PDE's All-Statement Session Team

The 2nd Annual Statement Session presented by Mal Mundy encompassed 40-plus, top tier talents in the state of Louisiana. Picking an all-Statement Session team was a chore with this superb group. While all the preps who participated had good moments, only a small number of players can be named to an all-SS team. With that said, here is who I believe were the top performers at the Statement Session at Southside High. All-Statement Session 1st Team [player_tooltip player_id="783260" first="De’vondrake" last="Arvie"] (6’2" | CG | Beau Chene | PH #18 ’22) - There are a lot of players who will fire away from beyond three but will not try a decent mid-range jumper. Then there is this guy. Arvie was the "Mid-range assassin" on Saturday. Anything from elbow to elbow was automatic. His lift and accuracy on the shot has improved to the point that the fear of it helped him get to the rack easier. By the way, he led with the most steals of the day showing he could defend as well. His day at the Statement Session was impressive. [player_tooltip player_id="937608" first="Dorian" last="Finister"] (6’5" | CG | Carver | PH #3 ’22) - His day might have started off slowly but Dorian picked it up as the day went on. Finister attacked the rim and finished through contact several times during the day. The way he defended, especially with a couple of chase down blocks, was next level stuff. Coach Mason put the ball in his hands when the team needed a play made and Finister delivered. He is one of the best combo guards in the South and he provided it on Saturday. [player_tooltip player_id="1211105" first="Marquis" last="Harris"] (6’5" | F | Bossier | PH #50 ’22) - Harris has seen his stock skyrocket over the summer and his play Saturday did not show any signs of falling off. Marquis showed agility and quickness when on the offensive boards for putbacks. He also displayed a willingness to go after 50-50 balls on the floor. His willingness to guard the top players, no matter the name, was impressive as well. [player_tooltip player_id="970123" first="Fred" last="Payne"] (6’1" | CG | Legacy | C/O ’23) - The school he attends may be in Texas but [player_tooltip player_id="970123" first="Fred" last="Payne"] is a Boot boy through and through. His day at the Statement Session consisted of him dropping threes over defenders and attacking the rim with aggression and precision. Payne can put up buckets from all three levels and is hard to stay in front of and defenders found that out during the day. Payne had a very good summer and what he did during the Statement solidfied it. He is going to be a hard guard for defenders in Texas. LeLand Smith (6’3" | CG | Edna Karr | Not Ranked) - The Statement Session was my first time seeing the guard from Edna Karr. Let us just say that I left the gym impressed with his play. Smith did not shy away from playing an aggressive type of man-to-man against whomever he was in front of. He made it difficult to run simple actions because he was so aggressive. Smith can stroke it as well and was on fire during a couple of games. He is definitely a 3 and D player who made a statement at the Statement Session. [player_tooltip player_id="781856" first="Reginald" last="Stoner"] (6’0" | PG | North Central | PH #13 ’22) - Stoner began the day with a 30-plus point effort and kept going from there. As far as two-way players are concerned, he is high on the list in Louisiana. He has the quickest pair of hands and made it difficult for guards to run anything when he defended them one-on-one. When he got a steal, he was like a blur in transition. When he is making the the three ball like he was early on Saturday, he is impossible to guard. His day at the Statement Session was filled with high level guard play. [player_tooltip player_id="937609" first="Solomon" last="Washington"] (6’7" | F | Carver | PH #1 ’22) - The Statement Session MVP put it into another gear after losing his first game of the day. His coached said he was being "too nice" and he responded with a powerful performance. Washington took on more ballhandling duties and showed that he can get to the rim on just about anyone. His continued punishment of the rim displayed athleticism and power only possessed by a few. His willingness to be a leader on the floor in scoring and rebounding was the imprint he left on the floor on Saturday. All-Statement Session 2nd Team [player_tooltip player_id="781835" first="Jordan" last="DeCuir"] (6’2" | CG | Zachary | PH #12 ’22) - One of the most athletic combo guards in the state, Decuir completed athletic finishes in the paint on several occasions. His willingness to play pass first when he was on the ball displayed that he has versatility in his guard play. [player_tooltip player_id="932846" first="Joseph" last="Manning"] (6’3" | CG | Bossier | PH #8 ’22) - His combination of scoring and defending had him in the running for first team honors. Manning’s improved shooting from deep makes him a three level scorer and elite defender. Both traits had coaches captivated during Session play. [player_tooltip player_id="970133" first="Tyler" last="Ringgold"] (6’7" | F | Southern Lab | PH #4 ’23 ) - Displayed the ability to put it on the deck and go by defenders as well as the ability to shoot over them. Ringgold has a multi-dimensional skill set and had it going for long periods on Saturday. [player_tooltip player_id="932850" first="Donavan" last="Seamster"] (6’2" | SG | Woodlawn-Shreveport | PH #28 ’22) - His release has gotten quicker and his movement without the ball showed improvement during the Statement. The Woodlawn lefty is a marksmen and made defenders pay for not defending closely. [player_tooltip player_id="781857" first="Dionjahe" last="Thomas"] (6’8" | F | Ellender | PH #7 ’22) - Thomas has ridiculous bounce and is very good getting it off the offensive glass for putbacks and dunks. His willingness to take and make threes on Saturday showed that his game still has another level to go.......and he is really good already. Lance Waddles (6’3" | CG | Victory Rock | Not ranked) - Nobody has been in the lab more than Waddles and it showed on Saturday. His shot from three was lethal and his ability to get to the rim and finish is high level stuff. While we are waiting to see if he returns to Evangel, Waddles has made himself into a potential D1 player. [player_tooltip player_id="781863" first="Jacob" last="Wilson"] (6’5" | CG | Liberty | PH # 9 ’22) - He showed the skill to hurt defenses inside and out during game play at the Statement. He consistency from deep needs to improve but the threat made him a dangerous draw and dish player as well as a scorer. Solid day he had. Other players like [player_tooltip player_id="981595" first="Christian" last="Ferguson"], [player_tooltip player_id="781853" first="John-Paul" last="Ricks"], and [player_tooltip player_id="981596" first="Alexzaye" last="Johnson"] had good days as well. Players like [player_tooltip player_id="1206919" first="Markell" last="McClain"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1213597" first="Kamron" last="Coleman"] who come from storied programs also showed they are ready to pick up the mantle for their schools this year. Mal Mundy’s Statement Session was a good event and I look forward to next year.

