The Natchitoches-Central Chiefs and Lakeview Gators boys basketball teams parlayed their excellent seasons into high seedings and first-round byes in the state playoffs, with both local teams advancing to second-round home games next week.
The Chiefs (27-4) earned the No. 3 seeding in Non-Select Division I and will host a second-round game next Tuesday against the winner of 14th-seeded East Ascension and No. 19 H.L. Bourgeois, who meet Friday night. A second-round win will assure NCHS homecourt in a state quarterfinal game next Friday.
The Gators (27-4) are seeded second in Non-Select Division IV. Their second-round home game will bring either No. 15 Haynesville or 18th-seeded Merryville to LHS, and a second-round win will earn another home game in the quarterfinals.
The St. Mary’s boys did not qualify in Select Division IV.
