Scouting Report: Forwards in the Boot

Even though Christmas was mixed in the middle, there was plenty of hoops action surrounding the holiday. Week 6 saw rematches and tight games while holiday tournaments closed the week and began the next. We will review some of the impact forwards from the week that was in Louisiana hoops. Patrick Williams (6’5" / Wossman / 2022) Williams had a lot of trouble staying on the floor during the first go around with Southwood and to some degree against Rayville. However, it the return matchup at the Ranch (Southwood’s home gym), Williams had his skill set on full display. He is super athletic around the rim and has a very quick second jump. Combine that timing with his length and you have someone who can help a team dominate on the boards. Williams also altered a couple of attempts as well on his way to a 12 point night. An athletic big who can rebound and run the floor, that is who Pat Williams II is at present. He is definitely one of the reasons Wossman only has one loss on the season. Damante Thomas (6’5" / Ouachita / 2023) The Lion sophomore had a rough game against Richwood a couple of weeks ago. He did have a putback dunk that was pretty nasty during that game however. Fast forward to the game against Benton and he displayed what he was about. Thomas crashed the boards and showed his rebounding prowess. He also stepped out of the lane and hit a couple of jumpers. Thomas and his 14 point performance showed that is only tapping into the beginning of his potential. He is another Lion big just waiting to blossom. Jonathan Bradshaw (6’4" / Ouachita / 2023) Bradshaw is probably one of the more skilled bigs that north Louisiana has and he is only a sophomore. Because of his size, he has to defend the paint like many 6’4" and 6’5" players. However, his offensive skill set ranges with plenty of potential. During his ten point second half (14 points total), Bradshaw hit the glass for offensive and defensive rebounds. When the Lions needed a bucket, he also stepped out beyond the arc and made a couple of triples. His hands a pretty soft as well and he makes hard catches look easy. He is definitely a tough competitior and one to watch moving forward. [player_tooltip player_id="1045522" first="Kylan" last="Williams"] (6’5" / Opelousas / 2021) Williams is part of an Opelousas team that can beat an opponent in various ways. He did his part on Sunday versus Patterson by draining five threes in the win. Williams has very good form and is one of those shooters who goes straight up and down when shooting his shot. Along with that, he is athletic enough to run the floor in transition and versatile enough to guard several positions (which he had to do on Sunday). His 17 point effort, with the three triples in a row, helped break the game open. Williams is a key part in the Tigers success so far for sure. Danny Lewis (6’5" / Westgate / 2022) One of the best tight ends in the state is not a bad post player on the hardwood. Westgate did lose to a tough New Iberia team. However, Lewis tried his best to put them in position to be successful. Lewis is good with scoring through contact. This may be no surprise because he is a football guy but things are diffeent. He also has good footwork on the block and can step out and make the short jumper. Lewis ended the game with 17 points scored in various manners. He is a versatile player and one that will be paramount in any success Westgate has. Wayne Randall-Bayshay (6’3" / New Iberia / 2024) When we talk about a player who does all the necessary things for a team to be successful, Randall-Bayshay comes to mind. On Sunday, he was just that type of player before he fouled out. Randall-Bayshay created offensive opportunities by tipping the ball for offensive rebounds, attempting to take charges and making trash buckets. He hustles everywhere on the floor and was not afraid to hit the floor. His nine points were valuable before eventually fouling out. His ability and effort to do the dirty work will help the Yellowjackets be a better team in the future. [player_tooltip player_id="1045510" first="Da’tayvious" last="Gabriel"] (6’5" / St. Martinville / 2021) Gabriel and his team took a tough loss to Peabody on Sunday during the Holiday tournament at his school. They made it tough on him to get going. Gabriel warmed up a little in the second half with two threes and some defensive plays. He is a very athletic player who can easliy defends one through five on the high school level. Even while frustrated on Sunday, he put up good shots and his energy and effort were there. This might not have been his best game but there was plenty of positive to get in Gabriel’s play on Sunday. While all of the aformentioned players would be considered guards on the Division I level, their varying abilities may come in handy at the other levels during college. These guys all have skill sets that are adaptive to the next level. Look for these players to be on the radar of schools near and far when it comes time for them to graduate. Last week, the showed that they are forwards from the Boot who can ball.

