PDE’s Preseason Predictions: Class C All-State Team

With a week left before high school hoops officially begins in Louisiana, it is time to cover preseason all-state teams in all classes. The first class we will cover is Class C. This classification produced one of the best state finals last season with the overtime classic between Ebarb and Simpson. So, there is some good basketball played on this level. The preseason 1st and 2nd team picks may be guard heavy but they are undoubtedly some of the best players that we will see on this level this season. First Team G - Joseph Adams (5’11" | Calvin | Sr.) G - Joshua Adams (5’9" | Gibsland-Coleman | Sr.) G - [player_tooltip player_id="1213623" first="Derwin" last="Ancar"] (6’2" | Phoenix | Jr.) G - Jaron Mitcham (6’1" | Hornbeck | Sr.) G - [player_tooltip player_id="1275268" first="John-Paul" last="Ricks"] (6’0" | Jehovah-Jireh | Sr.) No preseason all-state list in Class C can even be discussed without [player_tooltip player_id="1275268" first="John-Paul" last="Ricks"] being included. He is the best point guard in the state and a top five player in his class. Ricks is also a former most outstanding player in this class. He and his 28 (ppg) and 8 (assts.) will be in the running for MOP this season barring injury. Joseph Adams led Calvin at 30 ppg last season and just missed a Marsh Madness birth. This year may be different under his leadership and scoring. Jaron Mitcham of Hornbeck gives his team points, rebounds, and assists at a high level. I think he is lock to move from 2nd team to 1st this season. [player_tooltip player_id="1213623" first="Derwin" last="Ancar"] is one of the most athletic guards in the state, let alone Class C. He should move into the primary scoring role at Phoenix which will give him an excellent chance to make the first team. Closing out the preseason first team is Joshua Adams of Gibsland-Coleman. The district 1-C MVP averaged over 20 ppg and should be able to help GC make a serious run at Marsh Madness. Second Team G - Ahmad Hunt (5’9" | Family Christian | Sr.) G - Treyen Johnson (5’11" | Plainview | Sr.) G/F - [player_tooltip player_id="1105542" first="Mar’Travious" last="Kennedy"] (6’3" | Summerfield | So.) G - Nathan Meshell (5’11" | Ebarb | Sr.) G - Tristin Williams (6’0" | Simpson | Sr.) The preseason second team is filled with players who I believe will take the next step because they will be filling bigger roles on their respective teams. One player is Tristin Williams of the state champion Simpson Broncos. He should have the ball in his hands a larger portion of the time which should result in him doubling his output from last year. Treyen Johnson of Plainview can flat out play. His ability to shoot and playmake is the reason I think he will land on the second team. Martravious Kennedy is a player that is ready to burst on the scene. He had a decent freshman campaign. After playing grassroots this summer and mixing that with is ability, I think it is not far-fetched for him to be an all-state second team member. Nathan Meshell is similar to Class C MOP [player_tooltip player_id="1045506" first="Zach" last="Parrie"]. He can fill it up from deep and might score enough to make a push for first team honors. Newcomer Ahmad Hunt will be the new Family Christian point guard this season. The transfer from Georgia might be small but he can score at all three levels. He is another that may push for first team honors. Second team should be a given. Others that will compete for all-state honors: [player_tooltip player_id="1051628" first="Wayne" last="Huckaby"] (Calvin), [player_tooltip player_id="1051627" first="Johnny" last="Nash"] (Atlanta), Fred Williams (Pleasant Hill), Ethan Nash (Simpson), [player_tooltip player_id="1213621" first="Brady" last="Alexander"] (Hornbeck), Ethan Ezernack (Ebarb) Class C and class B teams will be using these last days to tune up before Monday’s first day. Simpson begins their title defense with a visit to class B stalwart Pitkin. Ebarb, the state runner-up in Class C, will travel to class B neighbor Stanley to begin their season. Look for other schools in areas close by as the roundball starts bouncing on November 1st. Division V champion Jehovah-Jireh begins their season traveling to Episcopal of Acadiana.

