Scouting Report: Ranked & Unranked Guards, Wings, & Forwards

The smaller classifications and small towns in Louisiana have had players who have put together some solid performances in the first four weeks of the season. This scouting report edition will take a look at standouts guards, forwards, and wings from some of these mor rural areas. Some of these players do not play on the premiere teams but they are players to watch nonetheless. Plain Dealing Lions: [player_tooltip player_id="765920" first="Darrien" last="Perry"] (6’1" / 2021) Perry is one of the better scorinig point guards in north Louisiana. His performance earlier this season is a prime example of his talent. Early in the game, he tried to get others involved more than he looked for his offense. Once he felt that out, he went into attack mode. Perry uses the in-and-out dribble to throw defenders off balance. He either creates space for his jumper or draws fouls going to the hole. His 27 point night was a display of that ability and what he is capable of when he is on the hardwood. Keionje Perry (6’0" / 2021) Keionje was the other half of the Perry and Perry backcourt against Southwood. He had a good game shooting the ball from three and ended the night with 18 points. Keionje has a quick release and is very good at setting his feet. He was also very good at handling the ball and penetrating the lane. Keionje will be a big help to Plain Dealing and their playoff efforts. Teams always need someone to stretch the floor and Keionje can do that for the Lions. Carroll High Bulldogs: [player_tooltip player_id="765934" first="Deonte" last="Edwards"] (6’7" / 2021) Edwards is part of the Carroll "Twin Towers" that gave Airline all types of fits at the Theodis Lee Shootout. Deonte did all of his scoring in the paint. When he is not scoring from the paint, he has become a very good passer from the high post. True enough, Carroll did not meet alot of interior resistance from the Vikings. However, Edwards showed to be more than just a player who can run the floor or get it off the glass and score. I can see him making trouble for those trying to guard him this season. [player_tooltip player_id="765912" first="Randarius" last="Jones"] (6’7" / 2021) Jones is coming back from an ALC injury that cut his season short last season. Against Airline he looked as if he is working his way into shape. However, you can tell that he is a load on the box. He and [player_tooltip player_id="765934" first="Deonte" last="Edwards"] took turns operating in the high and the low post against the undersized Vikes. Jones has soft hands and finishes around the rim well. He also deters others from shooting at the rim and was a factor in altering the trajectory of a couple of jumpers. It is hard to defend a skilled big in the paint. Once Jones gets into better game shape, watch out. North Desoto Griffins: Blaine Funderburk (6’1" / 2021) Funderburk got off to a slow start against Doyline. As a matter of fact, he missed his first layup and shot an air ball on his first three point attempt. Once he settled in though, he had a great night against the defending class B champions. Funderburk practically had a point a minute in route to 27 points for the night after his slow beginning. He attacked the rim from the wings and nailed open three ball shots. His five threes led the team. While Funderburk is not swift afoot, he can get to spots he likes and make a defense pay as he did against the Panthers. Derobieyae Atkins (6’1" / 2021) Before his early exit from the game, Atkins displayed a high motor with a lot of athletic ability. He attempted to guard Doyline’s top scorer with moderate success while delivering twelve first half points of his own. When given time to line up the three, he drained them from about 22 feet. Atkins also showed the ability to draw contact on the way to the rim. He is a player who has scoring ability (finished with 15 in three quarters) but needs to channel his aggression into making positive plays on the court. When he does that, he is tough to guard. Doyline Panthers: [player_tooltip player_id="970111" first="Jamaria" last="Clark"] (6’1" / 2023) Clark is already known for his long range bombing and when Doyline played North Desoto it was no different. On his way to a 35 point night, Clark downed 7 treys in the game. A couple of those bombs were from a good 26 feet. Clark does not need much space. So, when the Griffin defense sagged off or did not pick up high enough, he made them pay. If there is one hole in his game it is that he dribbles too high at times and rarely uses his left hand. However, his range is impeccable. Clark is capable of these types of performances. If Doyline is to repeat in class B, he is going to need them. [player_tooltip player_id="981498" first="Jamari" last="Markray"] (6’1" / 2022) Markray is did not have a bad night either scoring 19 points against the Griffins. His scoring came as he weaved past North Desoto defenders on the break. When he did not convert a layup iin transition, Markray ended up at the free throw line. He made eight of the nine free throws he attempted. Markray is the perfect compliment to [player_tooltip player_id="970111" first="Jamaria" last="Clark"] because he does not have to have the ball to be effective. As he did at North Desoto, he rebounds, he spots up off penetration, and he guards the other team’s best player. Watch for Markray to be very important as they pick up more games as the season progresses. Kiondric Woodley (6’2" / 2021) The Wolverines lost a tough one to Lakeview in the Northwood tournament. It was not due to the effort of Kiondric Woodley. He attempted to put Mansfield on his back while [player_tooltip player_id="765922" first="Trenton" last="Colbert"] and others struggled from the field. Woodley has an all-around game and can pick a defense apart at all three scoring levels. He drove to the basket and drew fouls, made shots in the mid-range, and hit the offensive boards. His 21 point effort might not have been enough on this night. However, he will have other nights where his scoring effort will be more than enough. Going to games in the lower Louisiana classifications, a coach can find some gems. The Twin Towers at Carroll are definitely guys coaches should keep their eyes on and a school that needs shooting will love the stroke of [player_tooltip player_id="970111" first="Jamaria" last="Clark"]. Look for more talent as we explore more areas such as these as the season goes.

