LSUA All-Elite Camp Team and other Standouts
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Saturday, Coach Cordaro and the LSU Alexandria Generals held an elite camp hosting 32 of the top preps from central, southwest, northeast, and southeast Louisiana. The action on the court was very intense on Saturday and several players had very…
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Continue ReadingSaturday, Coach Cordaro and the LSU Alexandria Generals held an elite camp hosting 32 of the top preps from central, southwest, northeast, and southeast Louisiana. The action on the court was very intense on Saturday and several players had very good days on the hardwood. In this Prep Hoops exclusive from the Saturday, I will give you the All-Elite camp team and other standouts from Saturday’s action.
All-Elite Camp 1st Team
Zaren James (6’5″ / University Lab)
Noah Jonker (6’5″ / Alexandria High)
De"Vion Lavergne (6’3″ / North Central)
Nick Maryland Nick Maryland 6'2" | CG Simsboro | 2022 State LA (6’2″ / Simsboro)
D’evin McDonald D’evin McDonald 6'3" | CG Red River | 2022 State LA (6’3″ / Red River)
Randarius Morris Randarius Morris 6'4" | SF Northwood-Lena | 2023 State LA (6’4″ / Northwood-Lena)
The first team played impressively all day during the camp. Zaren James got a chance to show his guard skills on several occasions by rebounding and pushing or in traditional fast break scenarios. Noah Jonker displayed his post up ability. His face up game from the post and his passing out of the post was executed at a very high level throughout the day. De"Vion Lavergne played well on both ends of the floor and shot the ball from deep better than I had previously seen. He even threw in a one dribble, pull-up three. Nick Maryland Nick Maryland 6'2" | CG Simsboro | 2022 State LA , who picked up an offer from the Generals, was scorching from deep and his defense was top notch as usual. Devin McDonald had a fantastic day showing off his point guard skills and his perimeter prowess. Closing out the first team is Randarius Morris Randarius Morris 6'4" | SF Northwood-Lena | 2023 State LA . He played well in June and has continued his great play at the Prep Hoops Top 250 and at LSUA. Morris is becoming and elite finisher at the rim and commands the boards on both ends. These top six definitely put in quality work on Saturday.
All-Elite Camp 2nd Team
Tae Heynard (6’7″ / Live Oak)
Omarion Layssard Omarion Layssard 6'2" | SG Northwood | 2023 State LA (6’2″ / Northwood-Lena)
Leon Posey IV Leon Posey IV 6'1" | PG Oakdale | 2022 State LA (6’2″ / Oakdale)
Everette Prejean Everette Prejean 6'2" | CG Northside | 2022 State LA (6’2″ / Northside)
DeJuan Sims (6’3″ / Mansfield Legacy)
Braylan Richard (5’9″ / Lafayette Christian)
The all-camp second team consists of mainly guards. However they are guards who have the means to get things done in the paint as well. Omarion Layssard Omarion Layssard 6'2" | SG Northwood | 2023 State LA attacked the rim with his usual ferociousness and had a highlight reel putback dunk that almost shut down the gym. His defense led to several fast break opportunities as well. Everette Prejean Everette Prejean 6'2" | CG Northside | 2022 State LA took a lot of punishment attempting to penetrate on Saturday but that is part of his game. He can penetrate with the best of them as well as shoot over the defense. Tae Heynard was a player I had not seen before. However, the Live Oak post was a rebounding machine on the boards and has the ability to finish around the basket. He is also athletic enough to switch onto smaller players which is a plus in this day and age. Braylan Richard may be slight in size but he is tough. His handle gets him in tight spaces and he finished a couple of layups after being assaulted on the way to the cup. Very good point guard skills.
It was my first time seeing Leon Posey in person and the Oakdale guard did not disappoint. He has a better handle in person than on tape and can score at two levels with great consistency. His film does not do him justice. Rounding out the second team was the Mansfield Legacy guard DeJuan Sims. He rebounds very well for a guard. Sims can take the ball coast-to-coast in transition situations and has a good pull-up jumper. His willingness to finish with both hands at the rim makes him an asset that many teams would love to have in their program.
Other notable Elite camp standouts:
Jordan Crawford Jordan Crawford 6'2" | CG Simsboro | 2022 State LA (6’2″ / Simsboro) – Crawford was his usual self on Saturday which is very good. He is good with getting defenders off balance with his crossover and then attacking the rim going left or right. Crawford had a couple of finishes above the rim as well. One of the best two way guards in the Boot.
Dennis Hebert (5’11″ / Catholic) – Hebert has one of the prettiest strokes in the prep game. He elevates well for a smaller guard and his release is butter. What I liked was his grit and toughness on the defensive end. Hebert made it tough for opposing guards to score on Saturday.
Sam Smith (6’3″ / Live Oak) – Smith is a smart player with a good, consistent-looking stroke from the perimeter. He was very good in trapping situations on defense and finding open places to shoot on offense
Daylen Turner (5’11″ / Menard) – Turner showed that he can create separation with the dribble and has a good mid-range pull up game to go with it. He is a point guard who can score which should be good for Menard this season.
Raymond Smith Raymond Smith 6'2" | SG St.Augustine | 2022 State LA (6’2″ / St. Augustine) – The St. Augustine senior guard was very good at defending and contesting plays by the other guards during the day. His three point jumper was pure when he shot them. He is player who should help the Purple Knights plenty during the season.
While no more elite camps are scheduled for the rest of the month, the preparations for another basketball season have begun. Look for these players, and others, to be anxious and ready to display their talents as the season moves slowly towards opening practices next month.