Top Performers from the Second Weekend in January

The first week in January brought about classics like the Don Redden Memorial and the Bossier Invitational. Along with those events, district play in larger districts like 1-5A and 1-4A began as well. In this edition of top performers, I will take a look at players who had big performances the first week in January. Tydarrium Green The 6’2" senior guard had a good game from the floor in the Minden Crimson Tide loss to Homer. Even though his team high for the game was 12, Green displayed an ability to score in various ways. He drained a three but he did not hang out on the perimeter. Green was active in rebounding and scoring in the paint getting fouled several times. Green is a gritty player who definitely has a lot of scoring potential. [player_tooltip player_id="932848" first="Marquarius" last="Johnson"] Southwood garnered their first district win with a 54-49 win over Parkway. Johnson led the way with 24 points and showed why he is one of the better scorers in the state. He nailed threes in different manners with the most impressive one coming by setting his feet behind a screen. Johnson also scored on transition dunks and layups after leaking out. He makes defending him hard because he scores in so many ways. [player_tooltip player_id="1270246" first="Takeviuntae" last="Kidd"] Kidd was nothing short of exceptional in the Pelicans win against Minden. His 36 point performance was full of him putting pressure on the defense. Kidd was constantly in paint with drives to the rim and completed many baskets at the rim. He scored three triples as well showing that he could score from inside and out. He is a guard that will make things tough for other 1-1A guards when district starts. [player_tooltip player_id="1275269" first="Joseph" last="Manning"] Manning may not be a natural point guard but he is steadily developing his game making himself one. He scored 20 points at all three levels during the Bearkats win over Calvary. Early in the game he nailed a three while being fouled. Later, he caught a body on a baseline dunk. His ballhandling was superb as the smaller Cav guards played him physically. He played like he was one of the state’s best. [player_tooltip player_id="1130733" first="Tahj" last="Roots"] Roots has been another Bearkat that has continued to improve during the season . He made Calvary pay for late rotations as he downed three bombs and scored 12 points on the night. While Roots shot well behind the arc, his defense disrupting the Cav guards was better. He guarded baseline-to-baseline, dove on the floor for loose balls, and played stellar help. His defense was better than good all game long. [player_tooltip player_id="781860" first="Labree" last="Williams"] Williams had a game high 15 in the Cavs loss to Bossier on Saturday. While he has scored more points in other games this season, it is how he scored that displayed what Williams is capable of. He was able to spot up for a three, score on rebound putbacks, and score posting up. He handled the Bossier post defense well recognizing how he was being defended and made the right play. Williams is as good as they get. The season will continue to evolve as everyone will begin district play this week. There will also be a couple of MLK Classics where top teams will face one another during the holiday weekend. Look for other top performances as those games are played this week.

The first week in January brought about classics like the Don Redden Memorial and the Bossier Invitational. Along with those events, district play in larger districts like 1-5A and 1-4A began as well. In this edition of top performers, I will take a look at players who had big performances the first week in January.

Tydarrium Green

The 6’2" senior guard had a good game from the floor in the Minden Crimson Tide loss to Homer. Even though his team high for the game was 12, Green displayed an ability to score in various ways. He drained a three but he did not hang out on the perimeter. Green was active in rebounding and scoring in the paint getting fouled several times. Green is a gritty player who definitely has a lot of scoring potential.

Marquarius Johnson Marquarius Johnson 6'1" | CG Southwood | 2022 State LA

Southwood garnered their first district win with a 54-49 win over Parkway. Johnson led the way with 24 points and showed why he is one of the better scorers in the state. He nailed threes in different manners with the most impressive one coming by setting his feet behind a screen. Johnson also scored on transition dunks and layups after leaking out. He makes defending him hard because he scores in so many ways.

Takeviuntae Kidd Takeviuntae Kidd 5'11" | PG Homer | 2022 State LA

Kidd was nothing short of exceptional in the Pelicans win against Minden. His 36 point performance was full of him putting pressure on the defense. Kidd was constantly in paint with drives to the rim and completed many baskets at the rim. He scored three triples as well showing that he could score from inside and out. He is a guard that will make things tough for other 1-1A guards when district starts.

Joseph Manning

Manning may not be a natural point guard but he is steadily developing his game making himself one. He scored 20 points at all three levels during the Bearkats win over Calvary. Early in the game he nailed a three while being fouled. Later, he caught a body on a baseline dunk. His ballhandling was superb as the smaller Cav guards played him physically. He played like he was one of the state’s best.

Tahj Roots Tahj Roots 5'11" | PG Bossier | 2023 State LA

Roots has been another Bearkat that has continued to improve during the season . He made Calvary pay for late rotations as he downed three bombs and scored 12 points on the night. While Roots shot well behind the arc, his defense disrupting the Cav guards was better. He guarded baseline-to-baseline, dove on the floor for loose balls, and played stellar help. His defense was better than good all game long.

Labree Williams Labree Williams 6'6" | SF Calvary Christian | 2023 #186 Nation FL

Williams had a game high 15 in the Cavs loss to Bossier on Saturday. While he has scored more points in other games this season, it is how he scored that displayed what Williams is capable of. He was able to spot up for a three, score on rebound putbacks, and score posting up. He handled the Bossier post defense well recognizing how he was being defended and made the right play. Williams is as good as they get.

The season will continue to evolve as everyone will begin district play this week. There will also be a couple of MLK Classics where top teams will face one another during the holiday weekend. Look for other top performances as those games are played this week.