Will another Catholic school win title?

By Ron Brocato, Clarion Herald Sports

Will this be the year another member of the Catholic League takes home a Division I basketball championship?

Through almost nine decades, local Catholic schools have found much success on the hardwood.

And the six Catholic schools in District 9-5A are gearing up for the March 4-9 Allstate Sugar Bowl/LHSAA “Marsh Madness” tournament in Lake Charles’ Burton Coliseum. Their eyes are not only on each other, but on the No. 1 seed, Scotlandville, as well.

Five-time champion St. Augustine gave the Catholic League its last title in 2012 by defeating Scotlandville, 67-43. 

St. Paul’s has been the latest finalist from area Catholic schools. The Wolves marched into the final round in 2018, only to lose to Scotlandville, 63-40.

As the highest seeds at Nos. 2-4, St. Augustine, Holy Cross and Jesuit drew byes in the first round of the Division I playoffs. 

The Division II 2012 champion De La Salle will join Archbishop Hannan and St. Charles Catholic in that division’s tournament. 

Pope John Paul II made the Division III field and opens the round at Newman. 

Since 1939, Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of New  Orleans have won 37 state championships. Nine titles were won between 1941-49.

Legendary coach Johnny Altobello won seven while coaching at St. Aloysius and De La Salle between 1947-1962.

Class 5A  championship 

2011 –  St. Augustine, Scotlandville, 67-43. 2010 – Brother Martin,    Scotlandville, 55-54.

2005 – Brother Martin,   Thibodaux, 86-70.

2004 – Brother Martin,  St. Augustine, 48-47.

2001 – Jesuit, Archbishop     Shaw, 53-41.

1999 – St. Augustine, South Lafourche, 54-48.

1997 – Archbishop Shaw,    Byrd, 52-51.

1995 – St. Augustine, Catholic (BR), 57-33.

1992  – St. Augustine, John Ehret, 67-50.

Class 4A  championship 

1989 – Archbishop Shaw, Carver, 66-61.

1986  –  De La Salle,  Carroll, 61-59.

1983 –  St. Augustine, Neville, 61-60.

1978  – Archbishop Rummel, Fair Park, 83-64.

1977 –  Archbishop Rummel, DeRidder, 52-48.

1974 – Brother Martin,    Holy Cross, 67-56.

1971 – Brother Martin, Woodlawn (Shrevept.), 65-62.

Class 3A championship

1970 – Brother Martin,    Captain Shreve, 72-56.

1966 – Jesuit, Lafayette, 42-33.

1965 – Jesuit,  East Jefferson, 100-73.

1964 – Jesuit, Fair Park, 89-57.

1962 – De La Salle,  St. Aloysius, 38-35.

1959 – De La Salle, Fortier,    63-44.

1958 – De La Salle, St. Aloysius, 78-53.

1957    3A    De La Salle, Jennings,  52-42.

Class 2A championship (scores not available)

1953 – St. Aloysius, Baton Rouge.    

1952 –  St. Aloysius,  Bolton    

1951 – St. Aloysius, Istrouma.    

1949 – St. Aloysius, Holy Cross.   

1948 –  Jesuit, Holy Cross.  

1947 – St. Aloysius, Lake Charles.   

1946 – Jesuit, Istrouma.

Class 1A championship    

1945 – Holy Cross, Jesuit.    

1944 – Jesuit, St. Aloyius.  

1943 – Holy Cross, Baton Rouge.    

1942 – Holy Cross, Istrouma  

1941 – St. Aloyius,  Istrouma 

1939 – Jesuit, Istrouma