The Louisiana state high school soccer finals continue today at Strawberry Stadium in Hammond. Top-seeded Vandebilt Catholic takes on number two U-High at 7:30 this evening for the Division III Boys’ championship. The teams played to a 3-3 tie back on Dec. 3. U-High knocked off Vandebilt in 2020 for a second straight title, and the Terriers are seeking their first title since 2018.

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In the Girls Division III finals, number two Loyola Prep out of Shreveport faces Hannan at 3:30. Loyola Prep finished as runner-up last season.

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The LHSAA has also announced the first-round pairings for the 2022 girls basketball playoffs. Earning the top seed in Class 5A is Baton Rouge area power Walker High. Warren Easton claims the top seed in 4A, with Brusly as the top seed in Class 3A. Amite is the team to beat in 2A, while Northwood-Lena leads the pack in Class 1A.

Among the select schools, four of the five top seeds are looking to repeat as champions, including John Curtis in Division I, Division II St. Louis, Lafayette Christian in Division III, and Ouachita Christian in Division IV. Family Christian takes the top seed in Division V.

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The New Orleans Pelicans earned a season split of their series with the Toronto Raptors with a 120-90 rout last night at the Smoothie King Center. New Orleans led this one wire-to-wire and had six players reach double figures. CJ McCollum led the team in scoring with 23 points, and Brandon Ingram had a near triple-double in just 29 minutes with 10 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists. The Pels had a season-high 36 assists on 45 baskets. With all of the weapons at their disposal, Ingram says sharing the basketball is easy to do.

Cut 21 (11) “…score the basketball.”

The Pelicans will host the Memphis Grizzlies tonight. New Orleans has won its last eight in a row against the Grizzlies at home.

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Former Grambling stars James “Shack” Harris and Doug Williams will be hosting the first-ever HBCU Legacy Bowl this Saturday at Tulane’s Yulman Stadium, featuring the nation’s best HBCU football players. The game, which will be broadcast on the NFL Network is a partnership between the NFL, Pro Football Hall of Fame, Tulane, and the Black College Football Hall of Fame. Kickoff is at 3 pm.

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