Scouting Report: Early January in the Boot

New Years’ weekend and the early portion of January saw some matchups that we will not normally see this time of year. This led to seeing some different players and some players having career performances. In this version of the scouting report, we will take a look at some of the players who performed well in the early part of the month. [player_tooltip player_id="1127254" first="Brayden" last="Kimberlin"] (2022) / 6’5" / Southwood Southwood had a murderous schedule before the turn of the calendar. At one point they lost 5 or 6 in a weeks’ time. One player that has been consistent with his play and effort is [player_tooltip player_id="1127254" first="Brayden" last="Kimberlin"]. He is the player who gains extra possessions with tip outs to the guards, gathers big rebounds, and makes timely buckets. In the district opener against Captain Shreve, he scored two fourth quarter buckets to help secure the district win. Along with his offensive contributions, Kimberlin will bang with post players and try to get them off their game. He is an asset that will be vital in the Cowboys playoff push. [player_tooltip player_id="931042" first="Benjamin" last="Ponder"] (2021) / 6’3" / Calvary Baptist Ponder is the prime example of a guard or wing that has to play the post (at times) because of his height. In the Cavs 5-out offense, Ponder gets to roam the perimeter and make plays from it. His performance against Bonnabel was a prime example of that. Ponder did what he usually does on the boards rebounding well on both ends. It was his offense that displayed his versatility. Ponder took players off the dribble showing great footwork and the ability to get to the rim and finish. His three point shot was on as well that game. Trying to get back to the Division IV championship game will be a chore. If Ponder keeps contributing like this, they will have a very good shot. Malik Thomas (2023) / 6’3" / Calvary Baptist The Cavs got an addition to their lineup with the beginning of the new semester in Malik Thomas. In Calvary’s loss to Bossier, Thomas came in and provided a spark to the offense his team needed to stay in striking distance. Thomas mades his hay around the basket and on the defensive end. He was able to convert a steal into a three point play opportunity to go along with a couple of three-point plays he managed to complete in the first half. Thomas knows how to make teams pay for fouling him in the paint. He also gives his best effort when on the floor. Look for him to be a spark to the Cavs offense as they make a playoff push these last couple of months. Jack Johnson (2021) / 6’0" / Captain Shreve Johnson is a player who may not be the fastest or most athletic. However, he is a shotmaker and seems to hit big shots during big moments for the Gators. Johnson is a corner three specialist and makes situational threes. He makes shots before the ends of quarters and halves or when Shreve is down late in games. His preparations are made early with his feet and hands. So, when Johnson catches the ball, he is usually ready to rise and fire. Johnson has made last second free throws as well to secure games. The Shreve staff has confidence in his ability and he will definitely be a piece needed to win a championship. [player_tooltip player_id="1123503" first="Corey" last="Coleman"] (2021) / 5’11" / Captain Shreve Coleman is another Shreve player who makes plays when the pressure is on. His biggest job, however, is facilitating the Gator offense. Coleman does a good job of getting playmakers [player_tooltip player_id="931056" first="AC" last="Bryant"] and [player_tooltip player_id="765933" first="John" last="Mitchell"] the ball in positions to score. When plays break down, he is good with beating his defender with the dribble and pulling up for his mid-range jumper. Coleman is a pest on defense as well and knows how to pressure the ball without fouling. His man-to-man defense and timely offense are a couple of the reasons why Shreve is a 5A title threat. [player_tooltip player_id="1123501" first="Jyrell" last="McClendon"] (2021) / 6’6" / Benton Benton has made strides and is on the verge of making the playoffs for the first time in the tenure of Coach Martinez. One of those factors in the turn around is [player_tooltip player_id="1123501" first="Jyrell" last="McClendon"]. The 6’6" post is a banger in the lane and is very active around the rim. McClendon gobbles rebounds at a high clip and knows how to make outlet passes when given the opportunity. He is also a shotblocker who keeps blocks inbounds for his teammates to secure. His interior defense is one thing that helps make Benton a threat to win on most nights. McClendon also has 10 to 12 foot jumper which helps add an extra threat to the Tiger offense. He is a player who makes a definite impact when he is on the floor. [player_tooltip player_id="1127255" first="Sedrick" last="Applewhite"] (2022) / 6’6" / Bossier Bossier was already going to be a good team. Adding Applewhite made them even better. True enough they have had their struggles but they have a good one in the making with this kid. Applewhite seems to have a nose for the ball when it comes off the offensive or defensive glass. He has one of the quickest second jumps I have seen recently which helps him get a lot of tip-ins offensively. His game is still rounding into form. He has put the ball on the floor to take opponents off the dribble and shot the three ball. We might not see Applewhite’s full potential until next year. He has plenty of it though. [player_tooltip player_id="765169" first="Shaun" last="Riley"] (2021) / 6’7" / Anacoco To be honest, it was a headscratcher at first why a highly touted player such as Riley would transfer from Illinois to Anacoco. However, the way he performed against top ranked West Monroe defensively, it is clear that he made the right decision. Riley only scored two points in the game. Without scoring, he was still a major contributor in the game. He sets solid screens for the plethora of shooters Anacoco has. Defensively, he alters or blocks shots in and out of his area. Riley gets to practically everything. The Northwestern State signee can also draw attention by running the floor. Riley is very talented and will be a major factor in the Anacoco run in class B, [player_tooltip player_id="1123177" first="Landry" last="Alligood"] (2021) / 6’2" / Anacoco The Tulane baseball signee is also one heck of a basketball player. Against top rated (in class 5A) West Monroe, Alligood cut and shot his way to a game high 20 points and he did it all in Coach Carlisle’s system. When he comes off screens, he is ready to shoot quickly. It does not take him long at all to get the three ball up. Landry knows how to move without the ball and is very active on the offensive end. He can hold his own defensively as well. Anacoco is in prime position to be one of the top rated teams in class B and has a legit chance to win it all. Alligood is definitely one of the reasons why. All of these players are on some of the better teams in Louisiana and have a chance to impact the success of their teams as they compete in district and head towards the playoffs. This is the time of the year where players can make a lasting impression on recruiters and earn the respect of other players they compete against. Hopefully the players above have begun to do that already.

