Unsigned & Uncommitted Seniors Outside of the Top 40 (Part I)

Many colleges, recruiters, and fans in general focus on the top players when it comes to following the recruitment of seniors. While the top players are very talented, there are some players outside of the top 40 who are just as talented and even find their way to prominent rosters. Here are some players outside of the top 40 that should be on college radars during the recruiting process. [player_tooltip player_id="977272" first="Kaden" last="Pierre"] / 6’4″ / Hahnville (current rank #45) Hahnville has been a top five team in 5A for the majority of the season and [player_tooltip player_id="977272" first="Kaden" last="Pierre"] has had a major hand in that. He is a player who can do a little of everything. He can shoot from the perimeter, post on either block, and facilitate the offense. Pierre usually has a mismatch in the paint, either with his strength or quickness, and takes full advantage. He is too active to contain usually and effects the game in so many ways. A return to Marsh Madness is well in the crosshairs of the Fighting Tigers and Pierre is an important part of that. [player_tooltip player_id="1045508" first="Kurt" last="Labeaud"] / 5’11″ / Crescent City (current rank #47) The Division IV championship game MVP has already shown that he can score when need be. This year, Labeaud displayed he can be just as good at running the show. Labeaud is good at finding players in scoring positions and excellent at pushing the ball in the open floor. He is good at navigating traffic in the paint and getting to the rim and he can shoot it well from the perimeter. With his championship pedigree and point guard skills, Labeaud would be a solid pick for a team on the next level. [player_tooltip player_id="931319" first="Bennie" last="Amos"] / 6’1″ / L.B. Landry (current rank #48) Not only is Amos one of the better shooters in the Boot, he is becoming one of the better guards period. This season, he has played with the ball in his hands more. His 40 poinit performance earlier this year in addition to some regular 20 point outings have been the result of it. Amos has developed into a certified threat anywhere on the floor whether it is on or off the ball. He will be a pleasant surprise to a program on the next level. [player_tooltip player_id="931049" first="Zyquarius" last="Cowart"] / 6’0″ / Rayville (current rank #56) Cowart is another shooter who has gotten more comfortable with having the ball in his hand. With that said, he is coming off a game where he nailed ten triples. Cowart is definitely fit for a program on the next level that gets up and down the floor and believes in shooting the three. He knows how to spot up and how to attack the rim so his skill set will translate. Cowart also comes from a program that is used to success (they are in line to compete for another 2A title) so he would be a definite asset to a college team. [player_tooltip player_id="977273" first="D’Marcus" last="Fugett"] / 6’5″ / J.S. Clark Leadership (current rank #57) Fugett has grown a couple of inches since last season. His game has grown as well. Fugett has developed into a three level scorer with improved range from behind the arc. He has also improved his help defense and become a better team defender. Fugett is one of the reasons that Leadership is poised at making a return to Marsh Madness this season. His improvements to his total skill set should create a buzz for him with schools at the next level. If Leadership wins the class B championship, that will aid in the process as well. [player_tooltip player_id="1045514" first="Jaterrius" last="Fusilier"] / 6’2″ / New Iberia (current rank #62) Fusilier is one of the leaders for one of the top ten teams in class 5A. He is also a player who gets it done offensively but hangs his hat on his defense. Fusilier has quick hands and lateral quickness that he takes advantage of when on the defensive end. Thievery and man-to-man defense are his fortays. Offensively, he is good at the mid-range and is steadily improving from deep. Fusilier is an impact player and can make a difference on both ends of the floor. Look for him to do just that as New Iberia heads towards the playoffs. [player_tooltip player_id="765938" first="Javari" last="Williams"] / 6’1″ / Huntington (current rank #64) For a shooter who has not met a shot he did not like, Williams has become a good leader on this year’s Huntington Raider team. He can still go on streaks from deep like he did in the Huntington-Bossier game. However, he has improved his ability to play team defense. Whereas he might have left the floor at times for defensive reasons, he now is a more confident defender. Coincide that will his shooting and scoring ability and Williams is a player who will have some value for a next level team who needs a knockdown shooter. [player_tooltip player_id="931044" first="Keagan" last="Moncrief"] / 6’4″ / West Monroe (current rank #72) Moncrief is a definite reason why West Monroe has sat near the top of the 5A rankings all year. Last season, he was more of a post threat and played with his back to the basket. He has tinkered with his game and made some improvement this season. Moncrief is more aggressive to the goal and willing to take players off the dribble. He can step out and shoot the three ball more comfortably as well. Moncrief has made himself into a better wing player and has given his stock a raise for the next level and the Rebels a legit championship shot. All of the players mentioned above are players who play for teams with championship aspirations. Their individual improvements have made them more of an asset on the floor and have strengthen their teams’ ability to go deep into the playoffs. These players have also improved their chances of playing on the next level. Watch for these players as the season heads toward the end of the regular season and the playoffs.

