Team Camp Previews: 20 Players to Watch in May & June (Part I)

It is that time again! From mid-May to late June, summer leagues and team camps rule the roost in Louisiana. Grassroots play is on hiatus (sort of) while players train and compete with their high schools in an effort to create chemistry and to prepare for next season. During this time, there will be a lot players playing new positions or taking on new roles with their team. In this PHLA exclusive, we will take a look at some players in that situation. We will list twenty players to watch during summer play in May and June. [player_tooltip player_id="970112" first="Jaylon" last="Hicks"] (Carver) Hicks may have the largest role change in the Boot this summer. He will go from a cog in a dynamic and diverse Carver Ram offense to their primary scoring option. True enough Hicks will have Coach Roche to guide this transition. Going from one of the guys to the main guy can be tough. However, I think that Hicks will be up for the challenge. [player_tooltip player_id="970130" first="Courtney" last="McCarthy"] (Richwood) McCarthy may be the most talented player in the Boot. Skill-wise, he is equivalent to a 5 tool player in baseball. He can rebound, score, shoot, and defend multiple positions. He should be the best player in NELA hands down. The Rams will go very far this season if he plays well. [player_tooltip player_id="1213753" first="Shad" last="Levy"] (Dunham) The Dunham guard has played well this grassroots season being named a top performer on the Prep Hoops Circuit several times. If he plays with the same confidence in May and June, we may be looking at a player who will make an assault on the top 10 before the season ends. [player_tooltip player_id="1218194" first="Jaylin" last="Johnson"] (ASH) The Trojans will be moving from a senior-laden team to a slightly younger version this season and Johnson will be a big part of that movement. I think he will be Coach Brasher’s primary option on the offensive end during this five weeks of play. His athletic ability and prowess to finish above the rim may aid in that decision. As long as he defends, Johnson should be fine in this new role. [player_tooltip player_id="1130797" first="Kameron" last="Kennon"] (Calvary Baptist) Kennon was a key backup for a Cavs team that garnered their third straight runner-up trophy. A move up in divisions means a step up in offensive output. Kennon is a multi-level scorer who will have to lead that charge in scoring. May and June will give us an indication if he is up to the task. [player_tooltip player_id="1218214" first="Andre" last="Sowell"] (Lakeview) Sowell is one of the more exciting players that the Boot has regardless of classification. When he gets a chance to elevate in transition, he can put on a show. He will get a chance to take a high number of shots in the Gators fast-paced style. His injury at the end of the season never allowed the Gators to be their best at the end of the season. He will be out to prove folks wrong and that he is back full strength. [player_tooltip player_id="970107" first="Lakavin" last="Thomas"] (Bossier) Thomas may be the Bearkats most athletic returning player. Thomas never got into the best physical condition and he lost starters minutes and playing time due to it. Now, he will be out to prove he can be the guard we all saw as a freshman on their last championship run. He will have ample opportunity during the Bearkats always tough summer schedule. [player_tooltip player_id="1130811" first="Je’Cal" last="Bryant"] (Evangel) Replacing the scoring output by a guard like [player_tooltip player_id="932856" first="Lance" last="Waddles"] will be big for the Eagles. Bryant will more than likely have the first chance to step into that role. He has shown flashes like his six three home playoff game last season. His athleticism mixed with shooting from deep will be hard to defend many nights. [player_tooltip player_id="1275273" first="Taj" last="Jackson"] (Liberty) Jackson is one of the more talented guards in the Baton Rouge area. With the majority of the Liberty scoring punch playing on the next level, Jackson will be looked upon to put the ball in the basket and to facilitate some of the offense for the Patriots. May and June will be a proving ground for those talents. [player_tooltip player_id="1130805" first="Fredtravious" last="Benjamin"] (Green Oaks) Green Oaks will be looking to build on their first playoff action in a number of years and will be looking to Benjamin to continue the new trend. He is an under-the-radar player who can get to the rim and score in the mid-range with little problem. Benjamin and his perimeter defense may be what helps him become a more well known player. Every May and June we see the improvement of players who take on new challenges and responsibilities for their high school teams. May and June play a vital role in the development of those players. In part two, we will have ten more players who I believe will have more responsibility for their team this summer.

