Girls Basketball Playoffs: John Curtis opens defense of state title, top seed Ponchatoula set for first round test

Girls Prep Basketball Playoff Report for Friday, Feb. 18

The LHSAA girls prep basketball state playoffs open this evening with 15 area teams in action.

Among the area teams opening playoff action this evening, unbeaten top seed Ponchatoula (28-0) entertains 6-5A rival Fontainebleau (8-15) at 6 p.m. The Green Wave swept a pair of regular season matchups.

In another matchup of 6-5A rivals, No. 18 Slidell (13-11) stays in town to play at No. 15 Northshore (10-7) at 6 p.m. The Panthers swept a pair of regular season matchups with the Tigers.

In Class 4A, No. 28 Pearl River (12-14) travels to New Orleans to face No. 5 Karr (17-6) at 6 p.m.

No. 27 Salmen (6-10) plays at No. 6 Ellender at 6:30 p.m.

In Class 3A, No. 29 Kenner Discovery (13-16) makes the trip to No. 4 Brusly (25-9) at 6:30 p.m.

In Class 2A, No. 2 Amite (22-2) is home to No. 31 West St. Mary at 6 p.m.

In Division I, 4-time defending state champion John Curtis Christian (9-4) welcomes a familiar opponent in No. 7 Archbishop Chapelle (9-15) at 6:15 p.m. The Lady Patriots swept a pair of District 9-5A meetings against the Chipmunks in the regular season.

In Division II, it is another rematch as District 11-3A rivals in No. 2 Ursuline Academy (18-6) and No. 15 Haynes Academy (5-10) square off at 5:30 p.m. at Ursuline. The Lions won the regular season matchup 71-34 on Feb. 4.

In Division III, No. 4 St. Charles Catholic (10-5) welcomes 11-2A rival and No. 13 seed McGehee (5-9). The Comets handled the Hawks 62-22 on Jan. 11.