PDE's Postseason Predictions for Classes 3A-5A All-state

Everyone around the state seems to look forward to the naming of the all-state selections in the higher classifications. Classes 3A through 5A had players with some impressive numbers all throughout the state. To close out my look at the postseason all-state awards, I will look at all three higher classes and list who I suspect the first teamers will be along with some notables that should find their way on the first or second team. 3A 1st Team (In alphabetical order) [player_tooltip player_id="765925" first="Devonte" last="Austin"] (6’1" / Senior / Wossman) [player_tooltip player_id="1045510" first="Da’tayvious" last="Gabriel"] (6’5" / Senior / St. Martinville) [player_tooltip player_id="765912" first="Randarius" last="Jones"] (6’7" / Senoir / Carroll) [player_tooltip player_id="932846" first="Joseph" last="Manning"] (6’3" / Junior / Bossier) [player_tooltip player_id="765908" first="Dezie’l" last="Perkins"] (6’0" / Senior / Madison Prep) While there are a couple of no-brainers in the selection of the 3A team, selecting a solid five was a chore. It is safe to say that deciding the most outstanding player in 3A is going to be interesting. However, the five above are as solid as it gets as selections for the all-state team. [player_tooltip player_id="1045510" first="Da’tayvious" last="Gabriel"] had a fantastic playoff and almost willed his team to win the 3A title during Marsh Madness. [player_tooltip player_id="765925" first="Devonte" last="Austin"] was the best player on a Wossman team that sat atop the 3A standings for the majority of the season. His 24 points and six rebounds were outstanding averages for a guard his size. [player_tooltip player_id="765908" first="Dezie’l" last="Perkins"] is one of the best shooters in the state and showed it in helping Madison Prep secure the 3A state title. [player_tooltip player_id="932846" first="Joseph" last="Manning"] was one of the top two way players in the state and the best player in 1-3A. Bossier might not have had their usual season but Manning was solid from beginning to end. [player_tooltip player_id="765912" first="Randarius" last="Jones"] made a comeback of all comebacks averaging 24 and 12 helping Carroll to the semis. Those two feats may garner him the largest prize of them all as in MOP honors. Other possibilities for 1st or 2nd team All-state in 3A: [player_tooltip player_id="781838" first="Percy" last="Daniels"] (Madison Prep); [player_tooltip player_id="765940" first="Ernest" last="Roberts"] (Ville Platte); [player_tooltip player_id="765934" first="Deonte" last="Edwards"] (Carroll); [player_tooltip player_id="1123175" first="Kaleb" last="Raven"] (Wossman); [player_tooltip player_id="1045524" first="Jalen" last="Mitchell"] (St. Martinville); [player_tooltip player_id="931057" first="Keshaun" last="Lazard"] (Northwest); [player_tooltip player_id="781851" first="Kyran" last="Ratliff"] (BTW N.O.) 4A is another situation where the sportswriters will have tough decisions to make on the first and even the second team. Again, there are a couple of locks, in my opinion, for first team while the other spots may flip between the 1st and 2nd team. I believe my selections are pretty accurate though. 4A 1st Team (In alphabetical order) [player_tooltip player_id="765916" first="Carter" last="Domingue"] (6’3" / Senior / St. Thomas More) [player_tooltip player_id="781848" first="Patrick" last="McCraney"] (6’1" / Junior / Neville) [player_tooltip player_id="1045511" first="JonQuarius" last="McGhee"] (6’3" / Senoir / Opelousas) [player_tooltip player_id="781857" first="Dionjahe" last="Thomas"] (6’7" / Junior / Ellender) [player_tooltip player_id="937609" first="Solomon" last="Washington"] (6’7" / Junior / Carver) [player_tooltip player_id="765916" first="Carter" last="Domingue"] has continued to have a storybook senior season with the title game Most outstanding player, district MVP, and a fourth state championship. I would not be surprised if he won 4A most outstanding player. [player_tooltip player_id="1045511" first="JonQuarius" last="McGhee"] was in line to have a season similar to Domingue. His team did not get a chance to play in the playoffs but the season he had should not be ignored. I think he earned a 1st team selection from his play. The same goes for [player_tooltip player_id="781848" first="Patrick" last="McCraney"]. He