Div I Top 28 Preseason Picks
With basketball heading into a brand new space in Louisiana following the select/nonselect split when it comes to the playoffs, there is still much confusion about what teams fit under which group and who will be at the top of…
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Continue ReadingWith basketball heading into a brand new space in Louisiana following the select/nonselect split when it comes to the playoffs, there is still much confusion about what teams fit under which group and who will be at the top of each. We will be taking a look at all of the playoff classifications. (For more in depth look, I suggest checking out an article written by new contributor Brett Hudson taking a general look at each class https://prephoops.com/2016/11/analyzing-impact-new-playoff-system/ )
Next up, we will be taking a look at the final select school bracket, Div I, which is the select side of 5A.
1. Scottlandville
There is only one team in the state that can boast about returning the reigning Mr. Basketball for the state of Louisiana, and that conversation starts and ends with Scotlandville and Ja’vonte Smart. Smart spent the summer playing with Team USA in the 16u World Championships, winning gold. After a disappointing loss in the state championship last season against Natchitoches Central, I expect to see a very focused Hornet team throughout the season. Despite the losses of Jordan Adebutu and Garrick Green, two players ranked in the top 15 of the 2016 class, there is certainly talent on this roster to make up for that. Players like Jaylen Hawkins, Lamarq Williams, and Malik Williams will all be required to step up this year if Scottlandville wants to avenge their state championship loss.
2. St. Paul’s
0-1. For many teams, the loss of the very first game is capable of derailing an entire season. That was not the case for St. Paul’s last season. After losing the first game of the season, the Wolves ripped off 32 straight win, creating a streak that wasn’t snapped until being upset at home in the second round against a very talented East Ascension team. This is going to be the first season for Coach Stephen Dale, coming in after a very successful season at Christian Life. There aren’t going to be many teams in Louisiana that are going to boast the size and length that St. Paul’s has this year, college teams included. With a projected starting line-up of 6’9, 6’6, 6’4, 6’2, and 6’2, this team is going to be tough to score on. With a pair of elite juniors, in Parker Edwards and Chandler Owenby, this team has the talent and size to win it all.
3. St. Augustine
For over 30 years, it has been tough to have a conversation about Louisiana high school basketball without St. Aug being brought up, and for good reason. The New Orleans powerhouse has been one of the most consistently dominant teams in the state for many, many years, and this season shouldn’t be much different. For as long as Coach Mitchell Johnson has been there, the gameplan for the Purple Knights has been to grind games out, and win 45-35. This year, the scoring load is going to rest heavily on the shoulders of Caleb Daniels, a versatile forward, capable of breaking guys down off the dribble as well as backing you down in the post. After an injury-plagued summer, Daniels is still looking to garner some D1 offers, so look for him to use his senior season to springboard forward.
4. Brother Martin
Last year was an incredibly inconsistent season for the Crusaders. The ups-and-downs include two bad back to back losses to Franklington and a young Carencro team, and then two days later, blowing out a very good Ellender team by 25+. This year’s Crusarders team is going to be lead by a four-headed monster of seniors, in Bruce-Jordan Swilling, Tre Swilling, Vejon Wallis, and Blake Zahmjahn, and they are going to need to bring a consistent effort and play night in and night out in order to reach their true potential.
PHLA Pick: Scottlandville. For as long as Ja’Vonte Smart is at Scottlandville, it is going to be tough to pick against the Hornets. He is very simply the best guard to come out of Louisiana in a very long time, perhaps in history. Smart already has a triple double this season, against Belaire, and I don’t expect it to be his last. So my money is on the Hornets to make another trip to the Top 28, and avenge last season’s disappointing loss.