Names to Know from North Louisiana Team Camps

North Louisiana has been off and running as team camps have been held at various locations. Alexandria High got things started and camps have followed at Neville, Airline, and now Southwood. With the 2021 class leaving to find new homes on the next level, new faces are being to emerge during these team camp sessions. In a two part series, we will take a look at some of the new names to know on the Louisiana prep basketball scene. [player_tooltip player_id="1208075" first="Deyontez" last="Baptiste"] | 5’11" (2022) | Tioga The Tioga point guard looked very comfortable playing on his home court during the ASH team camp. Baptiste is a scoring point guard who spent his time getting buckets at pretty much every level. He is a good rebounder for his size and he pushed the ball up the floor after every rebound he gathered. His one dribble pull-up on the break was his most deadly weapon of choice on the day. Baptiste also displayed a quick first step which got him to the glass quickly. His quickness and ability to score are two of the reasons Baptiste stood out. [player_tooltip player_id="1208076" first="Jaquevius" last="Thompson"] | 6’3" (2022) | Caldwell Parish Thompson is one of the best players, regardless of class, in Louisiana. He is a name to know because he plays in a small school in central Louisiana that does not get much recognition. Thompson is a wiry and athletic combo guard who has a knack for knowing when to score or facilitate. He hits the deck a lot because he attacks the rim with reckless abandon. However, he keeps getting up. Thompson can score at three levels and will defend all parts of the floor. He is a rare talent and it has been refreshing to see how he plays this team camp season. Jovon Johnson | 5’11" (2024) | Bossier So far through three team camp appearances, Johnson has shown that his late season add to the Bossier starting lineup was no fluke. He is a heady, athletic guard who is showing signs of becoming one of the best shooters in the state. Whether in the half or full court, Johnson has become automatic when shooting corner threes. His release is quick and he is confident when he shoots. Johnson is becoming a true weapon for the Bossier Bearkats and is making them a better team early in the summer. [player_tooltip player_id="1206919" first="Markell" last="McClain"] | 6’3" (2022) | Peabody McClain has been the driving force behind who Peabody has looked offensively during the two team camps I have seen them in. He is relentless on offense and he is always putting pressure on the defense whether it is with his outside shot or his driving ability. Defensively, McClain plays in the same manner. He pressures whoever he defends by creating ball pressure and defending with physicality. McClain has an infectious style of play and has been the spark plug for the Warhorses as they begin focus on the next season. [player_tooltip player_id="932852" first="LaBrandon" last="Butler"] | 6’0" (2022) | Rayville Butler may be one of the most underrated point guards in the state. If anyone has seen him during team camps at ASH and Neville, they have seen the totality of what he does on the floor. Butler has been the driving force behind the pressure the Rayville Hornets create on the hardwood. After made buckets, he immediately finds the point guard and defends him full or 3/4 court. After the opposition makes a basket, he gets the ball and goes. Butler will push the ball until he is stopped more times than not. He can knock down jumpers and he knows how to find open shooters. There has not been a point guard who does what he does and it has only been solidified during these his team camp play. [player_tooltip player_id="1130730" first="Kerrick" last="Morris"] | 6’0" (2023) | Southwood The Cowboys have lost their top three scorers from last season after graduations and transfers. However, the coaches remain optimistic about their offense. This is where [player_tooltip player_id="1130730" first="Kerrick" last="Morris"] comes in. He came off the bench last season and played well in spot minutes. So far during team camp play in Alexandria and Shreveport, Morris is ready to assume a larger role on offense. He has shot it well from deep and given the Cowboys a boost from there. Morris has put the ball on the floor as well and has developed a nice floater. So far, he has appeared to be willing to take and make shots that players like [player_tooltip player_id="931054" first="Eric" last="McKnight"] took last season. If his offense continues to blossom during team camp play, watch out for this one. He may be a breakout prep star. North Louisiana will continue with team camps as June continues. There will be action at Southwood, LSU-Alexandria, Benton, Northwestern State, and Caldwell Parish in the weeks to come. Look for these players, and others, to appear at these camps coming soon.

