Point Guards at the Pelican State Hoopfest

There were an array of point guards from all corners of Louisiana at the Pelican State Hoopfest in Jackson, Mississippi. The tournament was moved from south Louisiana to Jackson due to venue restrictions in Louisiana. Regardless of where it was held, the Hoopfest had all levels of point guard play. We will take a look at the good, the bad, and the not so good from the Louisiana point guards during the tournament. [player_tooltip player_id="765914" first="Kendrick" last="Delahoussaye"] / 6’0" / Louisiana Elite - The point guard who showed the most poise and leadership during the tourney was [player_tooltip player_id="765914" first="Kendrick" last="Delahoussaye"]. He dribbled and probed his way through three defenses in the showcase bracket in which Louisiana Elite played. Delahoussaye found his teammates on the break or spotting up for open shots. He also nailed shots (mostly corner threes) as well. His offensive production coincided with him holding his own on defense. On a court where he was not the most high profile guard playing, Delahoussaye displayed why he is just as good as any point guard in the state of Louisiana. E’maryeon McDonald / 6’1" / LivOn Fleur-de-Lis - To be honest, it has been February of 2019 the last time I saw McDonald compete on a basketball court. Since that time, he has changed area codes and sat out a full high school season. Some of the rust showed in his decision making. It seemed like he was thinking more than playing at times. There were also some occasions he was slow moving defensively. One thing that was still there was his shot. If McDonald was left open, he drained the shot. He had little problem gaining separation with his handle and making defends pay from deep. While the jury is still out, McDonald is off to a positive start coming off his hiatus. [player_tooltip player_id="566567" first="Camryn" last="Carter"] / 6’3" / New Orleans Elite - Seeing [player_tooltip player_id="566567" first="Camryn" last="Carter"] over the weekend was alot different from the Carter I saw play at Wossman early in the high school season. He has grown an inch or so and seems to have added another gear changing ends. While he had trouble finishing layups and shots around the basket, this Carter had several acrobatic finishes at the rim. Carter also seemed more sure of himself in his decision making. He was decisive when he drove to the paint or even took a shot. It seems that playing with N.O. Elite has him playing confidentally. Those offers from Power 5 schools should keep coming after his performance during this weekend. [player_tooltip player_id="765916" first="Carter" last="Domingue"] / 6’3" / LivOn Fleur-de-Lis - This weekend was my first time seeing Carter in a role where he played more facilitator and defender and less of an offensive threat. He did not take many shots but was willing to drive and kick, reverse the ball to open shooters, or find players in the post. Domingue deferred many times to whomever had the hot hand on the team. Defensively, he got into players and was a heck of a two man crew with Carlos Stewart during trapping situations. Basically, Domingue did what he was asked to do during the weekend and that helped LivOn finish 2-1 in the showcase pool. [player_tooltip player_id="781849" first="Rayshun" last="McCullar"] / 6’1" / Xpress - McCullar was probably the highest ranked point guard not play on a showcase team during the Pelican State Hoopfest. He played with Xpress and got off to a slow start. In a game where Xpress was vying for first place against the Louisiana Titans, McCullar left the floor with an eye injury. It was a relief that their next game was not until 7:55 because McCullar played as his usual self during the nightcap. He played on and off the ball showing his quickness getting by defenders. He drove left and finished left on a couple of instances as well. McCullar even played better defense in man-to-man situations. His game has matured and it showed. [player_tooltip player_id="781848" first="Patrick" last="McCraney"] / 6’0" / LA Roadrunners Elite - Another guard who got a chance to show his maturing point guard game was [player_tooltip player_id="781848" first="Patrick" last="McCraney"]. Known mostly for his shooting prowess during his freshman and sophomore campaigns, McCraney played with the ball in his hands a large portion of the time. He used shot fakes and an improving handle to get past initial defenders. Once in the paint, he dropped the ball off for several dimes or ended up at the free throw line himself. On the defensive end, he took on the task of guarding either guard position. He read passing lanes for steals and displayed plenty of lateral quickness. Watch out for McCraney at the point. There were other point guards in the building during the weekend. [player_tooltip player_id="765923" first="Daniel" last="Ortiz"] (New Orleans Elite) got very little run with New Orleans Elite seemingly due to lack of familiarity with his game. [player_tooltip player_id="765907" first="Jaden" last="Tyler"] (LivOn) played less facilitator and more defender during his time on the floor. [player_tooltip player_id="970111" first="Jamaria" last="Clark"] (Louisiana Elite) took his turn at the point with a new group of players and had some success. John Paul-Ricks (Louisiana Elite) played point while defending wings who had him by three to four inches. Despite the varying degrees of success over the weekend, Louisiana seems to be in good hands with the players playing the point guard position.

