Day 2 of LCA’s 2026 New Year Tournament Highlights Elite Performances

Two days of the Lafayette Christian Academy girls basketball 2026 New Year Tournament have come to a close, offering fans an exciting Saturday filled with high-level matchups. Teams from the 337 and beyond gathered at LCA and Sts. Leo-Seton Catholic School on January 3 for the second day of the three-day event. The tournament not only serves as a competitive platform but also helps teams prepare for district play, with standout performances emerging across the board.

Lafayette Christian Academy vs. Simpson

Final Score: Simpson won 59-53

Player of the Game: Shanna Simien, LCA

The host Knights found themselves in a tough battle against the defending LHSAA Class C state champion, Simpson. Throughout the game, neither team led by more than five points, with the outcome hanging in the balance until the final moments. Senior guard Shanna Simien was the driving force behind LCA’s offense, scoring 20 points, grabbing four rebounds, and recording a steal. Her role has grown significantly with senior Kaliyah Samuels sidelined for the rest of the season due to a torn ACL.

LCA head coach Errol Rogers praised Simien’s performance, stating, “Shanna played above the call of duty. I mean she shot the ball well, she had to defend the biggest girl out there and she did a great job. I felt like we started lazy but then towards the end of the second quarter we played better. We just made some big mistakes late in the game.”

Opelousas vs. Ville Platte

Final Score: Ville Platte won 63-39

Player of the Game: London Dorn, Opelousas

Opelousas struggled to find its rhythm from the start against the Bulldogs. However, sophomore forward London Dorn emerged as a bright spot, leading the Tigers in rebounding with eight boards and scoring eight points—the second-highest on the team. She also recorded a team-high three blocks.

Opelousas head coach Mildon Ambres noted, “London played pretty good today. I want her to dominate more in the games because she has all the potential to be a very dominant player. I mean she can really dominate anybody that we play against, so I want her to dominate every chance she gets.”

Teurlings Catholic vs. Mandeville

Final Score: Mandeville won 45-39

Player of the Game: Ja’Nia Senegal, Teurlings Catholic

Teurlings Catholic and Mandeville engaged in a tightly contested game, with the Rebels holding the lead for most of the match. Over 6-foot guard Ja’Nia Senegal led the Rebels with a double-double, scoring 14 points and pulling down 18 rebounds. She also added seven steals, nearly securing a triple-double. Despite her efforts, Mandeville managed a second-half comeback to secure the win.

Teurlings head coach Alyssa Beal Credeur highlighted Senegal’s impact, saying, “Ja’Nia is a special player. She’s our point guard, she’s very reliable and it’s always fun to have a 6-foot guard. She’s only a junior and she’s come a long way. We rely on her a lot to handle the ball in tough situations and she keeps getting better.”

Northside vs. Northwest

Final Score: Northside won 54-23

Player of the Game: Alaya Harris, Northside

In the Northside vs. Northwest matchup, Northside dominated from the start, never letting up on their offensive push. Junior forward Alaya Harris led the charge, finishing as the top scorer with 21 points and grabbing a team-high eight rebounds. Her aggressive play, including crashing the glass for offensive rebounds and making timely layups, inspired the rest of the Vikings.

Northside head coach Erin Rogers shared her thoughts on Harris, stating, “Since last season we’ve just been working on Alaya’s confidence cause I knew she could play and I always tell her ‘You should know that you can play.’ She’s changed up her pregame routine and whatever’s she’s doing I tell her to keep doing it. When she’s on, everybody’s on.”

Conclusion

Day 2 of the LCA 2026 New Year Tournament showcased the talent and determination of high school basketball players in the region. From clutch performances to rising stars, each game contributed to the development of these athletes as they prepare for the upcoming district season. With continued growth and strong leadership, the future looks bright for these teams and their players.