It is that time again! From mid-May to late June, summer leagues and team camps rule the roost in Louisiana. Grassroots play is on hiatus (sort of) while players train and compete with their high schools in an effort to create chemistry and to prepare for next season. During this time, there will be a lot players playing new positions or taking on new roles with their team. In this PHLA exclusive, we will take a look at some players in that situation. We will list twenty players to watch during summer play in May and June.

Jaylon Hicks Jaylon Hicks 6'5" | SF Carver | 2023 State LA (Carver)

Hicks may have the largest role change in the Boot this summer. He will go from a cog in a dynamic and diverse Carver Ram offense to their primary scoring option. True enough Hicks will have Coach Roche to guide this transition. Going from one of the guys to the main guy can be tough. However, I think that Hicks will be up for the challenge.

Courtney McCarthy Courtney McCarthy 6'5" | SG Richwood | 2023 State LA (Richwood)

McCarthy may be the most talented player in the Boot. Skill-wise, he is equivalent to a 5 tool player in baseball. He can rebound, score, shoot, and defend multiple positions. He should be the best player in NELA hands down. The Rams will go very far this season if he plays well.

Shad Levy Shad Levy 6'3" | CG Dunham | 2023 State LA (Dunham)

The Dunham guard has played well this grassroots season being named a top performer on the Prep Hoops Circuit several times. If he plays with the same confidence in May and June, we may be looking at a player who will make an assault on the top 10 before the season ends.

Jaylin Johnson Jaylin Johnson 6'3" | SG Alexandria | 2024 State LA (ASH)

The Trojans will be moving from a senior-laden team to a slightly younger version this season and Johnson will be a big part of that movement. I think he will be Coach Brasher’s primary option on the offensive end during this five weeks of play. His athletic ability and prowess to finish above the rim may aid in that decision. As long as he defends, Johnson should be fine in this new role.

Kameron Kennon Kameron Kennon 6'3" | SG Calvary Baptist | 2023 State LA (Calvary Baptist)

Kennon was a key backup for a Cavs team that garnered their third straight runner-up trophy. A move up in divisions means a step up in offensive output. Kennon is a multi-level scorer who will have to lead that charge in scoring. May and June will give us an indication if he is up to the task.

Andre Sowell Andre Sowell 6'2" | SG Lakeview | 2024 State LA (Lakeview)

Sowell is one of the more exciting players that the Boot has regardless of classification. When he gets a chance to elevate in transition, he can put on a show. He will get a chance to take a high number of shots in the Gators fast-paced style. His injury at the end of the season never allowed the Gators to be their best at the end of the season. He will be out to prove folks wrong and that he is back full strength.

Lakavin Thomas Lakavin Thomas 6'0" | CG Bossier | 2023 State LA (Bossier)

Thomas may be the Bearkats most athletic returning player. Thomas never got into the best physical condition and he lost starters minutes and playing time due to it. Now, he will be out to prove he can be the guard we all saw as a freshman on their last championship run. He will have ample opportunity during the Bearkats always tough summer schedule.

Je’Cal Bryant Je’Cal Bryant 6'4" | SG Evangel | 2023 State LA (Evangel)

Replacing the scoring output by a guard like Lance Waddles Lance Waddles 6'3" | CG Victory Rock Prep | 2022 State LA will be big for the Eagles. Bryant will more than likely have the first chance to step into that role. He has shown flashes like his six three home playoff game last season. His athleticism mixed with shooting from deep will be hard to defend many nights.

Taj Jackson Taj Jackson 6'2" | CG Ponchatoula | 2024 State LA (Liberty)

Jackson is one of the more talented guards in the Baton Rouge area. With the majority of the Liberty scoring punch playing on the next level, Jackson will be looked upon to put the ball in the basket and to facilitate some of the offense for the Patriots. May and June will be a proving ground for those talents.

Fred’Travious Benjamin Fred’Travious Benjamin 6'2" | SG Green Oaks | 2023 State LA (Green Oaks)

Green Oaks will be looking to build on their first playoff action in a number of years and will be looking to Benjamin to continue the new trend. He is an under-the-radar player who can get to the rim and score in the mid-range with little problem. Benjamin and his perimeter defense may be what helps him become a more well known player.

Every May and June we see the improvement of players who take on new challenges and responsibilities for their high school teams. May and June play a vital role in the development of those players. In part two, we will have ten more players who I believe will have more responsibility for their team this summer.