Preseason Preview: Class B Preseason All-State Team

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*Reprinted due to new realignment within Louisiana.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are right over 72 hours from the beginning of the basketball season for Class B and C in Louisiana. Jamborees will commence this weekend and a lot of teams will be chomping at the bit on Monday. Our choices for the PHLA preseason season, All-state team for Class B will be ready as well. In this preseason preview, we will look at the players we believe make up the preseason All-state team. They are some of bonafide ballers in this prep group of ten. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1st team</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2218441' first='Armonii' last='Benjamin'] (6'2" | 2026 | Avoyelles Charter)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1492960' first='Kane' last='Broussard'] (6'5" | 2025 | Lacassine)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1560448' first='Jalen' last='Brown'] (5'10" | 2025 | Avoyelles Charter)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2374408' first='Semar' last='Flugence'] (6'3" | 2025 | Episcopal of Acadiana)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1347266' first='Preston' last='Sanders'] (6'2" | 2025 | Zwolle)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first team is stacked with highly regarded players from their respective classes. So first team honors seem appropriate. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1560448' first='Jalen' last='Brown']</strong> is the best point guard in the 2025 class hands down. He is also two time Most Outstanding Player of the class which speaks to his talent. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2218441' first='Armonii' last='Benjamin']</strong> is one of the top players in the junior class. He is a legitimate threat to win Most Outstanding Player honors at season's end. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2374408' first='Semar' last='Flugence']</strong> is an athletic freak of talent. He is also a three level scorer and willing passer which speaks to his all-around play. <strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1347266' first='Preston' last='Sanders']</strong> brings a state championship pedigree with some serious bounce. He may be the best open court player regardless of class. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1492960' first='Kane' last='Broussard']</strong> can do it all. At his height, he is one of the most versatile players we have in Louisiana.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2nd Team</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2692377' first='Layton' last='Byles'] (5'11" | 2026 | Negreet)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2700447' first='Caden' last='Cooley'] (6'2" | 2027 | Anacoco)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1347259' first='Demarion' last='McClendon'] (5'8" | 2025 | Doyline)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2692383' first='Micah' last='Merchant'] (6'2" | 2026 | Hicks)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2206875' first='Lawrence' last='Pickney'] (6'0" | 2025 | JS Clark Leadership)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Leading the second team is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2700447' first='Caden' last='Cooley']</strong>. He is primed to take over the scoring role of departing Dustin Welch. Cooley can shoot it from deep and score in the paint . <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1347259' first='Demarion' last='McClendon']</strong> is a scoring and passing point guard. Doyline is a perennial class B power and his style of play will hopefully guide them back to Marsh Madness. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2692377' first='Layton' last='Byles']</strong> is the leader of an experienced Negreet squad. He may average over ten assists a game with the pieces he has to pass to. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2206875' first='Lawrence' last='Pickney']</strong> is a two-way point who causes havoc on defense. His ball pressure helps his team alternate from defense to offense quickly during most games. <strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2692383' first='Micah' last='Merchant']</strong> can light it up from behind the arc. His defense is also very good and helps to cause a ton of turnovers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I believe all of these players will have high quality seasons. It will be interesting to see who plays for the Division V select and DV non-select crowns in March. I believe some of these players will definitely be represented. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->