Notable 2020 Wings from Marsh Madness
The big stage of Marsh Madness provided the perfect avenue for some of 2020’s wing players. The extra room on the college floor gave many players the room to show multiple aspects of their game. From shooting the trey to…
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Continue ReadingThe big stage of Marsh Madness provided the perfect avenue for some of 2020’s wing players. The extra room on the college floor gave many players the room to show multiple aspects of their game. From shooting the trey to using their ballhandling skills, players on this list maximized the space and had solid games to show for it. Because of their play on the wing, they are some of the notable wings in the deep class of 2020.
Jakemin Abney / 6’3″ / Simsboro
The Most Outstanding player of the class B title game might not be the first player people think about when top wings are talked about. It is probably because he has to play the four and five on most nights in Simsboro small ball lineup. Make no mistake, Jakemin is a do-it-all wing. He does what is necessary to his team to win. A gifted shooter, he is deadly from the mid-range and does most of his damage there. Abney can score at all three levels and rebound on both ends of the floor. He is the most versatile player on the Tigers team. That was most evident by his double-double in the championship game. When it comes time for his high school career to end, he will be one of the more notable 2020 wings on the Louisiana basketball scene.
Kalep Crane / 6’1″ / Simsboro
Probably the biggest shot of the class B championship game was hit by Crane. Zwolle had just taken their first lead of the second half and Crane drained a trey from the right wing to give the lead back to the Tigers. That is the type of wing player he is. He has a flair for the dramatic and he is not afraid to take big shots. Crane is an adept scorer at all three levels. His best attribute is that he attacks downhill constantly. He always puts pressure on the defense to stop his attack to the rim. Crane collapses defenses well and creates opportunities for shooters on his team. The way he plays is a perfect compliment to Abney and the reason why he is a notable 2020 wing in Louisiana.
Deandre Hypolite / 6’3″ / Breaux Bridge
For a wing player to be trusted as a playmaker is a high compliment. Against Bossier, Hypolite was the de facto point guard for the evening. He brought the ball up and set up the offense. He created plays for others by seeing over the defense and making the right play. While he scored only four points, he affected the game in other ways. Hypolite had nine boards and four assists. Those stats show that he can fill the stat sheet in various ways to help his team win. With this type of play, Hypolite should be on the radar of teams who are looking for a 6’3″ stat sheet stuffer. His all-around game definitely makes him one of the notable 2020 wings to watch.
Tai’reon Joseph / 6’2″ / Scotlandville
Joseph is player who is sneaky good. When people see Scotlandville play, they focus Reece (Beekman) because he is the primary ball handler. However, Joseph has an ability to take over portions of a game without a moments notice. He is a streaky three point shooter. When he has it going, they go down in big numbers. Joseph can also get to the rim with his great leaping ability. His handles are just good enough to get him there and he can do damage when he makes it to the tin. Going into his senior year, I think his game will continue to improve from the wing. If he becomes a better distributor, along with his scoring ability, he will surprise some people. He is definitely one of the 2020 wings to watch.
Jalen Ned / 6’2″ / De La Salle
Many two sports athletes are really good at one or the other. When they are good at both sports, people take notice. Jalen Ned has been a standout basketball player since he was a freshman. A move to the wing has made him even more dangerous. Ned has the vision of a poing guard which allows him to read the floor and find spaces to operate offensively. His shooting ability mixes well with that because he shoots consistently well from deep. All of this talent combines into a wing player who can attack and score with the best of them. With his football body type, he rebounds the ball well for a wing as well. His 33 points in the Division II championship game is a perfect example of what he can do and makes him one of the 2020 wings to watch.
Charquez Owens / 6’2″ / Ouachita
Northeast Louisiana basketball teams usually have a big spotlight on them before Marsh Madness. It helps some of them grow into players that can perform in pressure situations. Charquez Owens is one of those players. Before his Marsh Madness performance, he had been building towards it with his play all season. Owens shoots the corner three well and knows how to attack off the dribble. He usually pairs that will accepting the challenge of guarding the best player on the opposing team. What Ouachita gets is a two way player who can score and defend. Owens also has a flair for the dramatic like his game winning tip-in against Rayville at the Madhouse. His ability to score and defend puts him squarely on this list of wings to watch in 2020.
Jason Perry / 6’4″ / Madison Prep (pictured above)
The Most Outstanding Player of the 3A championship has serious game. There is not much that Perry can not do on the floor. At 6’4″, he rebounds well for his position, runs the floor on the break, and shoots it well from the perimeter. He can score the ball with the best wings on this list. His long arms and and wing span prevent most players from blocking his shot attempts. Perry can handle the ball as well which allows him to attack from the perimeter with ease. Scoring at each level is pretty easy for him. With Jahein Spencer leaving as the main scoring threat for the Chargers, Perry may easily slide into that role. His ability to score will definitely make him a wing to watch in this 2020 class.
Elijah Tate / 6’3″ / Madison Prep
Tate is the best defender of all these wings on the list. He takes the challenge of stopping the opposite team’s best player and more times than not does a great job. Elijah has also become a better scorer as well. His perimeter game is highlighted by a smooth and fluent shot that draws nothing but net on many occassions. He is a timely scorer and seems to know when his team needs a basket. Because of his defensive skills, he is able to start the Charger transition game with steals or run his lane and finish. Tate also has some bounce so do not sleep on him when a shot comes off. When we look at this 2020 class of wings, Tate might stand out as one of the true wings who plays both ends of the floor.
Carvell Teasett / 6’0″ / Scotlandville
A 6’0″ wing player? That is what some will say about Teasett. However, when a player shoots the ball as well as he does, the wing is where he needs to be. Teasett is a pure shooter who can make threes in bunches. From the corner or the wing, he makes three pointers with regular fashion. He knows when and where to spot up and is good at taking a three point game to 6 or stretching out a lead to double digits. It also helps to have the best distributor in the state (Reece Beekman) as your backcourt mate. With Beekman’s ability to put pressure on the defense, it allows Teasett to find holes in the defense and make them pay from the perimeter. Because he does what he does so well, he is a 2020 wing to watch.
Nick Traylor / 6’3″ / Wossman (picture above)
A wing who knows how to play on the block is Nick Traylor. Two 20 and 10 games during Marsh Madness for a wing is usually unheard of. Not for Wossman’s Traylor. He rebounds better than any wing there is. His football body, ability to carve out space, and his athleticism help him achieven these feats. Couple that with a soft touch around the paint and at the rim, it is easy to see why he scores the way he does. If he continues to improve his outside game from the arc, Traylor may become one of the most unstoppable players in ths class. Traylor is that good. He almost helped Wossman secure a state championship this year. If he become more dangerous offensively, Wossman may indeed walk away with one before he graduates.
The wing class of 2020 is so deep it is ridiculous. Even though these players on the list above played for state championships, we can not forget top wings like Hobert Grayson IV (6’5″, East Ascension) and Christian Caldwell (6’6″, Southwood) are in this class as well. When next season is over, we might be looking at the deepest class of talent to come through Louisiana in decades.