The two largest classifications, each featuring a defending champion, will take the court today at Burton Coliseum in the state championship boys basketball tournament.

Play starts with the Class 4A semifinals, which will feature three New Orleans teams. Top-seeded George Washington Carver (27-2), last year’s runner-up, will face No. 4 Huntington (22-5) at noon.

Carver is led by Texas A&M signee Solomon Washington, a 6-foot-6 forward who averages 15 points and 11 rebounds per game.

Huntington is playing with heavy hearts after last week’s shooting death of junior forward Devin Myers.

The Raiders are led by point guard Rayshun McCullar, who averages 20 points and five assists per game.

In the other semifinal, defending champion No. 3 McMain (23-6) will play No. 2 Karr (31-4) at 2:30 p.m. McMain is led by forward Corey Chest, the country’s No. 81 Class of 2023 recruit, per 247Sports. Chest reportedly has offers from LSU, Ole Miss and Houston.

Edna Karr advanced by overcoming a 13-point deficit to Peabody in the quarterfinals. Guard Leland Smith scored 37 points to lead the Cougars.

In Class 5A, defending champion and top seed Zachary (31-2) will play No. 5 Ouachita (25-8) at 5 p.m. The Broncos return standouts Jalen Bolden (20 ppg) and Brandon Rodgers (16 ppg) from last year’s team.

Ouachita beat three 3-5A teams — Acadiana, Southside and New Iberia, to reach the tournament. Guard Sterry Leonard lead the team in scoring at 11.3 points per game.

No. 7 Walker (26-8), the 2018 champ and 2019 runner-up, will play Northshore in the finale at 7:30 p.m. The Wildcats are led by guard Warren Young (20 ppg) and senior Donald Butler (14 ppg).

No. 11 Northshore (27-6) is in the semifinals for the first time. The Panthers are led by sophomore guard Kohen Rowbatham, who scored 35 points in the team’s 59-53 quarterfinal win at Ruston.