Walk into the "Havoc House" on a Tuesday night in January, and you'll immediately realize why Zachary High School basketball isn't just a suburban extracurricular activity. It’s an institution. The air is thick with the scent of popcorn and the rhythmic, deafening thud of bleachers being kicked in unison. Honestly, if you aren't from around East Baton Rouge Parish, you might think you stumbled into a college rivalry game.
But that’s just Zachary.
The program has transformed from a respectable local squad into a perennial powerhouse that the rest of Louisiana has to figure out how to stop. This year? It’s more of the same, but with a twist. The 2025-26 season has been a wild ride of high-stakes tournaments and dominant home stands. People talk about "culture" in sports all the time, but at Zachary, culture is basically code for "we expect to be in Lake Charles for the state tournament every March."
The Current State of the Bronco Dynasty
Right now, the Broncos are sitting pretty. As of mid-January 2026, the varsity boys' team is sporting a ridiculous 23-2 record. You’ve gotta respect the consistency. They just came off a solid 48-37 win against Archbishop Hannan on January 16, which is exactly the kind of gritty, defensive-minded victory Head Coach Jon McClinton loves.
They aren't just winning; they're suffocating teams.
Take the January 6 game against Denham Springs. That was supposed to be a tight one. Denham came in ranked, looking for an upset. Instead, Zachary hung 81 points on them, winning by 21. It’s that explosive transition game that catches teams off guard. One minute you're tied, and the next, Ian Edmond or Cambren Price is leading a 12-0 run that effectively ends the night.
Why zachary high school basketball Still Matters
You might wonder why a high school team gets this much press. Well, look at the history. This isn't a "flash in the pan" situation. Zachary captured the 5A State Championship back in 2022 with an 84-53 blowout of Northshore, and they followed it up by staying in the hunt every single year since.
Coach Jon McClinton has been the architect of this. He’s been at the helm since the mid-2010s, slowly turning the program from a 15-win team into a 30-win juggernaut. He’s got this way of integrating transfers—like Ethan Kimmie from University Lab—and making them look like they’ve played in the Bronco system since middle school.
Kimmie is a freak athlete. Honestly, seeing him in the open floor is scary. He’s averaging over seven points a game, but his impact is really on the boards and the defensive end.
The 2025-2026 Roster Breakdown
The depth this year is sorta terrifying for the rest of District 4-5A.
- Cambren Price (Sr., 6'2"): The veteran leader. He can play both guard spots and handles pressure like he’s already in the pros.
- Ian Edmond (Jr., 6'1"): The engine. When Ian is on, the whole team plays at a different speed.
- Trey Armwood (Jr., 6'0"): A pure point guard who seems to have eyes in the back of his head.
- Mason Newman (Jr., 6'3"): The glue guy. He scores when needed but does the dirty work that doesn't always show up in the box score.
And it’s not just the boys. The Lady Broncos, led by Head Coach Tami McClure, are holding their own with a 19-2 record. They recently dismantled Istrouma 65-12. Yeah, you read that right. Twelve points allowed. Ava Raymond and Ayja Walker are the names you need to know there. They play a brand of basketball that is fundamentally sound but incredibly aggressive.
The Road to the Title
The schedule coming up is a gauntlet. They’ve got matchups against Madison Prep and Scotlandville looming. In Louisiana, Scotlandville is the mountain you eventually have to climb if you want a ring.
Upcoming Key Dates:
- January 23: Away at Madison Preparatory Academy. This is going to be a bloodbath.
- February 6: The big one. Scotlandville comes to the Havoc House.
- February 20: Regular season finale at Catholic High.
People sometimes get it wrong and think Zachary just "out-talents" everyone. That’s a lazy take. If you watch them practice, it’s all about the "Havoc" defense—full-court presses, trapping the corners, and forcing 20+ turnovers a game. It’s exhausting to play against.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Recruits
If you’re trying to keep up with the team or perhaps you're a scout looking at the next crop of talent, here is how you stay in the loop:
- Download the App: MaxPreps and Hudl are where the real-time stats live. Don't rely on word of mouth; the box scores for Zachary are usually updated within an hour of the final buzzer.
- Arrive Early: If you're planning on attending the Scotlandville or Liberty Magnet games at home, get there at least 45 minutes before tip-off. The Havoc House hits capacity quickly, and they will turn people away at the door.
- Watch the Tape: For recruits, study how Trey Armwood manages the clock. He’s a masterclass in "tempo control," which is a skill many young guards lack.
- Support the Boosters: High-level programs like this run on community support. The Zachary Athletic Foundation is the backbone behind the facilities and travel for these tournament runs.
Zachary high school basketball isn't just about winning games; it’s about a standard. Whether it's the 2022 championship or the current 23-2 run, the goal never changes. They play fast, they play hard, and they usually win.
Keep an eye on the power rankings as we head into February. If the Broncos stay healthy, we're likely looking at another deep run into the "Marsh Madness" state finals.
