The Jena Lady Giants softball team accomplished something this season that they have never done in school history. The Lady Giants have been the #1 team in the Division III Non-Select Power rankings for the entirety of the season. With their big wins over some of the best teams in the state the Lady Giants have had a comfortable lead throughout the season and went into the playoffs with a full point lead over the #2 team in the power rankings.

The Lady Giants finished the season with a 24-5 record against a schedule where nearly every team on the schedule made the playoffs. The Lady Giants lost only two home games all season and that was to Top 5 ranked teams West Monroe and Pineville who are both in class 5A.

The Lady Giants went undefeated in a district where every team made the playoffs. They came into the season as the favorites to win the Division III Non-Select state championship after losing to Doyle in the state championship last season.

After receiving a bye in the firstround last week, the Lady Giants played #17 Church Point in the second round Monday afternoon in Jena. (Due to this newspaper’s press deadline, results of that game can be found on The Jena Times Facebook page.)

If they won, they will play later this week in the quarterfinal round against the winner of #8 Berwick and #9 Marksville. If the Lady Giants can get past these teams, they will punch their ticket to the LHSAA State Softball Tournament in Sulphur next weekend. Once there, the teams that will look to be in their way to achieve a state championship will likely be Sterlington and Winnfield for the semifinal game.

On the other side of the bracket, the favorites look to be #3 French Settlement and #2 Kaplan, who are both lead by strong pitchers. As always, it will be a fun ride as we follow the Lady Giants.

If they make it to Sulphur, their semifinal game will be held on Friday, May 1, with the state championship game set for Saturday, May 2.

All Jena fans are asked to be at all playoff games to support the Jena Lady Giants in their quest for a state championship.