Matt Vines

All of the holiday tournament and challenging pre-district schedules are in the rearview mirror as parish teams strap in for district play.

The Riverdale girls (20-5) have won their first three district contests, including a 41-38 slugfest with Claiborne Academy at home Monday.

The rivalry motto of throwing the records out of the window held true as Claiborne entered with a 10-8 mark, but the Lady Rebels held for their 13th straight win.

Riverdale has beaten three of the four other district members with just one-win Union Christian left in the first wave of district competition. The Lady Rebels host the Louisiana School on Friday before welcoming Union Christian on Saturday. The regular season ends Jan. 31

The Riverdale boys (1-10) are looking for their first district win as Union Christian visits Saturday. The Rebels have dropped their last 10 games after winning the season-opener.

Red River kicks off district play Thursday
The Red River boys and girls basketball teams will kick off District 3-2A play Thursday with both squads host Many to start an eight-game district slate.

Natchitoches Parish power Lakeview isn’t the frontrunner on the boys or girls side after the Gators dropped to Class 1A starting this athletics season.

The Bulldogs have stepped into that role so far as they’ve compiled a 12-3 record not including Tuesday night’s meeting with a five-win Southwood team.

Red River was favored to win their fifth straight game and sixth win overall against a Class 4A or 5A opponent this season.

The Bulldogs entered the week holding more than a full-point lead in the Division III Non-Select power rankings, which means teams will have to travel to Coushatta for the playoffs instead of Red River needing to win three games away from home to reach the state championship game this past season.

The Lady Bulldogs enter district play looking to snap a lengthy losing streak pending Tuesday’s result against Pineville. Most of those losses have come by double-digits.

Red River (6-11) started the season 4-1 but has since compiled a 2-10 record. They’ll face a capable Many bunch that’s won 12 games this season.

The Lady Bulldogs are still in contention to host a home playoff game as they sit at No. 18 in the Division III Non-Select power rankings, needing to jump into the top 16.