The D5 Title: Who wins it?
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With Louisiana being classified into divisions 5 Non-Select and 5 Select in which you have the biggest in division (1) and your smallest in division (5) it’s said to make a level playing field! Well, that doesn’t stop your small…
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Continue ReadingWith Louisiana being classified into divisions 5 Non-Select and 5 Select in which you have the biggest in division (1) and your smallest in division (5) it’s said to make a level playing field! Well, that doesn’t stop your small schools (division 5) from testing themselves against the state’s more populated schools. These small-town schools are rich in basketball tradition and always compete amongst the who’s who of (Divisions here https://geauxpreps.com/power-ratings-girls-basketball/) Louisiana basketball, this year is know different as what I call the group of giant killers have competed amongst the states biggest and best and came out victorious! There’s no more competitive division in the state than (Division 5 Non-Select) traditional powers all on a race to Hammond to see who will be crowned state champ! Here we will feature a few of those teams! THE GIANT KILLERS!
Midland (24-6)
Key Wins
Oak Hill (D5)
Oakdale (D4)
Southside (D1)
Natch Central (D1)
Church Point (D2)
Js Clarke (D5)
Key Players
Dai’ja-Lee Leblanc Dai’ja-Lee Leblanc PF LA (So) 6’1
Gracie Miller (Jr) 5’7
Myra Carlson Myra Carlson PG LA (Jr) 5’4
Caitlyn Boudreaux Caitlyn Boudreaux PG LA (Jr) 5’3
Tora Savoy Tora Savoy C LA (Fr) 6’0
The Lady Rebels of Midland High come in ranked number 3 in Division (5) Non-Select in play in what I call the district of death with teams such as state-ranked number 2 Hathaway and state-ranked number 2 Select Js Clark. The Lady Rebels are lead by Jr Pg Gracie Miller who can fill it up from deep and also pushes the tempo and makes plays for teammates around her which include fellow guards Jr Myra Carlson Myra Carlson PG LA and Caitlyn Boudreaux Caitlyn Boudreaux PG LA . The Lady Rebels also have a go-to inside punch in bigs Dai’ja-Lee Leblanc Dai’ja-Lee Leblanc PF LA who dominates the boards and shows superior athleticism on the court and track seeing as tho she’s a 6’1 beast in the hurdles, and partnering in the paint with her is 6’0 Freshman Tora Savoy Tora Savoy C LA who holds a ULM offer. As of now the Lady Rebels are state-ranked number 3 behind district foe Hathaway and giant killer Fairview High look for the Lady Rebels to make a deep run in the playoffs finishing in Hammond.
Gibsland-Coleman (23-5)
Key Wins
Arcadia (D4)
Southwood (D1)
Ruston (D1)
CE Byrd (D1)
Airline (D1)
Benton (D1)
Key Players
Samora Sampson Samora Sampson 5'11" | CG Gibsland Coleman | 2025 LA (So) 6’0
Arianna williams Arianna williams PG LA (8th) 5’6
Baleigh Haulcy Baleigh Haulcy PF LA (So) 5’11
The small school in north Louisiana with big school athletes sitting right off of I-20 in between Minden and Arcadia the Lady Bulldogs of Gibsland – Coleman High are making alot of noise. Beating multiple quality 5a teams thus far this year and barely losing to one of if not the state’s top team in Parkway high the Lady Bulldogs have put the state on high alert. Lead by stud do it all Sophomore 6ft wing Samora Sampson Samora Sampson 5'11" | CG Gibsland Coleman | 2025 LA who’s averaging 20.2 ppg and 8 boards who’s teamed up in the backcourt with 5’6 8th grade Pg Arianna williams Arianna williams PG LA who’s averaging 13.0 ppg as a freshman. The schedule has been tough but the Lady Bulldogs have answered the bell after being battle tested early before heading into district play where they should run the table with the help of 2025 5’11 Foward Baleigh Haulcy Baleigh Haulcy PF LA who’s averaging a double-double with 11.1 ppg and 10.2 boards. Championship game? I’ll Answer that with a yes look for GC to be playing for a title in March!
Hathaway (23-4)
Key Wins
Ruston (D1)
Acadiana (D1)
St. Thomas More (D2)
South Beau (D2)
Zachary (D1)
Northside (D2)
Key Players
Sienna Guidry Sienna Guidry 5'8" | SG Hathaway | 2026 State LA (F) 5’8
Lamiyah Sanchez Lamiyah Sanchez SG LA (Sr) 5’7
Madison Suire Madison Suire PG LA (Jr) 5’5
Can the Lady Hornets add to their two state titles won in past years? This year they seem to have a great shot at adding state title number three to the trophy case. Like the other teams in this article the Lady Hornets have knocked off some of the best big school teams in the state non more eye-opening than a thirty-two point win over D1 fourth-ranked Zachary to start the new year. If the Lady Hornets are to bring home their third state championship in school history a lot of the load will be carried by 5’7 Senior guard Lamiyah Sanchez Lamiyah Sanchez SG LA who’s deadly from long-range and recently had a 40pt plus game connecting on 12 long balls. Not alone she’s joined by dynamic freshman Sienna Guidry Sienna Guidry 5'8" | SG Hathaway | 2026 State LA who can do a little bit of everything and holds a D1 offer. But the leader of the pack maybe 5’5 Pg Madison Suire Madison Suire PG LA aka the party starter, Madison pushes the tempo for the Lady Hornets as well as getting the pressure started on the defensive end. I’m looking forward to the rematch with district foe Midland on January 31st after Hathaway won the first matchup this will probably tell if they will have to possibly see each other for a third time in the state playoffs.
Fairview (29-7)
Key Wins
Hathaway (D5)
Lafayette Christian (D2)
Liberty (D1)
Lafayette (D1)
Natch Central (D1)
Scotlandville (D1)
Parkway (D1)
Key Players
Reesie Jinks Reesie Jinks PG LA (So) 5’5
Bella Smith Bella Smith CG LA (Sr) 5’10
Resume, who has a better resume in the state of Louisiana better than the Fairview Lady Panthers? Nobody, the kids from Grant Louisiana have been nothing but giant killers this year posting victories over two of the state’s best teams regardless of division in division 1 2nd ranked Parkway High, and Division 2 1st ranked Lafayette Christian. The Lady Panthers who’ve won fourteen state titles which is the most in Louisiana girls basketball history will look and are the favorite in my opinion to add number 15! Led by sophomore Reesie Jinks Reesie Jinks PG LA who pushes the tempo for the Lady Panthers run and gun style and is the tone setter for there run and jump defense (yes there’s still Jinks kids coming through the pipeline) she’s joined by Sr and LSUA signee Bella Smith Bella Smith CG LA . The 5’10 wing shoots lights out from three while being a walking double-double. The pace and style of play presented by the Lady Panthers will present problems for the rest of Division 5 and will likely bring title number 15 to title town Louisiana!