The Most Outstanding Players of Marsh Madness

Marsh Madness has ended and all of the basketball champions have been crowned. Now the state has moved on into the awards season. All district teams and MVPs will be released over the next few weeks. Before we look ahead, we will take one last look at players, like Zach Vargas (MOP of class C), from all of the championship games who stood out as the most outstanding players during the latest edition of Marsh Madness (aka the LHSAA state championships). The Most Outstanding Players [player_tooltip player_id="765913" first="Brandon" last="Harton"] (6’4" | Jehovah-Jireh | 2021) Harton won his second most outstanding player award in the Warriors thrilling win over Family Christian in the Division V title game. While he has been a central figure in the last three title runs by Jehovah-Jireh, Harton is still unsigned. Whoever gets Harton will get a lefty who can score on the block and off the dribble. In fact, he may be one of the most gifted but least talked about players in the 2021 class. [player_tooltip player_id="1055170" first="John" last="Kelly"] (6’8" | Crescent City | 2023) The Crescent City sophomore displayed his total bag working in the title game. Honestly, Kelly had it going during both Marsh Madness games. Kelly can defend the paint by blocking shots while on the offensive end he can stretch the floor by shooting the three. His 13 (pts.), 6 (rbds), and 5 (ast.) displayed a player who can do everything on the floor. If the Pioneers return in the next two years, he will be the favorite for MOP. He is that good. [player_tooltip player_id="530995" first="Carlos" last="Stewart"] (6’2" | Dunham | 2021) Stewart is one of the top players in the 2021 class and he finished his high school career with a 28 point effort (which included three steals) to capture a third state title in his four year career. The Santa Clara signee is an offensive machine who has so many facets to his game that he can score at all levels on the floor. Being named MOP may also make him the front runner for other individual awards in the near future. [player_tooltip player_id="765916" first="Carter" last="Domingue"] (6’3" | St. Thomas More | 2021) Domingue is one of the most accomplished players in the 2021 class. To be honest, he will graduate as one of the most accomplished players in Louisiana high school athletics. He was a part of two state championships in a four month period and has won four basketball state titles in his career. Domingue is one of the better point guards around and his Marsh Madness efforts showed it. He is another unsigned senior who might attract numerous offers after his performance during the championship win. [player_tooltip player_id="765928" first="Nasir" last="De Gruy"] (6’2" | St. Augustine | 2021) De Gruy is one on the smoothest point guards we have in north or south Louisiana. He is a lead guard who controls the tempo of the game when he has the ball and always seems to make the right play. His thirteen points and three assists were very important in a game where the final score was in the 40s. Being on the Marsh Madness stage and helping St. Augustine win a title should spark more interest as his recruitment comes to an end. [player_tooltip player_id="977269" first="Braxton" last="Taylor"] (6’0" | Simsboro | 2021) When one thinks of the Simsboro Tigers, [player_tooltip player_id="977269" first="Braxton" last="Taylor"] is not the first name that comes to mind. However, as a player who had played a part in the last three championship pursuits, Taylor shined his brightest in this latest champions run. Taylor set a tone early in the game burying early triples to put the Tigers up. He also scored late to keep the Tigers in position to win. Taylor displayed senior leadership (along with an accurate three point shot) to help Simsboro lay claim to another class B title. [player_tooltip player_id="1045516" first="Khyrese" last="Taylor"] (5’10" | Arcadia | 2021) The 1A MOP repeatedly displayed why he was the best guard on the floor during Arcadia’s run to the 1A title. When the Hornets needed a play on offense or defense, Taylor was the one who made it happen. He made coast-to-coast plays in the Arcadia victory over North Central and led the Hornets in scoring in the championship game. Taylor is another unsigned senior who saved his best for last during Arcadia’s title run. [player_tooltip player_id="781843" first="Tawasky" last="Johnson"] (6’0" | Port Allen | 2021) Johnson cemented his place as one of the top tier guards in this senior class with his 19 point performance while leading Port Allen to their second straight title. Tawasky was practically unguardable when he decided to attack the basket. He also varied his attack by nailing a couple of threes. Johnson proved that he can score and facilitate on a big stage. He is definitely a guard who can contribute on the next level. Kevon Shannon (5’10" | Madison Prep | 2021) Madison Prep was able to capture the 3A state title and got a big time performance from their smallest player. Senior Kevon Shannon was the title game’s most outstanding player scoring 14 points, bringing down six rebounds, and dishing six assist. Shannon showed that he is more than a traditional point guard who can distribute by scoring with various methods. His championship game play may help Shannon find a home on the next level. [player_tooltip player_id="781842" first="Alex" last="Hammond"] (6’2" | McMain | 2022) Hammond probably had two of the biggest plays in the Mustang title run. His in-and-out dribble layup to give them the lead against Woodlawn in the 4A semifinal was one. The three pointer he nailed at the end of the 3rd in the championship game to keep McMain within striking distance was the other. Both plays showed the Hammond is unflappable under pressure. His play during Marsh Madness may propel him into a big summer on the grassroots circuit. [player_tooltip player_id="1130799" first="Brandon" last="Rodgers"] (6’4" | Zachary | 2023) Rodgers came out in the first two minutes of the 5A championship and established that he was going to be the best player on the floor. He drained jumpers and got to the rim in the opening stanza for double digits. Later, when he dunked on a Natchitoches player, he announced to the Chiefs, and the rest of 5A, that he was a player in reckon with. His 20-plus point effort helped secure the Broncos first title in 70-plus years and cemented Rodgers as a player to watch in years to come. The most outstanding players from each class/division will be apart of the all tournament team selected by the LHSAA in the coming days. Look for an all-tournament list to be available soon on the LHSAA boys’ basketball webpage.

