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

The 2021 senior class is actually deeper than many thought when they were sophomores. This class has players at each position who can play at one of the many colleges or universities in the United States. We will take a look at another group of seniors outside of the top 40 that could make an impact on a campus at the next level. [player_tooltip player_id="765932" first="Jayden" last="Lazard"] / 6’1″ / Opelousas Tigers Lazard is a guard who is as versatile as it gets. He is a solid defender who can defend most guards and wings because of his strength and quickness. The quickness of his hands and feet allow him to turn defense into offense in a split second. When he is on offense, Lazard is probably his most dangerous. He can score in transition, make shots from the mid-range, and take hits at the rim and finish. Lazard can also finish above the rim when need be. Just as Lazard is a great help to Opelousas this season, he can help a college on the next level with his skill set in the future. <a class="pn-player-link" href="https://prephoops.com/player/dmarcus-fugett/">[player_tooltip player_id="765934" first="Deonte" last="Edwards"]</a> / 6’6″ / Carroll Bulldogs Edwards was one of the better tight ends in Louisiana at one period. If no one recruits him to play football, look for this 6’6" forward to be on a next level campus somewhere. Edwards knows how to create space and rebound in traffic like many big men. He is also very athletic and can get up and down the floor like a guard at times. What may set him apart from others is his passing from the high post. Because he is accustom to making big-to-big passes, he can take that skill to help and team on the next level. If he does, a team may just get a steal when recruting him. [player_tooltip player_id="977259" first="Cooper" last="Rachow"] / 6’3″ / Slidell Bengal Tigers Rachow is a player who is more athletic than you think at first glance. He can attack off the dribble and at times gets to the rim with ease. What he is most known for is his ability to make outside shots. Rachow is very good at setting his feet and making shots behind the arc. Playing with [player_tooltip player_id="977260" first="Lorenzo" last="Caldwell"], Rachow has learned to be part of a one-two punch. Most of all, he has learned to play off the ball. A school looking for a marksman who can also get to the rim will like what Rachow brings to the table. [player_tooltip player_id="1045509" first="James" last="Ross"] / 5’10″ / Ouachita Lions Ross was almost the only non-senior guard who got minutes last year for Coach Jeremy Madison. This season, he is the leader of a young Ouachita team who is fighting for another district title in 2-5A. Ross is a point guard who can score in multiple fashions on offense and plays the traditional, tenacious Lion man-to-man when he is on defense. James either penetrates the paint or shoots the three to score and he is good at both. Even with his short stature, he has been known to lock up on defense. His defense alone may be valuable on the next level. [player_tooltip player_id="931055" first="Bryce" last="Roberts"] / 6’1″ / Parkway Panthers When I think of a player who has taken his game to another level, I think of [player_tooltip player_id="931055" first="Bryce" last="Roberts"]. He is the lead Panther in the Parkway attack this season. While Roberts has always been able to connect from distance, he has gotten more aggressive when attacking the paint. Roberts is getting to the rim and finishing more and more. This variance to his attack now gives him more room to shoot from deep. His 32 point outburst against Airline was a prime example of his aggressive offensvie approach. He keeps it up, Roberts will have a few colleges and universities trying to retain his services. [player_tooltip player_id="931058" first="Cameron" last="Brown"] / 6’0″ / BTW (Shreveport) Lions Brown has helped the transition into Kenny Sykes offense for the Lions this season by taking the Lions share of the offensive responsibility. What has happened because of it? Brown is now one of the two way players in the northwest corner of the state. He is very good at moving to spots and making three pointers or mid-range jumpers. His preparation and footwork sets him apart from many players. Brown is also fearless attacking the rim. Defensively he can lock in an make life miserable for opposing guards. He may not be a star on the next level but he will be a solid contributor for a team that recruits him. [player_tooltip player_id="931054" first="Eric" last="McKnight"] / 6’4″ / Southwood Cowboys (pictured above) McKnight has gotten teams full attention defensively of late and that is because he has been giving opponents fits all season. The Southwood wing made his presence known with his 30 point performance against Wossman. He took punishment from every Wildcat that attempted to guard him and kept kicking. McKnight is one of the more athletic wings in the Boot and can score at all three levels. He is very efficient around the rim and will dunk on defenders at a moments notice. His play may spark a late recruitment buzz and land him on the DI level. As the season draws closer to an end, look for more seniors to lead with their actions on the floor. This is their last opportunity for making the playoffs or winning district, so they will be giving it their best as they finish their high school careers.

