Road to the Dome: Players to Watch

<p> It is finally here the moment all teams have hoped far..... a chance to become a semi-finalist. The regular season was alright for some, but the playoffs and stamping your ticket is what teams and fans wanted to see. Winning or losing in the first two rounds has a different sting than losing in the quarterfinals. Losing in the quarterfinals leaves a big what if or even a lingering question of "could we have done anything different?" But there’s a brighter side for those who have unfinished business, are embarking on the semifinals for the first time or a unique group who feels "We have reservations." Nevertheless I will highlight some match-ups and  players who could make this a tourney to remember.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>Bonnabel vs Hahnville</strong></span></h3> <p> This drive across the 310 is worth the price of admission. Snap I forgot only 48 fans can view this live, yet they will live-stream so the public can view this clash for the ticket to the dome.</p> <p><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Bonnable</span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="765906" first="Will" last="Allen"]</strong></span></p> <p>The 6’8" forward has been ever steady and read this year for the Bruins averaging  24 pts. 14 rebs for the regular season,  and  16pts and 13.5 in the playoffs.  It’s no load management or saving it, Allen must shoulder the load if his team has a chance to advance. He has to lead vocally and with his actions. He needs 27+ and  a slight increase in rebounding to pull off the win.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="765918" first="Theo" last="Johnson"]</strong></span></p> <p>The crafty floor general for the bruins has averaged 14 pts and 5 assist for the season, and had an outstanding 18 pts, 10 ast, 8 reb performance against Central must be solid tonight. Unlike his 1st round performance against Hammond. I thought Johnson was one of the better point guard prospects in the metro area during summer workouts.However,  erratic play has kept him from solidifying that position. Tonight’s performance can be the last say on that based on performance.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Hahnville</span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Claudell "M.J." Harris</strong></span></p> <p>Some believe I’m a little to critical in my assessments, but Harris is a player who I enjoy watching due to his 3 level ability to score and confidence. Secondly, his team has confidence in his ability to score and that is so undervalued in today’s game. So many players are competing with their teammates. Currently, Claudell is averaging 30 pts in two playoff games, they may need the fire truck outside the guy. Because once he gets hot he may burn the gym down.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="977272" first="Kaden" last="Pierre"]</strong></span></p> <p>The bully’s bully [player_tooltip player_id="977272" first="Kaden" last="Pierre"] has done a great job this season mixing it up inside out.  This game he needs to up his defensive and offensive rebounding to make the game easier for his team. Extra and focus in that area stamps his team’s ticket.</p> <p><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Koi Smith</span></strong></p> <p>Often unspoken is Koi Smith. Koi’s interior play allows his teammate to avoid unnecessary fouls and the guarding other teams big man. Koi has hi hands full as he faces the "Rebounding Machine" [player_tooltip player_id="765906" first="Will" last="Allen"]. If Koi wants to to his share tonight in the words of Bill Belichick "Do Your Job." I believe that’s something Koi can do.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong>Riverside vs Catholic of Opelousas </strong></span></p> <p>Can you say points? What about individual performances. Well the Riverside vs O.P Catholic will be on full display for fans of this as this match-up features Riverside’s Gage Larvadian and O.P. Catholic’s everyone’s darling dunker [player_tooltip player_id="765904" first="Keon" last="Coleman"].</p> <p><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Riverside</span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Gage Larvadian</span></strong></p> <p>Gage has been a machine gun during his time at Riverside constantly being his and often the games high scorer. This season Gage has had a game of 49 pts, 4 ast, and 10 rebs, and a game with 36 points. So, imagine being the number 1 defensive assignment for every team on the schedule? The gunner for Riverside won’t be shy tonight. Believe that!! He just needs a little more help from his teammates than Coleman.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>O.P. Catholic</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="765904" first="Keon" last="Coleman"]</strong></span></p> <p>Some say it’s blasphemous not to select [player_tooltip player_id="765904" first="Keon" last="Coleman"] as Gatorade P.O.Y . The uber athlete is more than highlight dunks. He has a good feel for the game and has had averaged 34 pts a game for the season. Furthermore, he posted a quadruple double of 41 pts, 15 rebs, 13 ast, and 10 stls. This is a meet me after school showdown facing a worthy opponent, plus quality coaching. Can’t get that ring without knocking off or jumping over Riverside. Challenge extended.</p>