LSUA Team Camp Standouts

LSU Alexandria played host to a huge team camp over the weekend. They used five locations and hosted teams from the smallest to the largest classification in the state. Throughout the day, there were some players who stood out and showed that they will be a force on the prep scene. These standout preps were definitely some of the best on the day in Central Louisiana. Javonte Thomas (Pineville | 2024 | 6’6") Thomas was a big load to handle in the paint for teams that played Pineville on Saturday. He was very good at tracking rebounds and rebounding the ball without fouling. Thomas gave his guards a big target to pass the ball to in the post and was a willing passer if he did not have a scoring opportunity. His willingness to run and get out on the break was impressive as well. If he gets a chance to dunk it, defenders better watch out. [player_tooltip player_id="1213776" first="Jayden" last="Dugas"] (Northside | 2023 | 5’10") Northside should be one of the better teams in Class 4A and [player_tooltip player_id="1213776" first="Jayden" last="Dugas"] should be one of the better players on that team. While he is usually showing off his defensive skills, it was his long range shooting that was doing the damage on Saturday. Dugas was very good in spot up situations. He stepped into each shot and barely touched the rim with each one. When Dugas is shooting like that, the Vikings are hard to beat. [player_tooltip player_id="1213779" first="Mekel" last="Hart"] (Captain Shreve | 2023 | 6’4") Hart may be a certified gem in the 2023 class. He is one of the best all-around players in the state and he showed his full skill set at LSUA. Hart is one of those rare players who can guard each position on defense and the offense can run through him. He is good at draining the elbow jumper and he is very good on the offensive boards. His ability to grab the defensive board, bring it up the floor, and facilitate the offense is next level stuff. Hart is as complete a player as we have in the Boot and showed it in Alexandria. Bryson Corbett (Hamilton Christian | 2023 | 6’2") The Warriors have some holes to fill on offense and from the looks of it, Bryson Corbett is one of those players that can fill the void. Corbett was one of the most active players on the floor during play on Saturday. While he has a set shot release that takes some time, he has the ability to shoot from three. He also attacks the rim repeatedly with intentions to score at all times. Corbett is an active wing that will provide some offensive punch for Hamilton Christian. [player_tooltip player_id="1347293" first="Shawn" last="Weston"] (Hamitlon Christian | 2025 | 6’1") Westin seemed to fit right into what the Warriors were trying to do offensively in Alexandria. He was another player who attacked the rim habitually and is very good on the fast break. He is also an athletic defender and spent some time disrupting the offense of the Warrior opponents. As a sophomore, if he gets in the regular rotation, he will play a big part in whatever role Coach Hicks has planned. Travone Varner (Neville | 2025 | 6’2") Varner showed off his scoring ability during his time on the floor at ASH. He is as versatile as they get on the offensive end. Varner scored from all three essential levels on the floor and did it with ease. He drove to the cup using his left and right, took contact on almost every drive and finished at the rim. Varner shot the three with confidence and followed his shot when he was off. Replacing what Neville lost offensively will be hard but Varner will be leading the charge in that effort. [player_tooltip player_id="970124" first="Juvian" last="Keys"] (Wossman | 2023 | 6’2") Keys got to play a lot last summer for the Wildcats and was the best player on the floor at times for them. A year later, nothing has changed in regards to his play. At ASH against a good Captain Shreve team, Keys put pressure on the defense using a quick first step and a willingness to not be stopped from getting to the rack. He also defended everyone from the point guard to the power forward on the perimeter. Keys may be one of the best all-around players next season. These players were standouts in every way on Saturday. Look for these players to be in team camps coming up or even the NCAA sanctioned events when they return to grassroots play in July.

LSU Alexandria played host to a huge team camp over the weekend. They used five locations and hosted teams from the smallest to the largest classification in the state. Throughout the day, there were some players who stood out and showed that they will be a force on the prep scene. These standout preps were definitely some of the best on the day in Central Louisiana.

Javonte Thomas (Pineville | 2024 | 6’6")

Thomas was a big load to handle in the paint for teams that played Pineville on Saturday. He was very good at tracking rebounds and rebounding the ball without fouling. Thomas gave his guards a big target to pass the ball to in the post and was a willing passer if he did not have a scoring opportunity. His willingness to run and get out on the break was impressive as well. If he gets a chance to dunk it, defenders better watch out.

Jayden Dugas Jayden Dugas 6'2" | CG Northside | 2023 State LA (Northside | 2023 | 5’10")

Northside should be one of the better teams in Class 4A and Jayden Dugas Jayden Dugas 6'2" | CG Northside | 2023 State LA should be one of the better players on that team. While he is usually showing off his defensive skills, it was his long range shooting that was doing the damage on Saturday. Dugas was very good in spot up situations. He stepped into each shot and barely touched the rim with each one. When Dugas is shooting like that, the Vikings are hard to beat.

Mekel Hart Mekel Hart 6'5" | SF Captain Shreve | 2023 State LA (Captain Shreve | 2023 | 6’4")

Hart may be a certified gem in the 2023 class. He is one of the best all-around players in the state and he showed his full skill set at LSUA. Hart is one of those rare players who can guard each position on defense and the offense can run through him. He is good at draining the elbow jumper and he is very good on the offensive boards. His ability to grab the defensive board, bring it up the floor, and facilitate the offense is next level stuff. Hart is as complete a player as we have in the Boot and showed it in Alexandria.

Bryson Corbett (Hamilton Christian | 2023 | 6’2")

The Warriors have some holes to fill on offense and from the looks of it, Bryson Corbett is one of those players that can fill the void. Corbett was one of the most active players on the floor during play on Saturday. While he has a set shot release that takes some time, he has the ability to shoot from three. He also attacks the rim repeatedly with intentions to score at all times. Corbett is an active wing that will provide some offensive punch for Hamilton Christian.

Shawn Weston Shawn Weston 6'0" | CG Hamilton Christian | 2025 State LA (Hamitlon Christian | 2025 | 6’1")

Westin seemed to fit right into what the Warriors were trying to do offensively in Alexandria. He was another player who attacked the rim habitually and is very good on the fast break. He is also an athletic defender and spent some time disrupting the offense of the Warrior opponents. As a sophomore, if he gets in the regular rotation, he will play a big part in whatever role Coach Hicks has planned.

Travone Varner (Neville | 2025 | 6’2")

Varner showed off his scoring ability during his time on the floor at ASH. He is as versatile as they get on the offensive end. Varner scored from all three essential levels on the floor and did it with ease. He drove to the cup using his left and right, took contact on almost every drive and finished at the rim. Varner shot the three with confidence and followed his shot when he was off. Replacing what Neville lost offensively will be hard but Varner will be leading the charge in that effort.

Juvian Keys Juvian Keys 6'2" | SG Wossman | 2023 State LA (Wossman | 2023 | 6’2")

Keys got to play a lot last summer for the Wildcats and was the best player on the floor at times for them. A year later, nothing has changed in regards to his play. At ASH against a good Captain Shreve team, Keys put pressure on the defense using a quick first step and a willingness to not be stopped from getting to the rack. He also defended everyone from the point guard to the power forward on the perimeter. Keys may be one of the best all-around players next season.

These players were standouts in every way on Saturday. Look for these players to be in team camps coming up or even the NCAA sanctioned events when they return to grassroots play in July.