PHLA Parish/City Rankings: The Top Players in Rapides Parish

Rapides Parish has a rich tradition of basketball when it comes to high school hoops. While a large portion of the history has happened at Peabody Magnet under legendary coach Charles Smith, schools like Alexandria Senior High under Lance Brasher and Northwood-Lena have turned into basketball powers in their respective classifications. Some of the best basketball players have resided in this part of the state and in 2022, that still rings true. In this Prep Hoops Louisiana exclusive, we will take a look at the players from this area in Louisiana and review who we think are the top players playing in Rapides Parish.   1. [player_tooltip player_id='970126' first='Omarion' last='Layssard'] (6'2" / Northwood-Lena)   The Gators high flying guard is the best and most accomplished player in Rapides parish. Layssard has been an all-state performer during his high school career and he has been one of the key cogs in the success Northwood-Lena has enjoyed the past three years. "Diddy" is a player who loves contact and is best when he can finish at the rim through or above contact. He is definitely one of the best guards in the state.   2. [player_tooltip player_id='1105593' first='Jordan' last='Mathews'] (6'5" / Peabody)   Mathews has the most versatile skill set in the parish. He can score from either block, he has a 15 foot jumper that is extremely consistent, and he knows how to handle the rock. Mathews is a multi-faceted player who can dominate a game with his skill set and rebounding. His strength and ability to score in the paint sets him apart from others in the parish.   3. [player_tooltip player_id='970140' first='Kevin' last='Jones'] (6'4" / Peabody)   Jones is quiet and unassuming off the court. However, when he is filling his lane on the court, Jones is one of the most exciting wings in the area. Kevin is an above average defender who is coming into his own offensively. While his outside game is expanding, finishing at the rim and scoring in the paint is still his calling card. His length and athleticism provide a large upside for him in the future.   4. [player_tooltip player_id='1479618' first='Javonte' last='Thomas'] (6'5" / Pineville)   When it comes to playing well in the paint on both ends of the floor, Thomas is the best player in the parish. He is a rim protector and high volume rebounder on the defensive end and an above average rebounder who scores on putbacks on the offensive end. Thomas also has a short jump hook that adds to his scoring attack. A player his size is hard to keep out of the paint and that is where Thomas does his best work.   5. [player_tooltip player_id='1218194' first='Jaylin' last='Johnson'] (6'3" / ASH)   The lefty guard out of Alexandria has the tools to be the player on top of this list. He is a very good defender, he can handle the ball well enough to be a lead guard, and he can score. Johnson is very athletic and beating players off the dribble is normal for him. When he is shooting it well, he is very difficult to cover. If the ball is in his hands, good things will happen for the ASH Trojans this season.   6. [player_tooltip player_id='1381586' first='E'derick' last='Coleman'] (6'1" / Pineville)   Coleman is an athletic guard who has gotten better as he has seen more time on the floor. He is a player who can get to the rim in a hurry and will dunk on defenders if they are not in a good defensive position. With Coleman at the off guard, Pineville has a good chance of being a top team this season.   7. [player_tooltip player_id='1560416' first='Jacob' last='Vilar'] (6'3' / Menard)   Vilar may be one of the best kept secrets in north Louisiana....not Rapides Parish. He is a player who can score at multiple levels and has a high basketball IQ. Vilar has one of the best elbow jumpers there is in the prep game and a consistent shot from three. He is not a player that defenders should leave open.   8. [player_tooltip player_id='1213564' first='Jonathan' last='Barron'] (6'1" / Northwood-Lena)   Barron is one of the best point guards in north Louisiana and plays for one of the better teams in class 1A. He uses the dribble probably as well as any guard to gain an advantage over whomever is defending him. Barron shoots and passes at a high level which makes him hard to defend. He is a point guard who can really get it done.   9. [player_tooltip player_id='1479617' first='Demichael' last='Chew'] (6'3" / Peabody)   Chew is one of the better shooters in the parish. He had a good summer shooting from behind and was a part of one of the better teams on the Prep Hoops circuit. When Chew gets hot, the shots fall very easily. He will definitely be an added weapon to the Warhorses attack this season.   10. [player_tooltip player_id='1560357' first='Karson' last='Mabou'] (6'0" / Buckeye)   Mabou is one of the guards that has such control of the ball it is as if he never turns the ball over. He is very good at making decisions and picking his spots when he is needed to score. Not too many point guards make better decisions than he does. Mabou is a true point in every sense of the word.   Other players to watch   [player_tooltip player_id='1547305' first='Brandon' last='Collins'] (5'11" / Pineville) - guard who likes to shoot the ball from deep; can be deadly from deep when he gets red hot   [player_tooltip player_id='1471483' first='Jacques' last='Hopewell'] (6'1" / Menard) - he shoots the ball from outside better than some people shoot layups; he plays off the ball very well   [player_tooltip player_id='1560437' first='A'korian' last='Smith'] (5'11" / University Academy) - a do-it-all point guard who is very good at finding the weaknesses in defenses; good outside shooter   Gary Mathews (6'4" / ASH) - a bruiser and banger in the middle; very physical threat in the paint   The schools and players in Rapides Parish will have a say in several of the basketball classifications in the state. We will get a chance to see these players shine when they hit the hardwood in mid-November.

Rapides Parish has a rich tradition of basketball when it comes to high school hoops. While a large portion of the history has happened at Peabody Magnet under legendary coach Charles Smith, schools like Alexandria Senior High under Lance Brasher and Northwood-Lena have turned into basketball powers in their respective classifications. Some of the best basketball players have resided in this part of the state and in 2022, that still rings true. In this Prep Hoops Louisiana exclusive, we will take a look at the players from this area in Louisiana and review who we think are the top players playing in Rapides Parish.