Area high schools shine, win state championships

• Advocate staff report
• Published: Dec 30, 2005

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High school sports once again provided something for everyone in the Baton Rouge area during the 2004-05 school year.

Local/area prep teams claimed state titles in a variety of sports, including football, cross country, swimming, volleyball, basketball, baseball, softball, bowling, tennis, track, wrestling, gymnastics and golf.

Five local athletes won the prestigious Gatorade Circle of Champions Player of the Year award from Louisiana in their respective sports in 2004-05.

The Gatorade winners were Michele Ashmore of St. Joseph's Academy (volleyball), Christine Breaux of Dutchtown (girls soccer), Tasmin Mitchell of Denham Springs (boys basketball), Josh Wall of Central Private (baseball) and Kellie Eubanks of St. Amant (softball).

The addition of bowling as a varsity sport for Louisiana High School Athletic Association schools was a key development. Having a local/area team, Denham Springs, claim the first state title in girls bowling in a tournament held locally only added to the excitement.

Just as notable were some continued streaks of dominance by either local or area schools. The Southern Lab girls have won 13 straight Class 1A state titles in outdoor track. The SLHS boys basketball has won 10 1A titles in the last 12 years.

Episcopal's string of 17 state titles in boys cross country in a 19-year span is another monumental mark. Parkview Baptist (3A baseball), St. Joseph's Academy (Division I-5A volleyball), Bishop Sullivan (4A girls cross country) and St. Amant (5A softball) have each won four consecutive state titles.

The Episcopal girls provided perhaps the state's most impressive sweep of titles, winning state crowns in cross country, indoor track and outdoor track in the same school year.

The list of titles was not limited to LHSAA schools.

Central Private won the Mississippi Private School Association Class 3A, Division II baseball title.

The series of state titles began in the fall with The Dunham School winning the Class 1A state title in football. It was the Tigers first state title in football.

Episcopal brought home the only boys state title at the LHSAA cross country meet. Sullivan of Class 4A and Episcopal of 2A took girls state titles. The Episcopal girls claimed their first state title since 1990.

St. Joseph's Academy was the area's lone volleyball champion, again winning Division I-5A.