North Louisiana has been off and running as team camps have been held at various locations. Alexandria High got things started and camps have followed at Neville, Airline, and now Southwood. With the 2021 class leaving to find new homes on the next level, new faces are being to emerge during these team camp sessions. In a two part series, we will take a look at some of the new names to know on the Louisiana prep basketball scene.

Deyontez Baptiste Deyontez Baptiste 5'11" | PG Tioga | 2022 State LA | 5’11" (2022) | Tioga

The Tioga point guard looked very comfortable playing on his home court during the ASH team camp. Baptiste is a scoring point guard who spent his time getting buckets at pretty much every level. He is a good rebounder for his size and he pushed the ball up the floor after every rebound he gathered. His one dribble pull-up on the break was his most deadly weapon of choice on the day. Baptiste also displayed a quick first step which got him to the glass quickly. His quickness and ability to score are two of the reasons Baptiste stood out.

Jaquevius Thompson Jaquevius Thompson 6'3" | CG Caldwell Parish | 2022 State LA | 6’3" (2022) | Caldwell Parish

Thompson is one of the best players, regardless of class, in Louisiana. He is a name to know because he plays in a small school in central Louisiana that does not get much recognition. Thompson is a wiry and athletic combo guard who has a knack for knowing when to score or facilitate. He hits the deck a lot because he attacks the rim with reckless abandon. However, he keeps getting up. Thompson can score at three levels and will defend all parts of the floor. He is a rare talent and it has been refreshing to see how he plays this team camp season.

Jovon Johnson | 5’11" (2024) | Bossier

So far through three team camp appearances, Johnson has shown that his late season add to the Bossier starting lineup was no fluke. He is a heady, athletic guard who is showing signs of becoming one of the best shooters in the state. Whether in the half or full court, Johnson has become automatic when shooting corner threes. His release is quick and he is confident when he shoots. Johnson is becoming a true weapon for the Bossier Bearkats and is making them a better team early in the summer.

Markell McClain Markell McClain 6'3" | SG Peabody | 2022 State LA | 6’3" (2022) | Peabody

McClain has been the driving force behind who Peabody has looked offensively during the two team camps I have seen them in. He is relentless on offense and he is always putting pressure on the defense whether it is with his outside shot or his driving ability. Defensively, McClain plays in the same manner. He pressures whoever he defends by creating ball pressure and defending with physicality. McClain has an infectious style of play and has been the spark plug for the Warhorses as they begin focus on the next season.

LaBrandon Butler LaBrandon Butler 6'0" | PG Rayville | 2022 LA | 6’0" (2022) | Rayville

Butler may be one of the most underrated point guards in the state. If anyone has seen him during team camps at ASH and Neville, they have seen the totality of what he does on the floor. Butler has been the driving force behind the pressure the Rayville Hornets create on the hardwood. After made buckets, he immediately finds the point guard and defends him full or 3/4 court. After the opposition makes a basket, he gets the ball and goes. Butler will push the ball until he is stopped more times than not. He can knock down jumpers and he knows how to find open shooters. There has not been a point guard who does what he does and it has only been solidified during these his team camp play.

Kerrick Morris Kerrick Morris 6'2" | SG Southwood | 2023 State LA | 6’0" (2023) | Southwood

The Cowboys have lost their top three scorers from last season after graduations and transfers. However, the coaches remain optimistic about their offense. This is where Kerrick Morris Kerrick Morris 6'2" | SG Southwood | 2023 State LA comes in. He came off the bench last season and played well in spot minutes. So far during team camp play in Alexandria and Shreveport, Morris is ready to assume a larger role on offense. He has shot it well from deep and given the Cowboys a boost from there. Morris has put the ball on the floor as well and has developed a nice floater. So far, he has appeared to be willing to take and make shots that players like Eric McKnight Eric McKnight 6'4" | SG Southwood | 2021 State LA took last season. If his offense continues to blossom during team camp play, watch out for this one. He may be a breakout prep star.

North Louisiana will continue with team camps as June continues. There will be action at Southwood, LSU-Alexandria, Benton, Northwestern State, and Caldwell Parish in the weeks to come. Look for these players, and others, to appear at these camps coming soon.