Even though Christmas was mixed in the middle, there was plenty of hoops action surrounding the holiday. Week 6 saw rematches and tight games while holiday tournaments closed the week and began the next. We will review some of the impact forwards from the week that was in Louisiana hoops.

Patrick Williams (6’5" / Wossman / 2022)

Williams had a lot of trouble staying on the floor during the first go around with Southwood and to some degree against Rayville. However, it the return matchup at the Ranch (Southwood’s home gym), Williams had his skill set on full display. He is super athletic around the rim and has a very quick second jump. Combine that timing with his length and you have someone who can help a team dominate on the boards. Williams also altered a couple of attempts as well on his way to a 12 point night. An athletic big who can rebound and run the floor, that is who Pat Williams II is at present. He is definitely one of the reasons Wossman only has one loss on the season.

Damante Thomas (6’5" / Ouachita / 2023)

The Lion sophomore had a rough game against Richwood a couple of weeks ago. He did have a putback dunk that was pretty nasty during that game however. Fast forward to the game against Benton and he displayed what he was about. Thomas crashed the boards and showed his rebounding prowess. He also stepped out of the lane and hit a couple of jumpers. Thomas and his 14 point performance showed that is only tapping into the beginning of his potential. He is another Lion big just waiting to blossom.

Jonathan Bradshaw (6’4" / Ouachita / 2023)

Bradshaw is probably one of the more skilled bigs that north Louisiana has and he is only a sophomore. Because of his size, he has to defend the paint like many 6’4" and 6’5" players. However, his offensive skill set ranges with plenty of potential. During his ten point second half (14 points total), Bradshaw hit the glass for offensive and defensive rebounds. When the Lions needed a bucket, he also stepped out beyond the arc and made a couple of triples. His hands a pretty soft as well and he makes hard catches look easy. He is definitely a tough competitior and one to watch moving forward.

Kylan Williams Kylan Williams 6'6" | SF Opelousas | 2021 State LA (6’5" / Opelousas / 2021)

Williams is part of an Opelousas team that can beat an opponent in various ways. He did his part on Sunday versus Patterson by draining five threes in the win. Williams has very good form and is one of those shooters who goes straight up and down when shooting his shot. Along with that, he is athletic enough to run the floor in transition and versatile enough to guard several positions (which he had to do on Sunday). His 17 point effort, with the three triples in a row, helped break the game open. Williams is a key part in the Tigers success so far for sure.

Danny Lewis (6’5" / Westgate / 2022)

One of the best tight ends in the state is not a bad post player on the hardwood. Westgate did lose to a tough New Iberia team. However, Lewis tried his best to put them in position to be successful. Lewis is good with scoring through contact. This may be no surprise because he is a football guy but things are diffeent. He also has good footwork on the block and can step out and make the short jumper. Lewis ended the game with 17 points scored in various manners. He is a versatile player and one that will be paramount in any success Westgate has.

Wayne Randall-Bayshay (6’3" / New Iberia / 2024)

When we talk about a player who does all the necessary things for a team to be successful, Randall-Bayshay comes to mind. On Sunday, he was just that type of player before he fouled out. Randall-Bayshay created offensive opportunities by tipping the ball for offensive rebounds, attempting to take charges and making trash buckets. He hustles everywhere on the floor and was not afraid to hit the floor. His nine points were valuable before eventually fouling out. His ability and effort to do the dirty work will help the Yellowjackets be a better team in the future.

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

Gabriel and his team took a tough loss to Peabody on Sunday during the Holiday tournament at his school. They made it tough on him to get going. Gabriel warmed up a little in the second half with two threes and some defensive plays. He is a very athletic player who can easliy defends one through five on the high school level. Even while frustrated on Sunday, he put up good shots and his energy and effort were there. This might not have been his best game but there was plenty of positive to get in Gabriel’s play on Sunday.

While all of the aformentioned players would be considered guards on the Division I level, their varying abilities may come in handy at the other levels during college. These guys all have skill sets that are adaptive to the next level. Look for these players to be on the radar of schools near and far when it comes time for them to graduate. Last week, the showed that they are forwards from the Boot who can ball.