Many colleges, recruiters, and fans in general focus on the top players when it comes to following the recruitment of seniors. While the top players are very talented, there are some players outside of the top 40 who are just as talented and even find their way to prominent rosters. Here are some players outside of the top 40 that should be on college radars during the recruiting process.

Kaden Pierre Kaden Pierre 6'3" | SF Hahnville | 2021 State LA / 6’4″ / Hahnville (current rank #45)

Hahnville has been a top five team in 5A for the majority of the season and Kaden Pierre Kaden Pierre 6'3" | SF Hahnville | 2021 State LA has had a major hand in that. He is a player who can do a little of everything. He can shoot from the perimeter, post on either block, and facilitate the offense. Pierre usually has a mismatch in the paint, either with his strength or quickness, and takes full advantage. He is too active to contain usually and effects the game in so many ways. A return to Marsh Madness is well in the crosshairs of the Fighting Tigers and Pierre is an important part of that.

Kurt Labeaud Kurt Labeaud 5'11" | PG Crescent City | 2021 State LA / 5’11″ / Crescent City (current rank #47)

The Division IV championship game MVP has already shown that he can score when need be. This year, Labeaud displayed he can be just as good at running the show. Labeaud is good at finding players in scoring positions and excellent at pushing the ball in the open floor. He is good at navigating traffic in the paint and getting to the rim and he can shoot it well from the perimeter. With his championship pedigree and point guard skills, Labeaud would be a solid pick for a team on the next level.

Bennie Amos Bennie Amos 6'0" | CG Landry-Walker | 2021 State LA / 6’1″ / L.B. Landry (current rank #48)

Not only is Amos one of the better shooters in the Boot, he is becoming one of the better guards period. This season, he has played with the ball in his hands more. His 40 poinit performance earlier this year in addition to some regular 20 point outings have been the result of it. Amos has developed into a certified threat anywhere on the floor whether it is on or off the ball. He will be a pleasant surprise to a program on the next level.

Zyquarius Cowart Zyquarius Cowart 6'1" | SG Rayville | 2021 State LA / 6’0″ / Rayville (current rank #56)

Cowart is another shooter who has gotten more comfortable with having the ball in his hand. With that said, he is coming off a game where he nailed ten triples. Cowart is definitely fit for a program on the next level that gets up and down the floor and believes in shooting the three. He knows how to spot up and how to attack the rim so his skill set will translate. Cowart also comes from a program that is used to success (they are in line to compete for another 2A title) so he would be a definite asset to a college team.

D’Marcus Fugett D’Marcus Fugett 6'5" | SG JS Clark Leadership | 2021 State LA / 6’5″ / J.S. Clark Leadership (current rank #57)

Fugett has grown a couple of inches since last season. His game has grown as well. Fugett has developed into a three level scorer with improved range from behind the arc. He has also improved his help defense and become a better team defender. Fugett is one of the reasons that Leadership is poised at making a return to Marsh Madness this season. His improvements to his total skill set should create a buzz for him with schools at the next level. If Leadership wins the class B championship, that will aid in the process as well.

Jaterrius Fusilier Jaterrius Fusilier 6'1" | CG New Iberia | 2021 State LA / 6’2″ / New Iberia (current rank #62)

Fusilier is one of the leaders for one of the top ten teams in class 5A. He is also a player who gets it done offensively but hangs his hat on his defense. Fusilier has quick hands and lateral quickness that he takes advantage of when on the defensive end. Thievery and man-to-man defense are his fortays. Offensively, he is good at the mid-range and is steadily improving from deep. Fusilier is an impact player and can make a difference on both ends of the floor. Look for him to do just that as New Iberia heads towards the playoffs.

Javari Williams Javari Williams 6'0" | CG Huntington | 2021 State LA / 6’1″ / Huntington (current rank #64)

For a shooter who has not met a shot he did not like, Williams has become a good leader on this year’s Huntington Raider team. He can still go on streaks from deep like he did in the Huntington-Bossier game. However, he has improved his ability to play team defense. Whereas he might have left the floor at times for defensive reasons, he now is a more confident defender. Coincide that will his shooting and scoring ability and Williams is a player who will have some value for a next level team who needs a knockdown shooter.

Keagan Moncrief Keagan Moncrief 6'5" | SF West Monroe | 2021 State LA / 6’4″ / West Monroe (current rank #72)

Moncrief is a definite reason why West Monroe has sat near the top of the 5A rankings all year. Last season, he was more of a post threat and played with his back to the basket. He has tinkered with his game and made some improvement this season. Moncrief is more aggressive to the goal and willing to take players off the dribble. He can step out and shoot the three ball more comfortably as well. Moncrief has made himself into a better wing player and has given his stock a raise for the next level and the Rebels a legit championship shot.

All of the players mentioned above are players who play for teams with championship aspirations. Their individual improvements have made them more of an asset on the floor and have strengthen their teams’ ability to go deep into the playoffs. These players have also improved their chances of playing on the next level. Watch for these players as the season heads toward the end of the regular season and the playoffs.