New Orleans area teams claim 31 state titles in 2017

It was a very good year for New Orleans area teams in LHSAA sports in 2017.

Teams from the Greater New Orleans area claimed 31 state titles.

Several schools claimed multiple state championships, including Pope John Paul II (3), Country Day (2), John Curtis Christian (2), De La Salle (2), Jesuit (2), Karr (2), Mount Carmel (2) and St. Martin’s Episcopal (2)

St. Paul’s continued its dominance on the pitch, winning its fourth straight Division I boys soccer state title in New Orleans. Newman swept the boys and girls titles in Division IV. Also on the girls side, Mount Carmel won its second straight Division I state championship while Lakeshore won its first state title in Division II.

Holy Cross ended Brother Martin’s five-year stranglehold on the Division I state wrestling championship, winning the title in Bossier City. Jesuit was second, seven points behind the Tigers. Brother Martin placed third with St. Paul’s fourth. Jake Rando (145), Joey Foret (170) and Randy Amos (285) won individual state titles for Holy Cross. De La Salle claimed its second straight state title, winning Division III.

More known for their football prowess with 26 state championships on the field, John Curtis Christian has been one of the better baseball programs in Louisiana over the last half century as well. The Patriots won their eighth state championship in grand fashion, shutting out Catholic of Baton Rogue 5-0 to win the Division I state title at Sulphur. Ian Landreneau made sure of the win, pitching a no-hitter in the title game.

Also in baseball, Riverside Academy captured the Division III state championship as Frank Cazeaux joined a rare fraternity, coaching a team to a state championship at his second different school. Cazeaux won at Archbishop Rummel in 1997.

Karr won its second consecutive Class 4A state football championship, handling Lakeshore 48-26 in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Cougars amassed 570 yards, including 402 rushing. The Cougars totally dominated on both sides of the ball. Their defensive front overwhelmed the Titans front, sacking Chris Penton 11 times. Lakeshore had a special season. The Titans fought hard and stayed in the game due to four Karr turnovers and 11 Cougar penalties for 113 yards.

Landry-Walker won its third boys state basketball title in four seasons, downing District 8-5A rival Bonnabel for the title in Lake Charles. The Chargin’ Bucs did it as a 22nd-seed. And Country Day won its sixth state championship. crushing Dunham 70-41 for the Division III state championship in Lake Charles. Romin Williams capped a brilliant career with 26 points. The Cajuns knocked off perennial power Riverside in the semifinals, their third win of the season over the Rebels over the course of the season.

Also in boys basketball, Crescent City Christian was a great story, capturing its first ever state championship, taking the Division V title with a very young team in a thrilling 69-64 overtime win over Jehovah-Jireh. And De La Salle took home the Division II state championship, whipping perennial power University Lab 81-69. It was the first state title for the Cavaliers since 1986 when Dwayne Bryant was its star.

On the girls side, Destrehan completed a magical unbeaten season to win the 5A basketball championship in Hammond while John Curtis Christian took home the Division I title and Northlake Christian won its first-ever state title, taking home the Division III title with a win over district rival St. Thomas Aquinas.

Mount Carmel, Pope John Paul II and Country Day continued their dominance in volleyball. The Cubs and Jaguars each won their fourth straight state championships with MCA winning Division I and PJP winning Division IV in Kenner. Mount Carmel has won five of the last six Division I state titles. Dominating even more is Country Day. The Cajuns won their second straight Division V state championship and their seventh in eight years.

The Belle Chasse boys won the Class 4A Cross Country state championship while St. Martin’s Episcopal swept the boys and girls 1A state titles in Natchitoches. Also on the girls side, Academy of the Sacred Heart New Orleans won the 3A championship.

In swimming, Jesuit won the boys Division I championship at Sulphur. On the girls side, St. Scholastica won the Division II championship. Newman swept the boys and girls Division IV titles.

In powerlifting, Pope John Paul II swept the boys and girls state titles in Division IV at Monroe. It was the seventh state title in eight years for the Jaguar girls.

In bowling, St. Scholastica won the girls state championship in Lafayette, their second in three seasons.

In golf, Jesuit captured the boys Division I state championship, edging Catholic of Baton Rouge for the title at Carencro. It was the first state championship for the Blue Jays since 2011.

In softball, Mount Carmel won the Division I state title, crushing district rival Dominican 15-0 at Suplhur. It was the first title for the Cubs since 2008.

In tennis, Newman won the boys Division IV state championship at Monroe.

In outdoor track and field, Karr won its third straight girls Class 4A state title at Baton Rouge.