PDE's Top 20 Teams in Louisiana

It is Tuesday in the Boot which means that the latest power rankings have dropped. Not much changed at the top of any of the classes or divisions outside of Carver taking the top rating in class 4A. With new power ratings, I figured a new top 20 list would be appropriate. So, in this exclusive, we will delve into the teams I believe are the top 20 in Louisiana regardless of class. 1. Zachary - They have been the best team in the state all season. [player_tooltip player_id="1275274" first="Jalen" last="Bolden"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1130799" first="Brandon" last="Rodgers"]-Hardy have been the main players powering their run with [player_tooltip player_id="1275312" first="Jordan" last="DeCuir"] and Michael Quiett helping as well. They are currently riding a 17 game winning streak. (Next game: Madison Prep) 2. Newman - The best team in Division III. They have played a lot of national contests which count for most of their losses. Newman has one of the best backcourts in the Boot with [player_tooltip player_id="1130920" first="Canin" last="Jefferson"] and [player_tooltip player_id="970120" first="Chris" last="Lockett"]. Their interior is good as well with Austin Montgomery and [player_tooltip player_id="1105540" first="Todd" last="Jones"]. (Next game: Chalmette) 3. Carver - The Rams sit atop of class 4A at present and have maybe the best starting 5 in the state anchored by the senior trio of [player_tooltip player_id="981603" first="Willie" last="Anderson"], [player_tooltip player_id="937609" first="Solomon" last="Washington"], and [player_tooltip player_id="937608" first="Dorian" last="Finister"]. They are as good as it gets on both sides of the ball. (Next game: Scotlandville) 4. McMain - Currently, they sit in the second spot in 4A. This team is about as loaded as any in the Boot with [player_tooltip player_id="1055172" first="Corey" last="Chest"] and [player_tooltip player_id="781842" first="Alex" last="Hammond"] as their top two players. [player_tooltip player_id="781844" first="Nicholas" last="Kaigler"] is underrated but can put up big numbers any night. (Next game: Edna Karr) 5. Liberty - This senior-led team has played lights out all season to become the top team in Division II. Recent wins over Madison Prep and Scotlandville signify that. [player_tooltip player_id="1275272" first="Jacob" last="Wilson"] is a stud and teammates [player_tooltip player_id="1275318" first="Montreal" last="Myles"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1051625" first="Quentin" last="Henry"] have been good all year. (Next game: Belaire) 6. Madison Prep - 3A’s top team has looked dominant at times during the season led by Seton Hall signee [player_tooltip player_id="781838" first="Percy" last="Daniels"]. With wing shooters like [player_tooltip player_id="1218216" first="Jayce" last="Depron"] and [player_tooltip player_id="981492" first="Dezmond" last="Perkins"], this team is primed to for another run at the 3A title. 7. Edna Karr - The Cougars have battled it out with McMain and Carver as one of the best 4A teams in the state. They have been getting stellar play from [player_tooltip player_id="1270191" first="Leland" last="Smith"] and [player_tooltip player_id="981612" first="Shyves" last="Johnson"] all season. They are a team to watch out for. (Next game: Eleanor McMain) 8. Alexandria - The second rated team in 5A has beaten some very good teams this year. Senior [player_tooltip player_id="1275271" first="Noah" last="Jonker"] has been one of the top players in the state while [player_tooltip player_id="1206920" first="Theron" last="Johnson"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1218194" first="Jaylin" last="Johnson"] have helped build the team success. This team is very good. (Next game: Franklin Parish) 9. Bossier - The Bearkats are the second best team in 3A. They have one of the most experienced cores around with [player_tooltip player_id="1275269" first="Joseph" last="Manning"] leading the pack. [player_tooltip player_id="1211105" first="Marquis" last="Harris"] is a load inside and [player_tooltip player_id="1130733" first="Tahj" last="Roots"] has become an elite defender. (Next game: Woodlawn-Shreveport) 10. St. Paul’s - Division I has a new top team and St. Paul’s is it. They have one of the better squads in 5A and are built to win. [player_tooltip player_id="1127357" first="Zach" last="Fenn"] is one of the better players in the Boot and has plenty of help from guards [player_tooltip player_id="1275262" first="Reece" last="Seicshnaydre"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1206640" first="Andrew" last="Zibilich"]. (Next game: Fountainbleau) 11. Scotlandville - The Hornets are the second rated team in Division I. [player_tooltip player_id="781855" first="Rayvon" last="Smith"] and Dorian Booker have been studs for them this season. (Next game: Carver) 12. Wossman - The Wildcats rule the roost in 2-3A and are one of the best defensive teams in Louisiana. [player_tooltip player_id="781862" first="Pat" last="Williams"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1211165" first="Albert" last="Shell"] are their senior leaders. (Next game: Carroll) 13. Huntington - The Raiders have had a resurgence led by [player_tooltip player_id="781849" first="Rayshun" last="McCullar"]. Wings [player_tooltip player_id="1127251" first="Decedric" last="Webb"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1130807" first="Devin" last="Myers"] are highly talented as well. (Next game: Evangel) 14. Peabody - The Warhorses are flying under the radar which makes them dangerous. Led by [player_tooltip player_id="1275357" first="Markell" last="Mcclain"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1127380" first="Braiden" last="Wagner"], they are one of the top teams in Central Louisiana. (Next game: Tioga) 15. Ouachita - The Lions have played one of the tougher schedules and are still rated third in 5A. [player_tooltip player_id="932854" first="Phil" last="Bradford"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1130809" first="Jonathan" last="Bradshaw"] on the inside and their plethora of small guards make them tough to beat. (Next game: Bastrop) 16. Natchitoches Central - The Chiefs are the 4th rated team in 5A led by Dalyn Davis and [player_tooltip player_id="1206569" first="Devin" last="Helaire"]. They are small but battle tested. (Next game: Parkway) 17. Lakeshore - One of the last undefeated teams is still one of the top teams in class 4A. Major Gorgone and Richard Casler have been one of the better backcourts this season. (Next game: Episcopal) 18. Walker - [player_tooltip player_id="1275263" first="Donald" last="Butler"] and [player_tooltip player_id="970138" first="Warren" last="Young"] have helped to keep Walker at the top of the rankings. They are as battle tested as any players in Louisiana. (Next game: Parkview Baptist) 19. North Central - There is not a better defensive trio on the perimeter than [player_tooltip player_id="781856" first="Reginald" last="Stoner"], [player_tooltip player_id="970125" first="Devion" last="Lavergne"], and [player_tooltip player_id="1105550" first="McKennis" last="Savoie"]. They are going to be hard to beat in class 1A. (Next game: St. Edmund) 20. Simsboro - The senior duo of [player_tooltip player_id="981495" first="Jordan" last="Crawford"] and [player_tooltip player_id="932860" first="Nick" last="Maryland"] lead this talented Tiger team. They can play with anyone on any level home or away. They are that good. (Next game: Weston) There are some big contest this week. Look for this list to continue to change as we move closer to the playoffs.

