City/Parish Rankings: Ouachita Parish Top Ten Right Now

One of the more storied parishes in Louisiana is Ouachita Parish. Although it is more known for football, basketball players such as Brandon Dean (Ouachita/Arkansas), Reginal Johnson (Richwood/Alcorn State), and coach Casey Jones (Wossman/ULM) roamed the hardwood floors in the area. Monroe, West Monroe, and the surrounding towns have some of the top programs and players in the state at present. We will take a look at the players who I consider the top 10 in Ouachita parish right now. #1 G [player_tooltip player_id="765925" first="Devonte" last="Austin"] (6’1″/2021) – Wossman Austin has been a Wildcat starter for the past two seasons and they have lost less than ten games in that time span. He is the Wildcats top returning scorer at 16 ppg and one of their better perimeter defenders. While Austin improved his outside shooting on last year, he is best known for his attacks to the rim. He attacks the rim like a football player and finishes strong through contact. Look for Devonte to be the unquestioned leader of the Wildcats as they move into next season. #2 G [player_tooltip player_id="977274" first="Javion" last="Richard"] (6’3″/2021) – West Monroe Richard is one of the up and coming guards in the state. He will probably be one of the most highly recruited guards as well because of his size and position. As a 6’3" point, Richard made a name for himself this season running the Rebel offense and being a scoring point. He has made himself into a three level scorer and an open floor wizard. Improving his passing to the level of his scoring may make this all parish player a top 10 player in the state by season’s end. #3 F [player_tooltip player_id="765912" first="Randarius" last="Jones"] (6’7″/2021) – Carroll Jones would be the top player on this list if he had not torn a knee ligament midway through last season. Even with him being out until possibly Christmas, he is still one of the most talented players in Ouachita parish. Jones has agile feet around the basket and a quick first step that allows him to drive past slower post players. Besides his athleticism, his best attribute is his rebounding. If it hits the glass, he goes to get it. When he comes back, watch for Jones to be a dominate force in the paint for the Bulldogs. #4 G [player_tooltip player_id="781848" first="Patrick" last="McCraney"] (6’0″/2022) – Neville One of the best shooters in the state, McCraney already has a decorated resume’. He was named all-state honorable mention, district MVP (2-4A), and an all-parish player in his sophomore season. While it will be hard to repeat that success, McCraney should be up for it. His game is still evolving but glimpses of improved defense and playmaking have been shown. If he has the ball in his hands most of the time next season, I can see a repeat of the accolades he received this season. #5 F [player_tooltip player_id="931044" first="Keegan" last="Moncrief"] (6’5″/2021) – West Monroe Moncrief is a very skilled, yet undersized forward. His game from 15 feet in reminds me alot of [player_tooltip player_id="848203" first="Nick" last="Traylor"] in that he can rebound and score around the basket. Moncrief was named to the all-NELA and all-parish teams for that very reason. I think that Moncrief will be an integral piece to how far the Rebels can go next season. He has the ability to dominate both backboards and can provide a degree of toughness that his team needs. His success can be the key to West Monroe taking a big next step. #6 F Deonte Edwards (6’6″/2021) – Carroll When I think about a player who is more athletically gifted, Deonte Edwards comes to mind. Not only is he a physcial specimen, he plays very, very hard. He does not have the softest touch around the rim and he might miss a layup or two. However, he has a quick first and second jump and can carve out space in the paint better than alot of others. Edwards is hard to box out and keep off the glass. If he fine tunes some things offensively, he (along with [player_tooltip player_id="765912" first="Randarius" last="Jones"]) will make Carroll very hard to beat. #7 G [player_tooltip player_id="970130" first="Courtney" last="McCarthy"] (6’3″/2023) – Richwood When we look back at this list in a couple of years, McCarthy may end up being the best player on the list. As a freshman starter, he ended his season by being on the all-parish, small school team and helped his team to the 3A quarterfinals. McCarthy can shoot the three and put the ball on the deck. Like most freshman, he needs to get stronger. However, the skills are there. Richwood has an abundance of talent coming back. With McCarthy leading the way, the sky is the limit for the Rams. #8 G James Ross (5’10″/2021) – Ouachita Watching the Southwood-Ouachita playoff game, I knew the big-named players on the floor. The Lions had 10 seniors and most of them saw action. However, the future Lion point guard made his imprint. Ross is a typical, tough-nosed Ouachita guard who can shoot and dish. He is not flashy but he gets to the rack or in the paint and takes punishment. Next season, he will take the role that Paul King and [player_tooltip player_id="927980" first="Jamal" last="Davis"] did. Both ended up being all-state guards as seniors and Ross is built in the same vain. #9 F Fred Hymes (6’2″/2021) – Sterlington Sterlington had no one over 6’3" in their lineup. However, they probably had one of the best undersized forwards in the state. Fred Hymes might not be the most skilled, but no one plays harder. He had several double-doubles on the season because he outworks other bigs defending him. Hymes knows his way around the paint and the glass. He is either going to score or get fouled. In many cases, it is both. While Hymes may be a better linebacker, when it comes to basketball, he is a hard player to stop. #10 G [player_tooltip player_id="781841" first="Dakota" last="Gasca"] (5’9″/2022) – West Monroe This all-parish player is not big in stature but has big play ability. While he is more of traditional point guard size, he can play well off the ball. When [player_tooltip player_id="977274" first="Javion" last="Richard"] draws defenders, Gasca slides to his spot and sets his feet. When he lets them go, they are going in more times than not. Gasca is one of those shooters that defenders must run him off of his spot to have success against him. He is a top tier shooter and will be a reason why the Rebels should be one of the better teams in 2-5A. The Monroe-West Monroe area has a plethora of talent. Many of them happen to suit up on Friday nights in the fall as well as in the winter. This list can play with other areas in the north or south, however. Add in the toughness factor that this section seems to be born with, these players may come out winning more times than not.

