Louisiana Top 5: 5A
New Rank | Prev Rank | Team | Record |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Landry-Walker | 12-5 | |
2 | Thibodaux | 18-2 | |
3 | Bonnabel | 15-4 | |
4 | Walker | 17-8 | |
5 | Dutchtown | 14-4 | |
Watchlist | Ponchatoula | 16-4 | |
Watchlist | Live Oak | 15-6 | |
Watchlist | Ouachita Parish | 19-5 |
1) Natchitotches Central (7-0)
I will be the first to admit that I had questions for Natchitoches Central heading into this year. This was going to be the first time the Chiefs were without Brandon Rachal in four years, but NCHS clearly wasn’t feeling too sorry for themselves with a tough schedule to start the year. They have answered all questions, by winning every game they’ve played in so far this season, including beating a number of quality opponents. 2018 G Brian White, a recent Northwestern St. commit, has been averaging nearly 25 ppg to start this season, and his play has lead to them starting the season as well as any team in 5A.
2) Landry Walker (7-1)
Since its inception, Landry Walker has been one of the most consistently talent rich school in the state, and they have had the on-court success to back that statement up. This season is no exception, as Landry Walker has beaten all of their opponents other than Scotlandville. This includes impressive wins over Karr, Bossier, Dunham, and Helen Cox. They have begun the season developing a bad habit of falling behind early, but they have showed great fight to comeback and win games that they could have easily folded on. Hopefully that pattern ends soon, before they reach another comeback that is too big for them.
3) Bonnabel (8-3)
Bonnabel’s schedule so far this season is as tough as it comes, and there is a good chance that every team Bonnabel has played so far this season will make the playoffs. They have tough losses against three teams so far this season, but some impressive wins on their resume. The Bruins rely heavily on their backcourt in 2018 TJ Collins and 2019 Rodney Munson, as well as 2019 Roderick Hackettbut they are very young around those two. They are hoping that the rest of the team matures and gets better as the year goes on, but it is very impressive how well they have started the season with the youth that they are relying on.
4) Comeaux (7-2)
Going from one team that is relying mostly on youth, to a Comeaux team that has as much experience as anyone in the state. Comeaux has nine seniors on this team, and are lead in large part by 2018 Ferontay Banks and Devaughn Thomas, both of who have a great chance at being D1 players at the next level. They have the size and athleticism to be able to compete with anyone this season. After starting the season 7-0, they have lost two straight, but both of those games have come against teams that PHLA has ranked as top 15 teams in the state.
5) Thibodaux (7-0)
The incredibly hot start that Thibodaux has had so far this season is definitely one of the more surprising storylines to start they year, and the way that they are doing it is even more surprising. The lowest margin of victory so far this season has been 14 points, and they have a number of blowouts on their resume. Our friend Jeremiah Gray over at gsportz.com put together a list of the top 20 basketball players in the tri-parish area, one of the most talent rich areas in Louisiana, and Thbodaux has four players in their top 20; Jaquan Wagner (2018), Kyren Lacy (2020), Corey Johnson (2018), and Kobi Johnson (2019). Check out that article here: http://www.gsportz.com/articles/g-sportz-top-20-tri-parish-basketball-watch-list/ and if you are a fan of basketball in Louisiana, make sure you check out his website reguarly, they put up some really great stuff on a consistent basis.