Scouting Report: Early February in the Boot

The final month of the regular season in high school basketball is here. While football just had national signing day, basketball is still in the midst of their recruiting period. During this scouting report, we will take a look at some basketball players that should be catching the eye of recruiters now and in the future. [player_tooltip player_id="977253" first="Brian" last="Stewart"] | 2021 | 5’10’’ Point Guard | Woodlawn (Shreveport) HS – "Lil B" as he is affectionately called is one of the smarter, small guards that northwest Louisiana has. He also knows how to raise his game when the Woodlawn Knights are in crunchtime situations. His steal in the waning minutes, his ten fourth quarter points, and his crucial free throws with 3 seconds in the victory over Bossier shows he is ready for big moments. Stewart followed that performance up with a solid point guard play in victories against BTW an Huntington. He is a senior with a ton of big game experience. While he will probably play receiver on the next level, I would not be surprised if he is on a court as well. [player_tooltip player_id="970139" first="Chris" last="Carpenter"] | 2023 | 5’9’’ Point Guard | Woodlawn (Shreveport) HS – Carpenter is very good at playing on or off the ball. When he is off the ball, he is good at moving to spots where he can spot up and make a jumper. Offensive and defensive momentum plays are what he excels at. During the Huntington and BTW victories, Carpenter made an assist or layup. Then, on the consequent possession, he stole the inbound pass and made a layup or assist. He is quick and clever. Carpenter anticipates passes well also. He is an assist machine at periods of time and makes others better when he is fully engaged. [player_tooltip player_id="530988" first="Delatrion" last="Moton"] | 2021 | 6’4’’ Combo Guard | Woodlawn (Shreveport) HS – It seems like Moton has been in high school forever. He has been a varsity player since his freshman year and has been apart of two trips to Marsh Madness for the Knights. "Fat Joe" as he is called, has one of the higher basketball IQs in the state. Since his return from football, the Knights have kicked it into an extra gear. He senses when Woodlawn needs a play made an goes out and does it. Four triples to get Woodlawn started against Bossier or 15 third quarter points against BTW to put Woodlawn up for good are big time performances by a big time player. Moton is hoping a third trip to Lake Charles will bring he and the Knights a coveted state championship. [player_tooltip player_id="977445" first="Jathen" last="Ross"] | 2021 | 6’2’’ Combo Guard | Evangel – I will admit that I probably caught Ross at inopportune times during this summer and season. During the summer he looked rusty and had not adjusted to high school game speed. Neville has a stingy defense and nobody gets good looks against them. After games against BTW and Woodlawn, I see why he is a player to recruit in Louisiana. Ross can really shoot the ball from deep. He also moves well without the ball in his hands. Ross knows how to cut to the ball and draw contact when doing so. He is a very smart and skilled player who leads by example on the floor. If Evangel makes a run in Division II, I will not be surprised with Ross leading the way. [player_tooltip player_id="1105532" first="Braylen" last="Clark"] | 2024 | 5’7’’ Point Guard | Evangel – One of the more determined players I have seen this year is [player_tooltip player_id="1105532" first="Braylen" last="Clark"]. When I say determined, I mean Clark is a player is determined to make an impact on the game. Against BTW and Woodlawn, Clark did just that. He is very quick with the ball changing ends and seems to get to the paint before the defense has a chance to stop him. When his team is behind, he is not afraid to take big threes to get his team back in the game. His double digit performances were pivotal in the Booker T. win and the competitive loss against the Knights. If Clark maintains his level of speed and quickness, he will be a problem for seasons to come. [player_tooltip player_id="1105539" first="Javon" last="Johnson"] | 2024 | 5’11’’ Combo Guard | Bossier HS – One of the other freshmen who have had a big time season is [player_tooltip player_id="1105539" first="Javon" last="Johnson"] for Bossier. He has gotten more playing time as the season has gone on and Bossier has benefitted offensively. Johnson has been a consistent three point shooter for the last month. With his gaine confidence behind the arc, he has opened up opportunities to drive to the rim. In the Bossier losses to Huntington and Woodlawn, he made three or more triples in both contest. He is learning to pick it up on the defensive end as well. Bossier has found another player to help them be successful and Johnson should be a good one for seasons to come. Tahj Roots | 2023 | 5’10’’ Point Guard | Bossier HS – Roots is like a clone of his brother Kaalas on the offensive end for the floor. He finds his spots on the floor and is not afraid to shoot whether Bossier is up or down in the contest. Where he is finding his footing like his brother is on the defensive end. He has the ability to get into the space of guards his size or a little taller and create havoc. Roots can pick pockets and head the other way or double down with help defense and cause turnovers that way. Tahj has gotten more run in the rotation because of his work on both ends of the ball. He should be an asset to the Bearkats as they make a run to defend their title in class 3A. These players are going to be keys in the future fortunes of their respective teams in the playoffs. Look for each one of them to make winning plays as each of them try to make it to Marsh Madness during one of the most unusual seasons in recent high school basketball history.

