LEADING WAVE—Ponchatoula's Megen Berner hits a jumper over Northshore's Dejean Flemings early in the first half of the Lady Wave's 74-34 win Tuesday night. Ponchatoula will be at Covington tonight. By Mike Kiral

Only one night of games has been played in District 7-5A and already the district has given an indication of how balanced it could be this season.

Hammond, Mandeville, Covington and Northshore came away with victories Tuesday night — all on the road. All will be at home tonight.

The Tors (10-9) host St. Paul's (11-10), while Covington (14-6) welcomes Ponchatoula (8-9). Mandeville is home to Slidell (9-9) with Northshore (2-13) hosting Fontainebleau (7-8).

"Anybody in this district on any given night can beat anybody," Hammond coach Matthew Vargas said. "Northshore proved it Tuesday (at Ponchatoula). Last year we got four teams in out of 32 in the state. All except for one traveled and we came away with three victories in the first round.

“This is a tough district. We get overlooked a lot, but from top to bottom we can all play."

Hammond will play a St. Paul's team playing without two starters — Jared Buhler and Jeff Coate. But those players were not what worried Vargas.

"I'm worried about them as a whole," Vargas said. "If you watch them play, you don't know where it's going to come from. That's what's scary about them. They always pose a challenge for us."

Ponchatoula (21-4, 3-0) and Mandeville (8-6, 3-0) are tied atop the girls' 7-5A standings. The Lady Wave travels to Covington (3-10, 0-3) while Mandeville hosts Slidell (11-5, 2-1). Hammond (7-9, 2-1) is home to St. Scholastica (11-9, 2-1). Fontainebleau (8-12, 0-3) hosts Northshore (9-15, 0-3).

District 9-2A also resumes tonight with front-runner St. Thomas Aquinas (16-8, 3-0) traveling to Pope John Paul II (13-4, 1-1). French Settlement (15-5, 2-1) hosts St. Helena Central (6-8, 1-0). Springfield (13-5, 1-1) is also home to Pine (3-8, 0-3).

With co-leader Doyle (15-5, 3-0) playing a non-district game against University, St. Thomas Aquinas (14-4, 3-0) will try to slip ahead when it travels to Pope John Paul (9-11, 2-1). French Settlement (3-10, 0-3) hosts St. Helena Central (6-8, 0-2) while Springfield (4-9, 0-2) hosts Pine (9-2, 2-1).

In District 7-1A, the Kentwood boys (4-8, 0-1) host Desire Street (1-10, 1-0).

Independence's game tonight against Riverside has been cancelled due to a scheduling conflict. The Tigers will host Redemptorist Tuesday.

In action earlier this week, Springfield took a break from District 9-2A play to defeat Walker, 57-53, Tuesday night.

Kevin Henderson had 15 points, Antonio Patrick 14 and Bryce Walker 11 to lead the Bulldogs (13-5). Taylor Meades had 19 and David Zachary and Johnel Reames 15 apiece for Walker (10-8).

Springfield pulled the game out in the fourth quarter after using a 15-8 third quarer run to take a 32-27 lead. The teams were tied at 7 at the end of the first quarter before Walker took a 19-17 halftime lead.

Earlier in the evening, it was the Walker girls taking a 65-27 win over the Lady Bulldogs. Samantha Sorrells had 13 points and Mina Romito 12 for the Lady Wildcats. Bryonca Norman tossed in 13 points, B. Chester 10 and Jasmine Dudley four for Springfield.

Walker led 18-3 at the end of the first quarter, 33-5 at the half and 50-14 going into the fourth quarter.

St. Helena Central and Doyle split in District 9-2A play Tuesday. Ryan Byrd had 26 points and Joseph Ramsey and Terrence Thompson 10 apiece as the Hawks took a 55-22 victory. Doyle won the girls' game despite Jaimerlyn Brown scoring 17 points and Millie Hurst 12 for the Lady Hawks.

Also in District 9-2A, French Settlement pulled away in the third quarter for a 62-52 win over Pope John Paul II. The Lions had three players in double figures, led by Brent McMorris with 23 points. Ryan Keller had 18 points behind five 3-pointers while Jack Housley added 10 points.

Pope John Paul received 15 points from C. Brazely, 12 from Scott Joffe and 11 from M. Binder.

French Settlement extended a 26-20 lead to 49-30 going into the fourth quarter. The Lions had led 14-11 at the end of the first quarter.

In a non-district game, Loranger rallied to tie the game at 54 at the end of regulation before losing to Runnels, 65-61, in double overtime.

After both teams scored five points in the first overtime, Runnels out-scored the Wolves 6-2 in the second. Loranger had rallied from a 44-40 deficit going into the fourth quarter.

Bryan Cook had 15 points for Loranger. Dayton Prudhomme added 13 points and C. Chambers 12. K. Jordan scored a game-high 22 points for Runnels while J. Frankel-Bricker tossed in 15.

Oak Forest rolled to a 51-32 win over Silliman in a Mississippi Private School Association Conference 5-AA showdown. Drew Misita had 19 points and Philip Ingraffia 12 to lead the Yellow Jackets. F. Doeinck had 17 points for Silliman.

Silliman led 10-6 at the end of the first quarter before Oak Forest went ahead 18-16 at the half and 34-23 going into the fourth quarter.

Episcopal used a 13-4 third quarter run to pull away to a 52-39 win over Holden Monday night.

The Lady Knights jumped out to a 17-9 lead in the first quarter but Holden rallied to make it 27-22 at the half.

Courtney Stewart had 12 points for Holden (18-6). Jessica Fekete added 10 points and Katie Secott and Morgan Jones seven apiece.

B. Dillon led Episcopal (18-8) with 10 points. K. Deggins had nine points and L. Potts eight.