Louisiana Top 5: 3A
New Rank | Prev Rank | Team | Record |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Madison Prep | 1-0 | |
2 | Sophie B. Wright | 2-0 | |
3 | Peabody | 31 | |
4 | Wossman | 2-0 | |
5 | Lake Charles College Prep | 4-1 | |
Watchlist | Donaldsonville | 3-2 | |
Watchlist | Abbeville | 3-0 |
Madison Prep (3-0)
Here is a bit of a hot take, they might not go as deep with super talented teams, but the top 5 in 3A can absolutely compete with anyone, and 3A might be the toughest class to win of any. For what might be the first time in state history, there are 3 teams coming off a state championship last season (Washington Marion in 4A, Peabody in 3A, and Madison Prep in 2A.) Not only that, but for the last two years, Madison Prep has been the best team in the state, regardless of class, and this might be the best team that Madison Prep has put on the court yet. They have 3-4 potential D1 players on their team, and that is just juniors and seniors. Also, if you haven’t seen it yet, Josh LeBlanc had the block of the year in high school basketball about a week ago.
Peabody (8-2)
Peabody’s coach Charles Smith is going to do something very special this season, and something that not many people in the nation can say, and that is to get to 1,000 career wins. He needs just 23 more wins, and with the pace that Peabody is playing at, he will probably get that 1,000 win sometime during the playoffs. This season they really heavily on a pair of juniors in Kyron Gibson and Darius Smith, but they also have some size around those two in 2018 6’6 Dwight Simon as well as 2019 6’9 Jamal Hayward. Also, the all-time winningest coach in Louisiana history is Joel Hawkins, who had a ton of success with Southern Lab, with 1,076 wins. If Coach Smith sticks around for another five year, which I think he is capable of doing, he has a chance to retire as the most winning coach in Louisiana history.
Sophie B. Wright (8-1)
It would be tough to find a program that has consistently improved over the past few season as much as Sophie B. Wright, and I don’t think they are done yet. Most of their best players are still underclassmen, including a trio of very talented wings in Charlie Russell, Damiree Burns, and Gregory Hammond. All three of those players are capable of going for 25+ points in any game, and not many teams are equipped to be able to handle that many talented 6’5+ players. Their only loss so far this year has been against an undefeated Riverside Academy squad.
Baker (9-2)
When Baker walks through the door, they certainly pass the eye test. With three players 6’6+, including a pair of 6’8 seniors, there aren’t going to be many teams that are going to be many teams that are bigger than the Buffalo’s. They are also going to have a solid lead guard, in Brenden Vessel, a transfer in from Southern Lab that is averaging over 18 ppg so far this season. They are in an incredibly tough district with both Madison Prep and U-High, but if they can compete in their district, they can compete for a state title.
Washington-Marion (2-4)
Their record might not look that great so far this season, but you can never count out a team that won the state title last year, especially not with the history that Washington-Marion has. They have lost their last four games straight, but most of those games have been against some of the best teams that Louisiana has to offer. Washington Marion is still a veteran, and they are lead by a trio of seniors in Jaylin Brooks, Michael Thomas, and Demarcus Vital, who are averaging 18, 18, and 14 ppg respectively. I have a feeling that the Charging Indians are going to be turning it around sooner rather than later.