Three parish boys basketball teams are bound for Marsh Madness in Lake Charles for semifinal games in the LHSAA state tournament, beginning with defending Class C state champion Plainview this afternoon.
The Holy Savior Menard Lady Eagles’ historic run at a state championship came painfully close to fruition Friday, but second-seeded Rosepine rallied in the second half and controlled overtime to win the Select Division III crown 42-34 in Hammond at the University Center in the LHSAA’s girls Marsh Madness event.
Alexandria Senior High outlasted visiting Tioga 50-42 in a boys Select Division I quarterfinal Friday night. The second-seeded Trojans play Wednesday at 4:30 in a semifinal contest against 11th-seeded Edna Karr.
Peabody dominated visiting University Lab, the seventh seed, 71-31 Friday night in Select Division II. The No. 2-seeded Warhorses also play Wednesday in the semifinals, meeting third-seeded Washington-Marion at 8 o’clock, facing a Lake Charles team in its hometown.
Plainview also rolled in its Friday night quarterfinal contest at home. The Hornets, seeded third, blasted No. 11 Singer 68-49 on the heels of a 73-38 second-round win last Tuesday over 19th-seeded Evans. Plainview, which won its first state title in 65 years last March, tries for its second straight championship game appearance today in a semifinal against second-seeded Pleasant Hill at 4:30 at Burton Coliseum.
Menard’s girls made their first-ever state finals appearance after reaching the state tournament for the third time in four seasons, and in the second season under coach Craig Whittington. It was the third state championship in four seasons for second-seeded Rosepine.
The Lady Eagles’ deliberate pace and swarming half-court defense befuddled Rosepine in the first half, producing a 17-11 Menard halftime lead. The margin was trimmed to 22-20 entering the fourth quarter, and the game went to overtime tied at 33.
But it was Rosepine’s defense that prevailed as Menard did not score in the final 3:19 of the four-minute extra period.
Neither team was able to shoot accurately – 23 percent by Menard, 26 percent from Rosepine. Menard made 15 turnovers and was only able to force five by the winners.
Carly Menard, one of five seniors on the team, scored 18 and grabbed 20 rebounds for Menard.
Despite the outcome, the Lady Eagles (23-8) were justifiably proud of reaching the state championship game for the first time and making it to Hammond for a third trip in four seasons while having a coaching change before last season. Menard won its first district championship since 2008, going undefeated in 5-2A.