MaxPreps Basketball Tour of Champions celebrates Natchitoches Central High School

The energy was electric at Natchitoches Central (LA) High School on Thursday, Apr. 21 as its boys basketball team was honored on the 11th Annual MaxPreps Tour of Champions presented by the Army National Guard, which is in its 10th year honoring basketball.

The Chiefs capped their 2015-16 season at 32-3 with a thrilling win over Scotlandville (54-52) for the 5A LHSAA state championship and finished ranked No. 42 in the MaxPreps national rankings. After claiming the state title, the top-ranked Chiefs earned an invitation to the Louisiana State Capitol to be recognized on the floor of the State House of Representatives and were given the opportunity to meet Governor John Bel Edwards.

Natchitoches Central standouts this year were Austin Guy and Brian White. Guy averaged 15 points per game and will play for Northwestern State starting in the fall. White, sophomore point guard, led the team with a 17-point average.

In support of the boys basketball team, 1400 students, parents and faculty members packed into the gym for the school assembly and the highly anticipated trophy ceremony. As the celebration began, the band kept the crowd pumped and as the players were introduced, they electrified the crowd with their skills, including impressive dunks.

Sergeant First Class Roland Sweetland of the Louisiana National Guard presented the prestigious Army National Guard national ranking trophy to Coach Micah Coleman and the team. Coach Coleman accepted the trophy and spoke of the Chiefs systematic climb to the top after a slow start to their season.

After the crowd concluded the celebration with the school alma mater, the team huddled up in the middle of the gym and hoisted the Minuteman trophy up in the air with "We Are The Champions" blaring in the background.

Congratulations to the Chiefs on their great season and high national ranking!

To view the Natchitoches Central TOC photo gallery, click here.