Extravaganza Classic Preview

Usually after the Bossier Invitational and the Don Redden Classic, north Louisiana does not have any out of district play due to sheer size of their districts. However, January 22, 2022 will mark something new for north Louisiana. The Hoopfest Tour and Mal Mundy will host the Extravaganza Classic at Calvary Baptist with such as theme in mind...….elite non-district matchups. In this Prep Hoops exclusive, we will look at the five games that day and predict a winner in each. Game 1 - Simsboro (20-1) vs St. Paul’s (16-3) This is a matchup we would never see outside of this type of setting. Both teams have had outstanding seasons thus far and are honing in on the stretch run. Both teams have three guard lineups that are some of the best in the state. Whoever gets the most out of their interior players may be the team that wins this one. Matchup to watch: [player_tooltip player_id="932860" first="Nick" last="Maryland"] & [player_tooltip player_id="1127357" first="Zach" last="Fenn"] These two will probably end up defending one another. Both players are strong with a ton of athletic ability. I can see them really going at each other on each end. This may be the matchup that gets the most billing. However, [player_tooltip player_id="1206640" first="Andrew" last="Zibilich"]-[player_tooltip player_id="970132" first="Chilaydrian" last="Newton"] or [player_tooltip player_id="1275262" first="Reece" last="Seicshnaydre"]-[player_tooltip player_id="981495" first="Jordan" last="Crawford"] will be nothing to sneeze at either. Game 2 - Woodlawn-Shreveport (17-5) vs Ouachita (13-6) Ouachita may be coming into this game on a three game losing streak depending on what happens on Friday night. Woodlawn may be shaking off a loss as well from their visit to Evangel on Friday. Both teams have guards who can shoot it from outside and get to the rim. [player_tooltip player_id="932850" first="Donavan" last="Seamster"] and his in-the-gym range may be a lot for the Lion guards. While the Ouachita guards are small, they never back down from a challenge. If they use [player_tooltip player_id="932854" first="Phil" last="Bradford"] early and often, I can see them winning this one. Matchup to watch: [player_tooltip player_id="1180576" first="Andri" last="Lewis"] & [player_tooltip player_id="1130809" first="Jonathan" last="Bradshaw"] These players are like mirror images of each other truly. The lefty, Bradshaw, has a much better touch from behind the arc while Lewis has the quicker first step. If these guys are defending each other, it may be as physical as a sumo wrestling contest. Game 3 - Calvary Baptist (11-7) vs Scotlandville (16-3) Just looking at the records, this probably looks like the biggest mismatch of the day. Things start to even out though when one looks at the size of the guards from each team. They are similar in height and both do a decent job of stretching the floor from behind the arc. Each team is solid defensively. The victory may come down to who is shooting the best. Matchup to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id="781860" first="Labree" last="Williams"] & Dorian Booker There are not a lot 6’10" players walking the high school halls in Louisiana. So, the Hornets have a size advantage with Booker on the floor. However, there Williams is probably the most skilled 6’6" player we have in the Boot. His multiple finishes at the rim and the way he defends the paint at his size, this one will be something to watch. Game 4 - Wossman (19-5) vs Zachary (20-3) Zachary will bring their 16 game winning streak into the Calvary Baptist gym to face a Wossman team who is on a modest streak of their own. Zachary is the best team in the state and has shown it over the long haul during the season. The Wildcats from Monroe’s southside fight teams tooth and nail. This one may be an all out war. Matchup to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id="1275274" first="Jalen" last="Bolden"] & [player_tooltip player_id="781862" first="Pat" last="Williams"] The Broncos like to push tempo and Bolden usually leads that charge. He can score at all three levels and loves contact in the paint. Williams is strong enough and athletic enough to guard him on the perimeter and on the post. Their matchups may be minimal, but they will be key in determining who wins the overall battle. Game 5 - Bossier (16-5) vs Carver (18-5) Carver will come into Shreveport from a big momentum win against McMain while Bossier may have all but wrapped up their district by the time of the tip Saturday. The interior battles in this one will be as physical as we might see on any level besides the NBA. Both teams will be looking for a yet another signature win on their resume. This one may come down to whose other guards can make the most plays. Matchup to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id="1275269" first="Joseph" last="Manning"] & [player_tooltip player_id="937608" first="Dorian" last="Finister"] While I know the interior tug-o-war with [player_tooltip player_id="1211105" first="Marquis" last="Harris"] and [player_tooltip player_id="937609" first="Solomon" last="Washington"] will be epic in its own right, the perimeter battle between these two wings is what people like to see. Two wings who can score and defend going at it makes for much drama. Manning prides himself on his defense and looks to shut anyone he defends down. Finister is the type of foe to give him what he wants. Tickets are still available on the Hoopfest Tours website for the Extravaganza Classic. Game 1 will begin at 1:30 with the final tip beginning at 7.

