The Best Player From Each Parish (Tangipahoa, Orleans, & More)

This last edition of the best player highlights some of the state’s better players. Some of which will be in action this weekend at the Circuit League II event. We will look at the top dogs in and around the New Orleans area and talk about things some of them will bring (as fas as their game) this weekend. Tangipahoa Parish [player_tooltip player_id="765924" first="Ryan" last="Elzy"] | 6’1" | Ponchatoula/LivOn Fleur-de-lis (2021) Elzy is one of the guards who is high on the list of two-way players. His perimeter defense is top notch and he has shown that all summer in the events he has participated with LivOn. Elzy has quick hands and reads passing lanes better than most. While he has not been asked to score alot for LivOn, he is good at shooting from deep and scoring in transition for his school. At the Circuit League, look for Elzy to take on challenges defensively and play his role. He is a glue guy who can fit into a role and give you his best on every possession. Plaquemines Parish Tyreke Williams | 6’4" | Belle Chasse (2021) The Belle Chasse forward/wing will go into next season as the primary inside threat for the Fighting Cardinal. Williams is known more for scoring around the bucket and off rebounds. In his senior season, to enhance his recruiting profile, he will need to become one of two things. He will have to be lights out in the paint or make more outside shots. Whichever one he decides, Williams will improve the chances of winning for his squad. Competing in a district as tough as 10-4A will test him nightly. Hopefully he will meet the challenge. Washington Parish Travell Brumfield | 5’10" | Mt. Hermon (2021) It is not often that the best player in the parish is a small point guard. [player_tooltip player_id="848220" first="Deondre" last="Buggage"] dispelled that with his district MVP last season. While he might not be on the level of Buggage, Travell Brumfield is a point guard who can get it done. He knocks down open shots and has a knack for finding players in scoring positions. Brumfield is probably best in the open floor and takes advantage of his speed and quickness to create an advantage. Look for Brumfield to be at the forefront of Mt. Hermon’s success next season. Orleans Parish [player_tooltip player_id="970120" first="Chris" last="Lockett"] | 6’4" | Isidore Newman/Houston Hoops (2023) Lockett is one of the best players in Louisiana regardless of class. When recruiting opened up during the pandemic, Lockett received offers from Power 5 schools such as LSU to schools like Georgetown and Houston. He is a talent is unquestioned. Lockett can score at all three levels and plays the game with a wealth of confidence. He is also a playmaker who plays the game beyond his years. Lockett was an all-state honorable mention (2A) and all-district first teamer (11-2A). He has player of the year written all over his game and will be a sure candidate this season. St. Charles Parish [player_tooltip player_id="765927" first="Claudell" last="Harris"] | 6’3" | Hahnville/New Orleans Elite (2021) One of the hottest players on the grassroots circuit this summer has been [player_tooltip player_id="765927" first="Claudell" last="Harris"]. He has suited up for New Orleans Elite along with another team out of Georgia and has shown his ability to be a marksman. Harris can really fill it up from behind the three point line. He also has the ability to get to the paint and hit defenders with short jumpers or creative finishes. While he may need to improve his upper-body strength when going to the cup, the rest of his game is next level ready. Harris is already shown instances where he can close the shop late in the game. He should be highly decorated at season’s end. Lafourche Parish [player_tooltip player_id="977254" first="Jaheim" last="Gray"] | 6’4" | Central Lafourche (2021) Gray is one of the players who is next up for the Trojans of Central Lafourche. He is an energy player who does not mind putting his head down and driving to the rack. Gray is also a left so he catches players off guard because they play him to go right. While he likes to face up and drive, he is very capable of hitting the mid-range shot. Gray is long and athletic as well. He gets to shots defensively and turns tips into extra possessions. Gray is capable of shooting from downtown as well. Look for him to be the focal point of the Trojan offense come this season. St. Tammany Parish [player_tooltip player_id="765911" first="Devon" last="Lizana"] | 6’2" | Slidell/Runaway Jets (2021) The parish MVP from last season is primed and ready for a repeat performance this season. Lizana is very capable of playing either guard position. He can score at all three levels and is ultra competitive on the floor. His play is top tier and he is a threat from anywhere on the floor. While he did not make the 5A all-state team, I can see him taking that fuel and using it for incentive to propel Slidell to greater heights this season. If he plays his normal game (which is quite good) this weekend at the Circuit League, he may open up some eyes in recruiting as well. Jefferson Parish [player_tooltip player_id="981596" first="Alexzaye" last="Johnson"] | 6’2" | Helen Cox/LivOn Fleur-de-lis A player who is quietly playing himself into the conversation of best point guards in the state is [player_tooltip player_id="981596" first="Alexzaye" last="Johnson"]. Playing with the 16U LivOn team as lead guard, he has been one of the defensive leaders who have played a large part in their success. Many of the run outs and dunks seen on social media have been the because of his constant harrassment of opposing point guards. Johnson is a broad shouldered, tough guard who can get to the rim. His ability to drive will be tested by the talent this weekend. If Johnson plays like he has though, he should be just fine. When Louisiana goes to Phase 3, sports like basketball and football will move to the forefront. While some of them will get to show their talents this weekend, look for these players to be ready when the season begins. <ul> <li>Updated information. G.W. Carver was listed in the wrong parish on the previous release of this article. The school is in Orleans Parish. The information has been corrected. </li> </ul>

This last edition of the best player highlights some of the state’s better players. Some of which will be in action this weekend at the Circuit League II event. We will look at the top dogs in and around the New Orleans area and talk about things some of them will bring (as fas as their game) this weekend.