led the Tigers to Marsh Madness averaging 17, 5, and 5. Pretty good for junior season. [player_tooltip player_id="937609" first="Solomon" last="Washington"] averaged a double-double in helping Carver to the championship game in 4A. His offensive numbers, coupled with his defense, make him an Most outstanding player candidate as well. [player_tooltip player_id="781857" first="Dionjahe" last="Thomas"] was a dominant force on both ends helping Ellender make the quarterfinals. He is scary athletic and his game is only improving. I think he gets the first team nod. Other possibilities for 1st or 2nd team All-state in 4A: [player_tooltip player_id="1045814" first="Lance" last="Williams"] (St. Michael); [player_tooltip player_id="765903" first="Jamond" last="Vincent"] (LB Landry); [player_tooltip player_id="765919" first="Jaden" last="Shelvin"] (STM); [player_tooltip player_id="937608" first="Dorian" last="Finister"] (Carver); [player_tooltip player_id="931319" first="Bennie" last="Amos"] (LB Landry); [player_tooltip player_id="931045" first="Jamaar" last="Moore"] (Washington-Marion); [player_tooltip player_id="530988" first="Delatrion" last="Moton"] (Woodlawn-S’port); [player_tooltip player_id="781863" first="Jacob" last="Wilson"] (Liberty) Class 5A has some heavyweights from the prep scene that won their district and were the district MVP. While some of these names will not surprise many that I think will be named to the first team, choosing a 5A most outstanding player will be pretty difficult. Here is how I think the 5A first team will go. 5A 1st Team (In alphabetical order) [player_tooltip player_id="765906" first="Will" last="Allen"] (6’7" / Senior / Bonnabel) [player_tooltip player_id="1053313" first="Jalen" last="Bolden"] (6’4" / Junior / Zachary) [player_tooltip player_id="765927" first="Claudell" last="Harris"] (6’3" / Senoir / Hahnville) [player_tooltip player_id="530986" first="Emareyon" last="McDonald"] (6’1" / Senior / Scotlandville) [player_tooltip player_id="931043" first="Darius" last="Young"] (6’6" / Senior / Natchitoches Central) [player_tooltip player_id="765906" first="Will" last="Allen"] was "Mr. Double-Double" all season long. His play and numbers warrant a second straight all-state selection. Not to be outdone, [player_tooltip player_id="931043" first="Darius" last="Young"] had a great season showing that he could be the number one offensive option on a gritty and tough Natchitoches Central team. His play has steadily grown and it showed being named MVP of district 1-5A. [player_tooltip player_id="1053313" first="Jalen" last="Bolden"] was the 5A title game MOP and had a great season helping the Broncos to a state title. I think the way he finished the playoffs and the season will be enough. I do not get a say (yet), however. [player_tooltip player_id="765927" first="Claudell" last="Harris"] was the best player in 5A most of the season. The Charleston Southern signee had Hahnville in prime position to win a state championship before being derailed by Natchitoches Central. [player_tooltip player_id="530986" first="Emareyon" last="McDonald"] pumped in 18 ppg as he helped Scotlandville return to the Division I title game. While only Bolden won a title in this group, these are some very deserving players that should find themselves on the 5A first team, all-state. Other possibilities for 1st or 2nd team All-state in 5A: [player_tooltip player_id="1045514" first="Jaterrius" last="Fusilier"] (New Iberia); [player_tooltip player_id="765933" first="John" last="Mitchell"] (Captain Shreve); [player_tooltip player_id="1127357" first="Zach" last="Fenn"] (St. Paul’s); [player_tooltip player_id="977272" first="Kaden" last="Pierre"] (Hahnville); Warren Young (Walker); [player_tooltip player_id="1045523" first="Robert" last="Drakes"] (Alexandria); [player_tooltip player_id="977274" first="Javion" last="Richard"] (West Monroe); [player_tooltip player_id="566565" first="Zaheem" last="Jackson"] (Scotlandville); [player_tooltip player_id="765928" first="Nasir" last="De Gruy"] (St. Augustine) Class 3A all-state will probably be released on April Fools’ Day while the other classifications are release during the weekend. This should round up everything related to the 2020-2021 high school basketball season. LHSAA active will pick back up in June when high schools attend various team camps in Louisiana and abroad.

