Even the winter weather could not cool us down for long.
While this week’s cold snap threw a wrench in basketball plans Tuesday and Wednesday, we were still able to get some good basketball in Rapides Parish throughout the week.
Once again, we delve into the top storylines from this past week with the Rapides Parish Hoops Report.
Buckeye stays perfect as winning streak reaches 21
It continues to be a special year for Buckeye’s boys basketball team.
Last Friday, the Panthers earned their first win in 17 years at Marksville when they defeated the Tigers, 36-28, to improve to 21-0 and 2-0 in District 2-3A play.
“This team has steadily marked off firsts for things,” coach Morey Skluzacek said. “This has been one of those things that they really wanted to do. We started really well, but Marksville cranked it up in the second half. It’s been a credit to their hard work and finding ways to win.”
According to Skluzacek, this is the first time Buckeye opened the season 11-0 as it now has back-to-back 20-win seasons.
Oak Hill pushes Lafayette Christian to brink with valiant effort
At the MLK Extravaganza in Baton Rouge, Oak Hill gave Lafayette Christian all it could ask for in a battle of defending champions.
Oak Hill lost 72-68 in overtime behind 21 points and 11 rebounds from senior Alexis Dyer.
Junior point guard Brilee Dousay continued her strong play with 14 points, 10 assists, six rebounds and five steals as she battled LSU signee Jada Richard. Richard finished with 44 points for the Lady Knights.
Best wins of the week
For the girls, Glenmora and Bolton share nod with some key victories this week.
The Lady Cats snapped a five-game losing streak in their 44-22 win over Avoyelles Thursday to improve to 1-2 in district play, while the Lady Bears are 2-0 after traveling to Jena and leaving with a 41-27 win.
For the boys, Buckeye earns it once again after defeating Marksville on the road last Friday, 36-28.
The Tigers entered the contest having won nine of their last 10 in the rivalry, but the Panthers held them to their season low for their first win in Marksville since 2007.
10 games for the next 10 days
Here is this week’s look at the ten most anticipated games for this weekend and next week involving Rapides Parish schools.
Girls
Northwood at LaSalle (tonight): The Lady Gators are finding their championship DNA as the season progresses and they will have a tough road test with undefeated LaSalle in Olla.
Oakdale at Menard (tonight): With the weather postponing the Lady Eagles’ contest against Rosepine on Jan. 16, their senior laden backcourt of Ellie Juneau and Abgail Atherton goes up against the Warrior duo of Emani Young and Akeelah Hobson fresh off winning the Division IV non-select title last season.
Menard at Glenmora (Jan. 23): Staying in the thick of the District 4-2A race will be the goal as sophomore Carly Meynard looks to continue a run of double-doubles against Lady Cat senior Alexsia Branch.
Anacoco at Oak Hill (Jan. 23): Oak Hill needs this one against the Lady Indians if it wants to remain in the District 4-B hunt.
Neville at Tioga (Jan. 26): The Lady Indians’ biggest challenge for the District 2-4A crown will come against a Neville team that is always a tough out.
Boys
Liberty Magnet at Peabody (tonight): Fresh off coming a runner-up performance at the Sugar Bowl National Prep Classic, the Warhorses face Liberty Magnet in a matchup of teams prime to play in the Top 28 at Lake Charles.
ASH at Avoyelles Charter (Jan. 22): Brothers Jordyn and Jaylin Johnson duel with Viking duo Jalen Brown and Armonii Benjamin in a good non-district test for both teams.
Buckeye at Caldwell Parish (Jan. 23): Another big road test for the Panthers as they go to Columbia and inch towards the District 2-3A title.
St. Mary’s at Northwood (Jan. 23): Last season, the Gators held a 3-1 advantage against the Tigers en route to winning a long-awaited title. This season, the two rivals open their season series with the District 3-1A title again at stake.
ASH at Pineville (Jan. 26): Anytime the Trojans and Rebels face each other, it is always a good one. The key matchup will be inside the paint as Pineville senior JaVonte Thomas goes against ASH sophomore TyShawn Duncan.
A former sports reporter for The Town Talk in Alexandria and the Natchitoches Times in Natchitoches, LaMar Gafford has covered the sports scene in Central Louisiana for the last 10 years. Along with contributing a weekly basketball column for the Rapides Parish Journal, the eight-time LSWA award winner writes about Cenla sports for his website CenlaPreps.com. You can contact LaMar by e-mail at lamargafford@gmail.com or on Twitter/X @lamargafford.