Parkview gets top seed in 3A
Parkview Baptist, Family Christian, Maurepas, Livonia, Lutcher, The Dunham School and St. John-Plaquemine have been baseball pacesetters either in their districts or classifications all year.
It comes as no surprise that the same teams helped lead the way as the Louisiana High School Athletic Association released its playoff pairings for Class 4A to C on Wednesday.
Parkview (25-6) grabbed the No. 1 seed in Class 3A and hosts No. 32 Marksville (10-15) at 6 p.m. Thursday.
“We played a tough schedule, and the boys worked hard,” Parkview coach Darron Mitchell said. “They deserve it (the top seed). But now you have to go play and play well. There are no guarantees.”
The Eagles were one of two local teams to claim No. 1 seeds. Family Christian (20-8) got the top seed in Class C. FCA’s District 8-C rival, Maurepas (16-8), is the No. 2 seed.
Both Family Christian and Maurepas received first-round byes and will play regional games next week. Maurepas will host St. Joseph’s-Plaucheville (3-15) at 4 p.m. Tuesday. FCA hosts Starks (7-10) at 4 p.m. Monday.
“We were the No. 1 seed last year, too, and we didn’t win a title, so for us it’s time to get to work,” FCA coach Robin Herd said.
It marks the second straight year the Wolves have been a No. 2 seed. Last year, coach Anthony Gregoire’s team was seeded second in Class B.
“We graduated five seniors from last season and we have a good group back,” Gregoire said. “We’ve told them all year to go out and compete. When we do that to the best of our ability, we’re capable of beating anybody.”
“We split our games with Family Christian last week. Playing them again would be interesting, but we’ve got a ways to go to get to that point.”
Livonia (25-3), the defending Class 3A state champion, garnered a No. 3 seed and hosts No. 30 Westlake (9-15) at 4:30 p.m. Thursday.
“This season mirrors the one two years ago when we made it to the semifinals,” Livonia coach Jason Lemoine said. “This time, I told the team we want to go that extra step. We’re excited about the playoffs and the chance to defend the title.”
Lutcher (19-9-1) is seeded fourth in 4A and is one of two District 6-4A teams to make the playoffs. The Bulldogs host No. 29 Peabody (15-10) at 4 p.m. Friday.
Meanwhile, 10th-seeded St. Michael (19-13) hosts No. 23 Lakeshore (14-12) also at 4 p.m. Friday. SMHS was the 4A runner-up last season.
“Being one of the top four is a good place to be,” Lutcher coach Davey Clement said. “We like where we are, but at this point you can’t overlook anybody. St. Michael is a good example. They’re a No. 10, but I think they’ll surprise people.”
The pairings yielded two games that matchup between district rivals. District 7-2A rivals collide at 7 p.m. Thursday when Dunham (22-7) hosts Episcopal (11-20). Dunham, seeded sixth, is the highest local seed in 2A.
St. John (23-6), a No. 7 seed, leads the 1A contingent. The Eagles host 9-1A rival Ascension Christian (10-13). The date and time have not been announced.
Other game times announced include Crowley at Brusly in 3A (5 p.m. Friday), North Webster at University in 2A (4 p.m. Friday), Mamou at Runnels in 2A (4:30 p.m. Friday), Zwolle at Holden in B (4 p.m. Friday).