Everyone around the state seems to look forward to the naming of the all-state selections in the higher classifications. Classes 3A through 5A had players with some impressive numbers all throughout the state. To close out my look at the postseason all-state awards, I will look at all three higher classes and list who I suspect the first teamers will be along with some notables that should find their way on the first or second team.

3A 1st Team (In alphabetical order)

Devonte Austin Devonte Austin 6'0" | CG Wossman | 2021 State LA (6’1" / Senior / Wossman)

Da’tayvious Gabriel Da’tayvious Gabriel 6'5" | SF St. Martinville | 2021 State LA (6’5" / Senior / St. Martinville)

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

Joseph Manning Joseph Manning 6'3" | CG Bossier | 2022 State LA (6’3" / Junior / Bossier)

Dezie’l Perkins Dezie’l Perkins 6'0" | CG Madison Prep | 2021 State LA (6’0" / Senior / Madison Prep)

While there are a couple of no-brainers in the selection of the 3A team, selecting a solid five was a chore. It is safe to say that deciding the most outstanding player in 3A is going to be interesting. However, the five above are as solid as it gets as selections for the all-state team.

Da’tayvious Gabriel Da’tayvious Gabriel 6'5" | SF St. Martinville | 2021 State LA had a fantastic playoff and almost willed his team to win the 3A title during Marsh Madness. Devonte Austin Devonte Austin 6'0" | CG Wossman | 2021 State LA was the best player on a Wossman team that sat atop the 3A standings for the majority of the season. His 24 points and six rebounds were outstanding averages for a guard his size. Dezie’l Perkins Dezie’l Perkins 6'0" | CG Madison Prep | 2021 State LA is one of the best shooters in the state and showed it in helping Madison Prep secure the 3A state title. Joseph Manning Joseph Manning 6'3" | CG Bossier | 2022 State LA was one of the top two way players in the state and the best player in 1-3A. Bossier might not have had their usual season but Manning was solid from beginning to end. Randarius Jones Randarius Jones 6'7" | PF Carroll | 2021 State LA made a comeback of all comebacks averaging 24 and 12 helping Carroll to the semis. Those two feats may garner him the largest prize of them all as in MOP honors.

Other possibilities for 1st or 2nd team All-state in 3A: Percy Daniels Percy Daniels 6'8" | PF Madison Prep | 2022 State LA (Madison Prep); Ernest Roberts Ernest Roberts 6'2" | SG Ville Platte | 2021 State LA (Ville Platte); Deonte Edwards Deonte Edwards 6'6" | PF Carroll | 2021 State LA (Carroll); Kaleb Raven Kaleb Raven 6'5" | SF Wossman | 2021 State LA (Wossman); Jalen Mitchell Jalen Mitchell 5'11" | PG St. Martinville | 2021 State LA (St. Martinville); Keshaun Lazard Keshaun Lazard 6'1" | CG Northwest | 2021 State LA (Northwest); Kyran Ratliff (BTW N.O.)

4A is another situation where the sportswriters will have tough decisions to make on the first and even the second team. Again, there are a couple of locks, in my opinion, for first team while the other spots may flip between the 1st and 2nd team. I believe my selections are pretty accurate though.