New Years’ weekend and the early portion of January saw some matchups that we will not normally see this time of year. This led to seeing some different players and some players having career performances. In this version of the scouting report, we will take a look at some of the players who performed well in the early part of the month.

Brayden Kimberlin Brayden Kimberlin 6'6" | PF Northwood | 2022 LA (2022) / 6’5" / Southwood

Southwood had a murderous schedule before the turn of the calendar. At one point they lost 5 or 6 in a weeks’ time. One player that has been consistent with his play and effort is Brayden Kimberlin Brayden Kimberlin 6'6" | PF Northwood | 2022 LA . He is the player who gains extra possessions with tip outs to the guards, gathers big rebounds, and makes timely buckets. In the district opener against Captain Shreve, he scored two fourth quarter buckets to help secure the district win. Along with his offensive contributions, Kimberlin will bang with post players and try to get them off their game. He is an asset that will be vital in the Cowboys playoff push.

Benjamin Ponder Benjamin Ponder 6'3" | SF Calvary Baptist | 2021 State LA (2021) / 6’3" / Calvary Baptist

Ponder is the prime example of a guard or wing that has to play the post (at times) because of his height. In the Cavs 5-out offense, Ponder gets to roam the perimeter and make plays from it. His performance against Bonnabel was a prime example of that. Ponder did what he usually does on the boards rebounding well on both ends. It was his offense that displayed his versatility. Ponder took players off the dribble showing great footwork and the ability to get to the rim and finish. His three point shot was on as well that game. Trying to get back to the Division IV championship game will be a chore. If Ponder keeps contributing like this, they will have a very good shot.

Malik Thomas (2023) / 6’3" / Calvary Baptist

The Cavs got an addition to their lineup with the beginning of the new semester in Malik Thomas. In Calvary’s loss to Bossier, Thomas came in and provided a spark to the offense his team needed to stay in striking distance. Thomas mades his hay around the basket and on the defensive end. He was able to convert a steal into a three point play opportunity to go along with a couple of three-point plays he managed to complete in the first half. Thomas knows how to make teams pay for fouling him in the paint. He also gives his best effort when on the floor. Look for him to be a spark to the Cavs offense as they make a playoff push these last couple of months.

