison Prep both bring a lot of size to the court and will be a good match up down low but we all know guards win games! If Madison Prep can keep the game low scoring they can have a chance but Lafayette certainly has the advantage here at the guard position with Narcisse and Johnson. If they can get going and finish through/around the size of Madison Prep they should cruise to a semifinals.
Lafayette advances to the semifinals of the consolation bracket and will play the winner of LaGrange/Jennings on Saturday.
Game 4 - LaGrange versus Jennings
Jennings was outmatched versus Parkway who's the top team in the state so it was difficult to get an evaluation on them but given that LaGrange played Parkway much closer earlier in the season I have to give LaGrange the advantage in this one. LaGrange did struggle to score at times tonight and if this is the case Jennings can find a way to keep things close but I believe LaGrange will turn its good defense into easy offense and they cruise into the semifinals of the consolation bracket and will play the winner of Lafayete/Madison Prep.
Komentáre