PDE’s Preseason Picks: 5A All-State Team
The basketball season is literally hours away. This is the part of the season where I look at players who I believe will be 1st and 2nd team all-state players. The first class I will look at is 5A. No, I am not using some big, scientific formula for these predictions. However, I am making some bold predictions with some basketball knowledge thrown in. So, here we go in 5A.
Preseason All-State (5A)
1st Team (Alphabetical order)
[player_tooltip player_id="765906" first="Will" last="Allen"] (6’8" Senior / Bonnabel)
[player_tooltip player_id="765927" first="Claudell" last="Harris"] (6’3" Senior / Hahnville)
[player_tooltip player_id="1047883" first="Gavin" last="Harris"] (6’2" Senior / Walker)
[player_tooltip player_id="765914" first="Kendrick" last="Delahoussaye"] (6’0" Senior / Lafayette)
[player_tooltip player_id="530986" first="Emareyon" last="McDonald"] (6’1" Senior / Scotlandville)
Starting with the last name [player_tooltip player_id="530986" first="Emareyon" last="McDonald"], all-state would be a goal and a redemption story all at the same time. He had to sit out last season and watch the team win a state title without him. This season, his return mixed with the Scotlandville schedule should give him ample opportunity to land on the first team. He can also shoot, handle, and pass. Those should be enough reasons. Kendrick Delahoussaye will be the best facilitator of offense in 5A. Along with his ability to score and get to the charity strip, he will be in good position to make this list.
[player_tooltip player_id="765927" first="Claudell" last="Harris"] will be playing for one of the top five teams in 5A and he is Fighting Tigers best player. He will have a season to remember in Hahnville. [player_tooltip player_id="765906" first="Will" last="Allen"] was the only junior to make the first or second team last year. He will have a good sample size, and a good enough team around him to be first team this year. [player_tooltip player_id="1047883" first="Gavin" last="Harris"] should be in the best system to maximize his talent and opportunity. Plus he should have the ball in his hands plenty. He might not put up [player_tooltip player_id="778619" first="Jalen" last="Cook"] numbers, but they will be close.
2nd Team (Alphabetical order)
[player_tooltip player_id="1053313" first="Jalen" last="Bolden"] (6’4" Junior / Zachary)
[player_tooltip player_id="1045514" first="Jaterrius" last="Fusilier"] (6’2" Senior / New Iberia)
[player_tooltip player_id="765933" first="John" last="Mitchell"] (6’3" Senior / Captain Shreve)
[player_tooltip player_id="977272" first="Kaden" last="Pierre"] (6’4" Senior / Hahnville)
[player_tooltip player_id="977274" first="Javion" last="Richard"] (6’4" Senior / West Monroe)
To be honest, [player_tooltip player_id="977274" first="Javion" last="Richard"] probably should have been all-state honorable mention last year but was not chosen. That should be enough fuel, along with a good West Monroe team behind him, to get him this second team nod. The Dallas Baptist commit is a good two-way player and has DI/D2 size at the point. [player_tooltip player_id="1045514" first="Jaterrius" last="Fusilier"] was on the New Iberia team ousted by Richard’s Rebels in the playoffs. That hunger, and his game, should get him named to this this squad.
[player_tooltip player_id="1053313" first="Jalen" last="Bolden"] should step up into the go-to-guy role for Zachary this year. Providing he does, I do not see him not being named. [player_tooltip player_id="977272" first="Kaden" last="Pierre"] is a do-everything type player for Hahnville. His ability to score inside and outside should help him make the jump from honorable mention to second team. [player_tooltip player_id="765933" first="John" last="Mitchell"] would be the surprise on the second team. However, he is the best player on a Shreve team that will be very good this season.
Players that will have a shot at first or second team
[player_tooltip player_id="566565" first="Zaheem" last="Jackson"] (6’3" Senior / Scotlandville) - He showed prowess last season in a reserve role. He may make that leap this season.
[player_tooltip player_id="931055" first="Bryce" last="Roberts"] (6’1" Senior / Parkway) - He is one of the best guards in 1-5A and can shoot the cover off the ball. If his team sees success, Roberts will be a key reason why.
[player_tooltip player_id="765924" first="Ryan" last="Elzy"] (6’1 Senior / Ponchatoula) - More known for his defense, Elzy can put it in the hole too. If Ponchatoula is a 7th seed or better again, Elzy will have a big hand in that.
[player_tooltip player_id="981610" first="Isaiah" last="Barnes"] (5’9" Junior / Archbishop Shaw) - The 9-5A all-district guard can do it on both ends of the floor. Shaw competing for a select division title will go a long way in his claim for first or second team.
[player_tooltip player_id="566552" first="Rollin" last="Belton"] (6’7" Senior / Ruston) - Belton was double and triple-teamed a lot last season. If he finds a way to help the Bearcats win while leading the team in scoring and being a defensive presence, he will be a clear choice.
[player_tooltip player_id="970114" first="Demarcus" last="Singleton"] (5’10" Sophomore / H.L. Bourgeois) - SIngleton made honorable mention as a freshman. He will have to do more heavy lifting of the offense without [player_tooltip player_id="848220" first="Deondre" last="Buggage"]. If he makes it happen, he can end up on one of these teams.
[player_tooltip player_id="530996" first="Brian" last="Thomas"] (6’4" Senior / Walker) - Honestly, I do not think he plays this season. Especially with Jalen leaving, most people think he is done with basketball. While his future is in football, the basketball team is pretty talented. That might enough to make one more run.
5A basketball jumps off in two weeks around the state.