Tangipahoa Parish

Ryan Elzy Ryan Elzy 6'1" | CG Ponchatoula | 2021 State LA | 6’1" | Ponchatoula/LivOn Fleur-de-lis (2021)

Elzy is one of the guards who is high on the list of two-way players. His perimeter defense is top notch and he has shown that all summer in the events he has participated with LivOn. Elzy has quick hands and reads passing lanes better than most. While he has not been asked to score alot for LivOn, he is good at shooting from deep and scoring in transition for his school. At the Circuit League, look for Elzy to take on challenges defensively and play his role. He is a glue guy who can fit into a role and give you his best on every possession.

Plaquemines Parish

Tyreke Williams | 6’4" | Belle Chasse (2021)

The Belle Chasse forward/wing will go into next season as the primary inside threat for the Fighting Cardinal. Williams is known more for scoring around the bucket and off rebounds. In his senior season, to enhance his recruiting profile, he will need to become one of two things. He will have to be lights out in the paint or make more outside shots. Whichever one he decides, Williams will improve the chances of winning for his squad. Competing in a district as tough as 10-4A will test him nightly. Hopefully he will meet the challenge.

Washington Parish

Travell Brumfield | 5’10" | Mt. Hermon (2021)

It is not often that the best player in the parish is a small point guard. Deondre Buggage Deondre Buggage 5'8" | CG H.L. Bourgeious | 2020 State LA dispelled that with his district MVP last season. While he might not be on the level of Buggage, Travell Brumfield is a point guard who can get it done. He knocks down open shots and has a knack for finding players in scoring positions. Brumfield is probably best in the open floor and takes advantage of his speed and quickness to create an advantage. Look for Brumfield to be at the forefront of Mt. Hermon’s success next season.

Orleans Parish

Chris Lockett Chris Lockett 6'5" | CG Isidore Newman | 2023 State #180 Nation LA | 6’4" | Isidore Newman/Houston Hoops (2023)

Lockett is one of the best players in Louisiana regardless of class. When recruiting opened up during the pandemic, Lockett received offers from Power 5 schools such as LSU to schools like Georgetown and Houston. He is a talent is unquestioned. Lockett can score at all three levels and plays the game with a wealth of confidence. He is also a playmaker who plays the game beyond his years. Lockett was an all-state honorable mention (2A) and all-district first teamer (11-2A). He has player of the year written all over his game and will be a sure candidate this season.

St. Charles Parish

Claudell Harris Claudell Harris 6'3" | CG Hahnville | 2021 State LA | 6’3" | Hahnville/New Orleans Elite (2021)

One of the hottest players on the grassroots circuit this summer has been Claudell Harris Claudell Harris 6'3" | CG Hahnville | 2021 State LA . He has suited up for New Orleans Elite along with another team out of Georgia and has shown his ability to be a marksman. Harris can really fill it up from behind the three point line. He also has the ability to get to the paint and hit defenders with short jumpers or creative finishes. While he may need to improve his upper-body strength when going to the cup, the rest of his game is next level ready. Harris is already shown instances where he can close the shop late in the game. He should be highly decorated at season’s end.

Lafourche Parish

Jaheim Gray Jaheim Gray 6'4" | SF Central Lafourche | 2021 State LA | 6’4" | Central Lafourche (2021)

Gray is one of the players who is next up for the Trojans of Central Lafourche. He is an energy player who does not mind putting his head down and driving to the rack. Gray is also a left so he catches players off guard because they play him to go right. While he likes to face up and drive, he is very capable of hitting the mid-range shot. Gray is long and athletic as well. He gets to shots defensively and turns tips into extra possessions. Gray is capable of shooting from downtown as well. Look for him to be the focal point of the Trojan offense come this season.

St. Tammany Parish

Devon Lizana Devon Lizana 6'1" | CG Salmen | 2021 State LA | 6’2" | Slidell/Runaway Jets (2021)

The parish MVP from last season is primed and ready for a repeat performance this season. Lizana is very capable of playing either guard position. He can score at all three levels and is ultra competitive on the floor. His play is top tier and he is a threat from anywhere on the floor. While he did not make the 5A all-state team, I can see him taking that fuel and using it for incentive to propel Slidell to greater heights this season. If he plays his normal game (which is quite good) this weekend at the Circuit League, he may open up some eyes in recruiting as well.

Jefferson Parish

Alexzaye Johnson Alexzaye Johnson 6'4" | PG St Benedicts Prep | 2023 State NJ | 6’2" | Helen Cox/LivOn Fleur-de-lis

A player who is quietly playing himself into the conversation of best point guards in the state is Alexzaye Johnson Alexzaye Johnson 6'4" | PG St Benedicts Prep | 2023 State NJ . Playing with the 16U LivOn team as lead guard, he has been one of the defensive leaders who have played a large part in their success. Many of the run outs and dunks seen on social media have been the because of his constant harrassment of opposing point guards. Johnson is a broad shouldered, tough guard who can get to the rim. His ability to drive will be tested by the talent this weekend. If Johnson plays like he has though, he should be just fine.

When Louisiana goes to Phase 3, sports like basketball and football will move to the forefront. While some of them will get to show their talents this weekend, look for these players to be ready when the season begins.

Updated information. G.W. Carver was listed in the wrong parish on the previous release of this article. The school is in Orleans Parish. The information has been corrected.