Girls Basketball Playoffs: Mandeville, John Curtis, St. Thomas Aquinas advance to semifinals with wins

Alanna Benoit blocked a put-back layup attempt as time expired after a missed 3-point attempt to allow No. 3 Mandeville to hold on for a thrilling 55-53 over No. 6 Zachary at home in the Non-Select Division I quarterfinals Thursday.

In a frantic finish, Taigan Heck drilled a 3-pointer with 12.5 seconds remaining to pull the Broncos within 54-53.

Hannah Benoit was fouled and split a pair of free throws to make it 55-53, setting the stage for the final seconds.

In a close game throughout, Zachary (25-8) led 18-13 after one quarter but Mandeville rallied to tie it 33-33 at halftime. The Skippers shut down the Broncos in the third quarter, holding them to two points to take a 43-35 lead heading to the fourth quarter.

Alanna Benoit scored 25 points while Hannah Benoit had 17 points to pace Mandeville.

Tiarra McPipe had 21 points and Ava Raymond finished with 10 points for Zachary.

With their 15th straight win, the Skippers (28-5) advance to the semifinals for the third time in school history.

Mandeville will face No. 2 seed Denham Springs next Thursday at 8 p.m. at University Center in Hammond in the semifinals. The Yellow Jackets eliminated No. 7 Ruston 52-46.

In Select Division I, revenge was sweet for No. 2 seed John Curtis Christian.

A year ago, Lafayette ended John Curtis’ six-year reign as a state champion, beating the Patriots in the Select Division I championship game.

This time around, John Curtis overwhelmed the seventh-seeded Lady Lions, 66-34 at Academy of Our Lady.

Chikae Desdunes scored 20 points while Imani Daniel scored 12 points and Bailey Timmons finished with 11 points.

Kira Johnson led Lafayette (15-9) with 11 points.

John Curtis (20-4) advances to the semifinals next Thursday at 4:30 p.m. in Hammond against No. 3 seed Liberty, who downed No. 6 Carencro 67-52.

In Non-Select Division II, No. 4 St. Scholastica saw its fine season come to an end in a 64-42 home loss to No. 5 Woodlawn of Baton Rouge.

The first half was tightly contested with Woodlawn taking a 17-13 lead after one quarter and a 25-23 halftime lead.

The second half was a different story as the Panthers took control, outscoring the Doves 39-19 the rest of the way, including 19-10 in the third quarter and 20-11 in the final quarter.

Ranye Smith topped Woodlawn with 21 points, Amijah Price and Zyriah Williams scored 12 points and Mariah Scott had 10 points.

Emilee Duet was outstanding for the Doves (22-6), scoring 23 points while Addison Pontiff scored 12 points.

Woodlawn (23-9) advances to take on No. 1 seed Huntington next Thursday at 1 p.m. in Hammond. Huntington downed No. 8 St. Thomas More 66-27.

In Select Division II, No. 3 Madison Prep eliminated No. 6 Booker T. Washington of New Orleans 64-36.

Paige Hawkins and Auri Ray each scored 16 points while Brooklyn Smith scored 14 points and Laila Robertson had 10 points for the Chargers. Co’Rae Smith had 15 points for the Lions.

Madison Prep (24-10) advances to the semifinals to face No. 2 Vandebilt Catholic next Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. at University Center. The Terriers whipped No. 7 Teurlings Catholic 69-33.

In a huge upset, No. 9 St. Thomas Aquinas shocked top seed Dunham 45-36 in Baton Rouge.

The Falcons led 12-6 after one quarter before the Tigers tied it 19-19 at halftime. St. Thomas Aquinas led 34-31 entering the fourth quarter. The Falcons put the game away with an 11-0 run in the fourth quarter.

Payton Rowbatham led St. Thomas Aquinas with 15 points and Kaitlynn Barton had eight points. Mollee Day scored 12 points while Nevaeh Kimmie had 11 for the Tigers (24-8)

St. Thomas Aquinas (14-13) advances to the semifinals to take on No. 4 University Lab Monday at 6:15 p.m. at University Center.

The fourth-seeded Cubs eliminated No. 5 Academy of Sacred Heart of New Orleans 56-32 in Baton Rouge.

Girls Playoff Results from Thursday, Feb. 23
Non-Select Division I (1) Walker 74, (8) Haughton 33
(5) Parkway 58, (13) St. Amant 49
(3) Mandeville 55, (6) Zachary 53
(2) Denham Springs 52, (7) Ruston 46

Non-Select Division II (1) Wossman 67, (8) Brusly 21
(4) Albany 57, (5) LaGrange 33
(6) Church Point 47, (3) Bastrop 43
(2) South Beauregard 34, (7) Iowa 32

Non-Select Division III (1) Rosepine 59, (8) Springfield 44
(4) Westlake 46, (5) French Settlement 36
(3) Doyle 49, (6) Sterlington 44
(2) Amite 59, (10) Mansfield 33

Non-Select Division IV (1) Arcadia 55, (8) Oak Grove 51
(5) Lakeview 41, (4) LaSalle 28
(6) White Castle 68, (3) Lake Arthur 65
(2) Oakdale 65, (7) East Beauregard 36

Non-Select Division V (1) Hicks 51, (8) Pitkin 46
(4) Midland 56, (12) Bell City 29
(3) Anacoco 62, (6) Castor 34
(2) Fairview 81, (7) Hathaway 67

Select Division I (1) Huntington 66, (8) St. Thomas More 27
(5) Woodlawn (BR) 64, (4) St. Scholastica 42
(3) Liberty 67, (6) Carencro 52
(2) John Curtis Christian 66, (10) Lafayette 34

Select Division II (1) Lafayette Christian 60, (8) Northside 36
(5) Bunkie 42, (4) E.D. White Catholic 35
(3) Madison Prep 64, (6) Booker T. Washington (NO) 36
(2) Vandebilt Catholic 69, (7) Teurlings Catholic 33

Select Division III
(9) St. Thomas Aquinas 45, (1) Dunham 36
(4) University Lab 56, (5) Academy of Sacred Heart (NO) 32
(3) Holy Savior Menard 64, (11) Glen Oaks 58
(2) Parkview Baptist 56, (7) Glenmora 49

Select Division IV (1) Southern Lab 56, (9) Cedar Creek 16
(4) Sacred Heart 45, (12) St. John 32
(3) Hamilton Christian 50, (6) Central Catholic 44
(2) Northwood-Lena 61, (7) Highland Baptist 27

Select Division V (1) Oak Hill 80, (8) St. Joseph’s-Plaucheville 14
(5) Plainview 53, (4) Claiborne Christian 49
(3) Family Christian 48, (6) Family Christian 32
(2) JS Clark Leadership Academy 63, (7) Avoyelles Public Charter 3