Class 5A Preview

<p><span style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34); font-size:12px">In this installment of our class previews, we get another class that has two state champions from last season that are loaded for a repeat. With last season&#39;s 4A champion on it&#39;s way to 5A, it&#39;ll be a fun season to see which team comes out on top and if anyone can throw a wrench in a possible showdown for the ages. This class is loaded with national talent and a plethora of D2 to NAIA athletes.</span></p><h2>State Champions</h2><p>Scotlandville won the 5A title again last year after losing to Natchitoches Central the year before. They&#39;ve been in every state title game since 2010 and have now won 3 of the last 4. They&#39;ll be led by last season&#39;s MVP in 2018 PG <strong>Javonte Smart </strong>who is nationally ranked in Top 10 in every service. 2016s <strong>Garrick Green</strong> and <strong>Jordan Adebutu</strong> will be crucial to the repeat.</p> <p>One big reason Scotlandville will struggle to be the odds on favorite is because of <strong>Lamar Peters </strong>(MSU Commit) and Landry-Walker. They are looking to three peat and the move to 5A doesn&#39;t scare them one bit. <strong>Cam Lard </strong>moved in from Natchitoches Central and gives them a dominant big to add to Peters and 2017 PG <strong>Lamont Berzat</strong>.</p> <h2>The Challengers</h2><p>Landry-Walker doesn&#39;t even have a cakewalk in their district with numerous other bigs in it (<u><a href="http://prephoopslouisiana.com/news_article/show/552078?referrer_id=1926340">see this article</a></u>). That was written before 6&#39;9 PF/C <strong>Jarod Carter</strong> transferred in from California to Bonnabel. Bonnabel also has 2017 Forward <strong>Joseph Thompson </strong>and 2018 guard <strong>Terry Collins</strong> to worry about. They are certainly a trendy pick right now. </p> <p>That district also houses Helen Cox who has 2016&#39;s <strong>Khalea Turner </strong>and <strong>Roydell Brown</strong> as well as Chalmette with 6&#39;11 star <strong>Mitchell Robinson</strong>. Navigating that district alone will make the champion strong.</p> <p>Even without Lard, Natchitoches Central still has <strong>Brandon Rachal </strong>and <strong>Kendarious Aaron</strong> and a winning pedigree. They won&#39;t fall off at all but have to deal with a very good and young Ouachita squad led by big man <strong>Jay Head</strong>. </p> <p>In District 9-5A, St. Augustine (<strong>Devante Jones </strong>and <strong>Caleb Daniels</strong>) will battle with Brother Martin (<strong>Tre Swilling</strong>, <strong>Bruce Jordan-Swilling</strong>, and <strong>Christian Woodson</strong>) along with the other Catholic league schools. </p> <p>District 7-5A has gotten better but <strong>Troy Green </strong>and East St. John should still come out on top while district 5-5A has improved as well and <strong>Tolliver Freeman</strong> and Catholic will have a very tough road with East Ascension and McKinley vastly improving.</p> <p>The Northshore district of 6-5A will be a tough on that St. Paul&#39;s will likely come out on top of while District 3-3A may be down but still has some fantastic young talent.</p>