Jack Johnson (2021) / 6’0" / Captain Shreve

Johnson is a player who may not be the fastest or most athletic. However, he is a shotmaker and seems to hit big shots during big moments for the Gators. Johnson is a corner three specialist and makes situational threes. He makes shots before the ends of quarters and halves or when Shreve is down late in games. His preparations are made early with his feet and hands. So, when Johnson catches the ball, he is usually ready to rise and fire. Johnson has made last second free throws as well to secure games. The Shreve staff has confidence in his ability and he will definitely be a piece needed to win a championship.

Corey Coleman Corey Coleman 5'10" | PG Captain Shreve | 2021 State LA (2021) / 5’11" / Captain Shreve

Coleman is another Shreve player who makes plays when the pressure is on. His biggest job, however, is facilitating the Gator offense. Coleman does a good job of getting playmakers AC Bryant AC Bryant 6'3" | SG Captain Shreve | 2021 State LA and John Mitchell John Mitchell 6'3" | CG Captain Shreve | 2021 State LA the ball in positions to score. When plays break down, he is good with beating his defender with the dribble and pulling up for his mid-range jumper. Coleman is a pest on defense as well and knows how to pressure the ball without fouling. His man-to-man defense and timely offense are a couple of the reasons why Shreve is a 5A title threat.

Jyrell McClendon Jyrell McClendon 6'6" | PF Benton | 2021 State LA (2021) / 6’6" / Benton

Benton has made strides and is on the verge of making the playoffs for the first time in the tenure of Coach Martinez. One of those factors in the turn around is Jyrell McClendon Jyrell McClendon 6'6" | PF Benton | 2021 State LA . The 6’6" post is a banger in the lane and is very active around the rim. McClendon gobbles rebounds at a high clip and knows how to make outlet passes when given the opportunity. He is also a shotblocker who keeps blocks inbounds for his teammates to secure. His interior defense is one thing that helps make Benton a threat to win on most nights. McClendon also has 10 to 12 foot jumper which helps add an extra threat to the Tiger offense. He is a player who makes a definite impact when he is on the floor.

Sedric Applewhite Sedric Applewhite 6'6" | SF Bossier | 2022 State LA (2022) / 6’6" / Bossier

Bossier was already going to be a good team. Adding Applewhite made them even better. True enough they have had their struggles but they have a good one in the making with this kid. Applewhite seems to have a nose for the ball when it comes off the offensive or defensive glass. He has one of the quickest second jumps I have seen recently which helps him get a lot of tip-ins offensively. His game is still rounding into form. He has put the ball on the floor to take opponents off the dribble and shot the three ball. We might not see Applewhite’s full potential until next year. He has plenty of it though.

Shaun Riley Shaun Riley 6'7" | PF Anacoco | 2021 State LA (2021) / 6’7" / Anacoco

To be honest, it was a headscratcher at first why a highly touted player such as Riley would transfer from Illinois to Anacoco. However, the way he performed against top ranked West Monroe defensively, it is clear that he made the right decision. Riley only scored two points in the game. Without scoring, he was still a major contributor in the game. He sets solid screens for the plethora of shooters Anacoco has. Defensively, he alters or blocks shots in and out of his area. Riley gets to practically everything. The Northwestern State signee can also draw attention by running the floor. Riley is very talented and will be a major factor in the Anacoco run in class B,

Landry Alligood Landry Alligood 6'2" | SG Anacoco | 2021 State LA (2021) / 6’2" / Anacoco

The Tulane baseball signee is also one heck of a basketball player. Against top rated (in class 5A) West Monroe, Alligood cut and shot his way to a game high 20 points and he did it all in Coach Carlisle’s system. When he comes off screens, he is ready to shoot quickly. It does not take him long at all to get the three ball up. Landry knows how to move without the ball and is very active on the offensive end. He can hold his own defensively as well. Anacoco is in prime position to be one of the top rated teams in class B and has a legit chance to win it all. Alligood is definitely one of the reasons why.

All of these players are on some of the better teams in Louisiana and have a chance to impact the success of their teams as they compete in district and head towards the playoffs. This is the time of the year where players can make a lasting impression on recruiters and earn the respect of other players they compete against. Hopefully the players above have begun to do that already.