The most exciting day of high school basketball this season for Rapides Parish is today, with the Menard girls playing for a state championship in Hammond and four boys teams bidding for state tournament berths with playoff games tonight – including a battle between two of them.
ASH, Peabody and Plainview host boys state quarterfinal games tonight, with the Trojans’ contest extra spicy as Tioga crosses the Red River to visit.
At stake are berths at next week’s Marsh Madness state tournament in Lake Charles.
Today at 4 in Hammond, the fourth-seeded Menard Lady Eagles will count on their smothering defense as they take on No. 2 Rosepine for the Select Division III state championship. Menard (23-7) held top-seeded Lafayette Christian to 14 second-half points Tuesday and rallied from 18 down to score a 45-43 upset over the five-time defending state champions.
Rosepine (26-7) handled Academy of the Sacred Heart 56-44 in the second semifinal Tuesday.
Thursday at the University Center, Buckeye’s run to Marsh Madness was stopped by top-seeded Madison Prep, 44-38. The fifth-seeded Lady Panthers got 17 points and 8 rebounds from Libby Cross and Sadie St. Pe’ contributed 10 points before fouling out.
Rapides Parish basketball teams in the state playoffs Thursday and today:
GIRLS SELECT DIVISION II SEMIFINAL
Madison Prep 44, Buckeye 38 (Thursday at Hammond)
GIRLS SELECT DIVISION III CHAMPIONSHIP
Menard (seeded 4th) vs. Rosepine (2), 4:00, University Center, Hammond
BOYS SELECT DIVISION I
Quarterfinal matchup: Tioga (7) at ASH (2), 7:00
BOYS SELECT DIVISION II
Quarterfinal matchup: University Lab (7) at Peabody (2), 6:00
BOYS CLASS C
Quarterfinal matchup: Singer (11) at Plainview (3), 6:00