One of the more storied parishes in Louisiana is Ouachita Parish. Although it is more known for football, basketball players such as Brandon Dean (Ouachita/Arkansas), Reginal Johnson (Richwood/Alcorn State), and coach Casey Jones (Wossman/ULM) roamed the hardwood floors in the area. Monroe, West Monroe, and the surrounding towns have some of the top programs and players in the state at present. We will take a look at the players who I consider the top 10 in Ouachita parish right now.

#1 G Devonte Austin Devonte Austin 6'0" | CG Wossman | 2021 State LA (6’1″/2021) – Wossman

Austin has been a Wildcat starter for the past two seasons and they have lost less than ten games in that time span. He is the Wildcats top returning scorer at 16 ppg and one of their better perimeter defenders. While Austin improved his outside shooting on last year, he is best known for his attacks to the rim. He attacks the rim like a football player and finishes strong through contact. Look for Devonte to be the unquestioned leader of the Wildcats as they move into next season.

#2 G Javion Richard Javion Richard 6'3" | PG West Monroe | 2021 State LA (6’3″/2021) – West Monroe

Richard is one of the up and coming guards in the state. He will probably be one of the most highly recruited guards as well because of his size and position. As a 6’3" point, Richard made a name for himself this season running the Rebel offense and being a scoring point. He has made himself into a three level scorer and an open floor wizard. Improving his passing to the level of his scoring may make this all parish player a top 10 player in the state by season’s end.

#3 F Randarius Jones Randarius Jones 6'7" | PF Carroll | 2021 State LA (6’7″/2021) – Carroll

Jones would be the top player on this list if he had not torn a knee ligament midway through last season. Even with him being out until possibly Christmas, he is still one of the most talented players in Ouachita parish. Jones has agile feet around the basket and a quick first step that allows him to drive past slower post players. Besides his athleticism, his best attribute is his rebounding. If it hits the glass, he goes to get it. When he comes back, watch for Jones to be a dominate force in the paint for the Bulldogs.