With a week left before high school hoops officially begins in Louisiana, it is time to cover preseason all-state teams in all classes. The first class we will cover is Class C. This classification produced one of the best state finals last season with the overtime classic between Ebarb and Simpson. So, there is some good basketball played on this level. The preseason 1st and 2nd team picks may be guard heavy but they are undoubtedly some of the best players that we will see on this level this season.

First Team

G - Joseph Adams (5’11" | Calvin | Sr.)

G - Joshua Adams (5’9" | Gibsland-Coleman | Sr.)

G - Derwin Ancar Derwin Ancar 6'2" | SG Phoenix | 2023 State LA (6’2" | Phoenix | Jr.)

G - Jaron Mitcham (6’1" | Hornbeck | Sr.)

G - John-Paul Ricks (6’0" | Jehovah-Jireh | Sr.)

No preseason all-state list in Class C can even be discussed without John-Paul Ricks being included. He is the best point guard in the state and a top five player in his class. Ricks is also a former most outstanding player in this class. He and his 28 (ppg) and 8 (assts.) will be in the running for MOP this season barring injury. Joseph Adams led Calvin at 30 ppg last season and just missed a Marsh Madness birth. This year may be different under his leadership and scoring. Jaron Mitcham of Hornbeck gives his team points, rebounds, and assists at a high level. I think he is lock to move from 2nd team to 1st this season. Derwin Ancar Derwin Ancar 6'2" | SG Phoenix | 2023 State LA is one of the most athletic guards in the state, let alone Class C. He should move into the primary scoring role at Phoenix which will give him an excellent chance to make the first team. Closing out the preseason first team is Joshua Adams of Gibsland-Coleman. The district 1-C MVP averaged over 20 ppg and should be able to help GC make a serious run at Marsh Madness.

Second Team

G - Ahmad Hunt (5’9" | Family Christian | Sr.)

G - Treyen Johnson (5’11" | Plainview | Sr.)

G/F - Mar’Travious Kennedy Mar’Travious Kennedy 6'3" | CG Summerfieldsch | 2024 State LA (6’3" | Summerfield | So.)

G - Nathan Meshell (5’11" | Ebarb | Sr.)

G - Tristin Williams (6’0" | Simpson | Sr.)

The preseason second team is filled with players who I believe will take the next step because they will be filling bigger roles on their respective teams. One player is Tristin Williams of the state champion Simpson Broncos. He should have the ball in his hands a larger portion of the time which should result in him doubling his output from last year. Treyen Johnson of Plainview can flat out play. His ability to shoot and playmake is the reason I think he will land on the second team. Martravious Kennedy is a player that is ready to burst on the scene. He had a decent freshman campaign. After playing grassroots this summer and mixing that with is ability, I think it is not far-fetched for him to be an all-state second team member. Nathan Meshell is similar to Class C MOP Zach Parrie Zach Parrie 5'11" | PG Ebarb | 2021 State LA . He can fill it up from deep and might score enough to make a push for first team honors. Newcomer Ahmad Hunt will be the new Family Christian point guard this season. The transfer from Georgia might be small but he can score at all three levels. He is another that may push for first team honors. Second team should be a given.

Others that will compete for all-state honors:

Wayne Huckaby Wayne Huckaby 6'0" | PG Calvin | 2022 State LA (Calvin), Johnny Nash Johnny Nash 6'1" | CG Atlanta | 2022 State LA (Atlanta), Fred Williams (Pleasant Hill), Ethan Nash (Simpson), Brady Alexander Brady Alexander 6'0" | CG Hornbeck | 2023 State LA (Hornbeck), Ethan Ezernack (Ebarb)

Class C and class B teams will be using these last days to tune up before Monday’s first day. Simpson begins their title defense with a visit to class B stalwart Pitkin. Ebarb, the state runner-up in Class C, will travel to class B neighbor Stanley to begin their season. Look for other schools in areas close by as the roundball starts bouncing on November 1st. Division V champion Jehovah-Jireh begins their season traveling to Episcopal of Acadiana.