The 2nd Annual Statement Session presented by Mal Mundy encompassed 40-plus, top tier talents in the state of Louisiana. Picking an all-Statement Session team was a chore with this superb group. While all the preps who participated had good moments, only a small number of players can be named to an all-SS team. With that said, here is who I believe were the top performers at the Statement Session at Southside High.

All-Statement Session 1st Team

Devon’drake Arvie Devon’drake Arvie 6'2" | CG Beau Chene | 2022 State LA (6’2" | CG | Beau Chene | PH #18 ’22) - There are a lot of players who will fire away from beyond three but will not try a decent mid-range jumper. Then there is this guy. Arvie was the "Mid-range assassin" on Saturday. Anything from elbow to elbow was automatic. His lift and accuracy on the shot has improved to the point that the fear of it helped him get to the rack easier. By the way, he led with the most steals of the day showing he could defend as well. His day at the Statement Session was impressive.

Dorian Finister Dorian Finister 6'5" | CG Carver | 2022 State #173 Nation LA (6’5" | CG | Carver | PH #3 ’22) - His day might have started off slowly but Dorian picked it up as the day went on. Finister attacked the rim and finished through contact several times during the day. The way he defended, especially with a couple of chase down blocks, was next level stuff. Coach Mason put the ball in his hands when the team needed a play made and Finister delivered. He is one of the best combo guards in the South and he provided it on Saturday.

Marquis Harris Marquis Harris 6'5" | SF Bossier | 2022 State LA (6’5" | F | Bossier | PH #50 ’22) - Harris has seen his stock skyrocket over the summer and his play Saturday did not show any signs of falling off. Marquis showed agility and quickness when on the offensive boards for putbacks. He also displayed a willingness to go after 50-50 balls on the floor. His willingness to guard the top players, no matter the name, was impressive as well.

Fred Payne Fred Payne 6'2" | PG Legacy School Of Sport Sciences | 2023 State TX (6’1" | CG | Legacy | C/O ’23) - The school he attends may be in Texas but Fred Payne Fred Payne 6'2" | PG Legacy School Of Sport Sciences | 2023 State TX is a Boot boy through and through. His day at the Statement Session consisted of him dropping threes over defenders and attacking the rim with aggression and precision. Payne can put up buckets from all three levels and is hard to stay in front of and defenders found that out during the day. Payne had a very good summer and what he did during the Statement solidfied it. He is going to be a hard guard for defenders in Texas.

