Girls Basketball: Ponchatoula, Slidell, South Plaquemines, Karr, Sacred Heart, Country Day, St. Mary’s open with playoff wins

Girls Prep Playoff Basketball Report for Thursday, Feb. 16

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL BRACKETS

In the Non-Select Division I playoffs, defending state champion and No. 5 seed Ponchatoula opened with a 77-58 home win over No. 28 Central Lafourche.

Ponchatoula took a 19-15 lead after one quarter before exploding in the second quarter, outscoring the Trojans 22-4 to take a commanding 41-19 halftime lead. It was 61-37 going to the final quarter.

The Green Wave shot 51 percent from the field.

Taylor Jackson was outstanding, scoring 25 points and three assists to lead the Green Wave. Alyssa Hillard was excellent as well with 19 points and six rebounds and three steals and Amaya Gervais had 13 points.

Brianna Howes led the Trojans (14-13) with 15 points while Heshia Brown had 14 points and Morgan Chiasson finished with 10 points.

Ponchatoula (23-8) advances to face the winner of No. 12 Thibodaux and No. 21 Southside in the regional round.

No. 27 Slidell went on the road and shocked No. 6 Denham Springs 46-45, scoring on a put-back in the final seconds to secure the big win.

Denham Springs led 17-11 after one quarter before the Tigers rallied to take a 25-22 lead at halftime. The Yellow Jackets led 36-35 after three quarters.

Slidell (15-14) will play the winner of No. 11 East St. John and No. 22 Salmen in the regional round.

In Non-Select Division IV, No. 13 South Plaquemines advanced with a 65-57 win over No. 20 Delcambre.

The Hurricanes (16-11) will play at No. 4 Arcadia in the regional round.

In the Select Division I opening round, No. 20 Karr upset District 9-5A rival and No. 13 seed Archbishop Chapelle 49-47 in Metairie.

Chapelle had whipped Karr 44-26 in district play on Jan. 23.

In the close contest throughout, the Chipmunks led 16-13 after one quarter before the Cougars rallied to tie it 25-25 at halftime. Karr led 38-36 going to the final quarter.

Jordyn Rogers led Karr with 17 points while Shantae Givens added nine points. Caroline Guimanez led Chapelle (18-12) with 14 points while Baylie Carroll had 13 points.

Karr (12-16) advances to the regional round to play at No. 4 Scotlandville.

In the Select Division III playoffs, No. 10 Academy of The Sacred Heart handled No. 23 Beekman Charter 51-24.

The Cardinals (15-6) advance to the regional round to face No. 7 Glen Oaks in the regional round.

No. 12 Country Day whipped No. 21 Ursuline Academy 40-25.

The Lions had beaten the Cajuns 39-33 on Dec. 9.

Two-sport star Ellie Schneider was a force for Country Day with 14 points, 18 rebounds and four blocks while Evelyn Rivas added 12 points. Emma Dunkin led the Lions (10-15) with 11 points.

The Cajuns (12-9) will play at No. 5 Parkview Baptist in the regional round.

Also in Division III, No. 13 St. Mary’s Academy downed No. 20 Capitol 50-44 at home.

The Cougars jumped out to a 14-5 lead after one quarter and led 24-17 at halftime. The lead was 37-31 heading to the fourth quarter.

Skylah Polk led St. Mary’s Academy with 16 points while Janai Lowe added 15 points.

The Cougars (11-18) advance to play at No. 4 St. Thomas Aquinas in the regional round.

Girls Prep Playoff Basketball Results from Wednesday, Feb. 15

Non-Select Division I
No. 5 Ponchatoula 77, No. 28 Central Lafourche 58
No. 27 Slidell 46, No. 6 Denham Springs 45

Non-Select Division II
No. 10 Iota 66, No. 23 Loranger 50
No. 15 Ellender 39, No. 18 Assumption 33

Non-Select Division IV
No. 13 South Plaquemines 65, No. 20 Delcambre 57

Select Division I
No. 20 Karr 49, No. 13 Archbishop Chapelle 57

Select Division III
No. 12 Country Day 40, No. 21 Ursuline Academy 25
No. 13 St. Mary’s Academy 50, No. 20 Capitol 44
No. 10 Academy of Sacred Heart (NO) 51, No. 23 Beekman Charter 24

Select Division IV
No. 12 McGehee 46, No. 21 Catholic (PC) 38
No. 14 Westminster Christian 53, No. 19 River Oaks 39
No. 11 Ascension Catholic 57, No. 22 Central Private 26

Select Division V
No. 8 Family Community 54, No. 9 Northside Christian 30