LHSAA Day One: Top Performers from the Championship Opener

Day one of the LHSAA playoffs did not disappoint, as teams left it all on the court in pursuit of a state title. The opening matchups were filled with high drama, clutch plays, and standout individual performances that set the tone for the week. Here is a look at the players who rose to the occasion and made a major impact on day one.   De'Avery Durham | Gibsland-Coleman Durham orchestrated the offense with precision, stuffing the stat sheet in a masterful all-around performance. He finished with 17 points on an efficient 7-for-14 shooting while making his impact felt everywhere on the court, adding 7 assists, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals. His ability to control the game on both ends was critical, and he will need to replicate this level of production if Gibsland-Coleman hopes to reclaim championship glory.   DeMarquis "Juicy" Durham | Gibsland-Coleman While his brother ran the show, "Juicy" Durham brought the fireworks. He was a force offensively, pouring in 23 points on a blistering 11-for-19 from the field. Not content to just score, Durham electrified the crowd with a pair of powerful dunks, sending a clear message that Gibsland-Coleman means business on their championship quest.   [player_tooltip player_id='2813573' first='Kzirion' last='Holmes'] | 2027 | Pleasant Hill The secret is officially out on [player_tooltip player_id='2813573' first='Kzirion' last='Holmes']. For too long, he has been an under-the-radar talent, but his performance in the semifinals has put the entire state on notice. Holmes was virtually unstoppable, scoring 26 points on an incredibly efficient 11-for-17 shooting. The 2027 prospect has announced his arrival as a premier emerging talent, and his stock is set to soar.   [player_tooltip player_id='1679405' first='Javonte' last='Ford'] | 2026 | Pleasant Hill As one of the top players in the 2026 class, Ford played like it. He put on a scoring clinic, notching 25 points on 11-for-20 shooting. More impressively, he was clutch when it mattered most, calmly knocking down 3-of-4 free throws in key moments. Ford is a high-level unsigned senior who is going to be an absolute steal for the college coach who lands him.   Caleb Calhoun | Plainview Though his team came up short, Caleb Calhoun left everything he had on the floor. He shouldered the scoring load for Plainview, putting up 21 points in a valiant effort. Calhoun demonstrated a natural ability to score and showcased a high motor that kept his team in the fight until the very end.   Evan Williams | Southern Lab Williams was the catalyst for Southern Lab, doing everything necessary to carry his team to another state championship appearance. His stat line of 14 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals only tells part of the story. The junior guard controlled the game's tempo, playing with exceptional pace and calming his team in tense situations. He proved he is ready for the big stage and could be the key to another Southern Lab title.   De'Marion Hargrove | Zwolle Hargrove delivered a truly dominant performance against Quitman to punch Zwolle's ticket to the championship game. He was an unstoppable force in the paint, recording a massive double-double with 20 points and 14 rebounds. He shot an efficient 9-for-18 from the field, overpowering his opponents and establishing his will from the opening tip.   [player_tooltip player_id='2905811' first='Maliki' last='Broussard'] | Lacassine Broussard showcased his all-around game, dominating his matchup with a complete performance. He finished with 21 points, a perfect 4-for-4 from the free-throw line, and added 11 rebounds and 5 assists. His ability to score, rebound, and facilitate was the driving force that pushed his team into the state championship final.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Valiant Efforts in Defeat</h3>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Beckett Smuck (St. Martin's): Smuck was clutch on the biggest stage, scoring 17 points on efficient 7-of-13 shooting and going a perfect 3-for-3 from the line. His efforts kept his team fighting in a tough semifinal game. </li>   <li>Kade Vinju (2027): This 2027 prospect gave his team a major boost, hitting big shots to keep the game close and finishing with 19 points. His performance was one to remember, and he will surely be back for another shot next season. </li>   <li>[player_tooltip player_id='3165081' first='Brayden' last='Martin'] (2027 | Quitman): Martin put on a shooting display, dropping 22 points and showing everyone in the gym his ability to connect from well beyond the arc. He will be a key returning piece for Quitman next season. </li>   <li>Brayden Smith (Quitman): In the game against Zwolle, Smith proved he is a serious next-level prospect. He is a high-IQ, two-way player who defends at a high level, sets up his teammates, and brings excellent energy to the court—a skillset any coach would value.</li> </ul>

Day one of the LHSAA playoffs did not disappoint, as teams left it all on the court in pursuit of a state title. The opening matchups were filled with high drama, clutch plays, and standout individual performances that set the tone for the week. Here is a look at the players who rose to the occasion and made a major impact on day one.