2020-21 Catholic League Outlook: St. Augustine (Video)
As we’re all painfully aware of, COVID-19 has put a stop to life as we know it since late March. That won’t stop us here at Prep Hoops Louisiana from taking a look towards next season, though, and we’ll start…
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Continue ReadingAs we’re all painfully aware of, COVID-19 has put a stop to life as we know it since late March. That won’t stop us here at Prep Hoops Louisiana from taking a look towards next season, though, and we’ll start with the prestigious Catholic League in New Orleans.
St. Augustine has reigned supreme for the last several seasons in 9-5A and we’ll take a look at each team to see who may have a chance to challenge them in 2020-21. One team will be released each day according to last year’s standings starting with Rummel and ending with the Purple Knights, which will also include a prediction for next year’s standings.
Here’s our outlook on St. Augustine:
2019-20 Catholic League Standings
1. St. Augustine | 31-2 (12-0)
2. Brother Martin | 29-6 (9-3)
ST. AUGUSTINE
The Catholic League title has run through St. Augustine for the last several seasons, and they’ll have to show some chinks in their armor before I consider anyone else the favorite. Last year’s Division I runner-ups finished with a 31-2 record including an undefeated run through 9-5A, but will lose their two key cogs in Southern Miss signee Jaron Pierre Jaron Pierre 6'4" | SG St. Augustine | 2020 State LA and Howard College (TX) signee D’Mari Wiltz D’Mari Wiltz 6'1" | CG St. Augustine | 2020 State LA .
Luckily, the Purple Knights have a pretty deep 2021 crop led by forward Jason Malbrue (6’5”), the most athletic returning player in the metro area. He can be a force inside with his strength and motor, and could see a big boost in production with Pierre and Wiltz out of the mix.
Stepping into Pierre’s role will be another sharpshooter in 2021 Ashton Trufant and the super smooth 2021 PG Nasir DeGruy will take over as the lead guard for Wiltz. Eric Williams Eric Williams 6'7" | PF St. Augustine | 2021 State LA (6’6”) will give the Purple Knights another big body in the paint and they could be on track to make their third straight title appearance if all goes well.
All four of the aforementioned players saw significant time last season which could help the team get off to a quick start, but it won’t be as easy without coach Mitchell Johnson. After a half decade at one of the metro area’s premier programs, Mitchell recently stepped down after an extended leave of absence last season. Deion Taylor filled in for Mitchell during that time and another candidate to keep an eye on could be former Purple Knight assistant Kerwin Forges.
St. Aug probably won’t have quite the high-level play they got from Pierre and Wiltz as a duo, but they certainly have enough returning to still be considered the top team in 9-5A heading into the 2020-21 season.
2020-21 Catholic League Standings Prediction
1. St. Augustine
2. Brother Martin
3. Shaw
4. Jesuit
5. Holy Cross
6. John Curtis
7. Rummel