With the turn of the new year, most Teche Area basketball teams are either entering or getting ready to enter district play as the season starts winding down to the playoffs which begin around the middle of February.

On Wednesday, the Louisiana High School Athletic Association released its most recent unofficial power rankings for all classes and divisions.

In Class 5A, New Iberia Senior High is sixth in the power rankings with a 12-6 record and a power ranking of 12.17. The Jackets trail top-seeded Natchitoches Central (14.81), Ouachita Parish (12.32), St. Amant (12.25), Walker (12.25) and Landry-Walker (12.24).

The Yellow Jackets are in one of several districts that are only playing one round of district games this season. NISH begins District 3-5A Friday, Jan. 26, with a game at Lafayette High.

In Class 4A, Westgate, which made the Class 4A semifinals last season, is sixth in the power rankings with a 10-3 record and a ranking of 11.81, trailing No. 1 Carencro (13.00), Woodlawn-Shreveport (12.70), DeRidder (11.92), Bossier (11.88) and Breaux Bridge (11.88).

The Tigers play two rounds of district games this season and will meet Carencro twice, on Jan. 19 at home and Feb. 6 on the road.

St. Martinville Senior High (11-11, 9.23) is 25th in the power rankings and plays two rounds of district games this season, starting Jan. 16 at home against Livonia.

In Division III, Catholic High (9-8, 6.35) is 12th in the power rankings and plays two rounds of district games this season starting with Friday’s home contest against Jeanerette.

In Division IV, Highland Baptist (1-9, 3.65) is 21st in the power rankings and plays one round of District 7-A games starting Tuesday on the road at Gueydan. The Bears’ first home district game is Jan. 23 against Lafayette Christian.

Also in Division IV, Hanson (1-10, 3.09) is 23rd in the power rankings and starts district play Jan. 26 at home against Vermilion Catholic.

In Class 2A, West St. Mary (7-6, 9.19) is eighth in the power rankings. The Wolfpack, which advanced to the Class 2A semifinals last season, trails top-seed Rayville (14.38), North Caddo (12.10), Avoyelles Public Charter (10.93), Lake Arthur (10.87), Many (10.58) and Lakeview (10.21). 

As part of District 7-2A, WSM, like Catholic High, will play two rounds of district contests. That was scheduled to start Wednesday against Franklin, but that game was moved to Saturday due to a water shortage at FSH. Games are scheduled to start at 4 p.m. WSM will now open district play Friday at home against Delcambre.

Jeanerette (5-14, 6.24) and Delcambre (7-8, 6.17) are 29th and 30th in the power rankings. Jeanerette started district play Tuesday with an 84-51 win over Loreauville. Delcambre started district play Tuesday with a 58-48 loss to Ascension Episcopal.

Franklin (5-9, 6.11) is 32nd in the power rankings and would be on the bubble to make the playoffs if the season ended today. The Hornets will now open district play Friday on the road at Loreauville.

LHS (3-12, 4.13) is 46th in the power rankings. The Tigers next play host to Franklin Friday.

In Class A, Centerville (8-4, 8.13) is eighth in the power rankings behind top-seeded Tensas (12.33), North Central (10.29), Haynesville (9.88), Delhi (9.55), White Castle (9.46), Grand Lake (9.17) and Lincoln Prep (8.96). As part of District 7-A along with Hanson and Highland, the Bulldogs will have one round of district play which begins Jan. 30 on the road at Vermilion Catholic.

In Class 3A, Erath (2-13, 4.60) is 48th in the power rankings. The Bobcats have two round of district games this season, starting Friday at North Vermilion.

Finally in Division V, ESA (11-12, 7.78), which also advanced to the semifinals last season, is sixth in the power rankings behind Jehovah-Jireh (14.28), Grace Christian (11.31), Crescent City (9.98), Runnels (7.80) and Family Christian (7.80). The Falcons play two round of district play this season starting with a home game against Lacassine Tuesday.