Some of the best boys’ basketball teams in the state will converge on New Iberia on Nov. 4 for the NISH-TruYou Hall of Fame Game at New Iberia Senior High, and those inter-regional matchups were a big draw for the coaches of the teams headed here, NISH head coach Todd Russ said.

“It’s actually the largest boys-only Hall of Fame (event) in the state,” Russ said. “We’ve got some pretty good teams coming through with some pretty good players.”

Among those top teams from around the state are defending Division IV state champion Lafayette Christian, Class 5A semifinalist West Monroe and Class 3A quarterfinalist Baker. Three New Orleans schools join teams from around Acadiana, the Bayou Parishes, CENLA and both the northeast and northwest corners of the state.

“Last year we had 16 teams, so we grew by 10, and the thing is it’s different teams (this year),” Russ said. “Southwood is going to come down (from Shreveport). West Monroe is here. We’ve got three from New Orleans — Warren Easton, McDonogh 35 and McMain. You get a chance to see teams you don’t normally see in the regular season.”

The Hall of Fame format allows teams to play a full regulation game instead of a shortened jamboree contest while not counting in the regular season record, Russ said.

“I think that’s it,” he said. “You get to play teams from different areas you don’t normally match up with.

Among the matchups are Lafayette Christian against McDonogh 35, Comeaux against Southwood, McMain against Alexandria, David Thibodaux against South Lafourche, Carencro against Thibodaux and Lafayette against West Monroe.

“Coach (Eddie) Hamilton of Southwood said it’s good for his guys to come down and see teams they don’t normally see,” Russ said. “Thibodaux-Carencro is another great matchup. You see good programs you don’t normally get to see in the regular season, and it doesn’t hurt your record.”

In games involving Teche Area teams, New Iberia takes on Baker, St. Martinville plays Acadiana, Jeanerette plays J.S. Clark and Catholic High plays Southside.

“Baker got to the quarterfinals last year and lost by 3 at Wossman,” Russ said. “They return four starters, so it will be a good matchup for us.”