EDGARD – Over the last few months, the West St. John High, Riverside Academy and St. Charles Catholic girls basketball teams all have competed against one another for the same District 12-2A title and power points that would give them a chance at the playoffs.

All three teams did what they had to do to reach the postseason – as did the East St. John High Lady Wildcats – but they won’t all be competing for the same state title.

Last year, the LHSAA’s member principals voted to split basketball, baseball and softball into separate brackets for private schools, or schools that “select” their students, and public, or “non-select” schools.

That means, beginning this year, the state will crown 12 basketball state champions in seven non-select classes and five select divisions.

Riverside Academy and St. Charles Catholic will be competing against one another and 20 other teams for the Division III select title, but West St. John will compete for the Class 2A non-select title.

Like most coaches and fans, Lady Rams coach Lester Smith isn’t a fan of the new system.

“It is what it is, I guess,” he said. “I’d rather it all be together like it was.”

Then again, under the old system, Smith’s team likely would not have reached the postseason.

Instead, the No. 23 seed Lady Rams will travel to north Louisiana for a bi-district round game at 6 p.m. Thursday against No. 10 Jonesboro-Hodge.

St. Charles, which made the playoffs last year for the first time since 2008, not only earned back-to-back appearances, but advances straight to the regional round thanks for a first-round bye.

The No. 7 seed Lady Comets will host No. 10 seed Dunham in the regional round Monday. The time of the game is still to be determined.

The teams have met twice already this season, with St. Charles taking both meetings.

“We know what to expect from them,” said coach Kathy Luke, who hopped from Riverside Academy to coach the Lady Comets this season. “They’re a good team; they’re well coached. We’re working hard this week on fundamentals. We have to worry about the small pieces.”

Riverside Academy earned the No. 12 seed and will play No. 21 seed Runnels at 6 p.m. Thursday. The winner advances to play No. 5 seed St. Mary’s Academy, which won the district championship and earned a first round bye.

Coach Kevin Dizer, who took over the Lady Rebels after Luke’s departure, said he is pleased with his team’s spot.

“We feel good about our draw,” Dizer said. “If we win our first game, we get a rematch with St. Mary’s from our district and get a chance to take that series. We split with them during the season.”

East St. John High earned the No. 12 seed in the Class 5A bracket and will host No. 21 Live Oak at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in Reserve.