2024 G Josh Smith punctuates Madison Prep's 57-51 win at Zachary

A packed Havoc House began rocking and roaring as home Zachary pulled back within a point of Madison Prep about three minutes into the fourth quarter.   But as the pace began reaching a frenzy fitting the electric atmosphere, the Chargers snatched back-to-back steals and cashed in four rapid-fire points by [player_tooltip player_id='1218217' first='Josh' last='Smith'] on an emphatic one-handed slam to the left, then driving basket to the right.   The junior guard's personal mini-run sparked a 15-4 run, which he capped with another highlight-reel dunk, to help take a stranglehold on an eventual 57-51 victory in the showdown of Baton Rouge area powerhouses.   "Just keeping our composure, getting everybody with energy and (Jamari Thigpen) making big plays and putting us in position, in a tough situation, dishing out to me and getting the dunk," Smith said. "Just giving everybody energy, making our younger guys have energy to make big plays, that's what it was."   Madison Prep and Zachary have each won back-to-back state championships and entered the evening No. 1 and No. 3, respectively, in their divisions' power rankings.   The Chargers have won seven of the past eight titles in their class or division.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-embed-handler wp-block-embed-embed-handler wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/embed/xS4fE7-S0nk </div></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1218217' first='Josh' last='Smith'] (6'2" | 2024)   The junior standout was aggressive in attacking the basket, particularly beginning in the second quarter, and helped the Chargers pull ahead, answer the Broncos' rally and seize control for good. Smith finished with a game-high 23 points, five rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal and drew a third-quarter charge that was also critical in helping never lose the lead.   [player_tooltip player_id='1218216' first='Jayce' last='Depron'] (6'5" | 2024)   Smith's partner-in-crime's primary impact early was spearheaded a defensive effort that kept Zachary star [player_tooltip player_id='1130799' first='Brandon' last='Hardy'] blanketed and scoreless into the second quarter. The lengthy shooting guard has taken pride in his work on that end of the court, and Thursday was a great test and example. Depron provided some key baskets in the second half as well en route to 11 points, five rebounds and an assist.   [player_tooltip player_id='970109' first='Dylan' last='Dominique'] (6'1" | 2023)   The senior guard was an active, wily defender getting his hands in passing lanes for a pair of steals, deflecting away another, grabbing three rebounds and being consistently mindful and willing to position himself for potential charges in the lane — although two close calls went against him. He also dished out three assists and scored seven points, including a breakaway dunk of his own showing his own athleticism and leap that can get overlooked at times amid the bigger athletes around him.   [player_tooltip player_id='1585179' first='Quentin' last='Dabney'] (6'5" | 2024)   Dabney was the most consistent of the Chargers' forward trio, starting alongside [player_tooltip player_id='1492968' first='Chris' last='Lindo'] and closing alongside Jamari Thigpen, and finished with nine points, seven rebounds and two blocked shots. Zachary dominated the boards in the first quarter, but Dabney and Thigpen joining Lindo's strong start help even the dynamic out as the game continued.   [player_tooltip player_id='1492968' first='Chris' last='Lindo'] (6'6" | 2025)   The tallest of the bunch helped provide a particular spark early with team-highs of five points — an inside basket and a banked-in 3-pointer — and three rebounds in the first quarter. He finished with five points, six rebounds and two blocked shots.   Jamari Thigpen (6'5" | 2024)   Thigpen scored two points, but was hugely influential down the stretch with his constant hustle for three rebounds, three blocked shots and three steals — many of those plays coming during the game-deciding 15-4 run.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-embed-handler wp-block-embed-embed-handler wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/embed/JIyRlLqGJ0w </div></figure>   Beejay Brooks (6'4" | 2024)   The junior forward led the Broncos' offense from the outset with six of his team-high 19 points coming in the first quarter, along with a game-high 12 rebounds, two blocked shots and a steal. Brooks was an efficient scorer at all three levels, able to work his way to his mid-range and interior spots off the dribble, getting putbacks on the offensive boards and draining a catch-and-shoot 3-pointer.   [player_tooltip player_id='1130799' first='Brandon' last='Hardy'] (6'3" | 2023)   The Ragin' Cajuns commitment managed to get off just one first-quarter field goal attempt, a driving transition shot through contact with Depron that bounced harmlessly off the opposite side of the rim. But he came out attacking and firing on all cylinders in the second quarter for nine quick points before being sidelined for a big chunk of the second half with a cramp. Hardy returned and finished with 13 points, four rebounds and a pair of steals.   [player_tooltip player_id='1347180' first='Xavier' last='Ferguson'] (6'1" | 2025)   The sophomore forward stepped up early with four first-quarter points, pairing with Brooks to provide the Broncos enough scoring to be neck-and-neck with Madison Prep early despite the Chargers' limiting of Hardy. And he added the big driving, spinning fourth-quarter basket in the lane and subsequent and-one foul shot to pull Zachary back within 38-37 before Smith and company's big run. Ferguson finished with nine points, two assists and a steal.   Da'sean Conley (2026)   The freshman forward's physicality and activity on the boards helped lead the Broncos' early dominance in that area as he grabbed six of his 10 rebounds in the first quarter.

A packed Havoc House began rocking and roaring as home Zachary pulled back within a point of Madison Prep about three minutes into the fourth quarter.