#4 G Patrick McCraney Patrick McCraney 6'2" | CG Neville | 2022 State LA (6’0″/2022) – Neville

One of the best shooters in the state, McCraney already has a decorated resume’. He was named all-state honorable mention, district MVP (2-4A), and an all-parish player in his sophomore season. While it will be hard to repeat that success, McCraney should be up for it. His game is still evolving but glimpses of improved defense and playmaking have been shown. If he has the ball in his hands most of the time next season, I can see a repeat of the accolades he received this season.

#5 F Keagan Moncrief Keagan Moncrief 6'5" | SF West Monroe | 2021 State LA (6’5″/2021) – West Monroe

Moncrief is a very skilled, yet undersized forward. His game from 15 feet in reminds me alot of Nick Traylor Nick Traylor 6'4" | PF Wossman | 2020 State LA in that he can rebound and score around the basket. Moncrief was named to the all-NELA and all-parish teams for that very reason. I think that Moncrief will be an integral piece to how far the Rebels can go next season. He has the ability to dominate both backboards and can provide a degree of toughness that his team needs. His success can be the key to West Monroe taking a big next step.

#6 F Deonte Edwards (6’6″/2021) – Carroll

When I think about a player who is more athletically gifted, Deonte Edwards comes to mind. Not only is he a physcial specimen, he plays very, very hard. He does not have the softest touch around the rim and he might miss a layup or two. However, he has a quick first and second jump and can carve out space in the paint better than alot of others. Edwards is hard to box out and keep off the glass. If he fine tunes some things offensively, he (along with Randarius Jones Randarius Jones 6'7" | PF Carroll | 2021 State LA ) will make Carroll very hard to beat.

#7 G Courtney McCarthy Courtney McCarthy 6'5" | SG Richwood | 2023 State LA (6’3″/2023) – Richwood

When we look back at this list in a couple of years, McCarthy may end up being the best player on the list. As a freshman starter, he ended his season by being on the all-parish, small school team and helped his team to the 3A quarterfinals. McCarthy can shoot the three and put the ball on the deck. Like most freshman, he needs to get stronger. However, the skills are there. Richwood has an abundance of talent coming back. With McCarthy leading the way, the sky is the limit for the Rams.

#8 G James Ross (5’10″/2021) – Ouachita

Watching the Southwood-Ouachita playoff game, I knew the big-named players on the floor. The Lions had 10 seniors and most of them saw action. However, the future Lion point guard made his imprint. Ross is a typical, tough-nosed Ouachita guard who can shoot and dish. He is not flashy but he gets to the rack or in the paint and takes punishment. Next season, he will take the role that Paul King and Jamal Davis Jamal Davis 5'11" | PG Ouachita Parish | 2020 State LA did. Both ended up being all-state guards as seniors and Ross is built in the same vain.

#9 F Fred Hymes (6’2″/2021) – Sterlington

Sterlington had no one over 6’3" in their lineup. However, they probably had one of the best undersized forwards in the state. Fred Hymes might not be the most skilled, but no one plays harder. He had several double-doubles on the season because he outworks other bigs defending him. Hymes knows his way around the paint and the glass. He is either going to score or get fouled. In many cases, it is both. While Hymes may be a better linebacker, when it comes to basketball, he is a hard player to stop.

#10 G Dakota Gasca Dakota Gasca 5'9" | CG West Monroe | 2022 State LA (5’9″/2022) – West Monroe

This all-parish player is not big in stature but has big play ability. While he is more of traditional point guard size, he can play well off the ball. When Javion Richard Javion Richard 6'3" | PG West Monroe | 2021 State LA draws defenders, Gasca slides to his spot and sets his feet. When he lets them go, they are going in more times than not. Gasca is one of those shooters that defenders must run him off of his spot to have success against him. He is a top tier shooter and will be a reason why the Rebels should be one of the better teams in 2-5A.

The Monroe-West Monroe area has a plethora of talent. Many of them happen to suit up on Friday nights in the fall as well as in the winter. This list can play with other areas in the north or south, however. Add in the toughness factor that this section seems to be born with, these players may come out winning more times than not.