LeLand Smith (6’3" | CG | Edna Karr | Not Ranked) - The Statement Session was my first time seeing the guard from Edna Karr. Let us just say that I left the gym impressed with his play. Smith did not shy away from playing an aggressive type of man-to-man against whomever he was in front of. He made it difficult to run simple actions because he was so aggressive. Smith can stroke it as well and was on fire during a couple of games. He is definitely a 3 and D player who made a statement at the Statement Session.

Reginald Stoner Reginald Stoner 6'1" | CG North Central | 2022 State LA (6’0" | PG | North Central | PH #13 ’22) - Stoner began the day with a 30-plus point effort and kept going from there. As far as two-way players are concerned, he is high on the list in Louisiana. He has the quickest pair of hands and made it difficult for guards to run anything when he defended them one-on-one. When he got a steal, he was like a blur in transition. When he is making the the three ball like he was early on Saturday, he is impossible to guard. His day at the Statement Session was filled with high level guard play.

Solomon Washington Solomon Washington 6'7" | SF Carver | 2022 State #127 Nation LA (6’7" | F | Carver | PH #1 ’22) - The Statement Session MVP put it into another gear after losing his first game of the day. His coached said he was being "too nice" and he responded with a powerful performance. Washington took on more ballhandling duties and showed that he can get to the rim on just about anyone. His continued punishment of the rim displayed athleticism and power only possessed by a few. His willingness to be a leader on the floor in scoring and rebounding was the imprint he left on the floor on Saturday.

All-Statement Session 2nd Team

Jordan DeCuir Jordan DeCuir 6'3" | CG Zachary | 2022 State LA (6’2" | CG | Zachary | PH #12 ’22) - One of the most athletic combo guards in the state, Decuir completed athletic finishes in the paint on several occasions. His willingness to play pass first when he was on the ball displayed that he has versatility in his guard play.

Joseph Manning Joseph Manning 6'3" | CG Bossier | 2022 State LA (6’3" | CG | Bossier | PH #8 ’22) - His combination of scoring and defending had him in the running for first team honors. Manning’s improved shooting from deep makes him a three level scorer and elite defender. Both traits had coaches captivated during Session play.

Tyler Ringgold Tyler Ringgold 6'7" | SF Legacy Early College | 2023 State SC (6’7" | F | Southern Lab | PH #4 ’23 ) - Displayed the ability to put it on the deck and go by defenders as well as the ability to shoot over them. Ringgold has a multi-dimensional skill set and had it going for long periods on Saturday.

Donavan Seamster Donavan Seamster 6'2" | SG Woodlawn-Shreve | 2022 State LA (6’2" | SG | Woodlawn-Shreveport | PH #28 ’22) - His release has gotten quicker and his movement without the ball showed improvement during the Statement. The Woodlawn lefty is a marksmen and made defenders pay for not defending closely.

Dionjahe Thomas Dionjahe Thomas 6'8" | PF Ellender | 2022 TX (6’8" | F | Ellender | PH #7 ’22) - Thomas has ridiculous bounce and is very good getting it off the offensive glass for putbacks and dunks. His willingness to take and make threes on Saturday showed that his game still has another level to go.......and he is really good already.

Lance Waddles (6’3" | CG | Victory Rock | Not ranked) - Nobody has been in the lab more than Waddles and it showed on Saturday. His shot from three was lethal and his ability to get to the rim and finish is high level stuff. While we are waiting to see if he returns to Evangel, Waddles has made himself into a potential D1 player.

Jacob Wilson Jacob Wilson 6'5" | SF Liberty | 2022 State LA (6’5" | CG | Liberty | PH # 9 ’22) - He showed the skill to hurt defenses inside and out during game play at the Statement. He consistency from deep needs to improve but the threat made him a dangerous draw and dish player as well as a scorer. Solid day he had.

Other players like Christian Ferguson, John-Paul Ricks John-Paul Ricks 6'0" | PG Jehovah-Jireh | 2022 State #206 Nation LA , and Alexzaye Johnson Alexzaye Johnson 6'4" | PG St Benedicts Prep | 2023 State NJ had good days as well. Players like Markell McClain Markell McClain 6'3" | SG Peabody | 2022 State LA and Kamron Coleman Kamron Coleman 6'8" | PF Wossman | 2023 State LA who come from storied programs also showed they are ready to pick up the mantle for their schools this year. Mal Mundy’s Statement Session was a good event and I look forward to next year.