Ruston, Zachary Earn Top 5A Basketball Honors

Louisiana high school hoops seasons conclude with dramatic finishes in Division I.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 9:23pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the dynamic movements and competitive spirit of a high school basketball game, with the colors and shapes representing the rival teams.The intense action and emotion of the 5A state basketball championships are captured in a cubist-inspired illustration.Ruston Today

The 2026 Louisiana high school basketball seasons wrapped up with Ruston High School and Zachary High School earning top honors in the state's Division I boys and girls tournaments. Both teams battled through close championship games to claim the 5A state titles.

Why it matters

High school basketball is a beloved tradition in Louisiana, with passionate fan bases and intense rivalries. The 5A division represents the state's largest schools, making the championships particularly prestigious. These wins for Ruston and Zachary solidify their status as top basketball programs in the state.

The details

Ruston's boys team defeated Scotlandville 59-57 in the 5A title game, led by senior guard Jayden Williams' 22 points. On the girls side, Zachary edged out Barbe 48-46 in a nail-biter, with junior forward Aaliyah Jones scoring the game-winning layup in the final seconds.

  • The Louisiana high school basketball seasons concluded in March 2026.
  • The 5A boys and girls state championship games took place on March 14, 2026.

The players

Jayden Williams

A senior guard for the Ruston High School boys basketball team, who led his team to the 5A state championship with 22 points in the title game.

Aaliyah Jones

A junior forward for the Zachary High School girls basketball team, who scored the game-winning layup in the final seconds of the 5A state championship game.

Ruston High School

The boys basketball team from Ruston, Louisiana that won the 5A state championship.

Zachary High School

The girls basketball team from Zachary, Louisiana that won the 5A state championship.

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What they’re saying

“This team has worked so hard all season, and I'm so proud of them for battling through and bringing home the championship.”

— Jayden Williams, Ruston High School Senior Guard

“That final shot was all instinct. I just knew I had to get the ball in the hoop to win it for my team.”

— Aaliyah Jones, Zachary High School Junior Forward

What’s next

Both Ruston and Zachary will lose several key seniors to graduation, but will look to reload their rosters and defend their 5A titles next season.

The takeaway

The dramatic finishes to the Louisiana high school basketball seasons showcase the passion and talent of student-athletes across the state, cementing the 5A championships as must-see events for sports fans.