Scouting Report: Duos & Backcourts in 5A (Playoff Edition)

In Louisiana and other states, we are inching closer and closer to crowning an eventual champion. With the quarterfinals going on tonight in Louisiana, I will take a look at duos and backcourts that coaches on the next level should probably see if they get a chance to. [player_tooltip player_id="931043" first="Darius" last="Young"] & <a class="pn-player-link" href="https://prephoops.com/player/john-paul-ricks/">Jaiden Hare</a> (Natchitoches Central) The Chiefs have been known for their guard play in recent years. However, if they are going to move past the quarterfinals, Young and Hare may be the key to their success. Young has really rounded out his game this season with hitting short jumpers and adding the 3 ball. Hare is super athletic and is a threat to finish over the rim routinely. Both players will crash the glass relentlessly. If they are aggressive and scoring, it will be a long night for the opposition. [player_tooltip player_id="765933" first="John" last="Mitchell"] & [player_tooltip player_id="931056" first="AC" last="Bryant"] (Captain Shreve) Captain Shreve has a pretty good tandem of their own in Bryant and Mitchell to face Natchitoches Central tonight. Bryant has been playing lights out offensively since February hit and has made several defensive plays in this playoff run. Mitchell is a matchup nightmare and can play on the perimeter or the block. They were responsible for 41 points in their last game and will probably have to do some heavy lifting again to leave Natchitoches with a W. [player_tooltip player_id="765927" first="Claudell" last="Harris"] & [player_tooltip player_id="977272" first="Kaden" last="Pierre"] (Hahnville) I had a strong feeling that Hahnville could win the state title before the season began. With Harris and Pierre on the floor, they have an opportunity to do just that. Harris scored 34 of the 54 points in the first round and can go off during any game because he just knows how to score. [player_tooltip player_id="977272" first="Kaden" last="Pierre"] is a three level scorer who can be a bully in the paint at times. Bonnabel will have their hands full with these two. They are as lethal as any duo I have seen this season. Jeremy Johnson & [player_tooltip player_id="1045523" first="Robert" last="Drakes"] (Alexandria) The ASH senior backcourt is one that causes disruption in the halfcourt repeatedly. Drakes is a master at deflecting passes while Johnson seems to be very good at reading passes. Both guards push the ball quickly up the floor and both guards can finish around the rim with relative ease. Drakes is the better shooter of the two whle Johnson may be the better defender. When these two are engaged defensively, it usually spells trouble for whomever they are playing. [player_tooltip player_id="1047883" first="Gavin" last="Harris"] & Warren Young, Jr. (Walker) The Walker backcourt may be one of the more exciting backcourts to watch. Harris and Young have games where they have gone off for 20-plus points and both players can score from multiple areas on the floor. Gavin will attack the rim more than not while Young can shoot it well from deep. Both players are solid defenders and can create turnovers with their defense. If the Wildcats make it to the next round, this backcourt will play a big part in their success. [player_tooltip player_id="1145438" first="Kohen" last="Rowbatham"] & [player_tooltip player_id="1047882" first="Simon" last="Franke"] (Northshore) Northshore has been the surprise team in this year’s quarterfinals. The backcourt of Franke and Rowbatham are definitely a huge reason why. In their games in the first couple of rounds, each player has shot the ball well from deep. They have also been very good in transition converting turnovers into points. Rowbatham has been the surprise being a 6’1" freshman who has played well thus far. If they defeat a sound Zachary team, this backcourt will have helped this team earn a spot most thought they would not make which would be a good thing. Here is the 5A schedule for tonight if you want to check out one of these duos and/or teams in your area. Walker vs ASH at 6:30 (Live feed from fb.me/e/3KbnZ7By9) Northshore vs Zachary at 6:30 Captain Shreve vs Natchitoches Central at 6:30 Bonnabel vs Hahnville at 7pm (Live stream link not known)

In Louisiana and other states, we are inching closer and closer to crowning an eventual champion. With the quarterfinals going on tonight in Louisiana, I will take a look at duos and backcourts that coaches on the next level should probably see if they get a chance to.

