New Orleans area boys record 12 state titles during high school year

With the completion of the state baseball championships at McMurry Park in Sulphur this past weekend, the LHSAA completed its athletic competitions for the 2017-18 school year.

In all, 12 boys state champions from the metro New Orleans area were crowned in the 2017-18 school year in the 14 sports officially sanctioned by the LHSAA which were contested.

In cross country, Belle Chasse claimed its first ever state title, edging St. Michael the Archangel in a very tight race for the Class 4A state championship at Natchitoches. It was truly a team effort as the Cardinals top individual runner was Alex Melcer, who finished fifth overall. The Cardinals placed four runners among the top 10 finishers.

As impressive as any was the performance of the Brother Martin bowling team.

The Crusaders captured their third state title in four years, whipping Catholic High of Baton Rouge in the title match in Baton Rouge to cap a perfect 17-0 season. Junior Cody Schaffer averaged 249 combined in the semifinals and finals to cap a season in which he was the highest average bowler in Louisiana.

Equally as impressive was the Brother Martin wrestling team, which won its sixth state championship in seven years, taking the Division I title at Bossier City, scoring the second most points in state meet history. The Crusaders had four individual state champions in Connor Hoffman, Daniel Croy, Patrick Evans and Mack Brown.

John Curtis Christian won a pair of state championships as well.

The Patriots won the Division I state baseball championship for a second straight year, downing St. Paul’s 2-1 in the title game at Sulphur. LSU signee Will Ripoll pitched a three-hitter in the title game, striking out 13 to earn Most Outstanding Player honors in the title game while Dayton signee Jay Curtis hit the game-deciding home run. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College signee Ian Landreneau, who won the semifinal game 8-0 over Holy Cross, posted an 11-0 record.

The John Curtis indoor track team won the state championship at Baton Rouge, outdistancing second place Zachary. Curtis had four individual champions, including Corey Wren (60-yard dash), Zachariah Blake (shot put) and Lance Williams (long jump).

Holy Cross captured its first ever state soccer championship, winning the Division II title at Lafayette, beating Beau Chene 3-1 for the title. Sebastian Aguilar was named the Most Outstanding Player. Aguilar, Adrian Eglin and Ethan Garvey scored goals for the Tigers in the title match.

Jesuit also claimed a pair of state championships.

The Blue Jays won their first Division I state soccer title since 2013, shocking national ranked and four-time defending state champion St. Paul’s 2-1 in an overtime thriller at Lafayette. Chris Tadros tied the match late in regulation before sophomore Gabe Gordon knocked in the game-winner in overtime.

Jesuit also won its state-best 38th state swimming championship, taking the Division I title at Sulphur, ending the four-year reign of Catholic of Baton Rouge. Charles Korndorffer was the star for Jesuit, winning both the 100 meter butterfly and 100-meter backstroke.

In football, Karr won its second straight Class 4A championship, whipping Lakeshore 48-26 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Senior quarterback Skylar Perry was the Most Outstanding Player, rushing for 137 yards and a touchdown and passing for 168 yards and a touchdown. Ronnie Jackson rushed for 107 yards and four touchdowns while Ahmad Antoine rushed for 141 yards and a score.

Newman captured the boys Division IV state swimming championship at Sulphur in a dominant performance, scoring 417 points. Connor Page won the 100-meter backstroke while Pierce Thionville won the 500-meter freestyle for the Greenies.

St. Martin’s Episcopal captured its third consecutive Class 1A cross country state championship at Natchitoches. Benjamin Bone led the way, finishing second. Samuel Kellum, Rico Coleman and Bryce Monier also had top 10 finishes.

West St. John won the Class 1A state football championship at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

Kylan Duhe rushed for 120 yards and two touchdowns and was the Rams Most Outstanding Player while Covan Barnes, Trenton Grow and D’Kyri Jackson each had an interception for the Rams, who won their fourth state title and first since 2004.

The New Orleans area was surprisingly shutout in the 12 basketball championships awarded. The other sports in which the New Orleans area did not take home a first place trophy included golf, powerlifting, tennis and outdoor track and field.

Here is the list of New Orleans state champions for the 2017-18 school year:

Belle Chasse cross country
Brother Martin bowling
Brother Martin wrestling
John Curtis Christian baseball
John Curtis Christian indoor track
Holy Cross soccer
Jesuit soccer
Jesuit swimming
Karr football
Newman swimming
St. Martin’s Episcopal cross country
West St. John football