Class 3A Playoff Preview and Predictions

Sophomores Cleveland Thomas(left) of Northwest and Gervaughn McGhee of Redemptorist will lead their teams in the Bi-District rounds tonight

LeDon Carter(left) Richwood doing what he does  & Gary Stewart of Vidalia will lead their teams tonight

Richwood, Plaquemine, E.D. White, Vidalia, Carroll, Rayville, Abbeville. When talking about the 3A playoffs these are the teams that most would consider as the favorites, I think I would have to agree with them. Although, Richwood, the defending champion is a 7 seed, do not count out this team. A brutal schedule, the football team doing well in the playoffs and replacing a couple starters got this team to a rough start, but in traditional fashion the Rams have come alive once again in late February. Even taking second in district to 3 seed Carroll, the Rams are still my favorite to win the title. Led by 6'6" LeDon Carter, 6'5" LaDarrian Williams(Alabama State commit), junior D'Andre Martin and shooter Marceis Davis the Rams will get a shot early on to prove their worth in the playoffs. A possible quarterfinal trip to 2 seed Plaquemine lies ahead if both can get to that round. These two teams are definitely two of the better 3A teams. My other two favorites are top seeded Vidalia, 2009's runner-up who are led by as good a trio of players as there is in Louisiana with Gary Stewart, Quartrell Thomas and Torrey Dixon will have whoever travels to Vidalia very nervous to play in front of that ruthless crowd and student section known as "Sanders' Soldiers"(named after Coach Sanders, the Vidalia Head Coach.) The other team to seriously watch is Abbeville led by 6'7" Keelon Lee. Looking for sleeper picks well I got them too. Watchout for 19 seed Northwest led by sophomore standout Cleveland "Pancake" Thomas and junior Derrell Joubert a sharpshooting point guard. Another team to watch is 13 seed Redemptorist led by another sophomore standout in 6'4" Gervaughn "Gee" McGhee and 6'2" senior Deuce Coon also a football standout. If they can get past a potential 2nd round match with ED White, a top 28 appearance is very likely.

First Round Playoff Predictions

Top Bracket


1. Vidalia over 32. G.W. Carver
16. Bogalusa over 17. Avoyelles
9. Crowley over 24. Baker
8. Rayville over 25. Northeast
5. Abbeville over 28. Patterson
21. Madison over 12 Caldwell
13. Redemptorist over 20. Marksville
4. E.D. White over 29. Kaplan

Bottom Bracket

3. Carroll over 30. W.L. Cohen
19. Northwest over 14. Port Allen

11. Holy Cross over 22. Franklin
6. Green Oaks  over 27. Booker T. Washington
7. Richwood over 26. Loyola Prep
10. Amite over 23. North DeSoto
15. Iowa over 18. Rayne
2. Plaquemine over 31. John McDonogh