Darius Young Darius Young 6'5" | PF Natchitoches Central | 2021 State LA & Jaiden Hare (Natchitoches Central)

The Chiefs have been known for their guard play in recent years. However, if they are going to move past the quarterfinals, Young and Hare may be the key to their success. Young has really rounded out his game this season with hitting short jumpers and adding the 3 ball. Hare is super athletic and is a threat to finish over the rim routinely. Both players will crash the glass relentlessly. If they are aggressive and scoring, it will be a long night for the opposition.

John Mitchell John Mitchell 6'3" | CG Captain Shreve | 2021 State LA & AC Bryant AC Bryant 6'3" | SG Captain Shreve | 2021 State LA (Captain Shreve)

Captain Shreve has a pretty good tandem of their own in Bryant and Mitchell to face Natchitoches Central tonight. Bryant has been playing lights out offensively since February hit and has made several defensive plays in this playoff run. Mitchell is a matchup nightmare and can play on the perimeter or the block. They were responsible for 41 points in their last game and will probably have to do some heavy lifting again to leave Natchitoches with a W.

Claudell Harris Claudell Harris 6'3" | CG Hahnville | 2021 State LA & Kaden Pierre Kaden Pierre 6'3" | SF Hahnville | 2021 State LA (Hahnville)

I had a strong feeling that Hahnville could win the state title before the season began. With Harris and Pierre on the floor, they have an opportunity to do just that. Harris scored 34 of the 54 points in the first round and can go off during any game because he just knows how to score. Kaden Pierre Kaden Pierre 6'3" | SF Hahnville | 2021 State LA is a three level scorer who can be a bully in the paint at times. Bonnabel will have their hands full with these two. They are as lethal as any duo I have seen this season.

Jeremy Johnson & Robert Drakes Robert Drakes 6'1" | SG Alexandria | 2021 State LA (Alexandria)

The ASH senior backcourt is one that causes disruption in the halfcourt repeatedly. Drakes is a master at deflecting passes while Johnson seems to be very good at reading passes. Both guards push the ball quickly up the floor and both guards can finish around the rim with relative ease. Drakes is the better shooter of the two whle Johnson may be the better defender. When these two are engaged defensively, it usually spells trouble for whomever they are playing.

Gavin Harris Gavin Harris 6'2" | CG Walker | 2021 State LA & Warren Young, Jr. (Walker)

The Walker backcourt may be one of the more exciting backcourts to watch. Harris and Young have games where they have gone off for 20-plus points and both players can score from multiple areas on the floor. Gavin will attack the rim more than not while Young can shoot it well from deep. Both players are solid defenders and can create turnovers with their defense. If the Wildcats make it to the next round, this backcourt will play a big part in their success.

Kohen Rowbatham Kohen Rowbatham 6'1" | CG St. Thomas Aquinas | 2024 State LA & Simon Franke Simon Franke 6'3" | CG Northshore | 2021 State LA (Northshore)

Northshore has been the surprise team in this year’s quarterfinals. The backcourt of Franke and Rowbatham are definitely a huge reason why. In their games in the first couple of rounds, each player has shot the ball well from deep. They have also been very good in transition converting turnovers into points. Rowbatham has been the surprise being a 6’1" freshman who has played well thus far. If they defeat a sound Zachary team, this backcourt will have helped this team earn a spot most thought they would not make which would be a good thing.

Here is the 5A schedule for tonight if you want to check out one of these duos and/or teams in your area.

Walker vs ASH at 6:30 (Live feed from fb.me/e/3KbnZ7By9)

Northshore vs Zachary at 6:30

Captain Shreve vs Natchitoches Central at 6:30

Bonnabel vs Hahnville at 7pm (Live stream link not known)