Marsh Madness has ended and all of the basketball champions have been crowned. Now the state has moved on into the awards season. All district teams and MVPs will be released over the next few weeks. Before we look ahead, we will take one last look at players, like Zach Vargas (MOP of class C), from all of the championship games who stood out as the most outstanding players during the latest edition of Marsh Madness (aka the LHSAA state championships).

The Most Outstanding Players

Brandon Harton Brandon Harton 6'4" | SF Jehovah-Jireh | 2021 State LA (6’4" | Jehovah-Jireh | 2021)

Harton won his second most outstanding player award in the Warriors thrilling win over Family Christian in the Division V title game. While he has been a central figure in the last three title runs by Jehovah-Jireh, Harton is still unsigned. Whoever gets Harton will get a lefty who can score on the block and off the dribble. In fact, he may be one of the most gifted but least talked about players in the 2021 class.

John Kelly John Kelly 6'7" | SF John Ehret | 2023 State #237 Nation LA (6’8" | Crescent City | 2023)

The Crescent City sophomore displayed his total bag working in the title game. Honestly, Kelly had it going during both Marsh Madness games. Kelly can defend the paint by blocking shots while on the offensive end he can stretch the floor by shooting the three. His 13 (pts.), 6 (rbds), and 5 (ast.) displayed a player who can do everything on the floor. If the Pioneers return in the next two years, he will be the favorite for MOP. He is that good.

Carlos Stewart Carlos Stewart 6'1" | CG Dunham | 2021 State LA (6’2" | Dunham | 2021)

Stewart is one of the top players in the 2021 class and he finished his high school career with a 28 point effort (which included three steals) to capture a third state title in his four year career. The Santa Clara signee is an offensive machine who has so many facets to his game that he can score at all levels on the floor. Being named MOP may also make him the front runner for other individual awards in the near future.

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

Domingue is one of the most accomplished players in the 2021 class. To be honest, he will graduate as one of the most accomplished players in Louisiana high school athletics. He was a part of two state championships in a four month period and has won four basketball state titles in his career. Domingue is one of the better point guards around and his Marsh Madness efforts showed it. He is another unsigned senior who might attract numerous offers after his performance during the championship win.

Nasir De Gruy Nasir De Gruy 6'2" | PG St. Augustine | 2021 State LA (6’2" | St. Augustine | 2021)

De Gruy is one on the smoothest point guards we have in north or south Louisiana. He is a lead guard who controls the tempo of the game when he has the ball and always seems to make the right play. His thirteen points and three assists were very important in a game where the final score was in the 40s. Being on the Marsh Madness stage and helping St. Augustine win a title should spark more interest as his recruitment comes to an end.

Braxton Taylor Braxton Taylor 6'0" | SG Simsboro | 2021 State LA (6’0" | Simsboro | 2021)

When one thinks of the Simsboro Tigers, Braxton Taylor Braxton Taylor 6'0" | SG Simsboro | 2021 State LA is not the first name that comes to mind. However, as a player who had played a part in the last three championship pursuits, Taylor shined his brightest in this latest champions run. Taylor set a tone early in the game burying early triples to put the Tigers up. He also scored late to keep the Tigers in position to win. Taylor displayed senior leadership (along with an accurate three point shot) to help Simsboro lay claim to another class B title.

Khyrese Taylor Khyrese Taylor 5'11" | PG Arcadia | 2021 State LA (5’10" | Arcadia | 2021)

The 1A MOP repeatedly displayed why he was the best guard on the floor during Arcadia’s run to the 1A title. When the Hornets needed a play on offense or defense, Taylor was the one who made it happen. He made coast-to-coast plays in the Arcadia victory over North Central and led the Hornets in scoring in the championship game. Taylor is another unsigned senior who saved his best for last during Arcadia’s title run.

Tawasky Johnson Tawasky Johnson 6'0" | PG Port Allen | 2021 State LA (6’0" | Port Allen | 2021)

Johnson cemented his place as one of the top tier guards in this senior class with his 19 point performance while leading Port Allen to their second straight title. Tawasky was practically unguardable when he decided to attack the basket. He also varied his attack by nailing a couple of threes. Johnson proved that he can score and facilitate on a big stage. He is definitely a guard who can contribute on the next level.

Kevon Shannon (5’10" | Madison Prep | 2021)

Madison Prep was able to capture the 3A state title and got a big time performance from their smallest player. Senior Kevon Shannon was the title game’s most outstanding player scoring 14 points, bringing down six rebounds, and dishing six assist. Shannon showed that he is more than a traditional point guard who can distribute by scoring with various methods. His championship game play may help Shannon find a home on the next level.

Alex Hammond Alex Hammond 6'3" | CG McMain | 2022 State LA (6’2" | McMain | 2022)

Hammond probably had two of the biggest plays in the Mustang title run. His in-and-out dribble layup to give them the lead against Woodlawn in the 4A semifinal was one. The three pointer he nailed at the end of the 3rd in the championship game to keep McMain within striking distance was the other. Both plays showed the Hammond is unflappable under pressure. His play during Marsh Madness may propel him into a big summer on the grassroots circuit.

Brandon Hardy Brandon Hardy 6'4" | SG Zachary | 2023 State #234 Nation LA (6’4" | Zachary | 2023)

Rodgers came out in the first two minutes of the 5A championship and established that he was going to be the best player on the floor. He drained jumpers and got to the rim in the opening stanza for double digits. Later, when he dunked on a Natchitoches player, he announced to the Chiefs, and the rest of 5A, that he was a player in reckon with. His 20-plus point effort helped secure the Broncos first title in 70-plus years and cemented Rodgers as a player to watch in years to come.

The most outstanding players from each class/division will be apart of the all tournament team selected by the LHSAA in the coming days. Look for an all-tournament list to be available soon on the LHSAA boys’ basketball webpage.