The final month of the regular season in high school basketball is here. While football just had national signing day, basketball is still in the midst of their recruiting period. During this scouting report, we will take a look at some basketball players that should be catching the eye of recruiters now and in the future.

Brian Stewart Brian Stewart 5'8" | PG Woodlwan-S'port | 2021 State LA | 2021 | 5’10’’ Point Guard | Woodlawn (Shreveport) HS – "Lil B" as he is affectionately called is one of the smarter, small guards that northwest Louisiana has. He also knows how to raise his game when the Woodlawn Knights are in crunchtime situations. His steal in the waning minutes, his ten fourth quarter points, and his crucial free throws with 3 seconds in the victory over Bossier shows he is ready for big moments. Stewart followed that performance up with a solid point guard play in victories against BTW an Huntington. He is a senior with a ton of big game experience. While he will probably play receiver on the next level, I would not be surprised if he is on a court as well.

Chris Carpenter Chris Carpenter 5'9" | PG Huntington | 2023 State LA | 2023 | 5’9’’ Point Guard | Woodlawn (Shreveport) HS – Carpenter is very good at playing on or off the ball. When he is off the ball, he is good at moving to spots where he can spot up and make a jumper. Offensive and defensive momentum plays are what he excels at. During the Huntington and BTW victories, Carpenter made an assist or layup. Then, on the consequent possession, he stole the inbound pass and made a layup or assist. He is quick and clever. Carpenter anticipates passes well also. He is an assist machine at periods of time and makes others better when he is fully engaged.

Delatrion Moton Delatrion Moton 6'4" | CG Woodlawn-Shreve | 2021 State LA | 2021 | 6’4’’ Combo Guard | Woodlawn (Shreveport) HS – It seems like Moton has been in high school forever. He has been a varsity player since his freshman year and has been apart of two trips to Marsh Madness for the Knights. "Fat Joe" as he is called, has one of the higher basketball IQs in the state. Since his return from football, the Knights have kicked it into an extra gear. He senses when Woodlawn needs a play made an goes out and does it. Four triples to get Woodlawn started against Bossier or 15 third quarter points against BTW to put Woodlawn up for good are big time performances by a big time player. Moton is hoping a third trip to Lake Charles will bring he and the Knights a coveted state championship.

Jathen Ross Jathen Ross 6'3" | SG Evangel | 2021 State LA | 2021 | 6’2’’ Combo Guard | Evangel – I will admit that I probably caught Ross at inopportune times during this summer and season. During the summer he looked rusty and had not adjusted to high school game speed. Neville has a stingy defense and nobody gets good looks against them. After games against BTW and Woodlawn, I see why he is a player to recruit in Louisiana. Ross can really shoot the ball from deep. He also moves well without the ball in his hands. Ross knows how to cut to the ball and draw contact when doing so. He is a very smart and skilled player who leads by example on the floor. If Evangel makes a run in Division II, I will not be surprised with Ross leading the way.

Braylen Clark Braylen Clark 5'8" | PG Evangel | 2024 State LA | 2024 | 5’7’’ Point Guard | Evangel – One of the more determined players I have seen this year is Braylen Clark Braylen Clark 5'8" | PG Evangel | 2024 State LA . When I say determined, I mean Clark is a player is determined to make an impact on the game. Against BTW and Woodlawn, Clark did just that. He is very quick with the ball changing ends and seems to get to the paint before the defense has a chance to stop him. When his team is behind, he is not afraid to take big threes to get his team back in the game. His double digit performances were pivotal in the Booker T. win and the competitive loss against the Knights. If Clark maintains his level of speed and quickness, he will be a problem for seasons to come.

Javon Johnson Javon Johnson 6'1" | CG Bossier | 2024 State LA | 2024 | 5’11’’ Combo Guard | Bossier HS – One of the other freshmen who have had a big time season is Javon Johnson Javon Johnson 6'1" | CG Bossier | 2024 State LA for Bossier. He has gotten more playing time as the season has gone on and Bossier has benefitted offensively. Johnson has been a consistent three point shooter for the last month. With his gaine confidence behind the arc, he has opened up opportunities to drive to the rim. In the Bossier losses to Huntington and Woodlawn, he made three or more triples in both contest. He is learning to pick it up on the defensive end as well. Bossier has found another player to help them be successful and Johnson should be a good one for seasons to come.

Tahj Roots | 2023 | 5’10’’ Point Guard | Bossier HS – Roots is like a clone of his brother Kaalas on the offensive end for the floor. He finds his spots on the floor and is not afraid to shoot whether Bossier is up or down in the contest. Where he is finding his footing like his brother is on the defensive end. He has the ability to get into the space of guards his size or a little taller and create havoc. Roots can pick pockets and head the other way or double down with help defense and cause turnovers that way. Tahj has gotten more run in the rotation because of his work on both ends of the ball. He should be an asset to the Bearkats as they make a run to defend their title in class 3A.

These players are going to be keys in the future fortunes of their respective teams in the playoffs. Look for each one of them to make winning plays as each of them try to make it to Marsh Madness during one of the most unusual seasons in recent high school basketball history.