Players to Watch: Championship Saturday at Marsh Madness

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Day two of the Louisiana High School Athletic Association basketball championships will have a hard time competing to day one. The first day was filled with drama in every game. However, day two has some very compelling match-ups. We will look at players who should make a difference in the five championship contests today.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Marksville vs Red River</strong> <strong>(Noon)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2382738' first='Marcus' last='Price'] (Marksville)</strong> - While Price may not be the leading scorer, he may be the most important player on the floor. His six assists a game leads the team and in a winner take all championship game, getting others involved is paramount. Price will need to be sure he gets others involved early and often. If he does, Marksville may walk away with the title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jomello McDonald (Red River) -</strong> McDonald can go for a double-double at any time. This championship game is just the opportunity to do that. McDonald can beat people up in the post with his strength or step out and make a perimeter shot. His ability to do both will cause problems. Those abilities may just bring Red River a state title. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>St. Martin's Episcopal vs Crescent City (2 PM)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1601913' first='Matthew' last='Weaver'] (St. Martin's)</strong> - Weaver has the ability to score from all three levels. In this title game, his perimeter shot may be needed more than anything. His consistency from deep will draw special attention. That attention may free up the paint for drives by his teammates. With a state title in the balance, this may be the best way to attack. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1218738' first='Jovanni' last='Perez'] (Crescent City) - </strong>Perez can fill the stat sheet during any game. In this championship game, his best attribute may be in the paint. There will be a ton of perimeter shots flying in this one. Perez has the ability to rebound on both boards. His willingness to control the boards may be the difference in the game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Peabody vs Madison Prep (4 PM)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1105593' first='Jordan' last='Mathews'] (Peabody) -</strong> In the semifinal, Mathews showed that he can get it going in the paint and make a difference. In this one, he will face a lot of different big bodies. His ability to score on one end and stay out of foul trouble on the other will be important. If Mathews can hold his own, Peabody may hoist another state title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1218217' first='Josh' last='Smith'] (Madison Prep) - </strong>Smith will face a ton of guards in this one. Will he have the stamina to withstand the defensive pressure Peabody likes to place on guards is the question. Smith is as versatile as they get and he can go on many runs himself. His ability to distribute will make the difference in MPA bringing home the title or not. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Liberty vs St. Thomas More (6 PM)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1408867' first='Jaylen' last='Peters'] (Liberty) -</strong> Peters is the best post player Liberty has. He cannot get into foul trouble early. His ability to rebound and block shots will be much needed against a team who likes to attack the rim. Peters will also need to score when he gets opportunities. His ability to score in the paint will help Liberty bring home the title. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1386535' first='Chad' last='Jones'] (STM) - </strong>Jones will need to control the glass in this one. His length and athleticism will be key in keeping the Patriots off the boards and giving his team extra offensive opportunities. If he can control the paint as a shot blocker as well, he may walk away with a state title in his senior season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Natchitoches Central vs Ponchatoula (8 PM)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1560371' first='Jaden' last='Braden'] (Natchitoches Central) - </strong>This will be the second game where Braden will face a ton of bodies guarding him. He held his own in the semifinal. It will be important for him to do the same here. Braden can get downhill with the best of them. His ability to control the offense will be key if the Chiefs can walk away with the title. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1480391' first='Allen' last='Graves'] (Ponchatoula)</strong> - It will be important for Graves to establish himself in the paint. If he can do that, it will slow the pace down just enough for his team. A track meet would be to the liking of the Chiefs. While the Chiefs do have various bodies they can throw at Graves, he should be able to have the advantage. If that happens, the Green Wave should be looking at back-to-back titles. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All of the fun begins at noon Saturday. There are some marquee match-ups all day at Burton Coliseum. For anyone attending, get your popcorn ready. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->