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Madison Prep head coach Jeff Jones huddles with his players before tipoff against Catholic, Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at Madison Prep in Baton Rouge, La. STAFF PHOTO BY HILARY SCHEINUK University’s coach Joe Spencer shouts at his players during the boys basketball playoff game between University and Booker T. Washington-Shreveport at University High on Friday, February 28, 2025.
Javier Gallegos Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save With 15 Baton Rouge teams in the hunt to claim berths in next week’s Marsh Madness Boys Basketball, one notable fact could fly under the radar. People are never surprised when traditional power Madison Prep advances to the tourney in Lake Charles. Did you know, fifth-seeded MPA is one win away from a 14th straight season berth in the LHSAA tourney – the longest current streak for a local team? The Chargers (26-9) host another local power and a district rival, No.
13 University High (19-9), for a Division II select quarterfinal game set for 6:30 p.m. Friday.
Since 2012, the Chargers have won eight state championships across multiple classifications, starting with Class B. The only classification Madison Prep hasn’t won a Division II select title, although they have come as close as possible, losing in the state championship game as the No. 1 seed the last two seasons.
The fifth seed is the lowest seed for MPA during this 14-year run. “Guys work hard. That's the standard that's set here,” MPA coach Jeffery Jones said.
“Each group just kind of doesn't want to be the group to let it fall off. “This year was extremely different for us. You know, we had no returning players with any varsity experience going into the season.
One returning senior who was a starter opted to go to a prep school. We had another kid that would have been a starter for us and he transferred, so we had virtually a brand new team.” Seniors J’kai Jordan and Wesley Favorite have stepped up into meaningful roles, according to Jones.
Freshman William Nelson Jr. and sophomore Elijah Garner are the team’s leading scorers. The Chargers have won 26 games this season despite playing top area teams like Catholic High, Central, Dunham and Liberty.
“These kids kind of got baptism by fire,” Jones said. “They had to grow up. We got 26 wins out of this group, which is amazing.
” No. 13 U-High (19-9) enters Friday’s matchup looking to reach the state semifinals for the 10th time in the last 14 years. The Cubs have won three state titles in that span, a three-peat from 2014 to 2016, and were the Division III select runners-up a year ago.
Like Madison Prep, U-High had to retool. Point guard Jerome Watkins is the only UHS player who saw significant minutes a year ago. “We're pretty pleased with how we've been playing the last couple of weeks,” U-High coach Joe Spencer said.
“We played Madison Prep in the district championship game over at their place and lost by three. We're looking forward to the matchup.” The Chargers edged the Cubs 40-37 on Feb.
21. Personnel will look different for both sides Friday. “It's gonna be a fight, and it'll come down to the last couple of possession,” Jones said.
“We know a lot of his (Spencer’s) kids, and his kids know a lot of our kids. They play AAU together. We’re very familiar with each other.
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