The state of Louisiana will have its own lacrosse league for the first time in 2009 after the Deep South Lacrosse League combined with teams from the Shreveport area that had been playing in the Texas High School Lacrosse League.

The new Louisiana High School Lacrosse League will feature a top-tier Division I for experienced programs and a second-tier Division II for start-up programs. The LHSLL will also include a couple schools based in Mississippi.

“We are excited about the future of lacrosse in Louisiana,” said Mac Bulloch, the new commissioner of the LHSLL. “The establishment of the Louisiana High School Lacrosse League comes from the hard work and dedication of a lot of coaches, parents, players and officials from across the state. We still have plenty of challenges ahead of us, but at least we’re all pulling in the same direction.”

In 2009, Division I will have an Eastern District and Western District, each consisting of six teams. Teams from Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Mandeville and Ocean Springs will play in the East, and teams from Lafayette and Shreveport will play in the West.

Division I, Western District: C.E. Byrd, Captain Shreve, Caddo Magnet, Loyola-Shreveport, Lafayette, St. Thomas More.

Division I Eastern District: Baton Rouge Catholic, New Orleans Jesuit, Brother Martin, Rummel, Mandeville, Ocean Springs.

Division II: Comeaux, Dutchtown, St. Paul’s, Newman, De La Salle, St. Andrew’s.