The Bossier Bearkats are one win away from playing in another state championship game.
To get there, they’ll have to defeat the team they lost to in last year’s title game.
Bossier (22-9), the No. 4 seed, faces No. 1 Wossman (23-7) in the non-select Division II semifinals Tuesday at 8 p.m. at Burton Coliesum in Lake Charles, site of the state tournament, also known as Boys’ Marsh Madness.
Last year, in a tight defensive contest, the Wildcats defeated the Bearkats 50-44.
Bossier is making its sixth state tournament appearance in the last eight years. This is Wossman’s 11th straight appearance. The Wildcats have won two straight state titles.
Bossier and Wossman last played in the state tournament in the 2023 non-select Division II semifinals.
The Bearkats and Wildcats held the same seedings they have this season. Bossier pulled off a 48-42 victory and went on to defeat Carroll 42-33 in the championship game.
In the 2022 Class 3A semifinals, Wossman defeated Bossier 56-46. In the 2020 Class 3A championship game, the Bearkats edged the Wildcats 62-61.
In this year’s playoffs, Wossman defeated No. 16 A.J. Ellender 74-42 in the second round and No. 8 West Feliciana 63-45 in the quarterfinals. Bossier defeated No. 13 Assumption 59-41 and No. 5 Franklin Parish 55-49.
Senior guard Jontae Turpin leads the Wildcats in scoring at 19 points per game. Sophomore forward Caderrius Williams averages 10.
Junior Ron Dillard leads Bossier at 15 points per game. Sophomore guard DT Thomas averages 12 and senior guard Braylon Robinson 11. Junior forward TJ Bunnery and junior forward JD Davis have also contributed.