Central Louisiana’s Top 5 Teams

<p>The landscape of Louisiana’s basketball scene has long since been defined by the high schools running along or near I-20 and I-10. And while those teams have certainly not gone by the wayside, there are some perennial powerhouses and up-and-coming programs in Central Louisiana (Cenla) that deserve some attention. So without further ado, here’s a preview of my top 5 teams and an introduction to some of their players.</p> <p>5. Tioga Indians</p> <p>After finishing 15-15 and being knocked out in the first round of the playoffs by Edna Carr last season, the Indians are more experienced and will be a team to be reckoned with in Class 4A. Under second year head coach Tay Gill, Tioga returns three key seniors.</p> <p>Guard [player_tooltip player_id="1208075" first="Deyontez" last="Baptiste"] was the team’s leading scorer a year ago and puts the ball in the basket exceptionally well at all three levels. He is a blur off the dribble and a fast break waiting to happen. The 6’3” Sherman Hawkins is a tremendous leaper and has probably grown the most as a player over the summer. His work ethic is there, and Coach Tay looks for him to play a big role this season. Lastly, Kiyon Abraham, team captain, is a three-year starter with a high motor and contagious energy. He’s one of those guys that just gets the job done—whatever it is. I expect them to make a run at district and advance in the playoffs come March.</p> <p>4. Northwood-Lena Gators</p> <p>Coach Brian Terwilliger takes over a loaded Gator squad with playoff experience. Last season, Northwood advanced to Marsh Madness led by a trio of rising 2023 players—all three of which are poised to take the next step in Class 1A.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1213564" first="Jonathan" last="Barron"] will once again lead the way for the Gators. He is an unselfish floor general who makes the right reads and can score the ball inside and out. [player_tooltip player_id="1213563" first="Randarius" last="Morris"] is a name that you need to get to know. He is an aggressive rebounding machine on both ends of the floor, and his ever-developing post game makes him a player worth watching closely this year. Lastly, [player_tooltip player_id="970126" first="Omarion" last="Layssard"] has the potential to be a top 5 guard in the state. He is a relentless finisher in the paint and is becoming a more consistent threat from deep. His ridiculous leaping ability also makes him a great rebounder. Look for these guys to lead the way back to Marsh Madness under Coach Twig.</p> <p>3. Natchitoches Central Chiefs</p> <p>The Chiefs are a Class 5A mainstay. You can count on them year in and year out to compete for a state championship, and last year they were only a few timely buckets away from winning it all. NCHS will be retooling a bit this season, but they will no doubt be tough for whoever meets them in the postseason.</p> <p>Combo guard [player_tooltip player_id="1270244" first="Justin" last="Aaron"] is a picture of what the Chiefs are known for—defense. He has a ton of energy and loves to guard and will challenge the opposition’s top ball handler from baseline to baseline from tipoff to the buzzer. Aaron will be responsible for creating many transition opportunities for his team. The Chiefs will rely on senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="1206569" first="Devin" last="Helaire"] to anchor their defense as well. He’s a tireless defender on the perimeter and excels in man-to-man situations. He’s adept at positioning himself to take charges, and he’s routinely in the passing lanes. Led by Helaire and Aaron, the Chiefs’ collective effort on defense will keep them in most games. If they’re able to put points on the board in the half court, NCHS will make another run at the title.</p> <p>2. Peabody Warhorses</p> <p>If any team has a chip on its shoulder heading into the season, it’s this Class 4A perennial powerhouse. Peabody had a controversial end to their 2020-21 campaign and certainly has a lot to prove moving forward. Led by coaching icon Charles Smith, the Warhorses return three key seniors: [player_tooltip player_id="1127380" first="Braiden" last="Wagner"], [player_tooltip player_id="1275357" first="Markell" last="Mcclain"], and Jadden Baker.</p> <p>Wagner and McClain share the bulk of the ball-handling duties and will carry the majority of the scoring load as well. Wagner is difficult to handle one-on-one and scores in a variety of ways at all three levels. He’s stronger than most guys at his position, which allows him to finish in the lane almost at will. And if the opposition manages to keep him out of the paint, his jumper will force them to remain honest. McClain picked up a couple of NAIA offers this summer and is looking to add more. Like Wagner, he is a handful around the rim, but his midrange game is a lost art in today’s game. His handle enables him to create space, hit gaps, and keep the defense guessing. Jadden Baker rounds out this trio of starters and is a prototypical stretch four with a nice stroke from the outside. He’s an effective rebounder with a nose for the ball. If he adds a formidable face-up or post game, the Warhorses will have three definite scoring threats. Don’t sleep on [player_tooltip player_id="970140" first="Kevin" last="Jones"] (2023) or [player_tooltip player_id="1105593" first="Jordan" last="Mathews"] (2024) either.</p> <p>1. Alexandria Trojans</p> <p>The 2020 Class 5A champs blew a 12-point lead to Walker in the state quarterfinals a year ago, and they enter this season with a chip on their shoulder. With this being year three in Coach Lance Brasher’s system, anything but a trip back to Marsh Madness would be considered an underachievement. That being said, the Trojans return three senior starters from last season and a host of underclassmen looking to prove themselves.</p> <p>Rekaii Williams just might be the X-factor on this team. The 6’3” combo guard is a tenacious defender with elite athleticism. He also has a variety of moves off the bounce and scores well inside the arc. If he develops a consistent jumper, he’ll be dangerous, and ASH needs him to score the ball to take pressure off Jonker. [player_tooltip player_id="1275271" first="Noah" last="Jonker"] has made a name for himself with his work ethic and attention to detail. His size and skill set make him a matchup nightmare on offense, and he will keep defenses guessing with his ability to shoot from deep, post up, and blow by his man. Two-sport athlete [player_tooltip player_id="1206920" first="Theron" last="Johnson"] has improved every year under Brasher. This season he will be called upon to handle the ball and facilitate the Trojans’ offense. He has great vision and is also a creative finisher once he gets inside. Over the summer, he added a pull-up jumper that could be a difference maker. In addition, keep an eye out for sniper Ashton Bobb (2024), Gary Mathews (2023), and [player_tooltip player_id="1218194" first="Jaylin" last="Johnson"] (2024). This should be a fun group to watch.</p> <p>Honestly, it’s a toss-up between Natchitoches Central, Peabody, and Alexandria for who the best team in Central Louisiana is. I could have written it as a 3-way tie, but where’s the fun (and controversy) in that. Please retweet, share, and add your two cents to the conversation. I’ll be listening.</p>