League Lookout: District 1-1A
The League Lookout is something that’s becoming more popular across the Prep Hoops Network. The series takes a look across a district and will provide updates and analysis on the teams and players within the district that are making noise.…
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Continue ReadingThe League Lookout is something that’s becoming more popular across the Prep Hoops Network. The series takes a look across a district and will provide updates and analysis on the teams and players within the district that are making noise.
The next district we will break down is the 1A district in North Louisiana that sports two of the top 4 teams as well as 2 other playoff teams and 3 lurking just outside the Top 32 in the class of 1A. There is a great mixture of young and older talent.
Arcadia holds a 19 game win streak after starting the season 0-5 and has won the district already with their perimeter oriented team led by two seniors and one junior all averaging over 15 points per game. Despite their recent loss to 3rd place Haynesville, Grambling Lab should finish 2nd with a win over Ringgold tomorrow. Haynesville and Plain Dealing should be squarely in the playoffs with Ringgold, Homer, and Cedar Creek currently on the outside looking in despite the close race.
Key Friday Night Match-Ups
Grambling Lab @ Ringgold gives Lab a chance to get some more much needed power points since they won’t get the bonus for winning a district like other top teams. Sitting currently in 4th, they’ll need every point they can get not to fall too far behind district winners. Ringgold is currently in 34th and a win over Grambling on senior night in the last game of the season could prolong the careers of the seniors.
Key Matchup: Deondre Glover (6’2 G/F, Ringgold, 2016) vs Kaedrick Williams (6’5 G/F, Grambling Lab, 2017)
Plain Dealing @ Arcadia is another chance for someone to try and knock off the red hot Arcadia squad. A win likely ensures Arcadia the 2 seed and the ability to avoid Lafayette Christian until a potential title game in 1A while a win for Plain Dealing could be enough to get a favorable match-up on the road in round 1 instead of having to play a top 10 team.
Key Matchup: Danquarian Fields (6’3 F, Arcadia, 2016) vs Keldrick Carper (6’3 F, Plain Dealing, 2017)
Possible All-District Candidates
G: Tylan Dean (6’2, 2017, Grambling Lab)
G: Anthony Boston Jr (5’9, 2017, Arcadia)
G: Travious Fielding (6’1, 2016, Arcadia)
G/F: Kaedrick Williams
G/F: Deondre Glover
G/F: Shaviairre Murray (6’4, Haynesville, 2016)
F: Danquarian Fields
F: Keldrick Carper
Top 28 Contenders?
There is no doubt that Lafayette Christian is the front-runner in 1A and it’ll be tough for someone to overcome the wealth of talent and experience they possess but that doesn’t mean it can’t and won’t happen. To do so, teams will have to navigate a tougher than expected playoff run and get to the top 28 down in Lake Charles. The two most likely teams to do so are Grambling Lab and of course Arcadia. Both teams have star players who can get hot for a run and the experience to do so.
Arcadia’s trio of Boston Jr, Fielding, and Fields is as daunting as you’ll see in a small class while the scoring ability of Dean and athleticism of Williams for Grambling Lab give match-up problems on a nightly basis. Both teams will need to be at the top of their game, especially Grambling, to make the run. With Arcadia likely getting the 2 seed and locking up the ability to avoid LCA until the finals, they are most likely to make the run.
Under-the-radar Recruits
Here are some players who have made people take notice throughout the season.
Shaviairre Murray – Mentioned above, Murray is a multi-talented senior who has developed into a real prospect for smaller schools this season. He’s no stranger to leading his team against the very talent district he’s in.
Enrico Hayes (6’5 F, 2016, Grambling Lab) – While the two juniors often get the publicity, the big man will be needed to make the type of run Grambling wants to make. He does a little bit of everything is brings some more size to the mix.
Keldrick Carper – While his future likely lies on the football field as Plain Dealing’s leading rusher and receiver last year and even going 15/22 passing, Carper has been fantastic on the court as well with 14.4 ppg and 9.7 rpg.
Anthony Boston Jr – While he isn’t new on the scene by any stretch, his play has made opposing coaches and college coaches alike take note of the 5’9 point guard. He too had a great season on the gridiron for Arcadia.
Tylan Dean – The emergence of Dean is less about getting noticed and more to the extent in which he has been. While most considered his teammate the more high prized recruit, his shooting ability coupled with the improved defense make him likely D1 bound.