PDE’s Preseason Picks: Class 3A All-State Team

Class 3A has three of the most dominate teams in Louisiana prep basketball in Madison Prep, Bossier, and Wossman. While these teams have won multiple state championships, they have not necessarily dominated with multiple players on the first or second all--state team. I am thinking this will reign true this season as well. While they may not have multiple players on the top two teams, I believe they will be represented on each team.

1st Team (In alphabetical order)

Devonte Austin Devonte Austin 6'0" | CG Wossman | 2021 State LA (6’1" Senior / Wossman)

Percy Daniels Percy Daniels 6'8" | PF Madison Prep | 2022 State LA (6’9" Junior / Madison Prep)

Da’tayvious Gabriel Da’tayvious Gabriel 6'5" | SF St. Martinville | 2021 State LA (6’4" Senior / St. Martinville)

Joseph Manning Joseph Manning 6'3" | CG Bossier | 2022 State LA (6’3" Junior / Bossier)

Kyran Ratliff (6’8" Junior / KIPP BTW)

My preseason first team has representation from all five teams that will be strong contenders for the 3A state title.  Devonte Austin Devonte Austin 6'0" | CG Wossman | 2021 State LA has played Robin to Nick Traylor Nick Traylor 6'4" | PF Wossman | 2020 State LA ’s Batman the last two seasons under Casey Jones.  This season it is his show.  He will have a nice team around him but Austin should be driving the Wildcat car to another deep playoff run.  Kyran Ratliff was one of two sophomores to make the first team last season.  He got better establishing himself on the block and stepping out a little bit.  Needless to say, he will repeat as a first teamer in my opinion.  

Da’tayvious Gabriel Da’tayvious Gabriel 6'5" | SF St. Martinville | 2021 State LA has been one of the more impressive players in a short than usualy grassroots season.  I think he carries the momentum from this summer into the season and leads St. Martinville to Lake Charles.  Speaking of momentum, Joseph Manning Joseph Manning 6'3" | CG Bossier | 2022 State LA might be one of the only players that performed better than Gabriel during the summer.  In recent years, I have not seen a Bossier guard not make the first or second team and I think Joe is a lock for the first team.  Percy Daniels Percy Daniels 6'8" | PF Madison Prep | 2022 State LA  was the other sophomore that made the 3A first team last year.  While he had a summer full of attempting to stay Covid-free, Daniels should be ready to be to resume his usual dominance and lead the Chargers back to Marsh Madness.   

2nd Team (In alphabetical order)

Jordan Boston Jordan Boston 6'1" | CG Sophie B. Wright | 2021 State LA (6’2" Senior / Sophie B. Wright)

Deonte Edwards Deonte Edwards 6'6" | PF Carroll | 2021 State LA (6’6" Senior / Carroll)

Tydrick Harrell Tydrick Harrell 6'4" | PG Marksville | 2021 State LA (6’4" Senoir / Marksville)

Leonard Jackson Leonard Jackson 6'3" | CG De La Salle | 2021 State LA (6’3" Senior / De La Salle)

Ernest Roberts Ernest Roberts 6'2" | SG Ville Platte | 2021 State LA (6’3" Senior / Ville Platte)

Ernest Roberts Ernest Roberts 6'2" | SG Ville Platte | 2021 State LA is a playmaker who can make others around hin better.  He can definitely score but he is just as dangerous as a passer.  He is  a threat anywhere on the floor and should land on the second team easily in my opinion.  Jordan Boston Jordan Boston 6'1" | CG Sophie B. Wright | 2021 State LA was a second teamer last year and will contest for a first team selection.  Sophie B.’s success may have a bearing on him making the team however.  

Leonard Jackson Leonard Jackson 6'3" | CG De La Salle | 2021 State LA is a two-way player who thrives in the open floor.  He and De La Salle were one game from the champinship round in Division II.  That hurt, along with a second chance for redemption, will fuel him to land on the second team.  Tydrick Harrell Tydrick Harrell 6'4" | PG Marksville | 2021 State LA has the prototype DI/D2 size mixed with his ball-handling ability.  He should move up from honorable mention to the second team this season.  Deonte Edwards Deonte Edwards 6'6" | PF Carroll | 2021 State LA will command the paint until teammate Randarius Jones Randarius Jones 6'7" | PF Carroll | 2021 State LA gets back.  Edwards is a banger who can score and defend.  He will bring his toughness from the gridiron onto the court and provide what Randarius usually would until he returns.  If Edwards does that, Carroll may have a deep playoff run.  

Others who will via for First or Second team:

Curtis Deville (6’1" Junior / Iowa) - A top notch defender who finds ways to score.  A solid Iowa season will have him in the running.

Keshaun Lazard Keshaun Lazard 6'1" | CG Northwest | 2021 State LA (6’2" Senior / Northwest) - Two-way player who can shoot and slash better than most.  He will have to carry a heavy scoring load to land on the first or second team.  

Shammah Bryant Shammah Bryant 6'5" | SF Bossier | 2021 State LA (6’5" Senior / Bossier) - He will be the best athlete on the floor most nights.  If he can score outside of the paint and defend on a high level, he will make the one of those teams.  If not, honorable mention is not bad I guess.  

Nic Ughovwa (6’4" Senior / St. Louis) - The St. Louis big man is a terror in the paint defensively and scores consistently from 17 feet in.  St. Louis makes another deep Division II run and he may make one of these teams for sure.  

Randarius Jones Randarius Jones 6'7" | PF Carroll | 2021 State LA (6’7" Senior / Carroll) - It will depend on how he comes back from his knee injury.  If he is healthy, he scores and protects the rim at a high level.  That level may land him on the first team if he plays well.  

Class 3A is one of the tougher classes with a lot of parody below the top three mentioned.  We will see who is the best of the best when the season tips on next week.