League Lookout: District 4-4A
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 4A district in the Acadiana area that sports two of the top teams in 4A as well as 2 other playoff teams in the Top 32 in the class of 1A. There is a great mixture of young and older talent and two potential state title contenders.
Northside is on a 9 game win streak and 9-0 in district while St. Thomas More is 8-1 as both teams prepare for tonight’s showdown. Both teams have seniors who have been there throughout the rivalry and were freshman when they met in the 4A state title game won 51-43 by St. Thomas More in 2013. Carencro has a wealth of not only young talent but a few veterans as well that have made noise this season and could make a small run in the playoffs while Opelousas will go on the road round one in the playoffs.
Key Friday Night Match-Up
Northside @ St. Thomas more is an opportunity for STM to earn a split district title at home and potentially force a playoff game that would be played tomorrow to earn the extra bonus point in the power rankings. It’s a rivalry game that rivals any other in the state and district often comes down to this match-up. Tonight is senior night for St. Thomas More and that’s one of the players in our key match-up.
Key Matchup: Brandon Ellis (6’0 PG, Northside, 2016) vs Devante Benjamin (6’2 G, St. Thomas More, 2016)
Possible All-District Candidates
G: Brandon Ellis
G: Devante Benjamin
G: Darius Randell (6’0, Northside, 2016)
G: Terrell Lewis (6’0, Opelousas, 2016)
G: Marvin Thompson (6’2, Opelousas, 2017)
G/F: Araden Adams (6’2, Carencro, 2016)
C: Williams Vincent (6’6, St. Thomas More, 2016)
Top 28 Contenders?
Certainly with 4A being completely up for grabs this year, the two teams currently in the Top 4 of the power rankings in LHSAA are title contenders so especially Top 28 contenders. Northside will play primarily through it’s two senior guards who are listed in the All-District match-ups. If either team makes it to the Top 28, they’ll have a huge advantage of limited travel to Lake Charles.
St. Thomas More is a high IQ team that can grind a game away or get out and run. They are consistently near the top and this season is no different. The big man in the middle has really blossomed and that helps a ton. Coupled with the tough guards and a few young players and they have a real shot.
Under-the-radar Recruits
Here are some players who have made people take notice throughout the season.
Araden Adams – As you see as a possible All-District candidate, Araden has really stepped up his game and drawn some interest from NAIA schools. He’s a do it all player for Carencro who has climbed our rankings all year.
Williams Vincent – Another player we mentioned above, Vincent’s development into a post threat on both ends has taken STM to new heights. At 6’6, there may be a home for him at the next level if someone wants to take a shot.
Darius Randell – Not that people haven’t taken notice of the scorer for Northside but he does often get overshadowed by his teammate who could go as high as D1. Randell is the guy who hits the big shots for Northside though.
Braylon Chaisson (6’4 G/F, Carencro, 2018) – The young player really came onto the scene this summer and does all the little things you want a young player to do. Really high ceiling for the wing who rebounds at a high level as well.
Jonathan Cisse (6’0 PG, St. Thomas More, 2018) – Another sophomore who proved himself during the summer. He’s taken on a much larger role within STM’s team and really proven himself as a valuable contributor.