It is Tuesday in the Boot which means that the latest power rankings have dropped. Not much changed at the top of any of the classes or divisions outside of Carver taking the top rating in class 4A. With new power ratings, I figured a new top 20 list would be appropriate. So, in this exclusive, we will delve into the teams I believe are the top 20 in Louisiana regardless of class.

1. Zachary - They have been the best team in the state all season. Jalen Bolden and Brandon Hardy Brandon Hardy 6'4" | SG Zachary | 2023 State #234 Nation LA -Hardy have been the main players powering their run with Jordan DeCuir and Michael Quiett helping as well. They are currently riding a 17 game winning streak. (Next game: Madison Prep)

2. Newman - The best team in Division III. They have played a lot of national contests which count for most of their losses. Newman has one of the best backcourts in the Boot with Canin Jefferson Canin Jefferson 6'1" | PG Newman | 2023 State LA and Chris Lockett Chris Lockett 6'5" | CG Isidore Newman | 2023 State #180 Nation LA . Their interior is good as well with Austin Montgomery and Todd Jones Todd Jones 6'8" | PF Newman | 2024 State #185 Nation LA . (Next game: Chalmette)

3. Carver - The Rams sit atop of class 4A at present and have maybe the best starting 5 in the state anchored by the senior trio of Willie Anderson Willie Anderson 6'2" | CG G.W. Carver | 2022 State LA , Solomon Washington Solomon Washington 6'7" | SF Carver | 2022 State #127 Nation LA , and Dorian Finister Dorian Finister 6'5" | CG Carver | 2022 State #173 Nation LA . They are as good as it gets on both sides of the ball. (Next game: Scotlandville)

4. McMain - Currently, they sit in the second spot in 4A. This team is about as loaded as any in the Boot with Corey Chest Corey Chest 6'7" | SF McMain | 2023 #94 Nation MO and Alex Hammond Alex Hammond 6'3" | CG McMain | 2022 State LA as their top two players. Nicholas Kaigler Nicholas Kaigler 6'3" | SG McMain | 2022 State LA is underrated but can put up big numbers any night. (Next game: Edna Karr)

5. Liberty - This senior-led team has played lights out all season to become the top team in Division II. Recent wins over Madison Prep and Scotlandville signify that. Jacob Wilson is a stud and teammates Montreal Myles and Quentin Henry Quentin Henry 6'6" | PF Liberty | 2022 State LA have been good all year. (Next game: Belaire)

6. Madison Prep - 3A’s top team has looked dominant at times during the season led by Seton Hall signee Percy Daniels Percy Daniels 6'8" | PF Madison Prep | 2022 State LA . With wing shooters like Jayce Depron Jayce Depron 6'5" | CG Madison Prep | 2024 State LA and Dezmond Perkins Dezmond Perkins 6'5" | SG Madison Prep | 2022 State LA , this team is primed to for another run at the 3A title.

