Key Players to Watch Before State Championship Games

The brackets are dropping today and we have a week before the games get started, but before we start breaking down brackets and picking winners and losers there are more players we need to discuss as we close the season. Here are some of the names that will be associated with big games heading to the State Championship Games.     Hall is an enigma to many in the state because of his quiet demeanor and placement next to the #1 guard in the state. His job mirrors the responsibility of the lead player, but he has hit his stride and seems to understand that in order to win, he has to allow his light to shine equally bright. There is not a superior player in the state in any measurable aspect, excluding height, but he makes up for that with athleticism. I call players "supreme" when they check all the boxes, and Hall has entered the realm of supreme guards. His game exists without flaws. He could be the best on ball defender or best three-point shooter in the state. Depends on which game you attend. Hall is a problem, and his growth this season could be the missing piece to get Calvary over the Championship hump. 20 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks. That is a typical Hall state line, but how he finished in their cross-town rivalry game vs Bossier.     In my first opportunity to watch Holmes play there were several attributes that jumped out that make him an impressive prospect. First of all, he is built and moves like a next level guard. He has a high motor and plays the game with poise. He is a good mid-range and three point shooter as well. In the match up vs LakeView, he scored 23 points and locked in on the defensive side of the ball. We can call him a hidden gem after my first viewing, but he is one that we will continue to look for that will surely make his rankings debut in the next update.     Davis is a standout point guard in the 2026 Class. He consistently looks for opportunities to score the ball. He excels coming off screens where he is equally efficient at knocking down the mid-range or three-pint shot. In addition to his shooting ability, he is comfortable attacking down hill and drawing fouls while having the strength to finish through contact. While doing all this, he plays with his head up facilitating and distributing the ball for team mate scoring opportunities. Davis is a sleeper in the state and one that Coaches could surely find interesting.     Carmel has improved in every measureable way and this season he has shown his ability to do it all on the court. He makes the tough shots that confuse defenders and cause adjustments in coaching strategies. He is an undersized guard but uses his size to split defenses and quickly get to his spots on the floor to score or create for his teammates. Carmel and his growth could be the recipe for playoff success.     Doucet is a pure sharp shooter in the 2029 Class. He is a pest on the defensive side of the ball. He locks in and works to make those defensive stops that affect the overall flow of the game. This ability to create second chance opportunities for his team make him a big-time asset in tense game scenarios. Two-way players are in short supply, but the freshman is getting it done on both ends of the court.

The brackets are dropping today and we have a week before the games get started, but before we start breaking down brackets and picking winners and losers there are more players we need to discuss as we close the season. Here are some of the names that will be associated with big games heading to the State Championship Games.