Matt Vines

LAKE CHARLES – The rematch of the 2024 state championship game is set.

Marksville is the team that denied Red River its first state title under its new name in 2024, and now the two programs will lock horns again for the right to return to the Division III Non-Select title game.

The semifinals game is scheduled for 8 p.m. in Burton Coliseum between No. 2 seed Red River (26-5) and No. 3 seed Marksville (24-8). Fans who can’t attend in person can watch via the LHSAA Network app (Apple TV, Roku, and Amazon Fire TV devices).

Red River has used the title game loss last year to fuel its push for another shot this season.

The fact that Marksville could be the last step to returning to the title game? Icing on the cake.

“It would be satisfying to claim victory over Marksville in the course of winning a championship, but our primary focus was never on securing a rematch,” said Red River coach Dadrian Harris. “Instead our objective was to regain our position as championship contenders, regardless of who was on the opposing team.

“The pressure is on Marksville to match our standard of excellence.”

Marksville squeezed by No. 11 Avoyelles in the quarters (43-37) after dispatching a hot No. 19 Union Parish squad (68-59) in the second round.

Red River has been more dominant in its playoff performances – hammering No. 15 Rayville (74-53) in the second round before taking care of No. 10 Westlake (71-59).

The Bulldogs relied on efficient shooting, particularly against Westlake by making 12 3-pointers, in the playoffs.

It was Red River’s shooting that let it down in the final five minutes in the championship loss to Marksville last year.

The Bulldogs led by three points with five minutes remaining before going ice cold down the stretch.

Marksville surged late, outscoring the Bulldogs 14-4 over that stretch to win 67-59.

Both teams do return many of their players from this past season, but Marksville did graduate the championship game’s Most Outstanding Player in Zach Schuler, who finished with 19 points. Devin Lavalais, and his game-high 20 points, does return along with key players like Dayne Small,
Red River didn’t return Christopher Gay (20 points) from last year’s squad, but veterans like Jomello McDonald (19 points), Malique Smith, Warren Bowman, Collin Stafford, and Jayden Wells have a wealth of experience.

These teams made rather unexpected runs to the championship game in 2024. Red River was a No. 13 seed who was trying to become just the second double-digit seed to win a boys basketball state title in any classification.

Even as a No. 6 seed, a Marksville team that entered with a 22-15 record wasn’t exactly an expected title contender.

The story was different this year as both squads built on last year’s playoff runs and might be the most complete teams in the division.

“They lost a couple of key players who played pivotal minutes for them, but they managed to retain their core players,” Harris said of Marksville. “But we firmly believe that our fate is entirely in our own hands.

“In the championship games, both strengths and challenges are present, but ultimately, it boils down to who wants it more.”

Marksville won their first state championship in program history last year, while Red River is trying to add to Coushatta High’s legacy.

Coushatta High appeared in three state title games (1998-2000), winning one (over McCall in 1999) to add to its 1953 state title.

The winner will face one of two Northeast Louisiana powers in No. 1 Madison Parish and No. 4 Richwood.
Madison Parish is also a recently consolidated high school with McCall High being one of those consolidated in the parish seat of Tallulah.

The championship game will be Saturday at 2 p.m.