4A 1st Team (In alphabetical order)

Carter Domingue Carter Domingue 6'3" | PG St. Thomas More | 2021 State LA (6’3" / Senior / St. Thomas More)

Patrick McCraney Patrick McCraney 6'2" | CG Neville | 2022 State LA (6’1" / Junior / Neville)

JonQuarius McGhee JonQuarius McGhee 6'3" | CG Opelousas | 2021 State LA (6’3" / Senoir / Opelousas)

Dionjahe Thomas Dionjahe Thomas 6'8" | PF Ellender | 2022 TX (6’7" / Junior / Ellender)

Solomon Washington Solomon Washington 6'7" | SF Carver | 2022 State #127 Nation LA (6’7" / Junior / Carver)

Carter Domingue Carter Domingue 6'3" | PG St. Thomas More | 2021 State LA has continued to have a storybook senior season with the title game Most outstanding player, district MVP, and a fourth state championship. I would not be surprised if he won 4A most outstanding player. JonQuarius McGhee JonQuarius McGhee 6'3" | CG Opelousas | 2021 State LA was in line to have a season similar to Domingue. His team did not get a chance to play in the playoffs but the season he had should not be ignored. I think he earned a 1st team selection from his play. The same goes for Patrick McCraney Patrick McCraney 6'2" | CG Neville | 2022 State LA . He led the Tigers to Marsh Madness averaging 17, 5, and 5. Pretty good for junior season. Solomon Washington Solomon Washington 6'7" | SF Carver | 2022 State #127 Nation LA averaged a double-double in helping Carver to the championship game in 4A. His offensive numbers, coupled with his defense, make him an Most outstanding player candidate as well. Dionjahe Thomas Dionjahe Thomas 6'8" | PF Ellender | 2022 TX was a dominant force on both ends helping Ellender make the quarterfinals. He is scary athletic and his game is only improving. I think he gets the first team nod.

Class 5A has some heavyweights from the prep scene that won their district and were the district MVP. While some of these names will not surprise many that I think will be named to the first team, choosing a 5A most outstanding player will be pretty difficult. Here is how I think the 5A first team will go.

5A 1st Team (In alphabetical order)

Will Allen Will Allen 6'7" | PF Bonnabel | 2021 State LA (6’7" / Senior / Bonnabel)

Jalen Bolden Jalen Bolden 6'5" | SG Zachary | 2022 State LA (6’4" / Junior / Zachary)

Claudell Harris Claudell Harris 6'3" | CG Hahnville | 2021 State LA (6’3" / Senoir / Hahnville)

Emareyon McDonald Emareyon McDonald 6'1" | PG Scotlandville | 2021 State LA (6’1" / Senior / Scotlandville)

Darius Young Darius Young 6'5" | PF Natchitoches Central | 2021 State LA (6’6" / Senior / Natchitoches Central)

Will Allen Will Allen 6'7" | PF Bonnabel | 2021 State LA was "Mr. Double-Double" all season long. His play and numbers warrant a second straight all-state selection. Not to be outdone, Darius Young Darius Young 6'5" | PF Natchitoches Central | 2021 State LA had a great season showing that he could be the number one offensive option on a gritty and tough Natchitoches Central team. His play has steadily grown and it showed being named MVP of district 1-5A. Jalen Bolden Jalen Bolden 6'5" | SG Zachary | 2022 State LA was the 5A title game MOP and had a great season helping the Broncos to a state title. I think the way he finished the playoffs and the season will be enough. I do not get a say (yet), however. Claudell Harris Claudell Harris 6'3" | CG Hahnville | 2021 State LA was the best player in 5A most of the season. The Charleston Southern signee had Hahnville in prime position to win a state championship before being derailed by Natchitoches Central. Emareyon McDonald Emareyon McDonald 6'1" | PG Scotlandville | 2021 State LA pumped in 18 ppg as he helped Scotlandville return to the Division I title game. While only Bolden won a title in this group, these are some very deserving players that should find themselves on the 5A first team, all-state.

Class 3A all-state will probably be released on April Fools’ Day while the other classifications are release during the weekend. This should round up everything related to the 2020-2021 high school basketball season. LHSAA active will pick back up in June when high schools attend various team camps in Louisiana and abroad.