Cedar Creek’s girls basketball team has something in common with today’s opponent in the state semifinals, Highland Baptist.
Both squads remember how the 2020 Division IV playoffs ended. For Cedar Creek, it came in the semifinals. For Highland Baptist, it came at Cedar Creek in the quarterfinals.
Fast forward a year, and the third-seeded Lady Cougars (20-3) and New Iberia-based Lady Bears (20-4, seeded second) collide again, this time at noon in Hammond at the University Center in the Final Four of the state’s Division IV girls tournament.
Last year, it was a close battle going to the fourth quarter before Cedar Creek made the clutch plays and pushed away 54-44. The Lady Cougars, who have played only a few close games this season, got tuned up for today with an intense 43-36 victory at home Thursday night over St. John at the Brick House.
Fans unable to make it to Hammond can watch for a fee on the NFHSNetwork.com website.
A semifinal win advances Cedar Creek to Thursday’s 2:30 state championship game, also in Hammond, against either district rival Ouachita Christian (27-2) or fourth-seeded St. Martin’s Episcopal (12-6).
BOYS PLAYOFFS: Three parish teams are alive and playing Tuesday night in the second round of the state playoffs.
After a first-round bye, second-seeded Simsboro (21-2) hosts No. 15 Elizabeth at 6 Tuesday in Class B. Elizabeth topped Singer 69-64 Friday night. The winner advances to play either seventh-seeded Zwolle or upset-minded Stanley in the quarterfinals.
Lincoln Prep pulled off the upset of the night in the opening round of the Class A bracket, as the 19th-seeded Panthers won on the road 58-46 at No. 14 East Iberville. The Panthers play Tuesday at 6:30 at third-seeded White Castle.
Choudrant had a slow start at home in its Class B playoff debut against Converse, but rallied behind juniors Sammy Smith (24 points) and Chris Williams (20). The Aggies trailed by 18 but coach Kyle Smith’s squad battled back to win 65-61, earning a second-round game Tuesday at 6 at third-seeded Hathaway.
Seasons ended Friday night for the Class 5A 19th-seeded Ruston Bearcats, who fell 71-47 at No. 14 East St. John; and Cedar Creek, unable to match up with No. 1 Crescent City 79-23.
BASEBALL: Walk-off wins made weekend action special for Ruston and Cedar Creek.
Ruston (2-1) rallied past visiting Ouachita Christian Sunday 6-5 when Cade Patterson delivered a full-count, two-out, two-run single in the bottom of the seventh. The previous batter, Isaac White, drew a bases-loaded walk that started Ruston’s comeback from a 5-3 hole.
Josh Miller collected three hits for the Bearcats, who host Airline Tuesday at 5.
Cedar Creek started a doubleheader sweep Saturday with a walk-off, extra-innings home run by Jack Parks for a 2-1 victory over D’Arbonne Woods. Zane Smith had an RBI single in the fourth inning. Parks, Brady Wade and J.T. Stephens combined on pitching duties for the Cougars, scattering five hits, before Parks came through with the big fly in the eighth inning.
The second game of the twinbill was less dramatic, a 15-5 win for Cedar Creek. Jack Mitcham led the Cougars with three of their nine hits, including a triple. Cedar Creek goes to Winnfield Tuesday for a 6 o’clock contest.
PHOTO: Marsh Madness logo – courtesy LHSAA