Scouting Report: North Louisiana Guards & Wings (Part II)
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During these initial weeks of the season, there has been a game every night seemingly. Also, with Covid protocols, times and dates have been changed so one cannot go by the original schedule. Even with all the upheaval, players have…
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Continue ReadingDuring these initial weeks of the season, there has been a game every night seemingly. Also, with Covid protocols, times and dates have been changed so one cannot go by the original schedule. Even with all the upheaval, players have still been balling out. This scouting report will look at more guards and wings that have come to play so far this season.
Bossier Bearkats:
Joseph Manning Joseph Manning 6'3" | CG Bossier | 2022 State LA (6’3″ / 2022) – Manning is putting his bid in as not only the best guard/wing in the area, but one of the best in the state. In their game against Benton, Manning took on the challenge of guarding all three scoring threats Benton has at separate times. Besides doing that, he scored 27 against the Tigers scoring in multiple ways. He drove left and right finishing with either hand, got to the free throw line, and scored in the mid-range. He has proven to be the epitome of a two-way player and plays the game hard at all times. There are not many better than Manning especially in north Louisiana.
Lakavin Thomas Lakavin Thomas 6'0" | CG Bossier | 2023 State LA (6’1″ / 2023) -While he did not have the best perimeter shooting night against Benton, Thomas found other ways to score. He used baseline, back door cuts to score layups and a couple of short jumpers. Thomas placed pressure on the Tiger defense with straight line drives and was active on the offensive boards. His aggression was one of the keys to the Bossier win and will be a key to Bossier success going forward.
Shammah Bryant Shammah Bryant 6'5" | SF Bossier | 2021 State LA (6’5″ / 2021) – Bryant only scored nine points in the Benton win. However, there was some noticeable differences in his play that show his game has matured. Bryant made several good passes from the high post. When Benton made a run, he drove left finishing at the rim completing a three point play. Bryant also shot the mid-range jumper with confidence. His game has matured and he displayed it during this game.
Green Oaks Giants:
Delarrious Marshall (6’0″ / 2024) – Marshall played well as a freshman point guard in his two games against BTW-Shreveport. While he scored five points in each game, Marshall displayed the moxie that will help him be successful in the future. His handle was not smooth but he did manage to get in the lane going left. He found wing shooters and others in scoring positions as well. Marshall was not afraid to shoot either. With time, Marshall will be a point guard the Giants can count on consistently.
Fredtravious Benjamin (6’2″ / 2023) – Benjamin has the makings of being one of the top players in northwest Louisiana. He is already a very good mid-range shooter and made that jumper consistently during both games. Benjamin attacked from the wings with confidence whether to get to his favorite spots or to the rim. He scored in double digits in each game against the Lions and shows the potential to be one of 1-3A’s top players by the end of the season.
Southwood Cowboys:
Artavious Washington (5’11″ / 2021) – Washington proved that he is a top level defender in games against Booker T. Washington (Shreveport) and Wossman. He disrupts the ability of guards to initiate offense and uses his quickness to create turnovers. Washington had about three steals a game guarding man-to-man or from deflections in transition. On offense, he puts pressure on defenses by penetrating the lane for kick outs to shooters. Washington does not score a lot but he is definitely a guard who effects the game with his defense.
Marquarius Johnson Marquarius Johnson 6'1" | CG Southwood | 2022 State LA (6’1″ / 2022) – Johnson has been a flamethrower from deep and displayed it in two different ways in. Against BTW-Shreveport, he hit his first four threes in route to a 19 point night. When playing Wossman, he struggled during the game with his shooting but scored 8 crucial 4th quarter points (2 triples) to give the Pokes a chance to win. His shooting opens up the floor for others. Defenders have to stay connected to Johnson. If they do not, he will make them pay.
Eric McKnight Eric McKnight 6'4" | SG Southwood | 2021 State LA (6’4″ / 2021) – No one in this early season has understood who he is on the floor more than McKnight. He has catered his game to punishing defenses with short jumpers, putbacks, and trips to the free throw line. While he will shoot and make the three ball, his 59 points in the two games against BTW and Wossman show a level of confidence and ability not seen before. He takes advantage of mismatches and frustrates defenses. McKnight is also a rangy defender who can switch and guard four positions. He is a player who will definitely be of interest going forward.
So many game going on, it is hard to keep up. However, with the numerous changes due to Covid, I do not see this changing anytime soon. In other words, look for more scouting reports of Louisiana preps coming very, very soon.