Rising Stars in High School Basketball: Highlights from Ruston

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Ruston High School scrimmages hosted Southwood, Union, Wossman and Rayville, and the talent and competition did not disappoint. While some players are stepping into their roles at their high school, others are adjusting to new programs and new opportunities at these programs. Here are some players to watch as they could surely be impact players at their schools when the season gets underway. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Feel Free to share Highlights and Accolades to keep your local scouts up to date on your progress.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>IG: @donald.tatum73</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>X: @cpt_tatum</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2883631"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68f6f87bb8944"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Washington spent the day doing all of the small things required to make winning plays. Washington is an active player with visible athleticism and high energy. In both games of the day he was all over the court and was an easy standout of the day. Washington made shots, played the passing lanes, defended at a high level and played high IQ Basketball. Wossman has reloaded with talent and Washington is one of those pieces. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3018785"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3018856,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68f6f87bb89b0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gipson is a name to get to know. In his first day of high school competition it was obvious that his skill is next level. Gipson is a Point Guard with wing size. There will be an adjustment period while he learns the team, but his eye for making spot on passes and reading the floor were his strength of the day. He resisted the urge to make the scrimmage a showcase of his offensive skill, but scored in spots and set the scoring table for his team mates. Checking the skill boxes was one part of his game, but he also checks the energy and leadership boxes as well. Gipson will play college basketball, and coaches will line up for his services at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2532089"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68f6f87bb8a1c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ford is one of the top players in the nation. His skills are elite. His mentality is elite, and his performance was also elite. He is a young player with more upside than can be estimated. At 15, he is a pure shooter and can get his shot wherever he wants on the court. His poise with the ball makes him only controllable with a double team. Ford uses the shoulder bump to bully players all over the court and you can only hope he misses a shot. Calling him a sniper would be right in line with his skill as one of a few players with his ability to shoot the ball. Recent offers from LSU and NC State are evidence of his acknowledged potential. His new home in Ruston could be the place where he builds his legacy. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":3019117,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Tyaundra Gilbert","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77246","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Union High School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68f6f87bb8ad0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gilbert is another energy player of the day, but he was also one of the standout players at the HoopsFest Showcase in August. His game is all about hustle, but he plays the game with pace and control. He is a downhill player with the ability to stop and pull up for the mid range shot. His role on the Union squad could surely see him have some big scoring nights due to his aggressiveness on both sides of the ball. Gilbert is fun to watch play because he does not take any plays off and does not cheat the game. Gilbert will be a big piece at Union this season as they look to make some noise with a young, but talented roster. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2422968"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68f6f87bb8b1b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I feel comfortable saying that Wilson will have a breakout season based on his play, skill and new hoops home. The move to Rayville opens up the doors for more opportunity. Wilson is a hooper. He is special with the ball in his hands, and this season will be his opportunity to showcase his abilities. He was hobbled in the summer due to a nagging injury, but after this weekend he appears to be ready to lead the Rayville squad. Wilson controls the offense, gets to the rim, finds open players at their spots and he competes. He is tough and is one of those guys that is going to make every game a dawg fight. Wilson is a stock riser in the deep 2027 Class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This concludes the highlighted players for this day, but stay on the lookout for more player breakdowns in the coming days to include the 2028 Rankings Update. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->