With the girls in their playoff swing, it is that time for the boys to join them.
With two more days to go in the regular season, playoff spots are still up for grabs for some Rapides Parish teams, while others continue to jockey for positioning.
Once again, we delve into the top storylines from this past week with the Rapides Parish Hoops Report.
Trojans win District 2-5A, get revenge in Red River Rivalry series
Call it the perfect storm of a week for Alexandria Senior High’s basketball team.
There had been some hiccups as the season drew to a close, but the Trojans got a pair of big wins against Ouachita and Pineville this week to not only win their first boys district title in 30 years, but to likely solidify a first-round bye in the Division I playoffs.
Last Friday, ASH defeated the Lions 53-51 as seniors Chavez Whitehead and Jaylin Johnson scored 17 points each to lead the way. However, it was the duo’s defense on the last two Lion possessions that earned the victory.
Fast forward four days later and Johnson’s brother, Jordyn, erupted for 25 points in the 72-49 win over the Rebels.
Jordyn, who missed the first game between the two teams in Pineville, admittedly had extra motivation.
Best wins of the week
I will expand more about this in my first-round girls roundup, but the best girls win of the week will go to Tioga snapping an 18-year drought without a playoff win.
In their first playoff game since 2020 and their first home playoff game since 2011, the No. 9 Lady Indians coasted past No. 24 Bonnabel, 57-23, in the first round of the Division I playoffs.
With the Trojans winning their first district title in 30 years qualifying as a top boys win, I will give a shout out to Plainview topping Fairview last Friday to win District 5-C.
Putting the cherry on top of a beautiful senior night, team assistant Lakota Johnson was honored during the festivities with his fellow seniors. Johnson, who uses a mobile wheelchair to get around because of being in a car accident in 2022, also made a shot before the game and was celebrated by his teammates.
That is what sports is all about, folks.
Most anticipated games this weekend
In a bit of a different twist this week since girls basketball is in the playoffs and boys basketball is winding things down, I will talk about some of the boys games this weekend with major playoff implications and compelling battles.
Archbishop Rummel at ASH (tonight): As I am writing this article, the Trojans will have a first round bye and a top eight seed after getting the much-needed extra power point for winning District 2-5A. This will be a good litmus test for the playoffs.
Buckeye at Vidalia (tonight): Since winning their first 25 games, the Panthers have hit a lull with a 2-3 mark near the season’s end. A win at Vidalia can stabilize things as Buckeye should earn a first-round bye.
Simpson at Glenmora (tonight): It is a must-win for the Wildcats, who are looking to lock up one of the final spots in Division III select.
Rapides at Bunkie (tonight): Rivals and old district foes take on each other as both teams are currently playing some of their best ball.
Archbishop Rummel at Pineville (Saturday): The Raiders stay in Cenla and go across the river to take on Pineville the following day. Like I said about the Trojans, this will be a good test for the Rebels as well and there is a chance these two can have a return match in the regional round.
Avoyelles Charter at Peabody (Saturday): Yes, the Hall of Fame Game is an exhibition of sorts but there is always a lot of pride on the line. The Warhorses welcome the defending Division V select champions in a playoff tune-up for both teams.
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 2023 recipient of the LHSAA’s Prep Journalism award and 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.