Prep basketball playoffs plagued by bad timing

By Ed Daniels, Clarion Herald Sports

It is a beautiful Tuesday afternoon, and here I am at my computer, watching a pair of Division I semifinal games on the National Federation’s High School network.

In a pair of three-point, nail-biters, Scotlandville defeated Jesuit and St. Aug defeated St. Paul’s in overtime.

The games tipped off at noon and 2:30 p.m., respectively, at the Cajundome in Lafayette.

These two games follow a pair of four-point decisions Monday in the Division IV semifinals.

It was great basketball to watch, but most didn’t see it because maybe they have jobs or maybe they are going to school.

And, of course, maybe there are too many teams playing in the playoffs in high school basketball in Louisiana.

The LHSAA is deciding 12 boys’ state championships this week. There are seven public school championships and five private school championships.

The schedule is just not manageable. There are too many teams and too many games.

So, someone has to play in the afternoon. And, guess what? It is the private schools, again, who have to take the hit.

Two weeks ago, in the girls’ championships, it was a repeat slap in the face for Division I. Mount Carmel and John Curtis played at 2:30 p.m. on a Saturday afternoon. On Wednesday, March 3, Dominican and John Curtis played at noon. Mount Carmel and Scotlandville followed at 2:30 p.m. in the semifinals.

The girls’ Division II championship, St. Louis Catholic vs. Liberty, was played at 2:30 Friday afternoon.

Good luck with that.

The Division III girls’ championship, Lafayette Christian vs. St. Thomas Aquinas, was played at noon on Saturday.

Friday and Saturday night in Hammond, the public schools played the late championship games.

Because of COVID-19, the private schools decided to play with the public schools at the same venues. I get it. This year, it made sense. Next year, it does not.

And, let me be totally honest with you. I personally have told many high school principals and coaches, who can run their own championships, what the solution is for basketball.

I am not going to legislate it in this space.

But, not only does it put the private schools in their own arena, at opportune times, but they would make thousands of dollars, with little or no upfront cost.

Calvary vs. Riverside, Country Day vs. Crescent City, Jesuit vs. Scotlandville and St. Aug vs. St. Paul’s were all great games – and, very few saw them.

So, if this same scenario repeats itself next March, you will know that the private schools had a chance to fix their basketball problem and chose not to.

It is as simple as that, no excuses. It is your fault.

ed@nextstar.tv