The smaller classifications and small towns in Louisiana have had players who have put together some solid performances in the first four weeks of the season. This scouting report edition will take a look at standouts guards, forwards, and wings from some of these mor rural areas. Some of these players do not play on the premiere teams but they are players to watch nonetheless.

Plain Dealing Lions:

Darrien Perry Darrien Perry 6'1" | PG Plain Dealing | 2021 State LA (6’1" / 2021)

Perry is one of the better scorinig point guards in north Louisiana. His performance earlier this season is a prime example of his talent. Early in the game, he tried to get others involved more than he looked for his offense. Once he felt that out, he went into attack mode. Perry uses the in-and-out dribble to throw defenders off balance. He either creates space for his jumper or draws fouls going to the hole. His 27 point night was a display of that ability and what he is capable of when he is on the hardwood.

Keionje Perry (6’0" / 2021)

Keionje was the other half of the Perry and Perry backcourt against Southwood. He had a good game shooting the ball from three and ended the night with 18 points. Keionje has a quick release and is very good at setting his feet. He was also very good at handling the ball and penetrating the lane. Keionje will be a big help to Plain Dealing and their playoff efforts. Teams always need someone to stretch the floor and Keionje can do that for the Lions.

Carroll High Bulldogs:

Deonte Edwards Deonte Edwards 6'6" | PF Carroll | 2021 State LA (6’7" / 2021)

Edwards is part of the Carroll "Twin Towers" that gave Airline all types of fits at the Theodis Lee Shootout. Deonte did all of his scoring in the paint. When he is not scoring from the paint, he has become a very good passer from the high post. True enough, Carroll did not meet alot of interior resistance from the Vikings. However, Edwards showed to be more than just a player who can run the floor or get it off the glass and score. I can see him making trouble for those trying to guard him this season.

Randarius Jones Randarius Jones 6'7" | PF Carroll | 2021 State LA (6’7" / 2021)

Jones is coming back from an ALC injury that cut his season short last season. Against Airline he looked as if he is working his way into shape. However, you can tell that he is a load on the box. He and Deonte Edwards Deonte Edwards 6'6" | PF Carroll | 2021 State LA took turns operating in the high and the low post against the undersized Vikes. Jones has soft hands and finishes around the rim well. He also deters others from shooting at the rim and was a factor in altering the trajectory of a couple of jumpers. It is hard to defend a skilled big in the paint. Once Jones gets into better game shape, watch out.

North Desoto Griffins:

Blaine Funderburk (6’1" / 2021)

Funderburk got off to a slow start against Doyline. As a matter of fact, he missed his first layup and shot an air ball on his first three point attempt. Once he settled in though, he had a great night against the defending class B champions. Funderburk practically had a point a minute in route to 27 points for the night after his slow beginning. He attacked the rim from the wings and nailed open three ball shots. His five threes led the team. While Funderburk is not swift afoot, he can get to spots he likes and make a defense pay as he did against the Panthers.

Derobieyae Atkins (6’1" / 2021)

Before his early exit from the game, Atkins displayed a high motor with a lot of athletic ability. He attempted to guard Doyline’s top scorer with moderate success while delivering twelve first half points of his own. When given time to line up the three, he drained them from about 22 feet. Atkins also showed the ability to draw contact on the way to the rim. He is a player who has scoring ability (finished with 15 in three quarters) but needs to channel his aggression into making positive plays on the court. When he does that, he is tough to guard.

Doyline Panthers:

Jamaria Clark Jamaria Clark 6'2" | CG Doyline | 2023 State LA (6’1" / 2023)

Clark is already known for his long range bombing and when Doyline played North Desoto it was no different. On his way to a 35 point night, Clark downed 7 treys in the game. A couple of those bombs were from a good 26 feet. Clark does not need much space. So, when the Griffin defense sagged off or did not pick up high enough, he made them pay. If there is one hole in his game it is that he dribbles too high at times and rarely uses his left hand. However, his range is impeccable. Clark is capable of these types of performances. If Doyline is to repeat in class B, he is going to need them.

Jamari Markray Jamari Markray 6'2" | SG Doyline | 2022 State LA (6’1" / 2022)

Markray is did not have a bad night either scoring 19 points against the Griffins. His scoring came as he weaved past North Desoto defenders on the break. When he did not convert a layup iin transition, Markray ended up at the free throw line. He made eight of the nine free throws he attempted. Markray is the perfect compliment to Jamaria Clark Jamaria Clark 6'2" | CG Doyline | 2023 State LA because he does not have to have the ball to be effective. As he did at North Desoto, he rebounds, he spots up off penetration, and he guards the other team’s best player. Watch for Markray to be very important as they pick up more games as the season progresses.

Kiondric Woodley (6’2" / 2021)

The Wolverines lost a tough one to Lakeview in the Northwood tournament. It was not due to the effort of Kiondric Woodley. He attempted to put Mansfield on his back while Trenton Colbert Trenton Colbert 6'8" | PF Mansfield | 2021 State LA and others struggled from the field. Woodley has an all-around game and can pick a defense apart at all three scoring levels. He drove to the basket and drew fouls, made shots in the mid-range, and hit the offensive boards. His 21 point effort might not have been enough on this night. However, he will have other nights where his scoring effort will be more than enough.

Going to games in the lower Louisiana classifications, a coach can find some gems. The Twin Towers at Carroll are definitely guys coaches should keep their eyes on and a school that needs shooting will love the stroke of Jamaria Clark Jamaria Clark 6'2" | CG Doyline | 2023 State LA . Look for more talent as we explore more areas such as these as the season goes.