Debuts: Class of 2021 Newcomers

The class of 2021 is turning out to be a deeper class than some thought even as recent as last season. Evidence of that is some of the newcomers who debuted in these September rankings. In this piece, we will take a look at some of the talented newcomers who debuted this month. (#26) [player_tooltip player_id="1045510" first="Da’tayvious" last="Gabriel"] | 6’5" | St. Martinville | W There have been some preps who have had highlight-filled summers. Add the springy, uber-athletic Gabriel to the list. Gabriel can attack off the dribble, shot the three, and score in the mid-range. He runs the floor better than any wing in the Boot and will posterize defenders. He may have been missed early on but he is firmly cemented in the rankings now. Look for a big season from the St. Martinville senior. (#43) [player_tooltip player_id="1047885" first="Leonard" last="Jackson"] | 6’4" | De La Salle | SG/W Jackson is a wiry player who is similar to the player above him. He is a player who can convert defense to offense in a hurry with his ability to steal the ball. Jackson is also creative with his finishes at the rim from his left-handed flushes to his creative layups amid traffic. Because of his rangy arms, it is hard to bother his jumper as well. Jackson may be new to the rankings, but he is a player that should impress all season. (#52) [player_tooltip player_id="1047882" first="Simon" last="Frank"] | 6’2" | Northshore | SG There are some players who are able to take their instincts on the football field and use them well on the basketball court. [player_tooltip player_id="1047882" first="Simon" last="Frank"] is one of those players. His ability to read passing lanes and break in front of passes helps his team score in transition. Those same instincts help Frank in the halfcourt as well because he is a slasher who understands angles and reads defenses. His jumper needs some improving but Frank is as solid as they come. (#55) [player_tooltip player_id="1047883" first="Gavin" last="Harris"] | 6’2" | Walker | CG Harris is a player that may finish in the top quarter of the rankings by the end of the season. The Walker guard sat out last season due to his transfer and was not widely talked about. This year, in his senior season, he may be able to play the role that [player_tooltip player_id="778619" first="Jalen" last="Cook"] played in coach Schiro’s offense. Harris can handle the ball and get to the rim seemlessly. He also has some bounce at the rim. If he gets to be a volume shooter, class 5A better watch out. (#59) [player_tooltip player_id="1045513" first="Rylen" last="Walker"] | 6’2" | Central (BR) | SG Walker may not be the swiftest or the fastest, but his release is. Walker is a player who can stretch a defense with his shooting ability. That very shooting ability also opens the floor up for him to do other things. Walker is good at moving without the ball and finding his spots. He is crafty in the various ways in which he scores and that is hard for defenses to figure out. Walker is definitely on of the better shooting newcomers to make it into the rankings. (#102) [player_tooltip player_id="1045521" first="Noah" last="Guidry"] | 6’2" | Hathaway | SG Guidry enters the rankings outside of the top 100. However, this newcomer will make some noise before his career is said and done. Guidry has a hand in everythnig the Hornets do on the floor. Whether it is blocking shots or making a steal, Guidry finds a way to get it done. Look for Guidry to be a key for Hathaway as they make another push for the class A title. (#110) [player_tooltip player_id="1045516" first="Khyrese" last="Taylor"] | 5’11" | Arcadia | PG North Louisiana is known for small guards and [player_tooltip player_id="1045516" first="Khyrese" last="Taylor"] is definitely that. Taylor is one of those players who can put the ball in the hole no matter his size. He is fearless driving to the basket and he finishes plays with a dropoff or stop. . Taylor plays with reckless abadon and is not afraid to mix it up. It is hard not to like him as a player. Taylor is a newcomer to the rankings but he will not be forgetten. Arcadia is in good hands with Taylor. There are a slew of newcomers in the rankings this month. As we get the school year kicked off, we will look to see how the newcomers above (and others) will impact their teams as they attempt to make their way towards Marsh Madness in Lake Charles.

The class of 2021 is turning out to be a deeper class than some thought even as recent as last season. Evidence of that is some of the newcomers who debuted in these September rankings. In this piece, we will take a look at some of the talented newcomers who debuted this month.

There have been some preps who have had highlight-filled summers. Add the springy, uber-athletic Gabriel to the list. Gabriel can attack off the dribble, shot the three, and score in the mid-range. He runs the floor better than any wing in the Boot and will posterize defenders. He may have been missed early on but he is firmly cemented in the rankings now. Look for a big season from the St. Martinville senior.

Jackson is a wiry player who is similar to the player above him. He is a player who can convert defense to offense in a hurry with his ability to steal the ball. Jackson is also creative with his finishes at the rim from his left-handed flushes to his creative layups amid traffic. Because of his rangy arms, it is hard to bother his jumper as well. Jackson may be new to the rankings, but he is a player that should impress all season.

There are some players who are able to take their instincts on the football field and use them well on the basketball court. Simon Franke Simon Franke 6'3" | CG Northshore | 2021 State LA is one of those players. His ability to read passing lanes and break in front of passes helps his team score in transition. Those same instincts help Frank in the halfcourt as well because he is a slasher who understands angles and reads defenses. His jumper needs some improving but Frank is as solid as they come.

Harris is a player that may finish in the top quarter of the rankings by the end of the season. The Walker guard sat out last season due to his transfer and was not widely talked about. This year, in his senior season, he may be able to play the role that Jalen Cook Jalen Cook 6'0" | PG Walker | 2020 State #98 Nation LA played in coach Schiro’s offense. Harris can handle the ball and get to the rim seemlessly. He also has some bounce at the rim. If he gets to be a volume shooter, class 5A better watch out.

Walker may not be the swiftest or the fastest, but his release is. Walker is a player who can stretch a defense with his shooting ability. That very shooting ability also opens the floor up for him to do other things. Walker is good at moving without the ball and finding his spots. He is crafty in the various ways in which he scores and that is hard for defenses to figure out. Walker is definitely on of the better shooting newcomers to make it into the rankings.

Guidry enters the rankings outside of the top 100. However, this newcomer will make some noise before his career is said and done. Guidry has a hand in everythnig the Hornets do on the floor. Whether it is blocking shots or making a steal, Guidry finds a way to get it done. Look for Guidry to be a key for Hathaway as they make another push for the class A title.

North Louisiana is known for small guards and Khyrese Taylor Khyrese Taylor 5'11" | PG Arcadia | 2021 State LA is definitely that. Taylor is one of those players who can put the ball in the hole no matter his size. He is fearless driving to the basket and he finishes plays with a dropoff or stop. . Taylor plays with reckless abadon and is not afraid to mix it up. It is hard not to like him as a player. Taylor is a newcomer to the rankings but he will not be forgetten. Arcadia is in good hands with Taylor.

There are a slew of newcomers in the rankings this month. As we get the school year kicked off, we will look to see how the newcomers above (and others) will impact their teams as they attempt to make their way towards Marsh Madness in Lake Charles.