Grind Region Finals: 2023 Standouts from Louisiana

Friday and Saturday saw a wealth of talent from Louisiana on the floor. While it has been a mixed bag of results as far as team accomplishments, the players from the Boot have had some impressive performances. In this Grind Region Finals exclusive, I will review some of the standouts from the Boot that played well on Friday and Saturday. [player_tooltip player_id="1381596" first="Ronneal" last="Harold"] (6’7" | FIFA Elite | 2023) Even though he has probably been outweighed in every match-up thus far, Harold has more than held his own. He has been one of the best rim protectors during the Finals and he has proven that he has a great set of hands as he has made catches in some of the tightest spaces. His timely scoring propelled FIFA Elite to a win against a tough Texas Takeover team. Harold definitely made a great accounting for himself during FIFA Elite’s play on Saturday. [player_tooltip player_id="1273398" first="Cardez" last="Norman"] (6’7" | OWE-RW3 | 2023) Norman had an impressive Saturday to say the least. During the OWE victories on Saturday he displayed elite level athleticism as he had his own dunk fest during each game. On the defensive boards he proved to be a little bit of a throwback as he attacked each rebound and gathered it with two hands. Norman is a high level finisher and has a high ceiling as a transition player, rebounder, and rim protector going forward. [player_tooltip player_id="1471593" first="Damien" last="McCoy"] (6’0" | On Geaux | 2023) McCoy was on fire Friday night from behind the arc. He scored almost 30 points on the night by his movement and good shot making. McCoy was excellent at moving into the passer’s line of vision and he was able to make the defense pay. While his final attempt at a game-tying shot was negated due to him stepping out of bounds, McCoy proved his is not a player that can be left open. [player_tooltip player_id="970126" first="Omarion" last="Layssard"] (6’2" | Cenla Dynasty | 2023) No one attacks the rim like Layssard and he has proven that repeatedly in the Cenla Dynasty contests. He seeks contact if he does not have a straight line drive and creates foul line opportunities because of it. Layssard is also a streaky shooter and can go for bunches quickly if his shot from three is going. Even though they lost in the 1st round, Layssard has continued this formula in their other games. He is a hard guard to stop getting to the rim. Desmond Duncan (6’4" | WBBP Rush | 2022) Duncan is hard to stop when he gets a head full of steam in transition. During each WBBP contest, he changes ends with a head of steam that is unmatched. Duncan also has great lift and he can finish above the rim with the best finishers on the weekend. He is a player who makes things happen and his ability to convert defense to offense quickly is something colleges should look at in a potentially late signee. [player_tooltip player_id="1471598" first="Wendell" last="Hampton"] (6’5" | Showtime Elite ’23 | 2023) There was not a forward on Friday or Saturday that was a better post presence than Hampton. His work on the defensive and offensive boards was one that combined hard work and anticipation. He knows how to anchor himself on the block or right outside and tracks the ball well. Hampton has great footwork and knows how to get to areas around the basket and power up. He is not going to win any leaping contest but he will more times than not finish the play. Hampton is a solid in the paint as they come. All 17U Louisiana teams will see action on Sunday and a couple of them will via for the 17U Grind Region title. There is a wealth of talent from Louisiana on the Prep Hoops Circuit and they have definitely come to play in the Grind Region.

Friday and Saturday saw a wealth of talent from Louisiana on the floor. While it has been a mixed bag of results as far as team accomplishments, the players from the Boot have had some impressive performances. In this Grind Region Finals exclusive, I will review some of the standouts from the Boot that played well on Friday and Saturday.

Ronneal Harold Ronneal Harold 6'6" | PF Amite | 2023 State LA (6’7" | FIFA Elite | 2023)

Even though he has probably been outweighed in every match-up thus far, Harold has more than held his own. He has been one of the best rim protectors during the Finals and he has proven that he has a great set of hands as he has made catches in some of the tightest spaces. His timely scoring propelled FIFA Elite to a win against a tough Texas Takeover team. Harold definitely made a great accounting for himself during FIFA Elite’s play on Saturday.

Cardez Norman Cardez Norman 6'6" | PF Sterlington | 2024 LA (6’7" | OWE-RW3 | 2023)

Norman had an impressive Saturday to say the least. During the OWE victories on Saturday he displayed elite level athleticism as he had his own dunk fest during each game. On the defensive boards he proved to be a little bit of a throwback as he attacked each rebound and gathered it with two hands. Norman is a high level finisher and has a high ceiling as a transition player, rebounder, and rim protector going forward.

Damien McCoy Damien McCoy 5'10" | CG McMain | 2023 State LA (6’0" | On Geaux | 2023)

McCoy was on fire Friday night from behind the arc. He scored almost 30 points on the night by his movement and good shot making. McCoy was excellent at moving into the passer’s line of vision and he was able to make the defense pay. While his final attempt at a game-tying shot was negated due to him stepping out of bounds, McCoy proved his is not a player that can be left open.

Omarion Layssard Omarion Layssard 6'2" | SG Northwood | 2023 State LA (6’2" | Cenla Dynasty | 2023)

No one attacks the rim like Layssard and he has proven that repeatedly in the Cenla Dynasty contests. He seeks contact if he does not have a straight line drive and creates foul line opportunities because of it. Layssard is also a streaky shooter and can go for bunches quickly if his shot from three is going. Even though they lost in the 1st round, Layssard has continued this formula in their other games. He is a hard guard to stop getting to the rim.

Desmond Duncan (6’4" | WBBP Rush | 2022)

Duncan is hard to stop when he gets a head full of steam in transition. During each WBBP contest, he changes ends with a head of steam that is unmatched. Duncan also has great lift and he can finish above the rim with the best finishers on the weekend. He is a player who makes things happen and his ability to convert defense to offense quickly is something colleges should look at in a potentially late signee.

Wendell Hampton Wendell Hampton 6'5" | PF Shaun Dumas Academy | 2023 State LA (6’5" | Showtime Elite ’23 | 2023)

There was not a forward on Friday or Saturday that was a better post presence than Hampton. His work on the defensive and offensive boards was one that combined hard work and anticipation. He knows how to anchor himself on the block or right outside and tracks the ball well. Hampton has great footwork and knows how to get to areas around the basket and power up. He is not going to win any leaping contest but he will more times than not finish the play. Hampton is a solid in the paint as they come.

All 17U Louisiana teams will see action on Sunday and a couple of them will via for the 17U Grind Region title. There is a wealth of talent from Louisiana on the Prep Hoops Circuit and they have definitely come to play in the Grind Region.