7. Edna Karr - The Cougars have battled it out with McMain and Carver as one of the best 4A teams in the state. They have been getting stellar play from Leland Smith Leland Smith 6'3" | CG Edna Karr | 2022 State LA and Shyves Johnson Shyves Johnson 6'4" | SF Edna Karr | 2022 State LA all season. They are a team to watch out for. (Next game: Eleanor McMain)

8. Alexandria - The second rated team in 5A has beaten some very good teams this year. Senior Noah Jonker has been one of the top players in the state while Theron Johnson Theron Johnson 6'4" | SF Alexandria | 2022 State LA and Jaylin Johnson Jaylin Johnson 6'3" | SG Alexandria | 2024 State LA have helped build the team success. This team is very good. (Next game: Franklin Parish)

9. Bossier - The Bearkats are the second best team in 3A. They have one of the most experienced cores around with Joseph Manning leading the pack. Marquis Harris Marquis Harris 6'5" | SF Bossier | 2022 State LA is a load inside and Tahj Roots Tahj Roots 5'11" | PG Bossier | 2023 State LA has become an elite defender. (Next game: Woodlawn-Shreveport)

10. St. Paul’s - Division I has a new top team and St. Paul’s is it. They have one of the better squads in 5A and are built to win. Zach Fenn Zach Fenn 6'2" | CG St. Paul | 2022 State LA is one of the better players in the Boot and has plenty of help from guards Reece Seicshnaydre and Andrew Zibilich Andrew Zibilich 6'0" | PG St. Paul's | 2022 State LA . (Next game: Fountainbleau)

11. Scotlandville - The Hornets are the second rated team in Division I. Rayvon Smith Rayvon Smith 6'1" | CG Scotlandville | 2022 State LA and Dorian Booker have been studs for them this season. (Next game: Carver)

12. Wossman - The Wildcats rule the roost in 2-3A and are one of the best defensive teams in Louisiana. Pat Williams Pat Williams 6'6" | SF Wossman | 2022 State LA and Albert Shell Albert Shell 6'3" | SG Wossman | 2022 State LA are their senior leaders. (Next game: Carroll)

13. Huntington - The Raiders have had a resurgence led by Rayshun McCullar Rayshun McCullar 6'1" | PG Huntington | 2022 State LA . Wings Decedric Webb Decedric Webb 6'5" | SF Huntington | 2023 State LA and Devin Myers Devin Myers 5'10" | SG Levenworth | 2022 KS are highly talented as well. (Next game: Evangel)

14. Peabody - The Warhorses are flying under the radar which makes them dangerous. Led by Markell Mcclain and Braiden Wagner Braiden Wagner 6'3" | CG Peabody Magnet | 2022 State LA , they are one of the top teams in Central Louisiana. (Next game: Tioga)

15. Ouachita - The Lions have played one of the tougher schedules and are still rated third in 5A. Phil Bradford Phil Bradford 6'5" | PF Ouachita Parish | 2022 State LA and Jonathan Bradshaw Jonathan Bradshaw 6'4" | SF Ouachita | 2023 State LA on the inside and their plethora of small guards make them tough to beat. (Next game: Bastrop)

16. Natchitoches Central - The Chiefs are the 4th rated team in 5A led by Dalyn Davis and Devin Helaire Devin Helaire 6'1" | SG Natchitoches Central | 2022 State LA . They are small but battle tested. (Next game: Parkway)

17. Lakeshore - One of the last undefeated teams is still one of the top teams in class 4A. Major Gorgone and Richard Casler have been one of the better backcourts this season. (Next game: Episcopal)

18. Walker - Donald Butler and Warren Young Warren Young 6'1" | CG Walker | 2023 State LA have helped to keep Walker at the top of the rankings. They are as battle tested as any players in Louisiana. (Next game: Parkview Baptist)

19. North Central - There is not a better defensive trio on the perimeter than Reginald Stoner Reginald Stoner 6'1" | CG North Central | 2022 State LA , De’Vion Lavergne De’Vion Lavergne 6'3" | CG North Central | 2023 State LA , and McKennis Savoie McKennis Savoie 6'2" | CG North Central | 2024 State LA . They are going to be hard to beat in class 1A. (Next game: St. Edmund)

20. Simsboro - The senior duo of Jordan Crawford Jordan Crawford 6'2" | CG Simsboro | 2022 State LA and Nick Maryland Nick Maryland 6'2" | CG Simsboro | 2022 State LA lead this talented Tiger team. They can play with anyone on any level home or away. They are that good. (Next game: Weston)