There were an array of point guards from all corners of Louisiana at the Pelican State Hoopfest in Jackson, Mississippi. The tournament was moved from south Louisiana to Jackson due to venue restrictions in Louisiana. Regardless of where it was held, the Hoopfest had all levels of point guard play. We will take a look at the good, the bad, and the not so good from the Louisiana point guards during the tournament.

Kendrick Delahoussaye Kendrick Delahoussaye 6'0" | PG Lafayette | 2021 State LA / 6’0" / Louisiana Elite - The point guard who showed the most poise and leadership during the tourney was Kendrick Delahoussaye Kendrick Delahoussaye 6'0" | PG Lafayette | 2021 State LA . He dribbled and probed his way through three defenses in the showcase bracket in which Louisiana Elite played. Delahoussaye found his teammates on the break or spotting up for open shots. He also nailed shots (mostly corner threes) as well. His offensive production coincided with him holding his own on defense. On a court where he was not the most high profile guard playing, Delahoussaye displayed why he is just as good as any point guard in the state of Louisiana.

E’maryeon McDonald / 6’1" / LivOn Fleur-de-Lis - To be honest, it has been February of 2019 the last time I saw McDonald compete on a basketball court. Since that time, he has changed area codes and sat out a full high school season. Some of the rust showed in his decision making. It seemed like he was thinking more than playing at times. There were also some occasions he was slow moving defensively. One thing that was still there was his shot. If McDonald was left open, he drained the shot. He had little problem gaining separation with his handle and making defends pay from deep. While the jury is still out, McDonald is off to a positive start coming off his hiatus.

Camryn Carter / 6’3" / New Orleans Elite - Seeing Camryn Carter over the weekend was alot different from the Carter I saw play at Wossman early in the high school season. He has grown an inch or so and seems to have added another gear changing ends. While he had trouble finishing layups and shots around the basket, this Carter had several acrobatic finishes at the rim. Carter also seemed more sure of himself in his decision making. He was decisive when he drove to the paint or even took a shot. It seems that playing with N.O. Elite has him playing confidentally. Those offers from Power 5 schools should keep coming after his performance during this weekend.

Carter Domingue Carter Domingue 6'3" | PG St. Thomas More | 2021 State LA / 6’3" / LivOn Fleur-de-Lis - This weekend was my first time seeing Carter in a role where he played more facilitator and defender and less of an offensive threat. He did not take many shots but was willing to drive and kick, reverse the ball to open shooters, or find players in the post. Domingue deferred many times to whomever had the hot hand on the team. Defensively, he got into players and was a heck of a two man crew with Carlos Stewart during trapping situations. Basically, Domingue did what he was asked to do during the weekend and that helped LivOn finish 2-1 in the showcase pool.

Rayshun McCullar Rayshun McCullar 6'1" | PG Huntington | 2022 State LA / 6’1" / Xpress - McCullar was probably the highest ranked point guard not play on a showcase team during the Pelican State Hoopfest. He played with Xpress and got off to a slow start. In a game where Xpress was vying for first place against the Louisiana Titans, McCullar left the floor with an eye injury. It was a relief that their next game was not until 7:55 because McCullar played as his usual self during the nightcap. He played on and off the ball showing his quickness getting by defenders. He drove left and finished left on a couple of instances as well. McCullar even played better defense in man-to-man situations. His game has matured and it showed.

Patrick McCraney Patrick McCraney 6'2" | CG Neville | 2022 State LA / 6’0" / LA Roadrunners Elite - Another guard who got a chance to show his maturing point guard game was Patrick McCraney Patrick McCraney 6'2" | CG Neville | 2022 State LA . Known mostly for his shooting prowess during his freshman and sophomore campaigns, McCraney played with the ball in his hands a large portion of the time. He used shot fakes and an improving handle to get past initial defenders. Once in the paint, he dropped the ball off for several dimes or ended up at the free throw line himself. On the defensive end, he took on the task of guarding either guard position. He read passing lanes for steals and displayed plenty of lateral quickness. Watch out for McCraney at the point.

There were other point guards in the building during the weekend. Daniel Ortiz Daniel Ortiz 6'1" | CG Calvary Baptist | 2021 State LA (New Orleans Elite) got very little run with New Orleans Elite seemingly due to lack of familiarity with his game. Jaden Tyler Jaden Tyler 6'0" | CG Assumption | 2021 State LA (LivOn) played less facilitator and more defender during his time on the floor. Jamaria Clark Jamaria Clark 6'2" | CG Doyline | 2023 State LA (Louisiana Elite) took his turn at the point with a new group of players and had some success. John Paul-Ricks (Louisiana Elite) played point while defending wings who had him by three to four inches. Despite the varying degrees of success over the weekend, Louisiana seems to be in good hands with the players playing the point guard position.