The 2021 senior class is actually deeper than many thought when they were sophomores. This class has players at each position who can play at one of the many colleges or universities in the United States. We will take a look at another group of seniors outside of the top 40 that could make an impact on a campus at the next level.

Jayden Lazard Jayden Lazard 6'0" | CG Opelousas | 2021 State LA / 6’1″ / Opelousas Tigers

Lazard is a guard who is as versatile as it gets. He is a solid defender who can defend most guards and wings because of his strength and quickness. The quickness of his hands and feet allow him to turn defense into offense in a split second. When he is on offense, Lazard is probably his most dangerous. He can score in transition, make shots from the mid-range, and take hits at the rim and finish. Lazard can also finish above the rim when need be. Just as Lazard is a great help to Opelousas this season, he can help a college on the next level with his skill set in the future.

Deonte Edwards Deonte Edwards 6'6" | PF Carroll | 2021 State LA / 6’6″ / Carroll Bulldogs

Edwards was one of the better tight ends in Louisiana at one period. If no one recruits him to play football, look for this 6’6" forward to be on a next level campus somewhere. Edwards knows how to create space and rebound in traffic like many big men. He is also very athletic and can get up and down the floor like a guard at times. What may set him apart from others is his passing from the high post. Because he is accustom to making big-to-big passes, he can take that skill to help and team on the next level. If he does, a team may just get a steal when recruting him.

Cooper Rachow Cooper Rachow 6'3" | SG Slidell | 2021 State LA / 6’3″ / Slidell Bengal Tigers

Rachow is a player who is more athletic than you think at first glance. He can attack off the dribble and at times gets to the rim with ease. What he is most known for is his ability to make outside shots. Rachow is very good at setting his feet and making shots behind the arc. Playing with Lorenzo Caldwell Lorenzo Caldwell 6'5" | SF Slidell | 2021 State LA , Rachow has learned to be part of a one-two punch. Most of all, he has learned to play off the ball. A school looking for a marksman who can also get to the rim will like what Rachow brings to the table.

James Ross James Ross 5'10" | PG Ouachita Parish | 2021 State LA / 5’10″ / Ouachita Lions

Ross was almost the only non-senior guard who got minutes last year for Coach Jeremy Madison. This season, he is the leader of a young Ouachita team who is fighting for another district title in 2-5A. Ross is a point guard who can score in multiple fashions on offense and plays the traditional, tenacious Lion man-to-man when he is on defense. James either penetrates the paint or shoots the three to score and he is good at both. Even with his short stature, he has been known to lock up on defense. His defense alone may be valuable on the next level.

Bryce Roberts Bryce Roberts 6'1" | CG Parkway | 2021 State LA / 6’1″ / Parkway Panthers

When I think of a player who has taken his game to another level, I think of Bryce Roberts Bryce Roberts 6'1" | CG Parkway | 2021 State LA . He is the lead Panther in the Parkway attack this season. While Roberts has always been able to connect from distance, he has gotten more aggressive when attacking the paint. Roberts is getting to the rim and finishing more and more. This variance to his attack now gives him more room to shoot from deep. His 32 point outburst against Airline was a prime example of his aggressive offensvie approach. He keeps it up, Roberts will have a few colleges and universities trying to retain his services.

Cameron Brown Cameron Brown 5'11" | CG BTW-Shreveport | 2021 State LA / 6’0″ / BTW (Shreveport) Lions

Brown has helped the transition into Kenny Sykes offense for the Lions this season by taking the Lions share of the offensive responsibility. What has happened because of it? Brown is now one of the two way players in the northwest corner of the state. He is very good at moving to spots and making three pointers or mid-range jumpers. His preparation and footwork sets him apart from many players. Brown is also fearless attacking the rim. Defensively he can lock in an make life miserable for opposing guards. He may not be a star on the next level but he will be a solid contributor for a team that recruits him.

Eric McKnight Eric McKnight 6'4" | SG Southwood | 2021 State LA / 6’4″ / Southwood Cowboys (pictured above)

McKnight has gotten teams full attention defensively of late and that is because he has been giving opponents fits all season. The Southwood wing made his presence known with his 30 point performance against Wossman. He took punishment from every Wildcat that attempted to guard him and kept kicking. McKnight is one of the more athletic wings in the Boot and can score at all three levels. He is very efficient around the rim and will dunk on defenders at a moments notice. His play may spark a late recruitment buzz and land him on the DI level.

As the season draws closer to an end, look for more seniors to lead with their actions on the floor. This is their last opportunity for making the playoffs or winning district, so they will be giving it their best as they finish their high school careers.