Usually after the Bossier Invitational and the Don Redden Classic, north Louisiana does not have any out of district play due to sheer size of their districts. However, January 22, 2022 will mark something new for north Louisiana. The Hoopfest Tour and Mal Mundy will host the Extravaganza Classic at Calvary Baptist with such as theme in mind...….elite non-district matchups. In this Prep Hoops exclusive, we will look at the five games that day and predict a winner in each.

Game 1 - Simsboro (20-1) vs St. Paul’s (16-3)

This is a matchup we would never see outside of this type of setting. Both teams have had outstanding seasons thus far and are honing in on the stretch run. Both teams have three guard lineups that are some of the best in the state. Whoever gets the most out of their interior players may be the team that wins this one.

Matchup to watch: Nick Maryland Nick Maryland 6'2" | CG Simsboro | 2022 State LA & Zach Fenn Zach Fenn 6'2" | CG St. Paul | 2022 State LA

These two will probably end up defending one another. Both players are strong with a ton of athletic ability. I can see them really going at each other on each end. This may be the matchup that gets the most billing. However, Andrew Zibilich Andrew Zibilich 6'0" | PG St. Paul's | 2022 State LA - Chilaydrien Newton Chilaydrien Newton 6'3" | PG Simsboro | 2023 UT or Reece Seicshnaydre- Jordan Crawford Jordan Crawford 6'2" | CG Simsboro | 2022 State LA will be nothing to sneeze at either.

Game 2 - Woodlawn-Shreveport (17-5) vs Ouachita (13-6)

Ouachita may be coming into this game on a three game losing streak depending on what happens on Friday night. Woodlawn may be shaking off a loss as well from their visit to Evangel on Friday. Both teams have guards who can shoot it from outside and get to the rim. Donavan Seamster Donavan Seamster 6'2" | SG Woodlawn-Shreve | 2022 State LA and his in-the-gym range may be a lot for the Lion guards. While the Ouachita guards are small, they never back down from a challenge. If they use Phil Bradford Phil Bradford 6'5" | PF Ouachita Parish | 2022 State LA early and often, I can see them winning this one.

Matchup to watch: Andri Lewis Andri Lewis 6'3" | CG Woodlawn Leadership Academy | 2022 State LA & Jonathan Bradshaw Jonathan Bradshaw 6'4" | SF Ouachita | 2023 State LA

These players are like mirror images of each other truly. The lefty, Bradshaw, has a much better touch from behind the arc while Lewis has the quicker first step. If these guys are defending each other, it may be as physical as a sumo wrestling contest.

Game 3 - Calvary Baptist (11-7) vs Scotlandville (16-3)

Just looking at the records, this probably looks like the biggest mismatch of the day. Things start to even out though when one looks at the size of the guards from each team. They are similar in height and both do a decent job of stretching the floor from behind the arc. Each team is solid defensively. The victory may come down to who is shooting the best.

Matchup to Watch: Labree Williams Labree Williams 6'6" | SF Calvary Baptist | 2023 #186 Nation FL & Dorian Booker

There are not a lot 6’10" players walking the high school halls in Louisiana. So, the Hornets have a size advantage with Booker on the floor. However, there Williams is probably the most skilled 6’6" player we have in the Boot. His multiple finishes at the rim and the way he defends the paint at his size, this one will be something to watch.

Game 4 - Wossman (19-5) vs Zachary (20-3)

Zachary will bring their 16 game winning streak into the Calvary Baptist gym to face a Wossman team who is on a modest streak of their own. Zachary is the best team in the state and has shown it over the long haul during the season. The Wildcats from Monroe’s southside fight teams tooth and nail. This one may be an all out war.

Matchup to Watch: Jalen Bolden & Pat Williams Pat Williams 6'6" | SF Wossman | 2022 State LA

The Broncos like to push tempo and Bolden usually leads that charge. He can score at all three levels and loves contact in the paint. Williams is strong enough and athletic enough to guard him on the perimeter and on the post. Their matchups may be minimal, but they will be key in determining who wins the overall battle.

Game 5 - Bossier (16-5) vs Carver (18-5)

Carver will come into Shreveport from a big momentum win against McMain while Bossier may have all but wrapped up their district by the time of the tip Saturday. The interior battles in this one will be as physical as we might see on any level besides the NBA. Both teams will be looking for a yet another signature win on their resume. This one may come down to whose other guards can make the most plays.

Matchup to Watch: Joseph Manning & Dorian Finister Dorian Finister 6'5" | CG Carver | 2022 State #173 Nation LA

While I know the interior tug-o-war with Marquis Harris Marquis Harris 6'5" | SF Bossier | 2022 State LA and Solomon Washington Solomon Washington 6'7" | SF Carver | 2022 State #127 Nation LA will be epic in its own right, the perimeter battle between these two wings is what people like to see. Two wings who can score and defend going at it makes for much drama. Manning prides himself on his defense and looks to shut anyone he defends down. Finister is the type of foe to give him what he wants.